UPDATE:

Amarillo, TX - The city is responding to allegations that Animal Control is improperly euthanizing dogs, cats and other animals within its walls.

In a written statement they write the Amarillo Police Department is investigating the operations there and quote, "The allegations are serious and city administration supports a full and complete investigation."

A video from inside the Animal Control EU building was obtained by NewsChannel 10 on Wednesday. The video contains graphic images of a euthanization.

State code states animals must be injected in a "quiet location" - that the dose must be appropriate for an animals weight.

An animal control officer told us they do not have scales.

State code also states that all available measures should be taken to minimize fear and anxiety, and that the dogs should be monitored from the time euthanasia procedures start to when death occurs.

Our source says these codes are violated daily.

State law also reads the animals must be unconscious or anesthetized and that is what bothered a local vet we spoke with the most.

"I think the most stressful thing in that situation is you have to have them properly anesthetized before you do an inter-cardial shot. And that dog was clearly not sedated or anesthetized the way protocol is regulated...to be," said Dusty Demere, DVM.



The city has promised to conduct an internal review for possible non-criminal violations of policy one police complete their investigation.



Texas Health Services, the agency that writes state code told NewsChannel 10 that any violation of their codes is a Class B misdemeanor.



Both the director of animal control and assistant director remain on administrative leave.



From the City of Amarillo:

Animal Control Investigation Continues

Amarillo, TX – The Amarillo Police Department is investigating allegations involving the operations of the Amarillo Animal Control Department. The allegations are serious and City administration supports a full and complete investigation.

Immediate steps were taken early in the investigation to ensure both the integrity of the investigation and to continue providing the essential public safety duties required of Animal Control operations. This includes measures to ensure the proper care and handling of animals. Two employees are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Upon the conclusion of the police investigation, the City will conduct an internal review for possible non-criminal violations of policy.