Missouri investigating dogs' euthanasia

ST. LOUIS -- The state Department of Agriculture has begun investigating an eastern Missouri county's practice of euthanizing dogs without having a veterinarian present, a possibly illegal practice officials say may be widespread.

The action appears to violate Missouri's euthanasia laws, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Monday, but Jefferson County officials said the county can't afford to have a vet on site every time a dog is euthanized and that the practice is not illegal.

Facilities in neighboring St. Charles County, St. Louis and St. Louis County say a vet always is present when a dog has to be euthanized.

The Jefferson County Animal Control Center kills hundreds of animals a year, but not in the presence of a veterinarian.

Missouri law requires a veterinarian's "direct" or "immediate" supervision when controlled substances are used for euthanasia. Mike Boeger of the state's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs said any illegal use of drugs by animal shelter employees is considered felony illegal distribution.

Jefferson County Executive Chuck Banks said the state is aware of its long-held practice and he doesn't believe it's illegal.

"Until someone comes along and says we're wrong, then we'll change the policy," said Animal Control Center manager James "J.T." Taylor.

Missouri Department of Agriculture director Jon Hagler said his agency began investigating after a family complained about shelter management and their dog's death.

Last year, Jefferson County euthanized half of the 3,827 animals it took in, Taylor said. Humane Services in nearby St. Charles County euthanized 20 percent of the 4,100 animals it took in.

Taylor said the county is meeting the law's mandatory supervision requirement under its contract with veterinarian Sherry Torregrossa.

Torregrossa said she has been to the county shelter once in the three years of her contract.

"They euthanize most of their animals in-house, and the methods they use there are out of my scope, as well as how they make that decision," Torregrossa said.

Just which agency is charged with enforcing the regulation is unclear.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs each is charged with licensing different players in the mix: the shelter, the vet, the business.

Donna Krockenberger of Pevely, who fosters dogs for a rescue group, told the newspaper she and a state inspector saw a dog stumbling in its cage after a shelter worker injected something to euthanize him.

"The only thing we did wrong that day was forget to close the gate, so civilians came in and saw the euthanasia," Taylor said.

Hagler said unless the county takes corrective action, they could lose their license.

Richard Antweiler, director of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, said communities with few vets or resources may have no alternative but to violate the law.

His organization is considering other approaches. Illinois, for example, has a program that certifies euthanasia technicians.