FORT PIERCE — After the fatal mauling of a volunteer at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County earlier this month, officials inspected the facility and noted a lack of safety equipment and the presence of “overly aggressive” animals, a recently-released memo states.

Officials determined no one saw the May 9 mauling by a pitbull mix that left Christine Liquori, 52, dead. The Humane Society’s executive director told police a surveillance camera outside where it occurred wasn’t working.

In a May 22 memo to Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms, Code Compliance Manager Peggy Arraiz wrote she and Frank Amandro, St. Lucie County Public Safety assistant director, inspected the facility and found safety equipment was lacking throughout.

More: Death of volunteer Christine Liquori at humane society brings safety into focus

“Items such as catch poles that should be located for easy access by staff, volunteers or the public in each of the buildings as well as around the play areas were not visible,” the memo states.

The dog responsible for mauling Liquori was euthanized May 10. It was tested for rabies, but was negative for the disease.

More: Fiance of woman killed in dog mauling: 'Something good has to come out of this nightmare'

Arraiz and Amandro noted “overly aggressive” animals. Further, they reported that at a building not accessible to the public, a sign was affixed to a kennel stating: “Do not walk dogs anywhere near this kennel! Extremely dog aggressive, trained to kill!”

In two other buildings, they noted dogs that “displayed an uncomfortable level of aggressiveness, not just the standard barking that is common and expected.”

More: First accounting of Humane Society volunteers death

That made them question the agency’s procedures for determining whether dogs are suitable for adoption.

The memo states that several months ago, Port St. Lucie Police Chief John Bolduc communicated with Best Friends Animal Society on behalf of the cities of Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County government to help in “finding a joint resolution to our current situation with the Humane Society.”

According to the memo, Best Friends Animal Society works with animal shelters to recommend best practices.

The meeting May 13 was attended by representatives of the three governments as well as the Humane Society of St. Lucie County and Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

An assessment report is expected to be provided to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County in June.

Want more Treasure Coast breaking news coverage? If you're already a subscriber to TCPalm, thank you! If not, please subscribe to keep coverage of Treasure Coast