The Richmond Animal Protection Society’s CEO is this week defending his organization after several weeks of turmoil.
Eyal Lichtmann, who took over the reins at non-profit RAPS four months ago, claims all is well at the city’s animal shelter, amid accusations of dog theft, an animal control officer (ACO) resigning and two board members stepping down.
Lichtmann said allegations of dogs being taken from an owner’s yard without permission are, so far, unfounded, despite the alleged incident being splashed over several pages in the Richmond-based Chinese language newspaper Ming Pao on March 26.
The newspaper claimed to have video evidence of the dogs — two Samoyeds — being taken from the yard on March 12 by a part-time ACO.
The Richmond News understands the dogs in question have been impounded several times in the past for being loose.
However, it appears the dogs were returned to the owner, with no fees or fines paid, a few days later after the owner’s lawyer told RAPS the family has video evidence of the dogs being taken from their yard without cause.
RAPS immediately started an investigation into the incident but, despite several requests, has yet to receive a copy of the video from the owners or their lawyer.
While the investigation was taking place, the ACO was placed on administrative leave for two weeks, but resigned after that period.
Lichtmann confirmed to the News on Wednesday that two of RAPS’ nine board members have also resigned since he took over, but insisted their departures were for personal health reasons.
“Both (former board members) are still active within the organization,” he added.
On the dog theft claim and the Ming Pao story, Lichtmann said RAPS is aware of the incident. “…we take these allegations very, very seriously.
“We’re conducting an investigation to get to the bottom of the matter. Our first priority was the safety of the dogs.
“We were promised a copy of the video and we’re still waiting. We are following proper procedures in regards to this.”
Lichtmann has seen the pictures (stills from the video), but not the video of the incident. “You can’t verify much from the pictures.”
Lichtmann said he can’t release any more details, or the ACO’s version of events, until the investigation is finalized, hopefully within the next two weeks.
Aside from the incident, a lengthy, 18-page memo — detailing the way forward for RAPS — was sent out Thursday to staff and volunteers, partly, said Lichtmann, due to “erroneous information floating around about the intent or purpose of some of the things we are doing.”
Most of the information, he said, is “absolutely based on third party, make-believe issues and information.
“This is perpetuated by some disgruntled individuals in the organization who have lost their ability to manipulate the resources of the organization for their influence and benefit.
“So the best way to deal with the innuendos and false claims is to be upfront about what we are doing and attempting to accomplish. We have nothing to hide...we are proud of everything we are doing...”
Lichtmann said that, while “professionalizing the organization from top to bottom,” there is bound to be people upset with the changes.
“Some people had a certain influence when they were here and they continue to try to use that influence.
“We want to reach the stage of being a five-star operation and that involves reinvigorating the operations from top to bottom.
“We’re writing up a business plan and it should be ready within the next month or so.
“I’ve only been here 16 weeks and we’ve done an enormous amount of reorganization already at the policy and administration level. And we have new, donated office space (behind Ironwood), new, donated computers and a new website coming soon.”
In terms of his promise in January to bring in bigger, perhaps corporate, donations to RAPS, Lichtmann said it was still way too early to judge him.
“We’re still cleaning up the database for the organization and I’m about to bring in people who have led billion-dollar (fundraising) campaigns. This is a three-year plan.”
Responding to questions over him working for free until he can justify taking a salary, Lichtmann said he’s still not taking a wage.
“I have a lot of faith in my own abilities. I have no doubt I’m going to succeed here.”
Lichtmann’s arrival at the 27-year-old society — which has been without an executive director since RAPS’ founder, Carol Reichert, retired two years ago — coincided with a catalogue of bold promises to modernize and grow the non-profit organization.
RAPS’ president Fearn Edmonds said in January that the new CEO will not be paid from the no-kill charity’s shoestring budget, 40 per cent of which comes from the City of Richmond contract, which is now entering its 10th year.
