ohmidog!

A rapidly climbing euthanasia rate at the Wake County Animal Center in Raleigh prompted volunteers to take their concerns to a local television station.

No one disputes the figures: In January, the Wake County shelter euthanized 131 dogs, or about 18 percent of those brought in. By August, that number had climbed to 327 euthanized dogs, or nearly 42 percent of the intake, according to WRAL.

The Wake County shelter is one of the more progressive government-run shelters in the state, and it was working toward establishing a “no kill” policy.

But a rising number of surrendered and abandoned animals, and some bouts with diseases and sickness have forced an increased in euthanizations.

Wake County’s euthanasia rate last year was 28 percent — far better than most North Carolina counties. Orange County (Chapel Hill) had a 33 percent rate; Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) reported a 50 percent rate; and in Cumberland County a whopping 73 percent of the dogs that entered the county shelter last year were euthanized.

Cumberland County, you’ll recall — and if you don’t we’ll help you — is where a private wildlife control company has been hired to round up stray dogs around Fayetteville.

Mims Wildlife Damage Control, working with animal control staff, have hunted down 80 or more stray or feral dogs.

“As of Monday 80 packs of dogs have been removed, 57 of those were field euthanized, 27 were taken to the Cumberland County animal shelter,” said Jon Soles, with Cumberland County public information.

If you’re wondering about that math, yes it does add up to 84.

If you’re wondering what “field euthanized” is, it means shot and killed.

Of those allowed to live, four have been adopted out, and eight are in foster care.

Meanwhile, back in Raleigh, the volunteers say they came forward in an attempt to slow Wake County’s rising rate of euthanasia.

“We really want to come together as a group to figure out ways that we can stop this needless killing of animals,” one of the volunteers, Julie Powers, told the TV station’s investigative team.

Volunteers said they also worry that ongoing issues with the heating and air conditioning units might contribute to sick animals.

Andre Pierce, Wake County’s environmental health and safety director, says the shelter is committed to finding better ways to save the dogs.

“No one wants to euthanize animals,” he said. “We would much rather them go to a permanent home – a forever home – and go out the front door rather than go out the back door.”