How Government Agents (Besides Cops) Are Killing Family Pets

Carey Wedler

In recent years, police officers have developed an unfavorable reputation for shooting and killing dogs. Sometimes they do it while raiding the wrong home; sometimes they do it just for fun. While this epidemic of dog-killing cops has garnered a great deal of attention, the government is killings canines in another, equally sinister manner.

Animal control agencies are often tasked with euthanizing dogs that are vicious or who, because of limited resources, cannot fit in shelters. Few people question these deaths. However, a new reportfrom CNN reveals that animal control has been killing pets for far less legitimate reasons: because their owners cannot afford to pay fines on minor violations.