The City of Columbia is responding to the recently aired WIS News story about operations at our Animal Shelter. We were disappointed in the lack of accuracy in this report and offer the following information to correct the record about our on-going service to the community and our animal population. Attached you will find evidence proving that multiple claims in the recently aired story are not factually correct, and also expose the lack of investigative efforts by the reporter to ensure she presented the story correctly. We would appreciate the opportunity to work in cooperation and collaboration with WIS News to educate the public about the critical need for adoption of shelter animals and to reduce euthanasia rates as much as possible. Unfortunately, the nature of the story and the misinformation it contained may result in a lack of trust and support from the public and result in increased euthanasia rates.
- Attachment 1: In order to address any specific allegations, the reporter was asked to share questions in advance of the interview with City staff. If the specifics that were included in the report were shared prior to the interview, then Animal Shelter staff would have been able to disprove the allegations and produce records corroborating our statements. Instead, the reporter decided to present a unilateral allegation without asking any questions of City staff about these allegations.
- Attachment 2: In the story, a concerned employee stated that an animal named “Vinnie” (A283792) was selected for euthanasia versus treatment for his medical condition(s) over the span of two weeks. The attached record shows that Vinnie was medically evaluated and actually underwent treatment for multiple concerns, including kennel cough, while in the shelter’s care. He was placed on a treatment plan for his facial swelling, but with no improvement and limited diagnostic and treatment abilities, it was only then that Animal Shelter management decided to euthanize. The reporter’s source implied that Vinnie was not medically treated with antibiotics prior to euthanasia, which is not correct.
- Attachment 3: This record shows “Pearl” (A280720), a dog adopted by a citizen, entered the shelter on 9/19/22. In the WIS News story, the citizen claimed to have adopted the dog on its third day of stray hold because it was slated to be euthanized at 5:00pm. The records shows this dog was adopted by this citizen on 11/09/22, which is over eight weeks after the dog entered the shelter. Our records show that the animal was fostered on 9/23/22 and received surgery in our shelter for removal of a cyst on 10/7/22. A Facebook post referenced this animal and the urgent need for adoption as part of on-going and routine efforts to increase overall adoption rates. There is no indication that this particular animal was scheduled to be euthanized at any point.
- WIS requested via FOI 285 records pertaining to animals euthanized for medical reasons. Those records were provided with non-City personnel and citizen personal information redacted, based on the advice of City Legal counsel. Of the provided records, 136 were animals requested to be euthanized by their owner. This is a service we provide to citizens, when appropriate, whom cannot afford to have the procedure performed by a private clinic. Medical information was not provided and is not available for these circumstances. This information was not reflected in WIS’s story.
- The reporter indicated that the animal intake forms show that some of the animals euthanized were “perfectly healthy”, when in fact, this is not an option on the intake form. Animals that were noted as “normal” on the intake form were further evaluated once received in the shelter. To note an animal as “normal” on an intake form does not mean the animal has no underlying issues. If medical issues were discovered once at the shelter, then the animals were treated if possible, but euthanized at the appropriate time if necessary. The intake forms referenced vary from the animal’s complete medical file, but this distinction was not made in the reporting.
- An allegation has been made that the policies and procedures of the City of Columbia Animal Services violate State law. State law provides that the governing body of a municipality in this State may enact ordinances and promulgate regulations for the care and control of dogs, cats, and other animals and to prescribe penalties for violations. Animal Services policies and procedure’s are governed by the City of Columbia Code and do not violate State law in any way.
Columbia Animal Services
127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209 • Phone: 803-776-7387 • Fax: 803-783-1421