Dog Bites Plummet 22% in Pima County Amid Decrease in PACC Euthanasias

Pima County has achieved a significant decline in both dog euthanasia and bite incidents over the last decade. The number of dogs put down has plummeted, reflecting a commendable effort to enhance animal welfare in the region.

According to a recent report by PACC Director Monica Dangler, “unnecessary deaths” at the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) have been reduced by an impressive 94 percent, thanks to strategic changes focused on compassion and care. This approach prioritizes animal rehabilitation and training over punitive animal control measures.

Dangler noted that the combination of improved shelter conditions, the introduction of foster and adoption programs, and increased community resources have contributed to fewer animals entering the shelter and thus lower euthanasia rates. In 2010, PACC admitted 25,204 pets, with a staggering 56 percent euthanized. In contrast, last year, 16,522 pets were brought in, leading to an euthanasia rate of just over nine percent. The numbers tell a powerful story: 335 cats and 535 dogs were euthanized in 2023.

Dog and cat bite incidents have also seen a remarkable decrease. In 2010, nearly 3,000 bites were reported. However, despite Pima County’s growing population, the latest figures show around 400 fewer reported bites in the previous year.

This reduction in euthanasia has remained stable, even as PACC navigates overcrowding challenges post-pandemic. While the shelter is still required to euthanize animals deemed an immediate threat by a judge, the overall focus since 2014 has shifted toward behavior modification and rehabilitation.

Dangler explained that previously, animals were put down simply due to lack of space or their bite history, with pit bulls being euthanized until 2013. Prior to 2010, animal control facilities largely functioned as impoundments where animals with bite reports would be quarantined and subsequently euthanized. This practice, based on the belief that it would enhance community safety, is no longer in effect.

“We stopped euthanizing solely for bites and now look at the full picture,” Dangler emphasized, analyzing the circumstances surrounding each incident. Reports of dog bites are forwarded to PACC when they involve law enforcement, providing crucial context if the animal later arrives at the shelter.

An incident defined as a “bite” occurs when an animal’s tooth breaks the skin, but PACC clarifies that this does not always indicate violent behavior. Many dogs may bite out of stress or during playful interactions. To address safety, the shelter has updated its animal handling procedures and trained staff and volunteers in safety practices.

“PACC humanely euthanizes animals that are medically suffering and cannot be treated, as well as those posing an immediate threat to public safety,” Dangler stated in the report provided to the Board of Supervisors. The shelter now employs clear signage to alert staff to potentially aggressive animals and uses emergency safety equipment throughout the facility. Ongoing safety meetings contribute to maintaining a secure environment.

Moreover, PACC features a specialized training team aimed at rehabilitating dogs displaying fearful or aggressive behaviors. Adopters and fosters receive comprehensive counseling, including medical and behavioral notes about the pets they wish to take home, ensuring informed decisions.