KOCHVILLE TWP, MI — Two former employees of Saginaw County Animal Care & Control have filed a federal lawsuit against the agency’s director, alleging she fired them for blowing the whistle on improper euthanasia practices.
This is the second such lawsuit filed against the director in her two years heading the agency.
Attorney Kevin J. Kelly with Saginaw’s Mastromarco Firm on Jan. 29 filed the suit on behalf of Myah Silva and Diamond Phillips in U.S. District Court. Named as defendants are Saginaw County and Animal Care & Control Director Rachel Horton, the latter in both her official and individual capacities. The county hired Horton to replace previous director Bonnie Kanicki when she retired in January 2024.
Silva and Phillips are seeking more than $75,000 in damages. Neither Horton nor Saginaw County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah responded to queries from MLive seeking comment. Lawyers have not filed appearances yet on the defendants’ behalf.
The suit states both plaintiffs began working for the agency as kennel aides and were eventually promoted to kennel technicians. Phillips began her employment in November 2020 while Silva started the following October through a temp agency. Saginaw County directly hired Silva in April 2024.
In early August 2024, the agency’s veterinarian of record, Dr. Donald Kline, discovered Horton had allegedly allowed non-certified staff to euthanize animals, a violation of county policy and state law. Kline brought his concern...
Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota man has been indicted on felony charges in a multi-million-dollar tax fraud case. A news release issued by the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota says Caesar M...