Shelter Will Euthanize 154 Dogs after Outbreak

LONGVIEW — A viral outbreak at Gregg County’s only animal shelter means a death sentence for at least 155 dogs. Humane Society of Northeast Texas Executive Director Christine Kerr through teary eyes confirmed Saturday that a dog adopted from the shelter died from what a local veterinarian determined was distemper. Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal viral infection that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems.

The shelter, which welcomes stray and unwanted animals from at least three counties, is closed until, at the earliest, Dec. 27. Shelter and Longview environmental health officials have set up a temporary intake facility at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex rodeo grounds on Grand Blvd. Meanwhile, through Monday night, Kerr and her staff are euthanizing the 154 dogs that were at the shelter Friday when the outbreak was discovered.

It is the first distemper outbreak at the shelter in about five years. Because canine distemper does not affect felines, all 136 cats at the shelter Friday have been spared. Humane Society of Northeast Texas leaders are asking residents to delay any animal surrenders until the shelter reopens.