Activist says dog mistakenly euthanized by MAS

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - An animal activist says Memphis Animal Services wrongfully euthanized a dog just days before he would be featured in a local magazine with a chance of being adopted.

Beth Spencer says she is frustrated and angry after finding out a dog she photographed for the May Issue of Click Magazine was put down without her being notified.

"I wanted to be sure they weren't going to be printing a bunch of dead animals," said Spencer.

Beth says she took pictures of dogs and cats, and requested the animals be kept alive until after the issue was published.

In an email response from MAS Administrator James Rodgers, he agreed to have each animal account notated.

But soon after, Spencer found out the dog was gone.

"He had been there too long, his time was up," says Spencer.

Rodgers explained in an email that the dog "was not a good candidate for adoption" and "there were extenuating circumstances."

But Spencer shared earlier emails with WMC Action News 5 where Rodgers called what happened a "mistake" and said he was "investigating to find out what went so terribly wrong with this one pet."

Spencer believes Rodgers is working to cover up what shouldn't have happened.

This is the email response from MAS Administrator James Rodger in full:

"On April 11, 2015, Beth Spencer, an animal advocate, requested to advertise 12 animals selected by her for a local magazine. MAS was happy to oblige to have our pets profiled in a local magazine. Ms. Spencer identified six dogs and

six cats for the magazine and gave me the animal identification numbers for noting her interest in our system. The animals were to remain at MAS until after My 1, 2015 or until they were adopted.

One of the pets selected by Ms. Spencer was not a good candidate for adoption. The pet was reviewed by the kennel staff and the clinical staff on Sunday, April 19, 2015. There were extenuating circumstances identified by our staff concerning this pet that we should have communicated to Ms. Spencer, but did not. The pet was euthanized on Tuesday. It is with deep regret that it happened because I know she was trying to help by advertising pets in our care. MAS sincerely apologies for not informing Ms. Spencer of the animal's disposition prior to euthanasia." -- James Rogers, MAS

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