Where Hutchison, Constantine stand on animal control

We're asking King County executive candidates Dow Constantine and Susan Hutchison for their positions on various issues. Today, we ask about the county's Animal Care and Control, which has been criticized for poor shelter conditions and slow response times to dangerous-dog complaints.

Has the county provided enough money for animal care and control?

Yes, said Constantine, a county councilmember who, along with Councilmember Julia Patterson, negotiated a $1 million midyear appropriation with then-Executive Ron Sims in 2008 to improve shelter conditions. And this year, he noted, the council approved a substantial increase in animal-license fees. He was outraged, he said, that administrators didn't inform the council of long response times to calls about aggressive animals, as reported by The Seattle Times on Sept. 13.

No, Hutchison said, funding appears inadequate to operate animal shelters and respond to calls. "When you see something like that," she said of slow response times, "and you're just reminded how inept government is at providing the services that they're expected to provide, then you throw up your hands. It's one of the reasons I'm doing so well [in polls]. People want a new direction."

Should a different entity take over animal care and control, and animal-cruelty investigations?

Constantine has said for a long time that the county has botched the job of providing humane shelter care for animals, so "community partners" such as the Seattle Humane Society should play a role in animal care and adoption. He would turn animal-cruelty investigations over to the Sheriff's Office and give county animal-control officers continued responsibility for dealing with dangerous or stray animals.

Hutchison wants the county out of the animal-shelter business and suggests reopening discussions with the Humane Society on a possible contract to operate a shelter. She said animal-cruelty investigations should be done by sheriff's deputies, and county animal-control officers should handle stray or dangerous animals.

How should these services be funded?

Constantine said money from taxes and license fees should pay for animal-cruelty investigations and animal-control duties. He said negotiating a partnership with another organization will be complex because state law doesn't allow the county to contract out work that is now done by county employees.

Hutchison said the county will need to use taxes and license revenues to contract with a private shelter operator, continue animal-control responsibilities and investigate cruelty cases.