Complaint Review: Franklin Animal Shelter

Your thoughts and comments were outstanding. Our beloved family pet passed away less than one week ago. It was the toughest thing to work through. He died at home. My wife and I fed him by hand until he just couldn't go on any longer. What I learned--I think--was that we may have been too selfish in not wanted to let him go. I just couldn't bring myself to take him on that ride and that was probably a selfish thing for me and my family. We will have his ashes spread in the backyard once it isn't either under snow or water!!

Thanks again to everyone. I know I jumped this thread for something which wasn't it's purpose and even though I selfishly kept him around maybe longer than I should have, he died at home with family and not at the shelter. Thanks for the moderators of this forum for letting my original message and hopefully this last one go through.

I have been were you are my dog loki which was prt wolfe part shepard had the same problem . I hate to say it but it is time to say your good buys and take him to the vet to be put to sleep he is suffering. I know it is hard to let go and it will be the hardest thing you will ever do. But if you love him show him by letting him go there is not much they can do for him now.in ohio alot of the funeral home will have him creamated for a price and alot of the vets offer the service to.

found this thread while trying to seach for help/advice on my dog and while I admit this is way off topic and outside the purpose of this site, I am agonizing over a decision and I am hoping some of the folks here could give me some thoughts. You have responded with great thoughts up to know.

Situation: I have a 16-year-old male golden retriever who has been and continues to be like a child to us (my wife and I actually brought this dog into our lives way before we had children. While he had to give up "his bedroom" for a nursury he is still family.) He has reached a point where it is difficult, if not impossible to stand himself up. For the last few months we have helped him stand and once up he could start moving on his own. Starting a couple of days ago we now need to support him for 4-5 minutes before he can move. He has also lost control of body functions so unless we watch him every moment he ends up in his own waste until we help him move (sorry for the description, but I don't know how else to say it.) His hearing went a couple of years ago, and the eye sight isn't all that great, but he is 16. He never wimpers or cries, but several years ago we were told that he had a build-up (calcium maybe) on his spine near his back legs and that he has little to no feeling--that was probably 5 years ago so I doubt he feels much. He had to start carrying him up and down the stairs to get out probably 3 years ago--at an avg of 70-75 lbs. that is usually my duty.

Problem: It makes me so sad to see him just lay there and not be able to do anything. As the weather has gotten colder the mobility is even worse. (As someone with bad knees, my mobility goes down too!!) Someone earlier talked about agonizing over putting a pet down and I don't know what to do. We have talked to our vet when the mobility problems started and we told there really wasn't anything that could be done. I was thinking of having to make the drive to the shelter which is why I found this thread. As a kid we had pets who "made the trip to a farm" but my wife and I have never had to make such a decision. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Ted - Columsu, Ohio
U.S.A.

rdest thing you have ever done but if you love him show him by letting him go there is not much they can do for him now.in ohio alot of the funeral home will have him creamated for a price and alot of the vets offer the service .

If you live in an apartment, you should always check your lease before making a decision to get a dog. I have had two dogs since moving to columbus and lived in an apartment at the time. I now own a house but my dog (which weighs 105lbs) is a member of the family. He is NEVER tied up anywhere. If you adopt a dog you should be prepared for anything, you should be financially able to take care of that dog, you should have a place in your home for that dog. That dog should be treated as another human in the household. I have always adopted my pets from shelters or other adoption sites. I would never think of getting a pet any other way. To blame the shelter for your obvious lack of care is careless on your part. You don't deserve the love of a dog and considering what most dogs at shelters go thru before being rescued by the shelter I certainly hope you never try to adopt again. These animals deserve the best life possible and its obvious that you can not and will not provide that for them.

If you live in an apartment, you should always check your lease before making a decision to get a dog. I have had two dogs since moving to columbus and lived in an apartment at the time. I now own a house but my dog (which weighs 105lbs) is a member of the family. He is NEVER tied up anywhere. If you adopt a dog you should be prepared for anything, you should be financially able to take care of that dog, you should have a place in your home for that dog. That dog should be treated as another human in the household. I have always adopted my pets from shelters or other adoption sites. I would never think of getting a pet any other way. To blame the shelter for your obvious lack of care is careless on your part. You don't deserve the love of a dog and considering what most dogs at shelters go thru before being rescued by the shelter I certainly hope you never try to adopt again. These animals deserve the best life possible and its obvious that you can not and will not provide that for them.

First of all, for Ted, please consider finding a vet who can help you and your family ease your pet out of his pain. They will allow you to be there during his last minutes and allow you to choose what is to be done with his remains. DO NOT let a shelter trick you into thinking your pet will not suffer with them or that they do things humanely. They dont and you pet will. Also, they do not diuspose of animals remains in a pretty fashion. Here in Cleveland, there was a recent expose on a local shelter that was simply throwing animals in the trash as if they were nothing...both heartbreaking and health threatening. I have 2 dogs and, if given the opportunity by God, will INSIST on being there with them and making sure their remains are taken care of as I choose, just as I would for any human family member. I know it is difficult for you to have to make this decision, but you will have the comfort of knowing YOU were able to let your pet go free of his pain and he will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

As for the original author, I would suggest not even thinking of adopting another dog until you are living somewhere that you dont have to worry about whether or not they are allowed. I have had dogs my entire life and it was very hard for me not to adopt one for the 5 years after college that I was living in an apartment. However, I didnt want to risk getting one and my landlord finding out then having to get rid of it because then everyone suffers. Instead, I made sure my apartments allowed cats and adopted 2 of those instead. 3 years ago I bought my first home and one of the first things I did was adopt a 5 year old Basset Hound, and a year later, I got my Great Pyrenees. Both of them are 60lbs + and they are both in the house. Yes, it makes alot of work, but they are my family and I wouldnt have it any other way. When I started dating again after my divorce, a guy who didnt like my pets didnt have a s****.> The bottom line is, pet ownership is a big responsibility and has alot of expenses that come along with it. When I waslaid off, I ate Ramen noodles and mac and cheese, but my girls had the food and treats they've always had. I cut my own things out before theirs. It's like having a kid - they are solely dependent on you for everything.

The shelter isnt the one who should be reported on this site - YOU are. YOU made a commitment to your dog and then broke it. No matter what the reason, you did not think everything through before you got your dog and he paid the ultimate price for your immaturity, irresponsible actions, and incompetance. An outside life is NO kind of life for a pet. I can only hope that someone treats you in the same manner that you treated that poor dog. People like you have kids they cant afford either and then the rest of us foot the bill. You go for instant gratification and dont think about the long term consequences.

If pet shelters had Idiot Detectors at the doors, you would have never gotten in. DONT ADOPT ANOTHER ANIMAL. And while you're busy not adopting any animals, learn to spell.

In response to Ted's problem, the animal shelter is really not the best solution. My wife and I recently had to put down our friend Conan, and Alaskan Malamute, that had shared our lives for 13 years. It was one of the hardest things we had ever done, but it was important to us that we were with him when he died. He had been our great friend and family member and it was important that we treated him with the dignity and respect that he had shown us throughout his life. If you have a regular vet the expense to put your friend down would be worth every penny. Conan had advanced liver cancer and the last 2 weeks for him were very hard. My wife and I sat on the floor with Conan, with his head in our laps, and talked to him and told him how much hsi lfe had touched ours as the vet gave him the injection that ended his pain. The vet then left us in the office with Conan and let us say our goodbyes. Most vets can arrange for cremation or disposal of the remains. Conan had his ashes scattered in the yard of his new home with the fenced yard that he dearly loved to romp in the last years of his life. Please, look into this option instead. It will allow the closure that your family needs to deal with the loss of a true and respected friend and family member.

Ted, not all shelters are required by law to humanely euthanize an animal. Most shelters not covered by state law choose a less expensive method that is extremely painful to the animal. Besides that, this animal has been your friend and companion. Why would you want to subject him to sudden abandonment in a strange and frightening place? Your friend is 16 and therefore may not be around much longer, but I do suggest you contact an alternative medicine vet and see if acupuncture or herbal treatments might help. If that is not an option, you need to find a vet that does the most humane euthanization which will most likely be more expensive than the shorter painful method. I would also suggest that you and anyone else in your family who cares about him insist on being with your friend when he leaves this world. Would you want to be abandoned on your death bed? My companion animals aren't even put under for surgery without my daughter or I standing right there with them. Dumping your friend to die may leave lasting scars and cause much regret later.

I found this thread while trying to seach for help/advice on my dog and while I admit this is way off topic and outside the purpose of this site, I am agonizing over a decision and I am hoping some of the folks here could give me some thoughts. You have responded with great thoughts up to know.

Situation: I have a 16-year-old male golden retriever who has been and continues to be like a child to us (my wife and I actually brought this dog into our lives way before we had children. While he had to give up "his bedroom" for a nursury he is still family.) He has reached a point where it is difficult, if not impossible to stand himself up. For the last few months we have helped him stand and once up he could start moving on his own. Starting a couple of days ago we now need to support him for 4-5 minutes before he can move. He has also lost control of body functions so unless we watch him every moment he ends up in his own waste until we help him move (sorry for the description, but I don't know how else to say it.) His hearing went a couple of years ago, and the eye sight isn't all that great, but he is 16. He never wimpers or cries, but several years ago we were told that he had a build-up (calcium maybe) on his spine near his back legs and that he has little to no feeling--that was probably 5 years ago so I doubt he feels much. He had to start carrying him up and down the stairs to get out probably 3 years ago--at an avg of 70-75 lbs. that is usually my duty.

Problem: It makes me so sad to see him just lay there and not be able to do anything. As the weather has gotten colder the mobility is even worse. (As someone with bad knees, my mobility goes down too!!) Someone earlier talked about agonizing over putting a pet down and I don't know what to do. We have talked to our vet when the mobility problems started and we told there really wasn't anything that could be done. I was thinking of having to make the drive to the shelter which is why I found this thread. As a kid we had pets who "made the trip to a farm" but my wife and I have never had to make such a decision. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

The Franklin County animal shelter (not the CAHS, which is different) has no money, no room and way too many stray animals to care for already. They are strained beyond reason. You would have noticed this IMMEDIATLY and would have been horified to drop off your pet there.

Why didn't you find a home for the animal with a friend or family member? Why didn't you take out a newspaper classified to find it a home?

If you truely cared for your temporary dog, you would have done something to ensure it found a happy home.

Ignorance makes baby Jesus cry.

I'm sorry Dawn but if your going to get a dog, keep it inside until it is "a little" to big and then tie it up on a back porch, you shouldn't have a dog. Do everyone a favor and don't get anymore animals. Just one more thing before I go, please, please, please, learn how to write. It is sooo annoying when someone is too ignorant to check their complaint before they submit it. On top of being completely wrong about your dog, you sound just plain stupid.

i have read all of the rebuttles on this complaint... i can't believe how opinionated people are about topics they don't understand. That consumer did what they thought best for the pup at the time... as all of the literature i have read indicates you should do. How can it possibly be their fault... at the same token... there are individuals that are not conscientious of their choice to acquire a pet.

However.... it is my belief that these dogs do not have much of a choice... and when they have a possible opportunity of being adoped, there should be a very slim margin of denial... or else death ?... what sense does that make?.. i have a lot of dealings with Franklin County Animal Shelter... and i can't believe some of the reasons of denial (to adopt) that i have heard dished out. These people that come to the shelter are not out to harm these pets, and if they are not compatible.. at that point they should be able to return the pet without question.

It is really unfortunate that the Shelter is not more organized and consistent when it comes to euthenasia... but it does happen.... my belief is that the death of the pup was a mistake and the reason was just an excuse to justify the death of a perfectly good pup.

The employees and volunteers of the Shelter are doing a lot more good for the shelter than you and i are... so don't critisize them... praise them...it's not easy taking care of the animals in a shelter... and it can be very painful... just volunteer for a weekend and at that point make a judgement...

Person who wrote:
I had I Rott-Chow mix and he was 7 months old. The winter months were coming and my parents didn't want him to be outside in the cold and we were not aloud to have him in the apartment. So we took him to Franklin County Animal Shelter, which my husband had work there, plus got the dog there.

Now we took him in October and the next day we got a call from them and they told us that they had to put him down. He didn't pass the temperment test. There was nothing wrong with my dog. They didn't even have him 24 hrs.

Then about a week later CBS channel 10 news had a story about Franklin County Animal Shelter. GO FIGURE.
If you are wanting to take your dog in the shelter to find a good home then please check them out before.
I wish I did. We lost a big part of our lives and all we wanted was to find him a good home so he could run.

To top this all off, they called and told us that we couldn't buy a dog from them since we brought him in. That's bull@#$%

If you work at Franklin County Animal Shelter you can kiss this families butt. And I will do anything I can to get this to everyone who wants to come to you guys. THAT'S YOU FRANKLIN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER.......... I wish you were out of business. You say your there for the animals, well you showed me that you hate animals. And for my Rott-chow named BASE all he wanted was to be loved.

VERY UPSET, ANGRY, Frustrated, PISSED, NEWARK,OHIO
B@#$%.

FCAS worst nightmare...BEWARE
Newark, Ohio
U.S.A.

My comment is that if they put him down, they did it for a reason. If a dog doesn't pass certain tests, say being around small children who might play with their food, being approached by people they're meeting for the first time, and interacting with other family members(family not in the home), or if it's ill in some way for example, they won't really have any other or no choice but to put that animal down.

Same person who wrote:
Let me tell you something my dog was an indoor dog until he got a little to big. My dog always I MEAN ALWAYS had someone there to let him loose and to feed him.

He was only tied up at night's and ran around all day. And he was on my back porch and it has a roof on it. So no exposer and he did like it outside.

DO you have a dog? The Franklin County Dog Shelter asked us to bring him there that way he could find a home. What makes a difference that we took him back there. We didn't want to kill him for no reason.

Franklin County Shelter should've told us they were to full. So before you want to reply to this put your feet in my shoes. FIRST Thanks. And why don't you check out that Animal Shelter first before you stick up for them.

How are they in the best interest for the dogs? They are killing them off one by one just because they have no room. And we didn't fill out an application.So no LIE'SSSSSSSSSSSSSS
And if I want a dog again I will get one. SO THERE.............................
Matter of fact I think I will get one..........

Dawn - Newark, Ohio
U.S.A.

My comment:
For the porch thing, was it a complete screened-in porch? Or was it just the roof? If it was just the roof, then Base did have some weather exposer from wind and any rain or snow that was blowing. Also, takening a puppy in you should have known that it was going to get bigger, especially if it's a Rott! No dog stays small forever except for those that are specifically breed to be small. Now, for letting someone feed and let him loose to do whatever thing, how much time did they actually spend with Base? Did they run around and play with him? Did they say nice things to him while they fed him? All interaction with an animal will later determine whether an animal is adoptable or not should the owner have to give them up because of their sitiation(s). Yes, one time I, when I was a teen, did have a Chow-mix that my late father brought home as a rescue. First, I was afraid for my cat because that dog kept eating her food and she would smack him in the face each time he did. Later on, that dog would bite my best friend even though he knew him, and also bit my mother when my late father was drunk and they got in an agruement. That was the last straw there for my mother. I don't know which shelter it was taken, but I hope that it was put down. I know that's a mean thing to say, but it would not have made a good family or any type of a good pet. Also, IF the shelter WAS FULL, they would've told you on the spot and not have taken in Base. If you ever do plan on getting another dog, I hope that you're denied, because to me you're one of those people who think animals are nothing but property that can be thrown away when they've out lived their usefulness to you.

Same person who wrote:
O.k. everyone is saying that I should have never got the dog. Well first thing my husband which he wasn't then. Worked at the Shelter and the dogs got dropped off to the shelter in a small box with about 6 other little puppies. The worker looked at the dogs and some of them even took them home. Our dog was one. We had him indoors and when he got bigger he was outdoors and indoors. He was NEVER with out food, water, shelter or people.

Have you ever had a Rott or a Chow? Then think about them together. They are both protecter of their families and our dog was. Don't get me wrong he loved other people to that he knew. Just think how would your pet act at a shelter? Are they good with other people that they don't know. And if you have a problem with Apartments not allowing dogs to leave there then talk to them if we were allowed to have him there then he would be there INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why does everyone have a problem with Rott and Chows.

They are good dogs. PROTECTIVE......... WE once again did not sign papers at the shelter to get base. And if your letting you pets stay inside all the time they won't know what to do outside. So I guess everytime I see a dog outside I'm calling the Shelter to come get them. That's abuse to animals......... Hey why don't you stay in the house with the animal and never go out to see the outdoors. If they have to be inside so do you........ Get a grip people it's reality.

Dawn - Newark, Ohio
U.S.A.

My comment:
You said that your future husband worked at an animal shelter, correct? Well, first of all, and I agree with the person who wrote " by taking the dog without paying, is denying the shelter the much needed money". You and your (now) husband should've have gone through the application process just like everyone else. You DENIED the shelter, which is unforgivable, the money they desparetly could've used to feed and shelter current residents and expand the shelter to take more pets in. Like I said in my last comment, I had a Chow-mix. Even though he was a rescue and knew the family, that dog later grew into a mean s****.> Same person who wrote:
O.k. Has anyone been to Newark, Ohio? Have you tried to find apartment that you can keep dogs or cats or any animal at that? We had the dog first before we found apartment that we could afford. We are not rich people to go out and rent or buy a house. We are people that have low income. We were able to take care of base when we lived there and there were no problems. Our dog was never tied up to a tree!!!!!!!! He had had a big back yard and he was never on a leash. The yard was fenced in and he loved it. He never lefted the yard for nothing. So if you feel that I'm irresponible, then start packing and come were I live and make sure you bring your animal and we will see if you can keep them here in Newark, ohio. Oh by the way we paid to turn him in. We didn't srop him off by the door like the oringal ower did.

Dawn - Newark, Ohio
U.S.A.

My comment:
Again, have you even bothered looking for an apartment that doesn't have a problem with any animals? You said that you "had the dog before you found an apartment that you could afford"? Did you ever think down the line about what appartments can and can't accept in pets? Where did you live before, with your parents? Couldn't they've have taken Base in and take care of him? Even if you had low income, which you said you did, you should have taken into the consideration of the type of finacial responsibilties that came with owning an animal as big as a Rott when you got Base. You also said that Base was never on a leash? Did you know that there's a little thing called a leash law? For one thing, the leash law provides a way for both owner and animal to be protected from anyone who sues if the dog was loose and bit someone. When the original owner dropped them, did you ever think that the something might have happened to them before they were dropped off or if they were inbreeded? Some sick people do inbreed their dogs for the money or the shear enjoyment of watching unsuspecting people take the animal and then laugh when they try to take that animal to a shelter only to have it put down.

My final comment is that I put my animals first no matter what my finacial sitiation is. I'd rather starve myself then let any of my "fur" kids starve. I'll admit that I've had to make a very heart renching descion of putting my aging cat down because of her failing health. It takes a real pet person to make those type of descions and take in rescues for the rest of that animals life. I have one rescued cat, two rescued parakeets, one rescued bunny, and one rescued turtle that I will give my life for if they were ever in danger of any kind. Even though my finacial sitiation isn't that great, I put them first, and I'll even put my triple digit car payment on hold to take of my "fur" kids. That shows how much I care. So, how much do you really care for animals?

Hooray for Tina from Clumbus! That letter was a valuable service to EVERYONE. Not only those who are thinking of adopting a pet, but maybe it will strike a chord with someone who already has a pet not getting the attention it deserves. I love my fur-kids; yes, they are "inside pets" - but I also have 38 acres where we play daily. The cats go out on leashes. They have never known cold, hunger or abuse from me. They are all rescues - they know they have it good and are grateful. I often tell them they're lucky that they live here - but I also feel lucky that I have their love and companionship.

You're Fault. Whatever you're excuse is it's you're fault the dog got put to sleep. People shouldn't take it pets if they can't care for them all their lives.
You're husband should have known what was going to happen if he took him back even if you did pay them to take him. Theirs other ways to find an unwanted pet a home besides taking it to the shelter. Isn't there any no kill shelters there? Didn't you know anyone that would take him in until he was found a good home?

In the report I noticed that the dog "Base" was taken from a box of numerous puppies,that was dropped off at the Franklin County Animal Shelter before it could go through the adoption process. By this person doing that, he/she took money away from the shelter that is needed to help keep it operational. The puppies would have been easily adopted out. Thus making the shelter money at little cost to them. The older dog Base, did not stand a chance. He had his personality mapped out by his owners. Sorry to say, he was an expense with no hopeful outlook.

Quite frankly, I am going to write a letter and anything else to the Franklin County Adoption Center to stress the importance of better management on their part, when it comes to their employees/volunteers TAKING animals and control at the drop off points.

If this person who took the puppy, so wanted a dog as a pet.. why did they not take one of the older dogs? Puppy was just too cute? .. They took that animal away from a possible owner who could have kept it for life.

I say this because I rescue animals from home. I listen to all the excuses a person can come up with and quite frankly I get tired of them.

Please, do not go and get an animal on a whim. Think ! Study ! Learn all you can of that animal and its breed before you take that puppy, etc. home. Accept the responsibilities that come with that animal. Spay, neuter, vaccinate! It depends on YOU! It will cause you less headaches and heartaches and probably will keep that animal alive.

Dawn,
I hope Base did not die for nothing. I hope you have taken a valuable lesson from his death and it is not to put the blame on someone else. That dog thought of you as family. No one else could fill that space and you would have known that had you learned about the temperament of breed your dog was. I have a rott. I have a german shepard mix. I know my breeds and their quirks. Do you now?

O.k. Has anyone been to Newark, Ohio? Have you tried to find apartment that you can keep dogs or cats or any animal at that? We had the dog first before we found apartment that we could afford. We are not rich people to go out and rent or buy a house. We are people that have low income. We were able to take care of base when we lived there and there were no problems. Our dog was never tied up to a tree!!!!!!!! He had had a big back yard and he was never on a leash. The yard was fenced in and he loved it. He never lefted the yard for nothing. So if you feel that I'm irresponible, then start packing and come were I live and make sure you bring your animal and we will see if you can keep them here in Newark, ohio. Oh by the way we paid to turn him in. We didn't srop him off by the door like the oringal ower did.

We have a dog that is 50 lbs and he is just as much a part of our family as our children were. He goes outside and runs around in our fenced back yard, then he comes in and socializes with us. He never potties in the house and since he is 2 years old, doesn't chew my husbands shoelaces and my scatter rugs anymore. We enjoy every minute we have with him as we are very fortunate that he found us and we knew he would be a lot of work and expense. We did not bring him home just because he was cute, chain him to a tree and feed him once a day. We brought him home to bring pleasure to our life and to give him a good home with lots of love, attention, shelter, food and vet care. Our intention was to keep him for life (ours or his), whichever came first. We have made plans for our daughter to take him if he outlives us. We also had a chow that passed away several years ago at age 11 that we had since he was 4 months old and have had as many as 3 dogs at one time (2 were small). I think it is very irresponsible to adopt a dog and then find out they can't be kept in your apartment, did you not know that before you got your dog and just to take back to shelter for a death sentence is just plain horrible. If your husband worked at the shelter then he should have known that the dog was going to be put to sleep. That is the first thing the other volunteers told me when I started volunteering at the local shelter is that by law they have to keep strays w/o collars so many days and strays w/ collars longer to give owners time to claim them. Owner turn ins were the first to be killed. I hope you think long and hard before you get another dog to kill as I don't think the situation with the apartment allowing dogs has changed. Maybe a little harsh words will make you grow up and be a more responsible person. THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING!

O.k. everyone is saying that I should have never got the dog. Well first thing my husband which he wasn't then. Worked at the Shelter and the dogs got dropped off to the shelter in a small box with about 6 other little puppies. The worker looked at the dogs and some of them even took them home. Our dog was one. We had him indoors and when he got bigger he was outdoors and indoors. He was NEVER with out food, water, shelter or people.

Have you ever had a Rott or a Chow? Then think about them together. They are both protecter of their families and our dog was. Don't get me wrong he loved other people to that he knew. Just think how would your pet act at a shelter? Are they good with other people that they don't know. And if you have a problem with Apartments not allowing dogs to leave there then talk to them if we were allowed to have him there then he would be there INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why does everyone have a problem with Rott and Chows.

They are good dogs. PROTECTIVE......... WE once again did not sign papers at the shelter to get base. And if your letting you pets stay inside all the time they won't know what to do outside. So I guess everytime I see a dog outside I'm calling the Shelter to come get them. That's abuse to animals......... Hey why don't you stay in the house with the animal and never go out to see the outdoors. If they have to be inside so do you........ Get a grip people it's reality.

I volunteer at the local animal shelter and owner turn ins are the first to be put down. By law they have to keep the animals that are found to give the owners time to claim them. You should have never adopted a dog that you did not intend to make part of your family.

I am so sorry for that poor dog to have your family pick him just to be killed. A pet is a long time committment and should be taken in the home as part of the family, not a piece of trash that is tied outside and never even given a pat on the head. I wish the laws would change where a person that turned a animal in to the pound because they did not want it anymore would never be allowed to ever own a pet again.

I'm very sorry that this person had to give up their "pet", but it doesn't sound like he had much of a life anyway. I have several dogs and cats (or should I say they have me...) and sharing your life with a pet IS a lot of work.

Some people just shouldn't have pets. ALL of mine are indoors, and it takes a lot to keep up with hair, feeding & vet bills. But I haven't taken on more than I can handle. These are my children - I would NEVER take one of them to a shelter. And if an animal fails a temperament test, it's not in anyone's best interest to adopt it out. Think of the animals first - they cannot make their own decisions.

Let me start by saying im sorry about your dog.
Now let me tell everyone this they dont care about animals for the simple fact they have adopted animals to a person that was not suppose to have them , She had lost hers because of abuse. they let them have numerous dog cats ect. They just did care who the animals went to .Oh by the way she lost every animal that she got from them they cought her agin. But you really have this kind of thing every were. I had worked at our local animal shelter a few years ago, Someone broke into these peoples house and their dog was in its own yard it was a 6 month old rot they shot it and left the people a note saying that they had their dog. The people even called in ,They never even let them know the dog was dead they came in with a leash to pic it up that is when they took them back to the dog at that point when they walked into the room is the first time they found out the dog was dead.What was done i consider to be abuse The dog was in his own fenced in yard.

I feel for your companion who trusted you to love & care for him. Doggies do NOT understand" I can't."T here's not enough room here to reprint the whole thing...so,you'll have to look up Jim Willis'touching piece titled" How Could You?" this brilliant writerwill let you know what went thru Base's mind his last few hours on this earth.Another piece "The White Card Dog" by an unknown author tells it like it is. You need to read these pieces & give some serious thought to adopting another 4-legged companion. If you can't find these writings on the 'net,feel free to contact me & I'll get you copies!Also,check out www.dogsdeservebetter.com Anyone who thinks it's OK to have a tethered companion outside needs to visit this site. Have I rambled on, sounded like a zealot? Heck yea! I believe it is our place to speak for those who can't.Until society realizes that we are all equal,this is my mission.I am not a 'pet owner', I am a guardian. And,I believe that if I feed & love them;hopefully,they'll let ME stay!!! Know that Base is in a much better place & will never feel rejection again.

I understand why the author is angry but the author doesn't present much evidence of why Franklin is doing anything different than the 'standard' procedures that most animal shelters use.

Shelters are often crowded. There is no gurantee that an unwanted animal will find a home and it is reasonable to expect that the shelter may 'put down' the animal if they find anything wrong with it or if it seems to be a potential danger to other animals or humans.

Pet owners need to understand that the only way to ensure a 'good' home is by providing the home themselves. Before buying any pet, make sure you are reasonably able to care for the pet for its entire lifespan including expenses, room, and emotional needs of the animal.

Let me tell you something my dog was an indoor dog until he got a little to big. My dog always I MEAN ALWAYS had someone there to let him loose and to feed him.

He was only tied up at night's and ran around all day. And he was on my back porch and it has a roof on it. So no exposer and he did like it outside.

DO you have a dog? The Franklin County Dog Shelter asked us to bring him there that way he could find a home. What makes a difference that we took him back there. We didn't want to kill him for no reason.

Franklin County Shelter should've told us they were to full. So before you want to reply to this put your feet in my shoes. FIRST Thanks. And why don't you check out that Animal Shelter first before you stick up for them.

How are they in the best interest for the dogs? They are killing them off one by one just because they have no room. And we didn't fill out an application.So no LIE'SSSSSSSSSSSSSS
And if I want a dog again I will get one. SO THERE.............................
Matter of fact I think I will get one..........

I am sorry about the death of your dog, but how unfortunate that he was adopted to you in the first place.

Dogs are a responsibility, and one should not take one "for the season". Dogs should not be what some undereducated folks like to call "outside dogs". They do not like to be outside; chained up; alone; exposed. I can only assume that the pet you claimed to have loved so much was kept outside, had very little human contact and was not socialized enough to be adoptable, therefore they had to euthanize the dog.

Shelters are to ensure that animals will be kept inside. Under a federal law, all animals, if they live outdoors MUST have shelter, food and water AT ALL TIMES, and specific space requirements. You surely lied on your application, as shelters don't adopt to people who make the dog live outside, and they don't adopt to renters who can't have pets.

Animals are not products. You can't expect to return them like something from Wal-Mart, and then trot in the next day to get another dog-only to neglect it and return that one, as well.

Please, do the animal kingdom a favor and never own a pet again. Vist the Humane Socieity's website @www.hsus.org to educate yourself about responsible pet ownership.