TOP DOG SAYS HE'LL RETIRE CITY'S ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CHIEF TO QUIT IN APRIL.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Jerry Greenwalt, the embattled head of the city's Department of Animal Services for nearly three years, announced Tuesday he plans to retire on April 12. Greenwalt, 63, who has worked for the city for more than 33 years, said he was not forced out by animal activists, who have picketed his home as they sought a no-kill policy for animals brought into the city's six shelters. ``I had been planning this for more than a year, and the mayor asked me last year to stay on,'' said Greenwalt, who earns $140,000 a year. ``There were also some things I wanted to get done that I think will benefit all the animals in the city.'' Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California , whose home also has been picketed by animal rights activists, said he was pleased with Greenwalt's work as general manager. ``He has done an amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. job under extraordinarily difficult circumstances,'' Hahn said. ``Pet adoptions have increased, and euthanizations have decreased.'' While the city has been unable to implement a no-kill policy, Greenwalt said he is pleased with the efforts being made to increase pet adoptions, and to spay spay v. To surgically remove the ovaries of an animal. spay, spey to remove the ovaries. See also ovariohysterectomy. spay hook see spay hook. and neuter neu·ter adj. 1. Having undeveloped or imperfectly developed sexual organs. 2. Sexually undeveloped. n. A castrated animal. v. To castrate or spay. neuter 1. more stray animals. Gretchen Wyler Gretchen Wyler (February 16, 1932 - May 27, 2007), was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as Gretchen Patricia Wienecke. She was raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where her father was an engineer. of the Ark Trust said she regretted Greenwalt's departure. ``A lot of people misunderstand mis·un·der·stand tr.v. mis·un·der·stood , mis·un·der·stand·ing, mis·un·der·stands To understand incorrectly; misinterpret. what his job is and the job of the department,'' Wyler said. ``You can't save every animal. He has done as good a job as he can.'' Melya Kaplan of the Venice Animal Allies, who has opposed Greenwalt, said she will welcome new leadership. ``There are those with real hands-on experience in low-kill and no-kill shelters who can take over,'' Kaplan said. Jerry Vlasak Jerry Vlasak is an American physician, animal rights activist, environmentalist, and press officer for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. He is a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a director of the Animal Defense League, a former member of the Animal Defense League, which staged the protests at Hahn's and Greenwalt's homes, said he was pleased with the news and would try to work with the mayor in selecting a new director. ``We already have a search committee in place to find someone with experience and a caring attitude,'' Vlasak said, adding he believed there will be pressure on the mayor with next year's election coming up. Greenwalt will be temporarily replaced by Sharon Morris, executive director of the Department on Disability, until a permanent successor is named. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com |
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