Committee votes against animal contract

STANTON, Mich. (WOOD) - It might have been Jim Woudenberg's penchant for secrecy that killed his contract with Montcalm County.

For 30 years, his family business, R&R Research, had the pick of dogs from the county animal shelter, which he would sell to research facilities for animal testing. In exchange, he provided a free service to the county, disposal of euthanized animal carcasses.

But throughout the years, citizens questioned this practice. Finally, they pressured the county board into creating a citizens panel to look into operation of the shelter.

On Monday, the panel presented its far-reaching proposal. Its centerpiece was the recommendation to kill Woudenberg's contract.

It gave the county board enough reason to end the contract by outlining instances in which Woudenberg refused to cooperate with the panel and refused to answer questions about how and where he disposed of animals and carcasses.

The panel made the argument that such secrecy was improper in a government contract.

"He is unwilling and unable to detail his disposal locations," panel member and veterinarian Randall Carpenter said. "This is not acceptable."

Woudenberg tried to maintain the contract.

"Your vote is legislating the closing of a business that's not failing and not breaking laws," he said.

Still, the USDA is investigating Woudenberg for undisclosed reasons. He has a history of violations with the agency that regulates the Class B animal dealer industry.

The county board voted 6-3 to end his contract. It will expire Aug. 1.

County commissioners warned they might reconsider if promises made to help operate the shelter don't materialize.

Among those promises is citizen contributions, which would pay for cremation of euthanized animal carcasses. The contributions would eliminate the need for Woudenberg's services.

However, although the contract was not renewed, animals still will go toward research. The panel recommended the shelter provide animals directly to veterinary schools under special conditions.

The panel's report also details a number of other ways to improve the Montcalm shelter.