DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA:

ST CLAIR County Animal Shelter has seen questions raised over procedures for the care and euthanasia of cats in its care.

The Detroit Free Press has highlighted concerns that the methods used to euthanise animals are contrary to usual veterinary guidelines and that animals may not be dead before their bodies are disposed of.

The practice at the centre of injecting a tranquilliser directly into the heart of an unsedated animal has been described as likely to cause intense suffering before the cat suffers a slow death. Staff at the centre are not supplied with stethoscopes and so are unable to ensure the animal’s heart has stopped beating before they are disposed of by being thrown into rubbish bags.

Dr Jeanette Roberts, a veterinary surgeon, raised her concerns in a ‘whistle blowing’ lawsuit after she was fired from her job at the centre, allegedly for raising her worries about treatment of the animals there with the centre’s director and the County.

Another issue specified by Dr Roberts was that inmates from the local prison were working at the centre without having appropriate knowledge of animal welfare procedures, and that this put animals at risk of harm.

State records show that Lyle Herman, director of the centre, has agreed to seek training on more humane methods of euthanasia.