NEW: County Taskforce Investigating Zoo releases Final Report.
|
|
On February 28, 2005 The Toledo Zoo fired Dr. Tim Reichard, the chief veterinarian of the zoo for the past 22 years. Friends, colleagues, past and present co-workers, and those fortunate enough to have met "Dr. Tim" were shocked and outraged. We joined together to call for a full, fair, and open investigation of the circumstances of his firing, which ultimately led to the resignation of the zoo's top two executives, a county taskforce investigating the zoo, and a settlement between the zoo and Dr. Reichard. The timeline to the left, and the associated newspaper articles tell the story. This story is about much more than one man's fight to get his job back. For anyone who cares about animal conservation, care, and welfare; the people who are passionate about these topics; or about one of Toledo's most beloved institutions, this is a story worth paying attention to. Let us learn from the past so that we may do better in the future. |
|||
|
||||
Timeline of Events
February 23, 2005
Zoo staff nominates and votes for the most "OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE." Dr. Reichard receives the most votes.
March 5, 2005
Zoo management tells employees Dr. Reichard is "leaving the zoo."
March 6, 2005
Dr. Reichard releases a letter stating that he did not resign, but was terminated.
March 7, 2005
Toledo Blade runs story on Dr. Reichard's firing. Zoo releases statement citing "concerns over Dr. Reichard's administrative and management skills" as the reason for termination.
March 11, 2005
Intense public pressure leads Lucas County Commissioners and zoo board to appoint Robert Reinbolt to lead an independent board to investigate charges. Dr. Reichard to be given opportunity to address zoo board.
March 13, 2005
Toledo Blade's leading editorial criticizes zoo, saying, "The firing looks very much like retaliation against a whistleblower." Read full editorial.
March 17, 2005
Zoo board meets with Dr. Reichard and announces formation of two committees, one to examine documents presented by vet.
Thirty-three Toledo area veterinarians sign letter of support for Dr. Reichard, calling him "a major assest to The Toledo Zoo."
March 24, 2005
The citizen taskforce investigating The Toledo Zoo holds its first meeting. Four subcommittes formed with a target of 100 days set for final report.
March 31, 2005
Zoo task force meets for second time and listens to a presentation by Toledo Zoo executive director explaining zoo operations.
April 4, 2005
Zoo board president, Steve Staelin, sends letter to zoo members about recent controversy, assuring us "that the zoo's board of directors takes these issues very seriously."
April 7, 2005
At a closed door meeting, Dr. Tim speaks to the county taskforce investigating the zoo.
April 30, 2005
Zoo and Dr. Reichard release a joint statement announcing the "reinstatement" of Dr. Reichard to an off-grounds veterinary consulting position.
May 2, 2005
May 4, 2005
Bill Dennler, Executive Director, and Bob Hardin, Chief Operating Officer, announce their resignations. Read the story here.