Politics & Government

Animal Control Policies Altered Following Euthanasia of Cat

Changes will be made for a 90-day review period.

When a Pasco County animal control officer euthanized a cat before taking it to the shelter for examination, it raised eyebrows.

 

Now, the county is altering its animal control policies and procedures — including prohibiting officers from putting down animals in the field. The changes are being implemented immediately and will be evaluated for a 90-day period to determine if they will become permanent.

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A 10-year-old cat named Peggy was put down after being discovered in a neighbor’s garage. Owned by a Wilderness Lakes family, the feline was born with only three paws. The neighbor thought the animal was injured and called animal control.

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An animal control officer examined Peggy, who had no identification, and found that it had suffered severe trauma to its legs and had to be put down. But Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri questioned how the pet could be put down when it was 20 pounds — which she said was a sign it belonged to someone.

 

“Pasco County has completed its review of the response to the injured cat, Peg,
from last Saturday, July 6,” the county stated in a July 12 news release. “Sadly, the cat was severely injured and the animal control officer made the decision in the field to humanely euthanize
the cat to prevent further suffering. We are very sorry about the loss of the
family's beloved pet.”

 

The statement also said the officer acted according to policy. But now that policy has changed. Here are the changes, according to the news release:

 

*       There will be no euthanasia in the field by Animal Control Officers.
*       An attempt will be made to locate the owner in the immediate vicinity prior
to transport.
*       If unable to return the injured animal to its owner, the officer will either
take the animal to the Land O' Lakes shelter or to a participating
veterinarian, if closer, to be medically evaluated.
*       If the owner is not identified through microchip, tag or neighborhood
locale, and the animal has been severely injured, it will be humanely
euthanized at the shelter.
*       The remains of any such animals will be held at the shelter for seven days.
*       We will also be conducting additional training for the staff on the new
procedures and will continue to look for additional improvements.
We would also like to use this sad experience as a teaching moment to remind
all pet owners to tag, microchip or tattoo their pet, to help ensure they can
be reunited if they are separated.

What do you think of the changes? Tell us in the comments section below.


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