Animal rescue groups: Lake Co. euthanizing too many animals

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County's animal shelter can hold around 100 dogs.

Some animal rescue groups say too many pets are being euthanized while kennels sit vacant.

Debbie Shank with Misfit Animal Rescue said she visits the shelter on a regular basis and keeps track.

"At one point there were 13. I don't see any rhyme or reason for 13 dogs to be killed," Shank said.

Interim Director Jim Stivender said they need to keep some cages empty since more animals are constantly coming in.

"What we have is about 35 complaints a day that we either find something in the field or get a call on. So, you have to get so many in and so many out during the process," Stivender said.

Some rescue volunteers also take offense at the outdoor kennels where people can drop animals off in the middle of the night.

Shank said it gives authority to people to drop a pet off just because they don't want it anymore.

Officials said without the night drop, some pets might be dumped out in the woods.

Stivender said it's better than having a mother and her puppies left on the side of the road to fend for themselves.

"You have a place they can bring them 24 hours a day to drop them off. That's the most humane way to do it," Stivender said.

WFTV