Euthanized puppy’s owner speaks out about loss

The woman who adopted the puppy that was euthanized earlier this week told News 13, “I am very crushed, this is very hurtful and I am still missing,” said Jolene Castro. “I went to the Horry County Shelter to donate a kitty gym and there was this beautiful pup all alone because his siblings had already been adopted,” said Castro. “Knowing the history of this place, I knew I had to rescue him, I decided whatever it takes I was willing to give.”

Castro also has a 4-year old dog that she is now watching closely. She says he wanders the house looking for the puppy they named Chubbi.

I am very disturbed by the whole incident, not too mention it cost hundreds of dollars for his medical care, which I don’t mind paying for if he was able to be cured,” said Castro in an email to News 13. “I loved him so much, he was my baby, and when you are taking the time to train an animal, you develop this bond that becomes something very special. He was so smart and a very quick learner. This whole thing has been one expensive heartbreak!

Adoptions and drop-off’s are still suspended at the shelter in Conway. Test results came back positive Thursday for distemper on Chubbi. Shelter employees continue to disinfect the kennels.

An earlier News13 investigation uncovering a distemper outbreak at the Horry County Animal Shelter led the firing of the shelter director.  Now, the shelter in Conway is closed again for drop-offs and adoptions, for the second time less than three months.

November 24th, the first case of deadly canine distemper was confirmed at the shelter. Two weeks later, on December 8, the shelter closed due to a distemper outbreak. More than 100 dogs were euthanized.

The Humane Society’s Board of Directors then fired the shelter’s executive director, Renee Macklen for her mishandling of the situation. The county then took control of the shelter for 30-days.

Last week, the board hired Joseph Olsen from New York to replace Macklen. However, this week, the county decided to keep control of the shelter until an audit is complete and reviewed.

A local veterinarian notified Horry County Public Safety Tuesday morning that a puppy recently adopted from the shelter showed signs of distemper.  The puppy, a stray, came to the shelter with two litter mates January 13.  They were too young to receive their first vaccinations at that time. They were, however, vaccinated January 27. They were all adopted between February 2 and February 6.

Horry County Councilman Al Allen told News 13 Tuesday, ““The county did in 30 days what the Humane Society could not do in more than 3 years. The county acted within hours of receiving the distemper diagnosis, took the proper procedures to sterilize the facility and addressed the issue without closing the shelter’s doors. The virus will always be out there, we can’t stop that. The way shelter management handles these issues is something we can control.“

The county notified the other two owners. One of the owners said their puppy is also showing signs or respiratory problems.

A team spent Tuesday sterilizing the shelter with a new product, a hospital grade disinfectant.  It’s non-toxic to humans and animals. Workers took animals out of the cages and cleaned each cage. All the dogs at the shelter were examined Tuesday by a tech and so far, none are showing signs of distemper.

News 13 will continue to follow any new updates.