UPDATE: Layla has found a new home at Centre County PAWS animal shelter. Click Here to read the story.
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Woodland, PA – A dog at the Clearfield County SPCA that had allegedly been planned to be euthanized caused an outcry in a Facebook post, and the shelter says they are now holding off on any decisions.
Layla, a stray female dog, appeared in a post on groups like DuBoisLive and ClearfieldLive on social media over the weekend.
The post claimed that Layla was scheduled to be euthanized today, Feb. 14, and that the shelter would not transfer her to another willing rescue facility because she had been deemed as aggressive.
Clearfield County SPCA board manager Tim Lanager responded later, saying that the staff and volunteers from other organizations have worked with Layla for the past three months, but the dog continues to have behavioral issues that make her unavailable for adoption.
He says discussions are being pursued with management of the volunteer’s association to determine if a transfer to their facility is in the best interest of Layla.
In any case, Layla is not scheduled to be euthanized today and will remain in the care of the Clearfield County SPCA until a decision is made about whether she will be transferred to another rescue organization.
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Click Here to see the Facebook post with the statement from the Clearfield County SPCA Board of Directors:
Statement by Clearfield County SPCA
by Board Member Tim Lanager
There has been recent social media information posted regarding Layla, a female dog that came into the shelter on November 16, 2021, as a stray. During the ensuing three months, despite efforts by our staff and a volunteer from another organization, Layla continues to have behavioral issues which makes her unavailable for adoption.
Discussions are being pursued with management of the volunteer’s association to determine if a transfer to their facility is in the best interest of Layla. Further evaluation of Layla is going to be conducted and considered by both organizations. Until a decision is reached, Layla will remain in the care of the Clearfield County SPCA.
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Click Here to see the Facebook post from Mae Wisor:
By clicking the link, you can also see a video of the dog.
Meet Layla. Layla is scheduled for euthanasia on Monday, February 14, 2022.
The Clearfield County SPCA has made the decision to euthanize Layla, despite the fact that another rescue organization has stepped up and are 100% willing to assume care, responsibility, and liability for her life.
The Clearfield County SPCA is refusing to transfer her to another rescue.
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Layla was found as a stray and brought to the Clearfield SPCA on November 16. She is very fearful (common for a dog found as a stray) but she is not aggressive.
The Clearfield County SPCA has claimed that Layla is “aggressive” and therefore meets their criteria of “no transfer or adoption”, but their assessment is absolutely incorrect. Layla is NOT aggressive.
I have personally worked with this dog as often as I possibly can. (Their extremely limited hours make it almost impossible for someone with a full time job to come in.) While she is afraid of the SPCA staff (in my opinion, for a good reason), she has been EXTREMELY receptive to me.
Despite their claims that “no one can approach her” and “no one can touch her”… on my FIRST visit to the shelter, she was receptive to me and let me pet her through her kennel door.
Through other visits, we formed a close bond, and she has come out of her shell with me. She allows me to pet her, feed her, and she even snuggles with me. This is NOT the behavior of an aggressive dog. And she does NOT deserve to be euthanized. ESPECIALLY when there is a rescue willing and able to take her in to save her life… yet the SPCA is so unwilling to do so.
A member of their Board of Directors stated “it’s sad that somewhere along the way, someone failed this dog” yet it is their organization that is failing her.
Their mission statement: Our mission is to “Give animals a better tomorrow.” That’s not what they are doing.
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Disclaimer- this post is not about humane euthanasia. I completely understand that there are circumstances where an animal cannot be helped, or that the shelter just does not have the resources available.
This is NOT that scenario.
The Clearfield County SPCA has been given the option to transfer Layla to another rescue shelter that is willing to work with her. And they flat out refused.
They would rather euthanize Layla, than to offer her the opportunity to thrive at a shelter that is willing to put in the time and effort with her.
This is not okay.
Help me to save Layla’s life.
You can contact the Clearfield County SPCA at 814-765-2220 or [email protected]. Please share this post.
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