Former animal shelter volunteer sues Multnomah County over ‘unlawful’ termination
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County Animal Services has been accused of unlawfully terminating a shelter volunteer after she spoke out against its “mismanagement.”
Annie Bedrosian filed a lawsuit against the county on Apr. 15, saying she was known as an “exceptionally hard-working and diligent volunteer” until she was ousted earlier this year.
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Court documents show the plaintiff served in the shelter’s laundry room, and would often volunteer for extra shifts and extended hours.
“It felt good to provide clean bedding when so many shelter animals were left to wallow in their own urine, feces, slobber, vomit, blood, and pus,” Bedrosian wrote in her declaration.
The lawsuit claimed MCAS employees regularly shared their frustrations with shelter leadership, and Bedrosian sometimes joined to discuss her concerns with their euthanasia and adoption policies.
According to the declaration, shelter leaders warned the volunteer against questioning their actions and policies in April 2023 — stating she made people feel “uncomfortable.”
About two months later, a volunteer coordinator told her that only staff could discuss topics like adoption and euthanasia.
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Later on Feb. 1, 2024, the plaintiff learned an MCAS dog would be adopted by a family who already owns a senior dog.
“Ms. Bedrosian was already aware through her volunteering that Jasmin was a survivor of a severe dog attack and tended to be reactive with other dogs,” Attorney Alan Lloyd Kessler wrote. “For this reason, Jasmin’s records stated that Jasmin was to be adopted as an only dog.”
Bedrosian privately communicated her concerns with the shelter manager and was terminated the following day, according to the suit.
The documents also said Jasmin was bitten and “critically injured” by the other dog in her new home.
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MCAS was additionally accused of prohibiting Bedrosian’s sister from fostering animals going forward.
In an email, Multnomah County spokesperson Alicia Mendez told KOIN 6 the county doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
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