Vegas Animal Shelter Names Dog Isis, Then Kills Her

LAS VEGAS - Sept. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- The Animal Foundation, the shelter that handles animal services for Clark County Nevada and Las Vegas, is in hot water with the community for naming a dog "Isis" and then euthanizing her.

The dog, a 3-year old German Shepherd mix, was originally picked up as a stray on August 1stand named "Isis" by shelter staff. She was adopted out and then returned to the shelter on September 11th, was not put up for adoption again and then euthanized on 9/23/14.

Animal advocate and founder of Animal Help Alliance, Dori Gilbert, discovered the dog with the notorious name as she scanned a private list of animals not eligible for adoption.   “I couldn’t believe they had chosen to name a dog, who was desperately trying to find a home, after a terrorist organization, how insensitive!" Wanting to find out "Isis’" status, she contacted one of her inside sources at The Animal Foundation who confirmed that " Isis" had been killed Tuesday. According to internal Animal Foundation documents, "Isis" was killed because she was “high energy” and "touchy around her feet and underside."   Gilbert is even more upset as she states the shelter had over 100 empty kennels when "Isis" was killed.   "They had plenty of room for her, but they didn't even give her a chance."

Bryce Henderson, President of No Kill Las Vegas, a local non-profit that is trying to have The Animal Foundation replaced as the county’s administrator of animal shelter services, was shocked when learning about what the shelter had done. “People with this type of mentality should not be responsible for the welfare of the homeless animals of Las Vegas. To treat a dog’s life with such disregard that you name it after one of the most despised groups since the Nazi’s, and then to kill her because she didn’t like her feet touched, is despicable.”

Henderson says this is not the first time they have played games with the dogs names as he says they recently named a dog after him.   "Eleven days ago a stray Pit Bull came in, they named it "Brice" and then put him on the pre-euthanasia list so only a rescue could save him.   Maybe they get a kick out of killing their enemies this way.  They said he was un-adoptable because he was "underweight," luckily the community fired back, and The Animal Foundation has now placed him in adoptions."

On July 7th, AT&T changed the name of their mobile wallet "Isis" over concerns it would be associated with the terrorist organization.   A number of other companies have followed suit.   Amy Rouse, a former Animal Foundation volunteer commented, "I don't know if the name was chosen out of incompetence or someone's idea of a bad joke, but management needs to be held accountable."

The Animal Foundation is no stranger to controversy, making international headlines last March when they attempted to raffle off puppies that were victims of a local puppy store fire.

Henderson and Gilbert are optimistic that elected officials will find a new organization to run the shelter when The Animal Foundation's contract expires next June.

This Thursday evening, No Kill Las Vegas will be hosting a community candlelight vigil outside of the shelter as part of the international event Remember Me Thursday.   The event aims to raise awareness about the millions of animals killed in shelters every year and Henderson hopes it also shines a light on the lack of compassion and competence at the Las Vegas shelter that has led to the deaths of over 22,000 animals last year even as kennels sat empty.

Screen captures of Animal Foundation documents showing Isis along with her intake data is attached. For additional info. visit - www.nklv.org