Citizens furious after animal center allegedly euthanized puppy 'by mistake'
The Los Angeles County in California sparked public outrage among citizens after it was discovered that an animal care center allegedly euthanized a puppy by accident.
According to a motion by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors obtained by CBS News Los Angeles, an employee at the Department of Animal Care and Control "erroneously authorized the euthanasia of a three-month-old puppy named Bowie at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center."
Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn stated in the document that "his death sparked outrage among community members who reasonably contacted the county about the puppy's death."
In a more shocking revelation, Solis disclosed that it was not the first time that such a "heartbreaking" incident happened, which is why they have unanimously approved the motion to lessen euthanizing animals under the care of the department.
The investigators now have 30 days to submit a report detailing Bowie's death as well as suggesting measures to enact in order to prevent the tragic incident from happening again.
Maria Rosales, manager of the animal care center, told KTLA that "all of the circumstances surrounding Bowie’s euthanasia is being looked at very carefully," adding that the shelter officials "deeply regret" ending the life of the puppy by accident.
"The department takes its life-saving mission very seriously. It’s not taken lightly at all," Rosales reassured.
According to the news outlet, out of the roughly 12,000 stray animals that have been brought to the care of the county between July and November this year, 4,000 of them were subjected to euthanasia.