Public backlash is growing after a state investigation that found 42 dogs were improperly euthanized at the Harnett County Animal Shelter.
The findings led to nearly $20,000 in fines against the shelter and the shelter's manager being put on administrative leave.
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Now, more than 2,000 people have signed an online petition demanding accountability and changes to how animal shelters operate in North Carolina.
One supporter of the petition, Jane Tzilvelis, said she believes stronger action is needed.
"Harnett County shelter needs to be shut down! Then people will wake up, because they will have nowhere to surrender their dogs," Tzilvelis said.
The petition calls for the removal of the shelter's director and tougher penalties for what supporters describe as inhumane euthanasia practices.
Many petition signers expressed outrage over the state's findings. One commenter wrote:
"These animals deserve more than they get and they deserve a painless death. If not, why were they taken off the streets? Shelters are there to help animals, not kill them in the most painful way they can. Get the ones responsible for these horrific deaths out please."
Harnett County Government leaders issued a statement addressing the state's investigation in response to the public criticism.
"The state's findings were related to the lack of documentation process by our staff and choice behind the method, not the use of the procedure," the statement read.
However, that explanation has done little to ease concerns among many animal advocates.
"They don't care and that's a big problem in our society, the lack of compassion, the lack of empathy," Tzilvelis said.
For now, advocates say they plan to continue gathering support and pushing for changes they believe will help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
