Twenty-one animal shelters reprimanded for failing to comply with state euthanasia standards
State regulators have started to enforce rules designed to ensure the humane euthanasia of animals at shelters across the state after a two-month grace period.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Animal Welfare Section has cited 21 animal shelters since beginning enforcement in September. The rules took effect in July. Some of the shelters have since come into compliance.
The SPCA of Wake County Inc. agreed to a $500 civil penalty for euthanizing animals without a certified euthanasia technician on staff. The rules require anyone performing animal euthanasia to undergo training and testing to ensure humane treatment. The SPCA of Wake County now has two CETs on staff.
The following facilities agreed to voluntarily stop using carbon monoxide chambers to euthanize animals because the chambers were either not commercially manufactured or did not meet the standards of the euthanasia rules at the time of inspection.
• Bladen County Animal Shelter
• Brunswick County Animal Control
• City of Rocky Mount
• Hertford County Animal Control
• Martin County Animal Control
• Montgomery County Animal Control
• New Hanover Animal Shelter
• Tri-County Animal Shelter
• Wilson County Animal Control
• Yadkin County Animal Shelter
The following facilities were issued a warning letter and agreed to stop using carbon monoxide chamber until an inspection by the manufacturer, manufacturing representative or industrial hygienist was completed. These facilities have since been inspected and can use the chamber according to humane treatment standards set forth by the rules:
• Davidson County Animal Control (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 5)
• Davie County Animal Control (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 30)
• Johnston County Animal Services (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 6)
• Johnston County SPCA (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 5)
• Lee County Animal Control (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 6)
• Lincoln County Animal Control (inspected and approved for use on Oct. 12)
The following facilities received warning letters for failure to have materials in their policy and procedure manual as required by the rules, such as emergency procedures:
• Carteret County Humane Society (missing 18 of 18 requirements)
• Northampton County Animal Control (missing 17 of 18 requirements)
• Onslow County Animal Control (missing 16 of 18 requirements)
• Surry County Animal Control (missing 7 of 18 requirements)
