Animals to be put down if not adopted

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) - With it's cages and kennels at near capacity, staff at the Waterbury Animal Shelter are hoping some people still step up and open their homes to a four legged friend.

If homes can't be found, some of the animals will have to be put down.

On average the Waterbury Animal Shelter takes in two dogs a day. At this point the shelter is so close to capacity it's possible some of them will have to be put down.

One dog was found roaming the streets of Waterbury, and luckily there is room for him at the shelter.

Usually the cages are full, often because people are abandoning their animals in this sluggish economy.

"We find them tied to fences or poles in boxes and dumpsters and they wind up here," says Sgt. Renee Harvey of the Waterbury Police Department.

This week the shelter hit max capacity, nine dogs deemed un-fit for adoption due to aggressive behavior were put down.

A public appeal resulted in several adoptions, meaning the lives of those dogs were saved.

As the pound fills up, officers may be forced to euthanize dogs unless a rescue organization can take them, or a family chooses them as a pet.

"Essentially thats what I need. I need people here that love animals, bring them home and give them good homes," says Harvey.

Donations can also be made in the form of food or money in hopes to keep these dogs alive.

For information call the Waterbury Animal Control Division at 203-574-6909.