SPOKANE, Wash. — A group of animal advocates gathered outside of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) building Monday morning to protest the euthanization of two dogs.
The group of protestors told KREM 2 they believe the dogs were up for adoption until last week, but they believe the dogs are now being put down in violation of the city of Spokane Valley's contract with SCRAPS. However, SCRAPS told KREM 2 the decision to euthanize the dogs was made based on their alleged aggressive behavior.
Last year. the Spokane City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting euthanasia because of a lack of shelter space. Euthanasia is only permitted for impounded dogs and cats when a veterinarian determines the animal is severely injured, sick, diseased or suffering.
The group said they are worried about the number of dogs being put down, as well as the lack of transparency from SCRAPS.
"We want to encourage people to come and adopt dogs today, to get them out of SCRAPS," said Elicia Spotts, a protestor. "There's not a dog in SCRAPS that is safe at this point with this leadership."
KREM 2 reached out to SCRAPS for comment and was told the choice to euthanize the two dogs in question has nothing to do with shelter space. Instead, SCRAPS said the dogs were aggressive and has a history of harming other animals and people. According to the shelter, one of the dogs reportedly killed a cat and several chickens, and both were showing signs of aggression towards other animals and humans.
SCRAPS said these factors led to its decision to euthanize the dogs.
The county said the decision to humanely euthanize animals is not something they take lightly, adding that a panel of experts helped make the determination.
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