When I last posted about Amarillo pound in Texas, it was to share a news article containing a horrific video which appeared to depict a dog being cruelly killed in violation of state law. The resulting police investigation appears to have been turned over to a grand jury for additional investigation. The city has announced several changes at the facility including the purchase of a scale so animals can be weighed prior to killing and the presence of a veterinarian in the kill room to supervise all killings. But ultimately, the city blames the public for the inhumane acts of its own employees:

“We have to find a way to make animal owners be responsible,” said Councilman Jim Simms.

Meanwhile, I received a link to an undated video on YouTube from an anonymous source which allegedly shows a cat being cruelly killed at the Amarillo pound in violation of state law. The video’s description states, in part, that the cat “is smashed down into the cage with a pronged piece of rebar and injected in the back with Fatal-Plus.” Sodium pentobarbital is not labeled for injection into an animal’s back under any circumstances. The preferred route is IV injection, with IP and IC administration being used under special circumstances. IM administration of Fatal Plus is against state law. Warning: This video will be difficult for animal lovers to watch and the cat can be heard hissing in reaction to be jabbed in the back with the needle:

It is absolutely tragic and sickening that the city council would dare to blame pet owners for the needless and cruel killings that have allegedly been going on for years at the Amarillo pound. Frankly, I’d rather see local animal lovers take over the pound than leave any of these people (save whoever is blowing the whistle) on the job for one more day. The public is your only hope, Amarillo. Stop blaming them for the cruelty being inflicted on defenseless dogs and cats by your own employees. Get your head out of your ass and start implementing meaningful reform now.

(Thanks Clarice for the article link.)