Dogs Poisoned at Animal Shelter

The City of San Angelo updated citizens on the mystery illness that killed three dogs and sickened others at the Animal Shelter.

Around Saturday, Nov. 13, there was an exposure of an unknown substance to the City’s canine population, resulting in three dogs losing their lives and widespread canine illness throughout the shelter.

Melamine tainted pet food killed thousands of dogs and cats in 2007.  While tainted food from the manufacturer could be the cause that would normally not result in a local criminal investigation. 

The city restricted shelter services on November 4th due to staff shortages.  Their Facebook and Twitter posts did not seek help from the public to make up for low staffing.  Concho Valley PAWS issued an urgent plea for volunteers issued on November 4th in its post on short staffing at the City Shelter.

The Animal Shelter has video cameras throughout the facility.  That footage could be useful to the police as they conduct their investigation.

People with widespread access to shelter dogs are City staff and PAWS paid staff/volunteers.  That should be a relatively small group to investigate.  

Many dogs were poisoned under the care of the City of San Angelo.  Three were killed.  The public deserves to know what happened and why.  This is not the Texas Standard for pet care.

Update 12-8-21:   PAWS Facebook page indicated "over 200 dogs became seriously ill after exposure to an unknown substance at the San Angelo Animal Shelter in November."  Accessing over 200 dogs meant the poisoner was either a City of San Angelo employee, PAWS staff/volunteer or a member of the public that responded to PAWS solicitation for help after the Shelter closed for normal operations on Nov. 4th due to a staffing shortage.  It's not clear who vetted any members of the public for access to shelter animals. 

Shelter leaders provided no update to City Council on the two crises facing the Animal Shelter, dog poisoning and staff shortages.  Council's meeting yesterday was their only one for December.   

Update 12-9-21:  The city issued a news story on shelter adoptions restarting Saturday, December 11th.  It did not include the hours of PAWS adoption event.  The city allows its adoption contractor to set its own hours and keep any adoption fees.

Update 12-10-21:  A rescue in Colorado City had dogs poisoned by an unidentified trespasser.  The rescue was able to identify the toxic substance.  That cruel act killed eight dogs.

San Angelo Animal Shelter leadership reported the criminal act to SAPD on Friday, November 19th at 4:31 pm.  The City waited twelve days before informing the public.

Update 12-30-21:  City Council is yet to take up the poisoning of dogs in the City Animal Shelter.  It is not on their 1-4-22 meeting agenda.

Update 1-10-22:  I spoke with the detective on the case today and learned no one has been charged with a crime to date for the November dog poisoning..