Public outrage grows over dog killed at Brooksville Florida shelter

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County Animal Services Manger, Liana Teague, is facing intense scrutiny over the controversial killing of a dog last week. A black and white mixed breed dog, named Zeus, who was said to be "friendly" and "good with kids" was dragged by the neck by Kennel Worker Chris Lee to the euthanasia room. Zeus was killed just 15 minutes after arriving at the Hernando County, Florida shelter, in violation of a 7 day hold rule.

As the manager of Hernando County Animal Services, Liana Teague is being held responsible for the killing of Zeus. The tragedy sparked outrage in the community, and a bomb threath at the shelter which was reported on local television stations in the Tampa, Florida area.

Members of the community have be asking for Teague to be replaced in both private and public conversations, on social media sites like Facebook.

"Things are at a breaking point," said Richard Silvani, Executive Director of PetLuv Clinic in Brooksville, Florida. "This issue with Zeus is simply emblematic of an ongoing problem."

Silvani said in an email Teague was "incompetent," adding that "she deals in half-truths to hide the facts, and is highly skilled in double-speak."

Liana Teague and her staff have been criticized in the past for being eager to kill.

"On July 19, 2010, I reported on an incident at Hernando County Animal Services that involved a kennel worker who was complaining because people who wanted to adopt animals from the shelter were slowing down his efforts to kill them. “They have to stop sending people back here," Kennel Worker Dave Krusko said. "I’m busy euthanizing.”

There appear to be profound problems with Teague and her staff, and the ones paying for them with their lives are the animals who are killed without ever being given a chance to find a new home.

There is a meeting scheduled at 9AM on April 24, 2012, at the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners located at 20 N. Main Street in Brooksville, Florida. There, an angry crowd of residents are expected to demand staff changes at Hernando County Animal Services.