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Resident urges Enid to stop "heart‑stick" euthanasia as shelter dog presented for adoption
Summary
An animal welfare advocate asked the Enid City Commission to end use of 'heart stick' euthanasia and adopt no‑kill goals; the meeting also included a presentation of an older dog available for adoption.
During public comments at the June 17 Enid City Commission meeting, Terry Clark, administrator of Let Their Voices Be Heard, urged city officials to end what she described as the shelter’s practice of euthanizing animals by a direct cardiac injection and to adopt no‑kill shelter practices and standards.
“Today, I'm asking for you to stop the cruel, outdated, and inhumane practice of the heart sticking killing our animals at the shelter,” Clark said, giving her name and address as 1760 East Cherokee Avenue. Clark called for the city to “make a goal of a no kill shelter for adoptable animals, paying at least a 90% live release rate, establish standard operating procedure and funding for necessary back care.”
Clark told the commission, “A heart stick is when it goes directly to their heart. No sedation. No nothing,” and urged the city to use only “humane euthanasia established by the American Veterinary Medical Association.” The speaker left letters with the commission and did not request a formal agenda item; city staff did not announce a follow‑up action on the record.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission’s awards segment included a short presentation from the animal welfare department showcasing a dog named Sir Frederick, described by staff as a 7‑ to 9‑year‑old cattle dog mix who is house trained and had been returned to the shelter through no fault of his own. The staff presenter encouraged adoption and said Sir Frederick was located in kennel 28.
No vote or formal action on shelter euthanasia policies was taken during the meeting. The public comment and the adoption presentation were the only items on the record addressing animal welfare at this session.
