Our Pal's Place, a no-kill dog adoption facility in Marietta, was recently featured in the AJC about its fund-raising drive, the "million penny campaign." Sniffles, a dog at the shelter who was euthanized after suffering numerous health problems, has also been in the news.

Undoubtedly, no-kill shelters including Our Pal's Place do a tremendous amount of good by finding homes for terrific dogs that would have been euthanized. But, as illustrated by Sniffles, there are times when it is appropriate to put a dog to sleep.

Our Pal's Place is dependent on volunteers to feed and care for its 15-plus dogs and puppies. I was a volunteer for more than a year and took pride in the care we gave on limited funds.

During orientation, we were told to use a plastic garbage can lid and a spray that has repeatedly been ineffective to break up dogfights. With experience as a registered nurse, boarding horses for more than 30 years and having various pets all my life, I am safety-conscious and would never interact with Lucy or Brinks, two dogs who have been at the facility for more than two years and have repeatedly attacked both dogs and people.

Despite this history, they are still on the Our Pal's Place adoption Web site. They have been adopted out but were promptly returned for biting humans and other dogs.

They are petted, walked and even taken out in public. Other dogs at the facility react to Lucy and Brinks' aggressive behavior in different ways. Some are clearly scared to walk past their runs, while others, such as energetic Lexie, who has been confined at Our Pal's Place for more than nine months, become increasingly anxious. Lexie has lost weight and leaps to the top of her run when approached.

Sensing her distress, I spent extra time outside petting her and playing ball. One day, instead of going outside, Lexie attacked another dog through a chain link gate. When I approached her after this, she turned around and bit my leg twice. As I pulled her off my leg by the collar, she bit and shook my forearm, exposing the muscle.

My last image of Lexie was seeing her lunge at my friend's face as I slammed the gate closed. My injuries required an ambulance ride to the emergency room, IV antibiotics and stitches. After more than three months, I still have deep scars, a swollen leg and thousands of dollars in medical bills and bandages for which Our Pal's Place has no insurance coverage.

After 10 days of being quarantined at the veterinarian's office, Lexie is back at Our Pal's Place, handled daily by volunteers. 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.

I have hesitated to write this column, hoping there would be a policy change at Our Pal's Place. The safety of other volunteers is on my conscience, as well as the suffering of these three dogs confined in solitary cages for years. They create a highly charged environment, putting humans and dogs at risk. Valuable resources are being spent on these unadoptable dogs.

Some dogs, when left in a no-kill facility for very long, become unsuitable to bring into your home. If you wish to adopt a dog, do not get one that has attacked and broken skin on a person or other dog. Ask how long the dog has been there and if it was ever returned by a family and why. Leave the rehabilitation of these dogs to professionals who claim obedience training and exercise will change a dog's behavior.

If you visit a no-kill facility and your local humane society, you can certainly find a delightful companion to play safely with your children, neighbors and other dogs. I did!

> Celia Gilner lives in Sandy Springs.