CPD to investigate Columbus Animal Control following viral euthanasia video

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL )— Viral surveillance footage inside Columbus Animal Care & Control Center (CACC) obtained by an animal advocacy group has taken the internet by storm. Now, city councilors are responding to the video and calls to action.

“It’s sad, you close your eyes and it’s all you see is the dogs being thrown in the bin like trash,” District 4 Councilor Toyia Tucker said.

“It was uncalled for, it was unnecessary. It was inappropriate,” District 2 Councilor Glenn Davis stated.

“It is one of the most nauseating and inappropriate things that I have ever seen,” District 7 Councilor JoAnne Cogle stated.

“To witness what I saw is very troubling for me,” District 1 Councilor Byron Hickey said.

Those are sentiments shared by councilors in reference to the viral surveillance footage. Councilors and Mayor Skip Henderson are now calling for an investigation into the policies and actions taken within the city-ran shelter.

July 18, an animal advocacy group obtained and shared surveillance footage of one dog named Chai being euthanized inside the main kennel area of CACC.

The 45-minute video depicts Chai being stuck four times, left on the floor, and loaded into a trash bin with other bodies of dead dogs. The video calls into question the practices and policies happening within CACC. Main concerns brought up by the animal advocacy group: legality of the modes of euthanasia used.

“The dog was approached too rapidly with the anesthetic, had not had a chance to take in effect,” part-time veterinarian with CACC, Dr. Hank Hall said during Tuesday’s city council meeting. “The dog should be totally under a general anesthetic before any attempt of an intravenous injection is made. There should only be need for one person even to push a euthanasia solution into a dog under general anesthetic.”

The location of the euthanasia.

“There were several missteps here, correctly noted. They should have been in back in a euthanasia room, that should have been done,” Hall said.

Plus, the fact Chai was loaded into a bin full of other dead dogs with no verification of death.

“The procedures were not followed like they should have been with a stethoscope. Even putting your hand and squeezing the chest for a heartbeat or something like that. So that did not happen,” Hall said. “That was out of character for that.”

Councilor Byron Hickey made a motion to have the Columbus Police Department handle the investigation into CACC. Hickey also requested those involved in the investigation be placed on administrative leave. The motion passed unanimously.

WRBL has placed an Open Records Request to obtain the surveillance footage and have reached out to confirm with Columbus Police Department there will be an investigation. It has not started yet, but once we learn more, we will share with you.

Prepared Paperwork from Tuesday’s City Council Meeting

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