After puppy euthanized, Anson County group wants ‘Justice for Shayla’

A group in Anson County has launched a campaign they hope will mean “justice for Shayla,” a puppy who was euthanized in early July, just six days into what was supposed to be a 10-day quarantine.

The 4-month-old puppy, along with her mother and three other puppies, was surrendered to Anson County Animal Shelter by her owner on June 29.

On July 5, when the dogs were being transferred from the shelter to a rescue group, Shayla reportedly bit a worker at the shelter. Because of that bite, Shayla was placed in quarantine for 10 days. But she was euthanized after six days and sent for rabies testing.

“We were just all devastated,” said Gretchen McCollum, one of the founders of the “Saving Shayla” movement.

That testing came back negative for the disease.

According to a document from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the shelter violated rules regarding documentation of the dogs.

The document states that on July 7, the owner of the dogs who originally surrendered them filed paperwork for Shayla to be released to her after the 10-day confinement.

McCollum said the group has hired an attorney and is looking into the possibility of taking legal action against the shelter.

WBTV contacted the shelter after hours Tuesday for a response regarding the state’s warning letter. This story will be updated if any statement from the shelter is made.

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 6:24 AM with the headline "After puppy euthanized, Anson County group wants ‘Justice for Shayla’."