posted November 27, 2011 09:24 PM
Lyons, GA - In a perfect world, only people that were dedicated to life-long dog ownership would exist. In a perfect world, animal shelters would not brim with unwanted pets discarded by the general public for every "move", "baby", or "busy schedule".In a perfect world, the un-wanted would be wanted and euthanasia would be a word never uttered.
The world is far from perfect and modern-day solutions to problems are typically far from ideal. A mass killing of dogs at the City of Lyons Animal Shelter has sparked huge controversy and anger among animal advocates.
Late last week, a staggering 77 dogs were killed at the animal care facility. Though animals die each and every day at shelters across the nation, typically the public does not become aware of all dogs losing their life in one fell swoop.
As is the case with most controversial incidents - allegations are flying from both the animal control facility, and the rescue organization that typically pulls dogs from this "shelter".
According to a Yes Biscuit blog entry earlier this week, the animal control officers stated that there had been no animal killings since last July at this facility. They claim that the primary rescue that pulls from the shelter, Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society (SOAPS), typically pulled the puppies and smaller dogs - not the big dogs. (Please note - typically, not always)
They advised that the kennel runs became over-crowded as the months went by and they worried that the over-crowding and months of confinement were becoming cruel.
The decision to make a "clean sweep" at the kennel was made by Chief Darryl Corley, who claims that he was receiving pressure to make room for incoming dogs.
On the other side of the argument is SOAPS - the rescue group that is primarily pulling from this facility. The group is appalled by the mass killing. And they refute the allegations that they only pulled the puppies and small breed dogs.
A quick glance at their adoptable pets does show many large breed dogs available for adoption - how many came from Lyons is impossible to know for certain.
The organization is stunned and angered that they were not given advance warning of the mass euthanasia - that they were not provided with an opportunity to attempt to pull the homeless dogs to safety.
Though is may sound insignificant in light of the massive loss of life - that they were not even given at the very least, a courtesy call to inform them of what was planned at the shelter.
Though knowing what the outcry would be, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess why this killing was kept hush hush.
It is difficult to understand how an animal control facility could undertake such a sad, daunting task without at least trying to enlist help.
A heads up statement of "Next week on XYZ date, all dogs will be euthanized". Nobody would like it. Rescue networks would be up in arms with "how could they let this happen?!", but networking would indeed take place and the frantic scrambling would likely have saved many of the dogs.
The Lyons Animal Control deaths are disturbing and sad. But this is the way of the imperfect world that we live in right now. 77 dogs died in one day at that facility, but thousands more are killed quietly at shelters across the nation each and every day.
These deaths are not marked by fan-fare and outrage....they just happen.
To the amazing rescuers that keep cleaning up society's mess - bless you. So much more needs to be done in terms of educating about the benefits of spay/neuter, squealching the backyard breeders and puppy mills, and trying to convince dog owners to stay committed to their companions.
In a perfect world, these things wouldn't even be issues.
Sadly, when clicking the link to the "adoptable" pets at the Lyons shelter - a simple statement pops up "There are no pets that meet your search criteria".
You can't help but hurt for these dogs. The old, the young, the sweet wiggle-bottoms that have no future. The innocent, harshly discarded....may you all rest in peace.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Mass killing at Georgia dog pound triggers sadness and anger - National Dogs | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/mass-killing-at-georgia-dog-pound-triggers-sadness-and-anger#ixzz1exlExFqr