'Not a black-and-white situation'

HAYDEN — Three puppies surrendered Friday to Companions Animal Center will be adopted, but that's often not the case with dogs deemed dangerous.

They will likely be put down, even at a no-kill shelter like CAC.

“We do not euthanize, ever, for space,” said Executive Director Debbie Jeffries. “We do euthanize if a dog is being vicious, aggressive or dangerous.”

While many criticized the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service last Wednesday for euthanizing 14 dogs and questioned whether it was necessary, Jeffries did not.

“It's just not a black-and-white situation," she said Friday.

Jeffries was not familiar with the specific case of each animal that was euthanized at SCRAPS, but said she understood they received behavioral assessments.

Jeffries said if an animal has a history of biting people, it’s likely they could bite again. She could not, she said, confidently let such a dog be adopted. To do so could also be a liability for CAC.

Jeffries said she won't put staff or a potential adopter in jeopardy by letting them take home a dog that has bitten someone in the past.

“Those are not adoptable dogs,” she said. “You know when you see some of these dogs, there's no way you can put hem in another home and feel good because you didn't euthanize it."

She estimated the nonprofit shelter has put down about a dozen aggressive animals in the past few years, but it finds homes for the vast majority of dogs and cats that end up in its care.

Last year, it found homes for 1,412 animals and, so far this year, 719.

She said CAC has a behavior-assessment policy that involves herself, veterinarian Dr. Nichole Leonard and Chris McDowell, administrative manager. All three must agree if an animal, even a guinea pig, should be euthanized.

Jeffries said most shelters have limited funds, staff and resources to try and rehabilitate a dangerous dog. And it might not work.

“When they start biting, they’re going to continue biting,” she said.

She recounted a story of a dog that was initially adoptable, but later attacked its new owner. The dog turned out to have a history of biting, but its former owners didn't disclose that.

“Those are things people don’t see,” Jeffries said.