Expert: Stephen Vantassel - 6/16/2006

Question
The City Hall has been randomly shooting dogs to get rid of the unleashed and stray dogs inside the city limits. There is an ordinance that residents have to have their pets tied up or fenced in. If they pick them up, you have three days to pick them up or they are shot. Is this legal? Do they have to be given an injection or can they shoot them? Whether or not they are dead, they throw them in a fire and burn them. Can you shed any light on this? There are citizens here that think this must be illegal. The City said they were trying to save money by not having to hire a vet to euthenize the animals and that killing them was "killing them" - either way the end product, was a dead dog.

thank you,
Joe
Texas, USA

Answer
I can't shed any light on the specifics of your situation.
Shooting can be a humane form of killing as explained by the AVMA standards.  I think it is commendable whenever cities work to enforce leash laws while saving the city money for the human needs. Roaming dogs are a potential health threat as well as a public nuisance. Sometimes drastic measures have to get people to take responsibility.

As for legalities, you should consult an attorney.