The Harnett County Animal Services Animal Shelter has been fined nearly $20,000 by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The fine was imposed after inspectors found that the shelter’s veterinarians used inhumane euthanasia techniques, specifically intracardiac (IC) injections, without following state-required procedures and documentation standards.

Inspection Findings

During an inspection, it was revealed that 42 dogs were euthanized using IC injections between March 25, 2026, and April 29, 2026. The inspectors noted that the shelter staff did not provide the necessary justification for using this method, which is only permitted if the animals are under general anesthesia or unconscious due to injury or illness. The shelter director questioned the requirement for documentation and suggested preemptively writing notes about the dogs’ conditions to bypass individual documentation.

The inspectors reminded the shelter staff of the restrictions on IC injections and emphasized the importance of proper documentation. They pointed out that if the dogs were truly unconscious or anesthetized, they would not be moving, which contradicts the shelter director’s claim that IC injections are safer for staff.

Response and Next Steps

Following the notice, Harnett County officials issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to humane animal treatment. They announced that no further euthanasia would be conducted by county staff until all personnel receive retraining to ensure compliance with humane practices.

The shelter has 60 days to either pay the fine, contest the case, or seek an informal settlement. This situation highlights the importance of adhering to state regulations to ensure the humane treatment of animals in shelters.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.