BREAKING: Criminal Investigation into Dog Deaths at San Angelo Animal Shelter

SAN ANGELO, TX –– Weeks after Concho Valley PAWS announced they would temporarily close in response to an outbreak affecting canines, the San Angelo Police Department confirmed a criminal investigation is currently underway.

According to a statement released by the City of San Angelo, on Saturday, November 13th, the canines housed at the shelter were exposed to an unknown substance. The exposure would cause death in at least three dogs and cause widespread illness in several others.

"The issue is unique to canines within the shelter and poses no risk to the community," said COSA in a statement. "All other animals at the shelter, in addition to shelter staff, were not affected."

Officials announced that the diagnosis of a contagious bacterial or viral infection is unlikely. The current evidence points to exposure to a non-contagious substance. At this time diagnostic tests have not confirmed those results and the investigation is ongoing.

Evidence suggests there is no risk to canines in the community because this does not appear to be a contagious viral or bacterial infection. 

The City and Concho Valley PAWS continue to quarantine and observe the health of canines for adaptability and will be working closely with local veterinarians and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. 

Animal Services is currently open for intake and found pets brought into the shelter may still be claimed by their owners. On Wednesday, December 1st PAWS will reopen cat adoptions and dog adoptions will resume on December 11th.

As always, citizens are urged to take proper precautions such as microchipping their pets, checking their fences for “escape spots,” and registering their pets on helpmegethome.com and lost.petcolove.org.