Oct 28, 2007 9:22 pm US/Pacific
Assemblyman Sparks Caltrans Animal Dumping Inquiry
SANTA CLARA CO. (BCN) ―
California State Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, announced Thursday an inquiry into reports that California Department of Transportation employees have been illegally dumping dead animals along the sides of California roads and highways.
In response to KPIX Channel 5 news reports of animal dumping sites near highways in San Mateo and Saratoga, Huffman drafted a letter requesting information and explanations from Caltrans Director Will Kempton, according
to Huffman spokeswoman Debra Gravert.
Following the first report aired Sept. 27, Caltrans employees claimed responsibility for the site near Saratoga, used for illegal dumping of wild animal and possibly pet animal carcasses.
Policy calls for deceased wild animals to be taken to a rendering plant and for pets to be taken to the Humane Society or San Jose Animal Shelter, Caltrans spokeswoman Lauren Wonder said.
Apparently, the policy is not being followed.
Caltrans is aware of the situation and is conducting an internal investigation, Wonder said.
At least three people on one maintenance crew have been identified as complicit in the dumping, according to an investigation.
They are still employed, but could face internal discipline by Caltrans.
One Caltrans employee had knowledge of the dumping going back a decade, according to Wonder.
In response to the reports, and two newly discovered animal dumping sites near Rodeo Avenue in Sausalito, and near state Highway 12 outside Santa Rosa, Assemblyman Huffman contacted Kempton in order to spark conversation and action.
"Do you believe that current regulations and policies are adequate? If not, what are your plans to update or supplement current regulations or guidelines to ensure that this practice stops and is never repeated again?" Huffman asks Kempton in the letter sent Wednesday.
Huffman also states that he hopes to work with Caltrans to remedy the problem and prevent the practice from continuing.
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