Manatee County Animal Services kills 18 dogs due to medical reasons, aggression

MANATEE -- After Manatee County Animal Services euthanized 18 animals May 22-23, some animal activists spoke out against the killings at Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting.

One by one, Manatee County resident Agatha Mantares shared pictures of dogs recently killed by Animal Services, which has been working toward becoming a no-kill shelter.

"Now where are we going?" Mantares asked commissioners.

Resident Debra Glow read a story about Beannie, a dog killed seven days after intake at the shelter, from the perspective of the dog.

"This is going to be one of the hardest things I've said since I lost my dad," Glow said as she began to cry.

Beth Lewis, shelter manager with Manatee County Animal Services, said eight dogs were euthanized were for medical reasons, one was people aggressive and the other animals were animal aggressive.

"We sent out pleas to rescues to pick them up," Lewis said. "We just don't have the funds to do prolonged medical treatments."

All dogs were between 50 and 60 pounds, and Lewis said: "These aren't the dogs you want your neighbor to have."

"We don't have the resources for extensive training, which takes months up to years for dog aggression," she said. "It was a public safety issue concerning dog-on-dog aggression."

With Beannie, Lewis said the dog was aggressively attacking the

cage and did not handle being in a shelter well. After multiple unanswered attempts to reach the former owner, the staff decided to put Beannie down for safety reasons, Lewis said.

"Inside, she was all teeth and attacking my staff," Lewis said. "My staff cannot go inside the cage."

Despite the recent killings, the Palmetto shelter has been in the 92 percent to 94 percent range for its save rate the past six months, Lewis said.

"No adoptable animal is euthanized," Lewis said. "Some people think every animal can be adopted, but reality is that is not true. For safety factors that is not true. I would love it to be."

Lewis said the shelter should be a last resort.

"I need people to be proactive and not reactive," she said. "I know what the problem is. Give me a solution and let's go for it."

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said they already know about the animals being put down. They need the public to come with solutions.

"I need to know how you are going to be helpful to this situation," Baugh said. "Help us help them."

The commission also approved:

An agreement with Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County to provide summer programs for Rubonia children between 5 and 17 years old.

A $1.3 million incentive package for Project EVOLVE for a solar electric generation facility in Manatee County.

A $609,500 cooperative funding agreement with Southwest Florida Water Management District for Hidden Harbor Habitat Restoration Project to be paid on a reimbursement basis by SWFWMD.

An interlocal agreement with the city of Anna Maria for a $59,780 study of the Anna Maria City Pier. The city would reimburse the county for its portion as the city and county are splitting the cost.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024 or at caronson@bradenton.com. Follow her on Twitter @Claire­_Aronson.

This story was originally published June 3, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County Animal Services kills 18 dogs due to medical reasons, aggression."