Bideawee Employs Abusers

EVIDENCE


The following emails serve as Evidence of one person's attempt to get Bideawee on East 38th Street to pay attention and address the fact that they have an Emotionally Disturbed, harmful, and abusive Employee named GARY HOOPER on their Staff.  Gary Hooper's abuse, including hitting, of animals has been witnessed, but there are no cameras in most areas of Bideawee where Gary has solitary, unlimited access to animals.

Requests to have cameras in these areas have been ignored.  And, in fact, Bideawee execs just defend and protect Gary, although most of these execs are nearly never around the areas where the animals actually ARE.  And, in fact, most of them are often in the Long Island location of Bideawee, which is far, far away from the Manhattan location.

Bideawee is covering up Gary Hooper's behavior, and those that complain are retaliated upon.  They are told to dissappear or quit, leaving an atmosphere of fear (of losing their jobs) to everyone else, and the animals are STILL in harm's way.

Melissa Meade is the Volunteer & Events Manager, and one of the aforementioned employees in fear of losing her job, and, therefore, completely compromised in regard to advocating for, or protecting, the shelter animals.

Below are the Emails:

                                                                                 February 22, 2013

Hi Melissa,

There's no need to reply to this email.

I'm just going to delineate what happened at the meeting at Bideawee today, 2.21.13, convening at approximately 2:30pm.

Having been told by you, in emails I've copied and pasted below, that this was a meeting convened to discuss my observations of the abusive staffer at Bideawee named Gary, I came to this meeting and met with:

Volunteer & Events Manager, Melissa Meade

VP, Marketing & Communications, Steven Tedder

Director of HR, Marcia Hennessey

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paar

The meeting convened at approximately 2:30pm on 2.21.13.

Steven indicated that his role included working with volunteers in some kind of supervisory capacity, although I don't see that reflected in his title, and, as a volunteer, I was NEVER told he worked at Bideawee in that capacity.  NOR have I ever seen Steven or Marcia on the floor where the animals actually are during any time there.

I described the history of abusive behavior I have witnessed by the staffer, GARY, still currently employed by NYC Bideawee (located at 410 East 38th Street, New York, NY 10016).  I said that Gary was an EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person) as per my observations of him: his erratic, violent behavior, and I've copied and pasted previous emails about it below.

Both Marcia and Steven were offended by my calling Gary an "EDP", but I pointed out that you don't need a psychiatric certificate to say someone is an EDP.  For example, even the NYPD allows people to report individuals as EDP's.

I said that if they were truly concerned about his EDP evaluation, they could, of course, get some psych into Bideawee to observe him.  Neither Marcia nor Steven indicated that they would do that. 

I repeated several times that I was there as an advocate for the animals, who cannot speak for themselves.

I also said several times that I had been told by Melissa and the Bideawee Manager that they have received numerous complaints from individuals about how Gary mistreats them.

Melissa said at the meeting that she had received such complaints.

Steven tried multiple times to minimize the situation with jokes, saying that some people may classify him as having some kind of [disorder].  I said that I didn't find jokes appropriate.

I indicated that Gary has much alone time with the animals, and that I was concerned.  I mentioned that there could be cameras in the area so, at least, there's footage of when Gary is alone with the animals.

No one there indicated that they would follow through with my idea about cameras, and Dr. Paar, compensating, said that she looks through the window where Gary is often.  (N.B. It is physically impossible for Dr. Paar to constantly observe Gary through this window, since she works most often on the medical floor, which is a DIFFERENT FLOOR,  as a veterinarian at Bideawee).

When I tried to interject Points of Clarification to Marcia when she was speaking, she got upset and said "save them until I'm finished".  But, Points of Clarification are supposed to occur when someone is speaking, because a Point needs to be Clarified.

It was clear this wasn't really a meeting to discuss the Bideawee abuser, Gary, by that point.  They were there to defend him.

Marcia illustrated that point perfectly when she said, "If it comes down to choice between Gary and you, I pick Gary".  She had previously said that just like I defend the animals there, she defends the Staff.

Even if it's an abuser on Staff.  And, even if the Bideawee Mission is supposed to be about animals!

BOTH Marcia and Steven said that they wanted me to temporarily leave my role as Volunteer, AND THAT THAT WAS DECIDED BEFORE EVEN SITTING DOWN AT THE MEETING.

This was never a meeting to discuss Gary.  They wanted to force me to stop volunteering.

When Marcia and Steven said that, I said that it was sad to see that this is what happens when a person reports a violent staffer to Bideawee, I left, and Marcia followed, talking about me being "upset". 

THERE'S AN EDP ANIMAL ABUSER WITH CONTINUED ACCESS TO ANIMALS AT BIDEAWEE.  THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE UPSET ABOUT. 
THEY ARE COVERING IT UP.  AND, WHEN SOMEONE BRINGS IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, THEY GET RID OF THEM. 


Copied and pasted emails follow:

This one is from Melissa and show what I was told the meeting would be about:

Hi.,

Would you be able to come to the shelter on Tuesday at 1:00 PM? My supervisor just wants to understand your concerns about Gary.

Let me know if that works.

Thanks!

Melissa Meade

NYC Volunteer & Events Manager


The following are emails where I talk about Gary's EDP behavior:

Hi Melissa,

I just wanted to add to my email about my concerns about Gary's violence towards animals.  I'm copying and pasting my original email below, which I wrote after witnessing Gary violently handling one of our small dogs, Twinkie, on 12.23.12.

I feel like the I have to speak up for the animals because the animals cannot speak up for themselves.  Gary presents a permeating problem for Bideawee, because I know that it is NOT only animals that he has mistreated, but people as well.  The people CAN speak up for themselves, and some of them have told me about the many instances where they have felt intimidated by Gary.

Some of the women have told me that he yells incessantly at them for no reason.  Some of the women have cried about it.

It's not only the women he has harassed, but some of the men as well.  I think the women are more inclined to verbalize about it.  I know it has been only the women who have told me they cried about how Gary has repeatedly verbally harassed and yelled at them for no reason.

Gary is a loose cannon.  I have health care experience, as I think I mentioned to you, and Gary typifies a mentally ill person who has the capacity to be violent.

I know Gary is often left alone with dogs, and he has said that he prefers it this way, which provides the perfect unwatched opportunity for him to mistreat abuse the animals further.

I'm so saddened that Bideawee allows Gary to continue to work there.  Mona Lisa, when I spoke to her on Sunday about what I had witnessed, said that she has received numerous complaints about Gary, and tells people to try to avoid him.

But, I don't think having everyone avoid Gary is the solution.  Gary is NOT harmless. PLEASE, on behalf of our animals who cannot speak for themselves, PLEASE have something done about this abusive bully!

Here is the copied and pasted previous email about Gary that I wrote after witnessing him bully Twinkie:

Hi Melissa,

I just wanted to talk to you again about a certain staffer.  I was there today and witnessed something disturbing with how he roughly handled an animal, and the subsequent look of fear in the animal's face, and how she cringed, is something I will never forget.  It looked like it had happened before.

This is very sad on a number of different levels, most importantly that we are supposed to be taking care of our animals and someone like that is EMPLOYED THERE FOR YEARS....He is definitely a a bully, with likely a mental illness that manifests itself violently.  The dog was Twinkie, one of the smaller dogs, that, fortunately, was adopted today and will no longer have to see him.  Twinkie is probably under 15 pounds, and reminds me of Monami.  I wonder if he ever treated my baby that way.  (I will tell you more specifics when we speak.  I just had to let you know right now a bit).  Since you weren't there, I spoke to Mona L. a little about it.

I will be there again on Thursday.  I think you know I have my second appointment with Mike from 2-3pm (approximately).  Would it be ok to see you at about 3pm, on Thursday after I finish?

Something has to be done!  HE IS NOT HARMLESS.

________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                                                February 26, 2013

Mary Luria is the Chair of the Bideawee Board.

Hi Mary,

I expected, but hoped, for a different reply.

I proposed solutions at the 2.21.13 meeting that were not considered, that included, but were NOT limited to:

1.  Putting cameras in the areas where there are none and Gary has alone access to animals.

2.  Bring some independent (NOT attached to B.A.W. in any capacity) HUMAN behavior evaluator into B.A.W. to evaluate Gary. 

3.  Have Gary present at the meeting on 2.21.13 (since he was working there that day).

NONE of these suggestions were considered.

Leading me to the conclusion:  Bideawee is covering up Gary's behavior, and those that complain are retaliated upon.   They are told to disappear or quit, leaving an atmosphere of fear (of losing their jobs) to everyone else, and the animals are STILL in harm's way.

Sad.


From: Luria, Mary
Subject: RE: Hi Mary...about Bideawee
Cc: "'Nancy Taylor'" , "Luria, Mary"
Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 4:23 PM

I have reviewed your 2/22 email and am aware of your complaint and BAW’s follow-up.  You need to understand that Gary has worked with us for many years and we valued his skills as an animal trainer, particularly for dogs with little or no prior training.  His training helps us move the animals quickly to the adoption area and into loving “forever homes”.  Most trainers use commands to get a dog’s attention and teach basic skills necessary for adoption.  None of us agree with your complaint  or analysis of his behavior.  Thank you for expressing your concern



Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 12:34 AM
To: Luria, Mary
Subject: Hi Mary...about Bideawee

 

Hi Mary,

I'm writing to you in your capacity as Chair of the Board of Directors at Bideawee.

I have volunteered there and personally witnessed one of the Staffers, named GARY, behaving violently towards animals.  He also yells at people, including myself, for no reason.  He strikes me as an Emotionally Disturbed Person (and he has alone access to animals!)

I brought it to the attention of other Staff months ago, and had a meeting with them just 2.21.13.  I was told that it was a meeting to discuss Gary, but it wasn't.

I met with: 

Volunteer & Community Outreach Supervisor, Melissa Meade

VP, Marketing & Communications, Steven Tedder

Director of HR, Marcia Hennessey

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paar

While there, I was told by Steven and Marcia that they had already decided BEFORE meeting that they were going to ask me to temporarily "separate" from Bideawee because Marcia said that if it was a choice between Gary and myself (I maintain that it's about the ANIMALS), she'll choose Gary and that she had already decided this before sitting down.

It was NEVER truly a discussion about Gary.

Please...I'm hoping you really care about the animals...I'd be more than willing to discuss this further with you, and also can forward you other emails...

For the animals,

p.s. the Manager and Melissa have received numerous complaints about Gary's behavior.  But, most volunteers just quit.

                                                                                                 

                                                                                       June 24, 2013

The following is an email to the Bideawee Manager and Board:

Hi Mona,

I emailed you yesterday about Bideawee's employed EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person), Gary, but I had to add something about installing cameras at Bideawee.  I've copied-and-pasted yesterday's email to the bottom of this one, for easy reference.


I'm also cc'ing Mary Luria, who is Chair of the Board at Bideawee, and I'm cc'ing her this email in that capacity.

I have contact with a private, non-profit agency who has offered to FUND (very generous!) the project of having cameras in ALL of the areas that Gary has solitary access to animals.  In addition, the Footage collected from these cameras would have to be effectively and routinely reviewed, of course.

Here's the copy-and-paste below of my email sent to you on 6.23.13:

Hi Mona,

This is Joanna, I used to volunteer at Bideawee, and you know me.

I am writing to you in your capacity as Manager of Bideawee Animal Shelter, and I actually expect this email to be ignored.

But, I have been advised to contact Bideawee's Management once again, since our protests about Bideawee employing an emotionally disturbed person, GARY, who abuses both animal and people, have been ignored.

We have also placed numerous phone calls, which haven't been returned, and there have been other attempts to contact Bideawee about Gary.

I am sure you are aware that we have protested in front of the Bideawee NYC location several times, and the NYPD has been called against our peaceful protest, and, of course, the NYPD just acknowledged our right to protest Bideawee and our right to continuing protesting Bideawee.


So, we are asking that Bideawee:

1.  Meet with us in a venue other than Bideawee to really discuss Gary, and NOT have a farce of a meeting like the last one, which was ostensibly to discuss Gary, but really was just to force me to quit volunteering in a RETALIATORY action for reporting Gary's abuse.

2.  At the bare minimum, Bideawee should have cameras in place in ALL of the areas where Gary has solitary access to the animals, and effectively, routinely REVIEW this Footage.

As I mentioned, I expect this email to be ignored.  Bideawee clearly is covering-up for abuser Gary, and we will continue to protest Bideawee, including their *fundraiser* of the Bideawee Ball, and Bideawee will continue to receive negative publicity, until we feel our concerns are addressed in the serious manner outlined above.

Joanna

As of 7.14.13, the above email, and its offer of FREE camera installation at Bideawee, has gone UNANSWERED.