Lost Dog Euthanized Before Shelter Would Allow Release

January 12, 2001 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

In an all-too-common episode, an overzealous animal organization jumped the gun and killed a dog whose owners were even at the time on their way to pick her up.

Sadie, a purebred black Labrador turned up at the Las Vegas Animal Foundation three days after she had disappeared from the Melins' family home.

The Melins went to the shelter to claim her, but LVAF employees wouldn't release Sadie until they could produce ownership documents and $140 for impound fees.  

The family returned the next day with the requirements, eager to bring Sadie home, but they were told that she had just been euthanized minutes earlier for "aggressive behavior."

The Melins say their dog was never aggressive.

Investigators say that this tragedy is symptomatic of a number of problems at pounds and shelters, including early euthanasia of healthy animals, general mismanagement and poor record-keeping.

The Animal Foundation of Las Vegas is currently under scrutiny stemming from a shocking 1998 report by the city's chief veterinarian.

The Report documented occurrences of several questionable deaths, insufficient anaesthetization and sterilization during surgery (animals were reported growling in pain while being neutered), and one incompetent Animal Foundation clinician who strangled a German shepherd to death before a surgery even began.

The shelter is allegedly promoted to the public as a "no-kill" facility and is preparing to open a $3.4 million, 33,000-square-foot facility next month from donation funds.

Note from the editor:  Before you donate money to any animal welfare organization, first do a bit of research to be sure you are benefiting the right cause.  Although the above allegations are not necessarily true, a good shelter should generally have a clean record and nothing but praise from the community.  Please support the shelters and organizations that truly deserve your patronage; there are many.

Read the follow-up story February 2001.

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