Animal shelter director growled at hospital security officers

The director of the Porter County Animal Shelter in Valparaiso, Indiana, was arrested on Friday night after driving through two backyards and growling at hospital security officers, investigators said. Jonathan Thomas, 50, of Valparaiso, was charged with operating while intoxicated and disorderly conduct. Porter County authorities were called at about 9:30pm to a home where the homeowner reported a car was stuck in his backyard.

Police said the homeowner took the keys from the driver to keep him from attempting to leave. Investigators found Thomas’ 2005 Toyota Highlander in the yard and Thomas with his hands on the vehicle. They said Thomas initially refused to turn around and walk away from the vehicle. According to the report, Thomas eventually turned around crossed his arm balled up his right hand into a fist. Authorities said Thomas was “showing his teeth to officers, in an angry manner.” Investigators said Thomas refused to comply with officers’ orders at the scene but was placed in handcuffs.



According to authorities, Thomas refused to take field sobriety tests and a portable breath test. When asked about providing a blood sample, the report said Thomas refused to answer, but instead asked officers if they would adopt an iguana from the animal shelter. “Stray iguana, wandering the streets of Valparaiso, how (expletive) does that happen?” he told officers. Authorities said Thomas said he drinks because of the homeless animals he cares for every day. At Porter Regional Hospital, an officer removed his handcuffs and left him in an emergency department room with hospital security as the paperwork for a warrant was completed.

At that point, they said, Thomas “stood up showing his teeth and growling as he attempted to leave the room.” Investigators said the hospital security worker wrestled Thomas to the ground to keep him from leaving, then a hospital employee drew blood and he was cleared to be taken to Porter County Jail. Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney said on Monday that other employees will handle the work at the animal shelter and business there is being managed while officials learn more about the case. Blaney said she had not yet seen the police report, but would talk with other officials soon about operations at the shelter.