October 08, 2008 08:56 pm
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By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — David Butler, a longtime officer with the Carthage Humane Society, has been fired as manager of the group’s animal shelter.
Butler was fired last week by Tish Bentlage, the society’s executive director, and the action was discussed Tuesday night at a special Humane Society board meeting.
Kaylene Cole, board president, would not comment on the talks, which came in a closed meeting, except to say, “The board is supporting our executive director.”
She also would not comment on why Butler was fired, but she said “protocol was followed” in the action.
“Our shelter will follow guidelines set forth by the Humane Society of the United States as good procedures for any shelter,” Cole said. “Any employee who cannot — or will not — will no longer be a part of the team of the Carthage Humane Society.”
Butler, who does not have a listed telephone number, could not be reached for comment.
Humane Society operations under Butler’s supervision as executive director drew criticisms from local residents that, more than a year ago, prompted an investigation by the Missouri attorney general’s office. The state filed a lawsuit against the organization that, among other things, sought the ouster of Butler and two other paid officers, Bill Johnson and Charles Miller. Those two officers, paid $2,500 and $2,300, respectively, for work with the board, stepped down last year.
Butler, who at one time was board vice president and executive director, first resigned from the board and then as executive director, but he stayed on as shelter manager. At the time, he was making about $21,000 a year.
The board last December voted to accept a settlement to end the lawsuit and the state probe into allegations of mismanagement, missing assets and poor record keeping. The agreement also stipulated that Butler could not handle the organization’s finances.
The board, which has seen significant membership changes since that time, was required to produce annual budgets, and ensure adequate accounting for cash, receipts, revenues and expenditures.
Cole said the post of shelter manager will not be filled immediately, with supervision in the interim to come from Bentlage, who was hired as executive director in mid-July.
“We’re going to see first if someone can work into position,” Cole said. “We’ve hired several people lately who are really good with the animals. We’re hoping that will work out. If not, then we’ll look again.”
Evaluation
The Carthage Humane Society’s shelter operations were evaluated by an inspection team from the Humane Society of the United States. Most of the expense for the review was paid by a grant from the Steadley Foundation.
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