ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County Animal Shelter is changing how they make the decision to euthanize animals that end up in their facility.
These changes come from two separate incidents where people’s missing pets were euthanized. One of those involving a family’s service dog, named Baby Girl, back in January.
The couple who owned her was devastated, saying that she was euthanized by St. Johns County Animal Shelter.
“I’m still extremely angry. I miss her. Not only was she my pet, she was my service animal and was also like one of my kids,” said JoAnn Williams.
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Williams and her husband, Brian, say Baby Girl ran away while they were out of town. She ended up at the St. Johns County Animal Shelter, and they put her down even though she was microchipped.
In January, the county responded to the couple's claim, saying that had held a dog matching Baby Girl's description for 34 days before they were notified she was missing.
“Facility space is limitations prevent us from housing stray animals indefinitely,” the county said.
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“St. Johns County does not want to take responsibility for what they did,” JoAnn Williams said.
The county said that they now check for a microchip three times by three different people.
The county also says that after a woman’s pet cat was put down in March, three people have to approve an animal’s euthanization, and one of them has to be a supervisor.
The Williams' couple now has a new service dog, named Angel, who helps with multiple sclerosis.
But they are still looking for another dog that can help with epilepsy.