City manager Jared Miller held a press conference on Thursday to weigh in on a recent scandal that has appeared at City Hall.
This week, the owner of a dog named Gordy announced on Facebook that Gordy was euthanized while in custody of Animal Management & Welfare. The owner says plans had been made to pick up Gordy from the facility, while he was in bite hold, and when she arrived at the shelter, she was told Gordy had been euthanized. Animal Management personnel then refused to turn over Gordy’s body to her, saying he had been taken to the landfill.
Miller held a press conference on the incident, saying he feels the incident should not have happened.
“It was inappropriate,” Miller said. “It shouldn’t have been done.”
The city manager went on to say he has spoken to the owner of Gordy and plans to review policies at the animal shelter. Miller also said he is unaware of any other improper euthanasia incidents that have occurred at the shelter.
“I’m not aware of any other animals that have been euthanized inappropriately,” Miller said.
While Miller said the incident was “inappropriate,” he stopped short of offering an apology for the death of Gordy. However, Miller did say the owner of Gordy was “gracious,” but he is still disappointed in what took place.
“We need to make sure we can say confidently, ‘this won’t happen again.’”
The Amarillo Pioneer has reached out to Animal Management & Welfare director Richard Havens. Havens has not yet returned out request for comment.
Miller
Photo by HCPUA