Dogs in San Diego County’s public shelters deserve compassion, not concrete floors, high-stress environments, and preventable deaths.

In 2023, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services received a detailed audit identifying serious issues at its Bonita and Carlsbad shelters. Among the most troubling findings: dogs being hosed down inside their kennels in violation of veterinary guidelines, the lack of beds and basic enrichment like toys or bones, and an alarming rise in behavioral euthanasia.

Even after these concerns were flagged, many of the worst practices continue today. An investigation by KPBS in 2025 confirmed that in-kennel hosing is still happening, and that most dogs still sleep on bare concrete. Staff turnover remains high, and the shelter environment itself is contributing to the very behavioral issues now used to justify euthanizing animals.

This is not just a failure of policy, it’s a failure of compassion. These dogs are already dealing with the trauma of abandonment or neglect. The least we can do is offer them humane care while they wait for a second chance.

We are calling on San Diego County Animal Services Director Vaughn Maurice and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to take immediate action to:

• End the practice of cleaning kennels with dogs still inside.
• Ensure that every dog has access to a raised bed and enrichment items such as toys or bones.
• Halt behavioral euthanasia until meaningful shelter reforms are implemented and a transparent, documented review process is in place.

These are not luxuries, they are minimum standards of humane treatment. Taxpayer-funded shelters must reflect the values of the community they serve. If we can’t offer basic dignity to the animals in our care, we’re not doing our job.

We urge San Diego County to act now. The dogs in these shelters can’t wait any longer.

Photo: KPBS