Hundreds protest at Hempstead animal shelter

More than 300 animal advocates waving homemade signs, many of them cradling dogs, gathered yesterday outside the Hempstead Animal Shelter to demand greater accountability and safer practices.

"Fire Pat Horan!" protesters chanted, referring to the shelter's former acting director.

Horan was reassigned Monday after a 17-year-old video surfaced on the Internet that purports to show Horan and other shelter employees with a kitten that is apparently about to be euthanized.

The video prompted Derek Donnelly, founder of Hope for Hempstead Shelter, to organize the rally. The group also wants New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to conduct a financial and operational audit of the shelter.

One of the demonstrators, Milena Apath, 30, of Valley Stream, brought her two dogs, who were adopted from the shelter by the animal rescue group Forgotten Friends of Long Island.

"It's about time to have people at the shelter who care about the well-being of the animals," Apath said.

The shelter was open during the noon protest.

"We take seriously concerns regarding improper animal care," town spokesman Mike Deery said in a statement.

Deery called the conduct of the people in the video "appalling" and promised a full investigation.

The town, he said, has launched a nationwide search for a permanent shelter director.

Deery said earlier that Horan had been reassigned in Hempstead's General Services Department and would continue to collect pay as circumstances around the video were investigated.