August 20, 2025. Two edits that will be made throughout this entire petition.

Legally, Aston was KILLED, not euthanized. The definition of euthanasia is “an act of either killing or permitting the death of a terminally ill or hopelessly injured individual or animal by using a humane, painless method for reasons of mercy.”

Aston was KILLED. He was KILLED by Brandy Barnett who had no authority to do so. We have now confirmed that Aston was KILLED within 5-hours, not 15-hours of being accepted by Brandy Barnett. 

Aston was a healthy, microchipped and friendly therapy dog with a loving owner who misses him dearly. 

 

 

FLORESVILLE, Texas (August 11, 2025) – Community Demands Transparency After Microchipped Therapy DogEuthanized by Brandy Barnett, President of Wilson County No Kill Shelter (WCNKAS) at a Local Animal Hospital

Our community is heartbroken and devastated. On June 24th, 2025, a tragic and completely avoidable injustice occurred in Wilson County – one that has left a family shattered, a community heartbroken, and trust in our local animal shelter shaken to its core. Aston was not just a family dog. He was a healthy, six-year-old therapy dog with a gentle soul and a profound ability to heal. He offered comfort to trauma survivors - adults and children alike - with nothing more than his calming presence, warmth, and love.

Prior to attending an out of state matter, Aston's owner made arrangements for a family dog sitter to provide daily check-ins on Aston. The tragic timeline of events began on Sunday June 22, 2025 when Aston was found playing with two stray dogs outside of his yard. A Good Samaritan acted by rescuing all three dogs to keep them safe and contained until she could find help. She contacted WCNKAS representative Brandy Barnett and was told the shelter was closed so the Good Samaritan held them overnight.

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Good Samaritan took all three dogs to a local veterinary clinic to be scanned for microchips. The scan revealed the two young strays were not chipped, but the scan did confirm that Aston was. At 5:45 pm, veterinary clinic staff called the owner's phone number and left a voicemail message stating Aston had been found. Shortly afterwards, the Good Samaritan contacted WCNKAS representative Brandy Barnett and was told to meet at her place of work at a Local Animal Hospital (not the same vet clinic that did the first scan). At approximately 7:30 pm, WCNKAS representative Brandy rescanned all three dogs, and it was once again confirmed that Aston was microchipped and the other two dogs were not. The Good Samaritan informed Brandy that the first veterinary clinic was trying to make contact with Aston's owner. The Good Samaritan, believing she was doing the right thing to help reunite Aston with his owner and to find safe refuge for the two young strays, relinquished custody of all three to WCNKAS representative Brandy.

Tuesday morning June 24, 2025, WCNKAS euthanized all three dogs. Their deaths occurred in less than 15 hours of intake. WCNKAS President Brandy Barnett made no attempt to contact Aston's owner and failed to follow allotment times for intakes. Brandy played the role of judge, jury, and executioner in Aston's untimely death, along with the other two young strays, and ordered the Local Animal Hospital to euthanize Aston.

Aston's owner was finally able to track down his whereabouts, and through an exchange of text messages and a phone call with Brandy Barnett, Aston's owner learned about his death. Brandy

Barnett admitted to having Aston euthanized. Aston had many roles: his owners faithful friend, a partner in healing, and a cherished member of her family. But in less than 15 hours of being taken into custody by the WCNKAS, Aston was euthanized. Despite wearing a collar, being microchipped, and having accurate contact information, no meaningful attempt was made to contact his owner, who had done everything right to safeguard him. This wasn't just a mistake. It was a betrayal – of public trust, of a loving pet owner, and of a dog who spent his life helping others.

The Good Samaritan who rescued Aston and the other two believed she was doing the right thing. She is heartbroken. Aston's owner returned home to find her beloved companion gone forever - without a warning, a phone call, or even a chance to say goodbye. The public is rightly outraged and fearful, wondering: Could this happen to my pet too? Even more disturbing is the lack of accountability, remorse, or even a basic apology from WCNKAS representative Brandy Barnett, who ordered Aston's euthanasia.

On July 5, 2025 outraged residents launched an online petition calling for increased transparency and mandatory safeguards to prevent similar tragedies.

On August 9, 2025, WCNKAS issued a statement that Brandy Barnett, President of WCNKAS, was acting in her individual capacity and not on behalf of WCNKAS when the decision to euthanize Aston was made. WCNKAS states that Brandy Barnett directed the Local Animal Hospital to euthanize Aston. Brandy is listed as a receptionist on the Local Animal Hospital's website. Why is a receptionist directing a beloved pets euthanasia at a veterinarian clinic?

Aston's Legacy - A Life of Service, A Death Without Justification

Aston's untimely death came at a time when his therapy services would have been invaluable. Just days later, catastrophic flooding ravaged Kerr County, displacing hundreds of residents, taking the lives of over 100 individuals, and leaving communities in ruin. Survivors, including children from youth camps, vacationers, first responders, and grieving families, are now struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives. That is where Aston would have been. He and his owner were trained andready to deploy - to provide calm amid chaos, comfort in the aftermath, and emotional support when words failed. But Aston is gone.

Euthanized without cause. Without necessity. Without time.

Aston's death wasn't just unnecessary – it was preventable. And the loss goes far beyond his owners personal grief. Aston was a lifeline to those living with trauma. His absence is now felt in places where he was needed most. No family should ever have to endure this kind of loss. No community should lose a dog like Aston to such reckless and heartless decision-making.

We Are Aston's Voice.

This is not just about one dog. It's about every family who trusts that microchipping protects their pets. It's about ensuring that no shelters – especially one with "No-Kill" in its name - operates without transparency or accountability. It's about ensuring that veterinarian offices have appropriate oversight of their staff and that every effort is made to reunite microchipped dogs with their owners. It's about Aston. And it's about justice. On July 5th, a petition was launched by a concerned community member demanding change at WCNKAS. The petition acknowledges the shelter's critical role in addressing animal overpopulation and praises its volunteers. We want to be clear: we support the mission of our local shelter and value the volunteers who give their time and hearts to protect animals in need. This shelter should be an asset to our community, but in order for it to truly serve and protect, there must be transparency, responsibility, and adherence to basic protocols – especially when the stakes are life and death. The response has been overwhelming, but we need more voices. We need your voice. This wasn't just the death of a dog. It was the death of a healer, a helper, and a hero. This could have been your dog. Let us make sure Aston's legacy is one of change, not silence. Let this be the moment we say: No more.Never again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aston’s Story:

 

Aston was euthanized by Wilson County No Kill Animal Shelter (WCNKAS) less than 15-hours after being taken in by WCNKAS. WCNKAS made no effort to contact the Owner despite being on notice Aston was microchipped. At the very minimum, WCKNAS should have kept Aston impounded at least three days before euthanizing him and should have made attempts to contact the Owner.

Aston was:

• A healthy six-year old dog with all of his vaccines;
• Microchipped with his Owner properly listed as the point of contact with the correct telephone number;
• Wearing a collar;
• Had no history of being aggressive with people or other animals.
The City of Floresville Code of Ordinances, § 90.58. Notification to owners; time period for claim of animal, states:

(a) Owners of animals which have a valid permit will be notified if their animals are impounded. The known owner or harborer of the impounded animal wearing a valid permit identification tag shall have five working days from the time of notification in which to claim the animal. Failure by the known owner or harborer to obtain release of the impounded animal within this time period shall be deemed an act of disclaiming and the city operations director or his agent shall consign said animal to a recognized animal humane society or licensed animal shelter, or otherwise dispose of the animal in accordance with state law.

(b) Owners of impounded animals which do not have a valid permit identification tag shall have two working days from the day of impoundment in which to claim the animal. The animal control officer is authorized to humanely dispose of any dog or cat not wearing a tag after one complete working day following the expiration of the claim period.

Here are the FACTS, backed with EVIDENCE, that Aston was euthanized well before he should have been by WCKNAS. IF WCKNAS HAS FACTS WITH EVIDENCE I WILL ADD THE FACTS TO THIS POST. THIS IS ABOUT THE SHELTER BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT EUTHANIZING A CHIPPED DOG. 
 
• The Owners of Aston went out of town on Saturday 6-21-2025 and returned on Monday 6-23-2025. A family member came to check on Aston once a day. Somehow, Aston got out of the yard.
• Aston was found outside of his yard in St. Hedwig, TX by the Rescuer along with two other dogs.
• There is a video with a date stamp of Sunday, 06-22-2025 at 9:23AM of Aston and the two other dogs.
• On Sunday, 06-22-2025 the Rescuer placed all three dogs in her husband’s truck and sent a text to Brandy at WCNKAS at approximately 10:36AM including a picture of Aston and the other two dogs. Brandy responded to the text with, “we aren’t open today [Sunday], but I am working at [a local vet clinic in Floresville] tomorrow 5-9.”
• The Rescuer kept the dogs in the garage overnight as [a local vet clinic in Floresville] was closed on Sunday.
• On Monday 06-23-2025, the Rescuer brought the dogs to County Line Animal Hospital where Aston and the other two dogs were scanned for a chip.
• County Line Animal Hospital confirmed Aston had a chip and they called the Owner Monday, 06-23-2025 at 5:45PM.
• The Owner was travelling back from their trip and did not have cell service until they returned the morning of Tuesday 6-24-2025.
• The Rescuer took Aston and the other two dogs to [a local vet clinic in Floresville] Monday, 06-23-2025 at approximately 7:30PM.
• The Rescuer met with Brandy who scanned all three dogs for a microchip. The scanning device beeped indicating Aston was chipped. This was also confirmed by the scan completed at County Line Animal Hospital.
• Brandy made no efforts to contact the Owner and Aston was euthanized the morning of Tuesday 06-24-2025.
• The Owner made multiple attempts to contact Brandy Tuesday 06-24-2025. Texts were sent back and forth between the Owner and Brandy. At 3:51 pm Brandy returned the call/messages. Brandy verbally informed the Owner that if she wanted Aston back, the Owner could pay for cremation of Aston to have his ashes close to her.
Here is the chain of texts between the Rescuer (I) and Brandy (the name in the rescuers phone is listed incorrectly as Brandi). I have addressed all factual inaccuracies in (red).

June 24, 2025

2:06 PM

I texted Brandi:

“Sorry to bother you. The owner of the brown dog just called me. They were out of state and want their dog. Can I pick it up to take it to her, please?”

2:37 PM

Brandi replied:

“No, she can contact me.”

2:54 PM

Brandi texted again:

“Did y’all call the chip company, and what vet did you take the dog to, and what day?”

I replied:

“Yes, and they called her but the owner did not answer, so they left her a voicemail with my information. She just called me.”

3:39 PM

Brandi texted:

“What vet did you take the dog to?”

I replied:

“County Line Animal Hospital.”

She asked:

“On Sat?”

I responded:

“Found them on Sunday, but your clinic was closed. I took them on Monday.”

3:44 PM

Brandi texted:

“When did you get the chip checked? I thought you said on Saturday. County Line is not open on Sundays.”

I replied:

“Your clinic was closed, so I didn’t get them checked on Sunday—only on Monday.”

3:55 PM

Brandi texted:

“Okay, well, the dogs were humanely euthanized. The two black ones tried to bite. And you stated that you had that dog checked for a chip on Saturday. That’s what I heard when you came in yesterday…”

(Note: This is a false statement. The dogs were checked for microchips on Monday at County Line Animal Hospital. This is also irrelevant, WCNKAS did not take the dogs in for impoundment until Monday 06-23-2025. The hold period starts when the dog is impounded. Specific to the two black dogs, they were transported from the yard, to a garage, carried to a truck and back multiple times with no biting incidents).

4:05 PM

I called Brandi — no answer.

4:19 PM

I texted:

“I called but no answer. This is my first time speaking to the owner of the brown dog. Also, the dogs never tried to bite us. Why were they euthanized if you are a no-kill shelter?”

4:49 PM

Brandi responded:

“I have no room for these dogs. Please look up the definition of no-kill… The two black ones were growling… I asked you if you contacted the owner, and you said yes. They haven’t returned our call.”

(Note: WCNKAS made no effort to contact the owner).

I replied, asking why Aston (the brown dog) was euthanized.

4:54 PM

Brandi replied:

“All three were humanely euthanized. You told me they were found on your property… someone else says you found them in front of their house. There’s too much uncertainty. You signed them over to me without hesitation. From now on, there will be no further communication.”

5:07 PM

I sent my final message:

“I want to clarify that I found the dogs in Floresville — not in front of anyone’s house.

(Note: This is false. Aston and the other two dogs were found in St. Hedwig (video for evidence). The rescuer stated the dogs were found in Floresville as she thought that was a requirement for WCNKAS to intake the dogs. It is not, the City of St. Hedwig, TX also has an agreement with WCNKAS to assist with animal intake).

More importantly, these dogs were euthanized less than 24 hours after I brought them in — and I was never informed.

I trusted your organization as a no-kill shelter. If there was ever a chance they would be euthanized, I should have been told.

The black dogs were scared, not aggressive — which is typical for strays.

I expected a no-kill shelter to have the patience to work with animals like that. If you weren’t prepared to handle them, you should have told me.

This outcome is heartbreaking. These dogs deserved better.”

 

 

 

Wilson County No Kill Shelter,

In light of the unfortunate euthanasia of Aston, the public respectfully requests full transparency in all actions the shelter takes regarding animals that are surrendered. 

We propose the following changes: 

(1) Develop and implement a written intake procedure and policy to include scanning for microchip as required by Texas Health and Safety code, Section 823.004. If the animal is microchipped, documented attempts to contact an owner must be made by phone, text, email, and social media (posted on shelter FB page). Social media post, phone message, text, and email shall include date of intake, location found, end-date of stray hold, and photo. Animals with  microchip shall be held for five days with a microchip or three days without a microchip. 

(2) Intake procedures shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the office. Intake procedures shall not be bypassed by any board member, staff, volunteer, veterinarian, or anyone else representing the shelter.

(3) Manage animal population that does not exceed maximum capacity of 36 cats/kittens and 48 dogs/puppies on shelter property. Anything in excess of capacity is considered hoarding, which creates an unhealthy and stressful environment for the animals, an unsafe and stressful workspace for volunteers, and an unsustainable financial burden on the shelter. 

(4) Implement and enforce an intake wait list. Intake wait list shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the office.

(5) Prohibit any board members or representatives of the shelter from intaking an animal outside of the shelter with or without the knowledge of other board members or staff. 

(6) Prohibit euthanasia of an animal without board vote/approval. Shelter veterinarian must sign and approve each case of euthanasia and the form shall be uploaded to the animal’s electronic health record. Euthanasia shall not be performed on animals unless there is documented (written, photo, and video) evidence of severe medical or behavioral issues. All evidence shall be uploaded to shelter electronic health records program for each animal. Staff shall use nationally recognized behavior assessments that are built-in to shelter electronic health records program. Euthanasia shall not be performed under any other individual accounts outside of shelter. 

(7) Develop and implement an advisory committee composed of at least one licensed veterinarian, one city or county official (a city council or commissioner’s court elected official), one person (staff or volunteer) whose duties include daily operation of the shelter, one member of the community that is not connected to the shelter or board, and one shelter board member. This advisory committee must meet at least three times per year or more.