Dog’s euthanasia may have violated state law - STLtoday.com: BARNHART — The Jefferson County Animal Control Center kills hundreds of animals a year without a veterinarian on site, an apparent violation of state euthanasia laws.
Missouri law requires a veterinarian's 'direct' or 'immediate' supervision when controlled substances are used for euthanasia.
But that hasn't been the case for at least three years in Jefferson County. A veterinarian acknowledged she supplied narcotics to the facility but hasn't been there when animal control workers have used them to euthanize animals.
'Until someone comes along and says we're wrong, then we'll change the policy,' said Animal Control Center manager James 'J.T.' Taylor.
Mike Boeger of the state's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs said that if animal shelter employees are using drugs illegally, that's considered illegal distribution — a felony.
Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler says his department has launched an investigation, triggered in part by the complaints of one family about the management of the shelter and the death of their dog.
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Some officials fear the problem could be more widespread and are studying how other states deal with the issue.
Last year, Jefferson County took in 3,827 animals and euthanized half of them, Taylor said. The rest were given to rescue groups, were adopted or returned to their owners. By contrast, St. Charles County Humane Services took in about 4,100 animals and euthanized about 20 percent.
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