Deputies are investigating if the Sumter County Animal Shelter is following procedures when euthanizing animals.
Deputies launched an investigation after receiving a 65-page report from animal advocates pointing out issues about how the animals are euthanized and if the staff is following the rules.
“We put the report together because we’re not allowed to be volunteers,” said Angie Fox of the Shelter Reform of Sumter County. “We’re not allowed to come in and see what’s going on. We were hearing rumors and finding things, like dogs that were being killed. We asked for documents but we’re not getting all the documents.”
In 2015, workers at the shelter killed Rosie, a pregnant dog that rescuers tried to save.
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“They had someone on the way, driving down here to get that dog and they killed the dog that day knowing someone was coming to get it,” said Fox.
The county admitted Rosie’s death was a mistake.
Fox said the biggest issue the shelter had is its closed-door policy.
Her group wants more transparency and for the shelter to become a no-kill facility.
“When people find a pet in Sumter, they’re taking it to Lake County because they know if it comes here, it’s going to be killed,” Fox said.
The county said it couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation.
Cox Media Group
