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Friday, June 27, 2008
Are no-kill shelters dangerous?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A former volunteer at a no-kill dog shelter in Marietta describes an attack by a dog named Lexie that left her hospitalized and with several thousand dollars in medical bills. “After 10 days of being quarantined at the veterinarian’s office, Lexie is back at Our Pal’s Place, handled daily by volunteers,” writes Celia Gilner. “She is still available for adoption. I am not aware of any agency - the Department of Agriculture, Cobb County Animal Control, or the local Department of Health - that has the authority to remove dangerous dogs from no-kill facilities.” Read column
But Our Pal’s Place executive director Gigi Graves counters that all volunteers are trained in safety procedures and sign liability waivers.
“Volunteers are also repeatedly told not to interact with animals with whom they are not comfortable. Animals sense fear, and a fearful volunteer puts the animals and people in harm’s way,” she writes. Read column
Are no-kill animals shelters dangerous? Should they keep dogs that are unadoptable, and a threat to other dogs and volunteers?
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