UPDATE: NEWS RELEASE - Ohio SPCA Discloses Evidence Regarding Horrific Gallia County Dog Killings

 

March 15, 2014

 

After receiving information concerning eleven dogs allegedly killed on Friday, February 14, 2014, at the Gallia County Animal Shelter, the Ohio SPCA launched a full-scale investigation. The dog carcasses, discarded as trash by the County Dog Warden/Animal Shelter were delivered to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for necropsy.

 

Necropsy results indicated that a barbiturate euthanasia solution had been injected into the heart and lungs of the dogs. Additional necropsy results indicated body changes compatible with blunt thoracic and head trauma.Ohio SPCA Director Teresa Landon states, "At this point in our investigation, we believe these dogs suffered a horrifying and painful death. A past witness to the procedure has stated that the dogs are pinned against a wall with a wire gate and then a needle with the fatal solution is jabbed into the chest. No sedation was ever used and many times dogs were stabbed with a needle more than once. Dogs would often stagger about the room for up to 30 minutes until they died."Complete necropsies performed indicated the dogs were injected with barbiturate euthanasia solution in the epicardium, diaphragmatic pleura, the pleural cavity, and the lung," Landon also stated "Intrapulmonary (within the lung) and intrathoracic (within the chest cavity) sodium pentobarbital injections are not acceptable or humane euthanasia routes. Intracardiac (IC) injection (heartstick) may only be performed on an unconscious or deeply sedated animal.

 

On March 14, 2014, Adam R. Salisbury, Gallipolis City Solicitor, filed charges against former Gallia county dog warden Jean A. Daniels, current Gallia dog warden Paul L. Simmers, and assistant Gallia dog warden Jason Harris. All three individuals were charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty for allegedly inhumanely euthanizing dogs at the county shelter.

 

"We hope that it is a wake-up call to dog wardens and commissioners in other counties. This is not the first horror story coming out of an Ohio dog pound, and it is time that county officials and our legislators act to ensure that animals do not suffer when their lives are ended," states Landon.

 

After John Bell, attorney for the Ohio SPCA, submitted a letter to the Gallia County Commissioners and Dog Warden on February 19 demanding that the County immediately cease and desist from all euthanasia or destruction of dogs unless performed by an Ohio-licensed veterinarian, it was reported that local veterinarians were asked to assist if euthanasia was necessary. Copies of records related to the issues concerning the operations of the Gallia County Animal Shelter and the office of the Dog Warden have been provided to the Ohio SPCA.

 

Ohio SPCA is also investigating discrepancies in record keeping regarding the euthanasia drugs, procurement by those other than the responsible party of record, the euthanasia procedure, inventories, and whether the Limited Terminal Distributor Class III license was properly renewed.According to Landon, "The Ohio SPCA will continue to communicate with Gallia County officials and request that those charged with these deliberate acts of animal cruelty are punished to the fullest extent of the law." Anyone having information about inhumane practices at county animal shelters should contact the Ohio SPCA at 740-420-2984 or by email: ohiospca@frontier.com.

 

 

February 19, 2014

 

Ohio SPCA Investigates Dogs Killed at Gallia County Animal Shelter

 

 After eleven dogs were needlessly killed on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Gallia County Animal Shelter, the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. (Ohio SPCA) launched a full-scale investigation. According to a rescue group called the Friends of Gallia County Animals, all of the dogs killed were vaccinated and two were in the process of being adopted. According to Teresa Landon, Executive Director of the Ohio SPCA, “We have received information that leads us to believe that the dogs were killed by intracardiac injection without sedation. If this is true, the dogs suffered a horrifying death.” Intracardiac injection is only legal if a dog has been properly sedated and is unconscious.On Wednesday, February 19, a demand letter from John Bell, attorney for the Ohio SPCA, was submitted to the Board of County Commissioners, the Prosecuting Attorney, and the Dog Warden/Animal Shelter of Gallia County, Ohio. Bell states, “We are specifically demanding that Gallia County immediately cease and desist from all euthanasia or destruction of dogs unless performed by an Ohio-licensed veterinarian. The letter from Bell is also a request for copies of records related to the issues concerning the operations of the Gallia County Animal Shelter and the office of the Dog Warden. An answer to the formal demand regarding the euthanasia of dogs must be received from Gallia County within 14 days or legal action could be taken.“There is no justification for needless or inhumane euthanasia at county shelters. County officials, as well as state legislators, need to stop ignoring what is going on behind closed doors,” states Landon.