SPOKANE COUNTY- Two dogs, “Notorious D.O.G.” and “BenBen,” both found in Spokane were euthanized at SCRAPS Tuesday.
Spokane City Council Member, Michael Cathcart, told NonStop Local this is a clear violation of the ordinance passed in October which says the animal control agency cannot euthanize animals found within City limits for reasons of capacity issues.
SCRAPS and Spokane County argues they never euthanize animals due to capacity issues.
Patrick Bell, a spokesman for the County, provided NonStop Local with documents showing the behavioral assessment data for both dogs. Concerning behavior includes kennel fighting, severe bite reaction and quick turning when touched.
Both dogs were found to be unsuitable for children and there were other restrictions for adults, including recommended muzzle training.
“Recently, two impounded dogs with aggressive behaviors were assessed to be an untreatable threat. As a public safety risk, the dogs were not adoptable. Both were humanely euthanized in accordance with SCRAPS policies, local and state laws, and our obligations as an animal control agency. These decisions are always carefully considered and with protecting the community’s safety as our top priority,” Bell said.
However, this is a large switch for at least one of the dogs- “Notorious D.O.G.”.
On October 13, SCRAPS posted a Facebook post advertising that the dog was up for adoption claiming he “loves to chew toys” and loves to spend time with the volunteers.
“I mean, to put that out there, just four weeks ago, and then to turn around and euthanize that dog. A dog from the City of Spokane where we have an ordinance that says ‘you’re not going to euthanize for capacity,” Cathcart said.
Bell claims this is not unheard of as there are ongoing assessments and observations for all animals.
Kevin Vanhook, a former employee at SCRAPS who was fired earlier this year told NonStop Local current volunteers and staff at SCRAPS were unaware that both dogs were going to be euthanized. He claims they reported these incidents to him and other former SCRAPS staff.
“These… dogs, over their time at SCRAPS had been noticed with… perhaps some resource guarding, light leash biting, things that all dogs there tend to go through. And then, for no reason, no notice to any staff or volunteers, they were all killed. Quite quickly, done really under the radar with as little fanfare as possible,” Vanhook said.
Cathcart says this is just a step too far and plans to push for a leadership change at SCRAPS.
“We need more information, but…it’s absolutely absurd that they are continuing to put these dogs down even though they understand that we have a strong concern with this, we have unanimously passed policies with one abstention. But, policies that say this is not the way we want SCRAPS to act in the City. It’s just so infuriating that they keep doing this same thing time and time again,” Cathcart said.
Cathcart told NonStop Local he has already been in discussions with the current Council president about whether this should be added to a 2023 legislative agenda.
However, he said he may hold off on any new agenda items until the new City Council president, Betsy Wilkerson, takes control in January.
