Goal: For Texas A&M University to reconsider their relations with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and seek alternatives for the euthanization of dogs under the care of Texas A&M's Veterinary Hospital. In addition, Texas A&M should enforce and implement intervention methods in the case of abuse implicated on dogs on Texas A&M properties.

The following events took place on Thursday, February 24th, in the old veterinary school area of Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. 

As I was walking to my car, I passed by a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) truck with a trailer attached to it. The trailer contained metal cages and three medium-sized dogs in three of these cages. I thought nothing of it, until an individual from the TDCJ grabbed one of the dogs out of the trailer and dragged him across the concrete by the scruff of his neck all the way to a door labeled "Skills Terminology Lab 88". I approached the door the dog was taken into and could see inside through the slightly tinted windows. The windows allowed view of what was all but a dirty and empty room in which a lady was administering a substance intravenously to the dog. The dog went limp a few seconds later. It had been euthanized. When the TDCJ individual came outside the closed doors, I asked why these dogs were being euthanized. He mentioned they were working dogs who had worked for years and were respected but that now "were out of service". I asked if there were no programs these dogs could be placed in (rescue, foster, adoption) and he responded with "I can't answer that". He then proceeded to grab the second dog out of the trailer. This time, he tried walking the dog by using its leash. The dog was visibly scared and resisted being forced to walk. The individual forcefully pulled the leash that was latched on to a collar around the dog's neck and this caused the dog great pain. The dog began to whimper and yelp and it was not until I shouted "Stop you're hurting him!" that the lady (who was now outside too) asked the individual to carry the dog. For the third dog, I had gotten my phone out to record. The lady spotted my phone and asked the TDCJ individual "Why don't you carry this one in?". When I inquired about this "program" I received no answers. It wasn't until I persisted on speaking to someone that two individuals came to the location.

These two individuals were representatives of Texas A&M's Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. They refused to provide any information regarding Texas A&M's involvement with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, why these dogs were being euthanized, and why they could not be placed into rescue, foster, or adoption programs. Finding no answers that justified the cruel and unnecessary events I witnessed, I emailed the dean of Texas A&M University's Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He, as well, denied release of information regarding these dogs, provided little relief, and offered only to "recommend that they [TDCJ] consider providing training to all of their officers who work with animals".

As a student at Texas A&M, I believe transparency is important. All three of these dogs were seemingly healthy, nonaggressive, and simply scared. There were no mentions of these practices being performed under reasonings of aggression, compassion, or health problems. I truly believe these dogs were euthanized for no apparent reason. In addition, and in their last moments, these dogs were denied love, proper handling, or humanity. Rather, they were shown aggression, lack of empathy, and were handled in a harsh and painful way. I urge you to join me in advocating for these dogs and stopping the unnecessary euthanization and abuse of animals on Texas A&M properties.  There are tons of rescue, foster, and/or adoption programs these loyal and hard-working dogs could be placed in and it does not seem right that A&M is refusing them of this. 

If you are a Texas A&M student, or someone outside the student body who simply cares about the well-fare of animals, I urge you to sign this petition.