Editor's Note:
This story was last updated at 11:08 a.m. on Jan. 16.
ASHLAND — A new policy regarding euthanasia of stray dogs enacted last week by Ashland County commissioners caused a panic among dog lovers over the weekend.
The Ashland County Dog Shelter policy, passed unanimously on Jan. 11, states “dogs that have been at the shelter for more than one year will be euthanized.”
The policy, part of a 29-page document entitled “Ashland County Dog Shelter Rules and Regulations,” takes effect Jan. 16.
Yvette Hyatt, a veterinarian assistant at Claremont Vet Clinic and volunteer at the dog shelter, said the rule means 12 dogs currently housed at the newly built shelter are in danger of euthanasia.
When she and others learned about the threat of euthanasia, they went into hyperdrive to find homes for them by placing calls and posting on social media, she said.
The response has been strong, leading to hundreds of comments posted to social media in opposition and the creation of an online petition that purported to have 3,086 signatures on Jan. 15.
A ‘working document’
But those dogs will not be euthanized on Jan. 16, said Ashland County Commissioner Denny Bittle.
Bittle said the commissioners have not had the opportunity to review the policy with staff and volunteers at the dog shelter.
Bittle said he and his two counterparts worked on the creation of the new rules and regulations for around six months prior to Jan. 11. He said they researched other dog shelter policies, such as Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center.
The Richland County shelter has had a “no-kill” policy for the last nine years because less than 10 percent of the dogs who enter are euthanized by a local veterinarian — almost always for untreatable medical reasons, according to Richland County Dog Warden Missy Houghton.
“Now, we don’t hit home runs on everything all the time,” Bittle said. “And obviously, for the one-year euthanization (sic), we didn’t word that very well.”
He called the rules and regulations book a “working document” that might see “some changes down the road.”
The euthanasia clause, found on page 12, reads as if dogs there for more than one year will be euthanized.
“And I’ll take the blame for that,” he said. “The presumption after reading that is a dog will be killed on day 366. But that’s not the reality of it.”
The intent, he said, is to give the county the option to euthanize dogs who have been housed at the shelter for a time period that might lead professionals to deem the dog “unadoptable,” along with other factors, such as aggression and medical issues.
Jessi Farley, a volunteer at the shelter, said one of those unadoptable dogs is a Pit Bull named Mack. The 13 year-old dog, which has been housed there for three years and has an aggressive history, is scheduled to be euthanized on Friday.
“But that was set and done before commissioners passed the new policy,” she said.
Overcrowding at the Ashland shelter is not a problem at the moment. The population there on Friday was 40 dogs, according to Farley. The shelter can hold up to 69 dogs.
‘Killing dogs is not what they want to do’
The Ashland County Dog Shelter, historically, did not operate under any written policies, Bittle and volunteers said. So this new document is an effort to run a more efficient and organized operation, the commissioner said.
Dianne Hammontree, a board member of Homeward Bound Inc., said the Ashland County Dog Shelter used to gas dogs when it opened in 1953. It was a practice driven by necessity, she said. (Homeward Bound is a nonprofit dedicated to fundraising for the dog shelter.)
“They could only be there for a very short amount of time,” she said. “And the shelter was so little, but they had so many dogs they picked up. They just couldn’t house them.”
But that’s not the case here, she said.
She referenced No Pawz Left Behind, a local group of people aimed at placing dogs in permanent homes, and their effort to make Ashland County’s dog shelter a “no-kill shelter.”
Best Friends Animal Society defines a”no-kill shelter” as one that saves 90% or more of the animals in the system.
Hammontree, when she helped cut the ribbon at the new dog shelter in September, thought she was doing so for a no-kill shelter.
“On that day it was a no-kill shelter. That’s not a lie. And for however many years before, it was,” she said. Though she is dumbfounded by the new policy, she is optimistic there will be a resolution.
“I understand … I’m in full support of the commissioners — they’re trying to do the right thing by the dogs. Killing dogs is not what they want to do. They’re trying to get them adopted.”
That should be the focus, Farley said, when creating policies.
“We should be focusing on enrichment, solutions, accountability, research-based best practice in the shelter world … in order to get the dog adopted,” Farley said.
But if the policy is based solely on the dog’s length of stay — which is where it stands currently — Hyatt has a problem with that.
“Let’s not beat around the bush — that’s murder,” she said.
Farley added that decisions need to come from evidence that interventions were put in place by staff to work towards progress and progress was noted.
“If no progress is found and the prognosis for quality of life is poor based on evidence coming from trained and certified professionals and their evaluations and processes, then euthanasia may be the best choice for the dog regardless of length of stay,” Farley said.
The volunteers, along with members of Homeward Bound and No Pawz Left Behind, plan to attend the commissioners meeting on Thursday to voice their concerns. Hyatt and Farley hope to have a seat at the table in creating better policies for the dog shelter.
But they also plan to advocate for the erasure of the euthanasia clause altogether.
“We want that policy out of there. It’s not based on research, we want best practices. Period,” Farley said, referring to the clause on euthanasia after dogs have been housed for a year.
Prepared statements
The following organizations have issued these prepared statements:
Homeward Bound Inc.
Homeward Bound Nonprofit Inc. is aware of the policy the commissioners wrote and voted upon. We are a nonprofit that raises funds for the care of the dogs at the Ashland County Dog Shelter and other dog-related nonprofits. Homeward Bound Inc. has open dialogue with the County and have appreciated a great relationship with them for the last 5 1/2 years. We believe in the humane treatment of the dogs in this county and are prepared to provide solutions to this problem, which will be presented to the commissioners on Thursday, January 18th.
No Pawz Left Behind
Hello. Trust us, we have not been silent among ourselves regarding the recent policy change by the Ashland County Commissioners. It has been a constant point of conversation all weekend. We at No Pawz Left Behind of Ashland Ohio are outraged about the new policy giving all dogs a one-year time limitation and will be euthanized, with no other considerations even mentioned. Read the line. It’s one blanket line. This is a huge step backwards from what we have worked so hard for all these years to keep away from. Our whole mission is centered on the medical issues that come into the dog shelter. Our foster care is for medical cases and is full. We do want to work with the shelter staff and fellow volunteers on options to help these dogs become more adoptable. But these dogs need time!! This is an issue the Ashland County Commissioners are responsible for. This did NOT come from the staff of the dog shelter, and especially not the volunteers. We are all just as outraged as the community is. Our community is constantly stepping up to help the dogs at the shelter with whatever needs are asked for. I pray that doesn’t stop. If the shelter asks for food, please help when you can. The dogs will always need us. Please voice concerns, as we know many have already, to the body responsible for this archaic policy – the county commissioners of Ashland County. Not the dog shelter warden or staff. Pray for our dogs