Video: Kent man angry after rescued dog is euthanized

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KENT, Wash. - A Kent man is furious after a dog he rescued was later euthanized by King County Animal Control.

Jim Giuntoli found the Labrador wandering in the street nearly two weeks ago, and says he never would have left it at the shelter if he'd known the dog would get put down.

In the past two weeks he and Kim Giuntoli have rescued not one, but three dogs they found wandering on various highways. They found the lab on Pacific Highway, and nicknamed him Buddy.

The day after the Guintolis rescued him, a vet sent the dog to King County Animal Control in Kent. Jim says he thought he had a verbal agreement with the shelter that if no one adopted Buddy, he'd take the dog.

"He had a number. It was 26-853," Jim said. "And I would call and say 'can I get the status on dog 26-853?' And they're 'oh, we're understaffed. We haven't done anything with him. He's back in the pen and he's waiting for his behavioral assessment.'"

After being caged for more than a week, a shelter evaluation determined Buddy was aggressive with other animals, and the young Labrador was euthanized.

"I was sick," Kim Giuntoli said.

King County Animal Control insists they never like to euthanize a healthy animal, but say they did what they thought was best. Spokesperson Nancy McKenney says public safety is one of their missions.

A public health veterinarian is doing an independent evaluation of Buddy's case. The results should be made next week.

The Giuntolis were so horrified by Buddy's death, they adopted the two other dogs they'd taken to the Kent shelter and brought them to the Humane Society, where they're confident someone will adopt them.

Officials at King County Animal Control points out its euthanasia rate has dropped from 34 percent last year, to 19 percent through May of this year.