‘Disappearing dogs and disease’: Protesters gather at Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society, bring disturbing allegations to light

CANYON LAKE, Texas — On Saturday, a few dozen individuals gathered throughout the road from the Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Modern society (Course) to protest alleged animal abuse at the shelter.

Previous team users and volunteers say they witnessed unacceptable cure of pets, particularly puppies.

“A several of us who had similar ordeals started out talking to each other,” said Deanna Kaplen. “I was a volunteer there and I observed a good deal of animals that have been ill and weren’t being taken care of. A lot of the animals saved disappearing. Then all the sudden, a new ex-personnel arrived out and had proof that they have been putting puppies that ended up unwell in the freezer instead of humanely euthanizing or treating them.”

A lady advised KENS 5 she not long ago adopted a pet dog from the shelter but experienced to carry it again for the reason that of behavioral difficulties. She promises the female in cost at the shelter instructed her the dog would “have to be place down” because she couldn’t care for it.

According to its site, Course is as a nonprofit, no-destroy shelter. That usually means healthy or treatable animals are not set down, even when the shelter is whole. 

Nonetheless, worried people feel not plenty of is getting carried out to handle and avoid outbreaks.

“I think it is neglect,” said Kaplen. “If you know that an animal is potentially likely to get sick, they should really be vaccinated. I definitely really don’t feel there’s an justification for them not to be vaccinating. If you can’t deal with the amount of money of animals coming in, you possibly should not carry on having animals.”

In mid-January, Class shut because of to a parvovirus and distemper outbreak. It re-opened a number of months ago. However, the shelter’s Facebook web page states it is open by appointment only right after quite a few personnel members still left.

The shelter also claimed it is out of vaccinations after “a volunteer unintentionally unplugged a fridge.”

Amid several issues, previous employees say donations are remaining mismanaged.

“I would like full transparency of their funds,” explained Kaplen. “Last year when I volunteered, a close friend donated $600 well worth of blankets in the wintertime. [CLASS] had asked for blankets on social media. So, I brought all of those up listed here. I was up listed here 3 or four times a week accomplishing the laundry and was in and out of the storage drop, which was wherever the stuff was saved. I under no circumstances observed a person of people [blankets] employed for the animals.”

Herb Wells says his mother co-established Class in 1977. Due to the fact then, there have been a number of variations in management. Now, Darrell Mayfield is the president of the board that operates the shelter. His spouse, Kelly Mayfield, is the vice-president.

“I by no means thought I would say this, but I am delighted my mother is not listed here to see what is happening to Course appropriate now,” Wells claimed.

The Comal County Sheriff’s Office environment (CCSO) verified it is actively investigating experiences of neglect and animal cruelty at the shelter.

KENS 5 attained out to Class. Inspite of repeated mobile phone calls and email messages final 7 days, our concerns went unanswered. Class did ahead an electronic mail from the Humane Culture of the New Braunfels Location (HSNBA), nevertheless, which particulars the difficulty of overcrowding and outbreaks at a lot of Texas shelters.

Jeremy Switt, a former Course volunteer, states an interim board is set to change the present one particular in the coming weeks. He suggests the new board will be absolutely clear about operations.

Beneath is the transition plan.