Humane society officials have euthanized 77 animals after an upper respiratory infection outbreak in a northeast Georgia shelter.

Hall County Humane Society Director Rick Aiken says the outbreak had been going on for a couple of months. He says putting the puppies, kittens and cats to sleep was the only way to stop the disease from spreading to the other 240 healty animals.

Aiken said Thursday the shelter had tried anitbiotics but they were unsuccessful. Upper respiratory infections aren't fatal to animals but do comprise their immune systems, making them vulnerable to much worse diseases.

He says the entire shelter will be disinfected.