These two adorable kittens were brought to the Memphis pound as strays on July 25, 2012. Under both city and state law, they were supposed to be held until at least July 31. (Applicable laws are pasted below.) Instead MAS only held them overnight before killing them.
The only exceptions allowed under the mandatory holding law are for pets in “emergency situations” who are “injured, dangerous or severely diseased”. Pets who fall under these exceptions may be euthanized immediately. The veterinary notes were requested on both these kittens but none were provided and the records officer confirmed no such records exist. As such, it is logical to conclude that the vet never saw these kittens and they were not injured or severely diseased. And I don’t think they look too dangerous in their photos.
The records state these kittens were killed for “space”. How much space could these two tiny baby cats possibly take up? And since we know that MAS has row upon row of empty cages, I don’t believe space was the real issue here. The workers at MAS killed these kittens because they can. Because there is no accountability on the part of government and there is no citizen willing to engage in a political campaign for reform.
The kill rate at MAS for January – June 2012 was 69%. How many more, Memphis?
If there is any attorney willing to assist us in forcing the Memphis pound to follow the law, please e-mail me.
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Laws regarding mandatory holding periods for stray pets:
Sec. 8-16-7. – Impoundment and redemption of dogs.
A.
Impoundment.
1.
First impoundment.
a.
Any dog not wearing a current license tag required by this title or running at large in violation of this title shall be apprehended and incarcerated in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known. Such dog shall be held for at least three business days during which time the owner may redeem or repossess the same upon payment for, or presentation of, a current license therefor, and payment of $80.00, plus $7.00 for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public. If not reclaimed or redeemed by the owner within such time, the animal will become the property of the shelter and the animal may be designated for adoption, as provided for in section 8-16-8, or humanely put to death as soon as practicable thereafter.
Sec. 8-16-11 – Impoundment and redemption of cats
A. First Impoundment.
1. Any cat found in violation of this chapter shall be apprehended and incarcerated in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known. Such cat shall be held for at least three business days during which time the owner may redeem or repossess the same upon payment of eighty dollars ($80.00), plus seven dollars ($7.00) for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public. If not reclaimed or redeemed by the owner within such time, the animal will become the property of the shelter and the animal may be designated for adoption, as provided for in Section 8-16-8, or humanely put to death as soon as practicable thereafter.
§ 44-17-304. Three day holding period for stray animals
(a) Before any public or private agency, animal shelter or other facility operated for the collection, care or euthanasia of stray, neglected, abandoned or unwanted non-livestock animals euthanizes a non-livestock animal that the facility knows or should know, by identification or vaccination tags, personal knowledge or otherwise, has an owner, the facility shall be required to hold the animal for at least three (3) full business days from the time it is brought to the facility before the animal may be euthanized.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply where an emergency situation exists that requires the immediate euthanasia of an injured, dangerous or severely diseased non-livestock animal.