Animal activists out of line, says pound canine supervisor

By Sandra Thomas-Staff writer

The supervisor of canine services for the Vancouver Animal Control Shelter, which has a no-kill policy, says animal advocates overreacted when a dog with a history of aggression against humans was euthanized last Friday.

Katie Ernst said an attempt by animal rights activists to stop the euthanization only added to the stress of the incident.

Ernst, who also runs an organization that rehabilitates and finds homes for pit bulls, said the German shepherd-cross was put down at the owner's request after multiple biting incidents.

"At that point it's considered a public health hazard and it's in our mandate to have the dog euthanized," she said. "It's not a decision I made or anybody else at the shelter made."

Last Friday, just as the dog was to be euthanized in the examination room of the Atlas Animal Hospital, at Fraser Street and 41st Avenue, two animal rights activists burst through the room's door.

"They made a lot of assumptions about what we were doing with the dog," she said. "It got so bad we had to leave. I had to get my staff out of there because I was worried for their safety and we took the dog."

The dog was euthanized later that day at a different animal hospital.

Animal Rights Coalition spokeswoman Donna Liberson said she had not known in advance the dog was to be euthanized. She said she and fellow animal rights activist Roslyn Cassells were at the animal hospital at the same time the dog was brought in only by coincidence.

"Roslyn just happened to be there," said Liberson. "We all use Dr. [Hakam] Bhullar."

Liberson said when she saw the animal shelter staff arrive she examined their paper work lying on the lobby counter. When she saw it was an order to euthanize she started asking questions.

"I asked what was going on. I said if the shelter has a no-kill policy I'd like to see the dog's assessment," she said. "I thought it was very odd, them coming in this way."

Concerned the dog was going to be needlessly euthanized, Liberson and Cassells, a former parks board commissioner, entered the examination room. Liberson said she was also concerned because the dog appeared to be drugged. Ernst said according to policy, animals are sedated prior to euthanization.

"At that point the vet refused to kill the dog," said Liberson.

On the weekend the pair emailed and faxed letters outlining the incident to media across the city, including the Courier which received at least a dozen copies. The letter accused shelter staff of secretly killing animals.

The letter also stated that city councillor Tim Louis "was outraged by the situation" and planned to investigate. Louis told the Courier he had not seen the letter and couldn't comment.

The letter claims the women offered to take the dog and pay for behavioural therapy, but Ernst denies that offer was ever made.

Ernst said last year the shelter had 1,835 dogs come through its doors and 10 were euthanized, four because of ill health and six for behavioural problems.

posted on 04/14/2005