No one who oversees animal shelters should describe dogs as “sh*t” or push for their euthanasia to make room.

But that’s exactly what San Diego County official Rachael Borrelli, assistant director of Animal Services, was caught doing in a profanity-laced voice message obtained by investigative journalists.

In the message, Borrelli:

• Complains that the Carlsbad shelter “doesn’t euthanize anything — even if the dog f***ing bit a kid”
• Says she’s “sick of us keeping sh*t dogs that aren’t going to get adopted”
• Pushes to euthanize dogs as soon as they’re surrendered — before any meaningful evaluation or rescue effort
   

This isn’t just inappropriate language. It reflects a deeply dangerous mindset from someone who routinely approves euthanasia decisions — including the controversial and likely illegal killing of a dog named Franklin, whose record shows no signs of serious aggression.

The public has been told that shelter euthanasia decisions in San Diego are made “with the utmost care.” But this message — and Borrelli’s documented policies — say otherwise.

Since her promotion, the dog euthanasia rate at San Diego County shelters has more than doubled. Former employees say dogs are being put down for fearfulness, stress, or mild behavioral issues — not serious aggression.

We demand that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Animal Services:

• Immediately remove Rachael Borrelli from her position
• Publicly commit to reviewing all euthanasia decisions she approved
• Adopt reforms to ensure humane, transparent, and lawful shelter practices
   

Shelter leaders are supposed to protect animals — not treat them like inventory.

If Borrelli can call dogs “sh*t” and push for quick-kill policies with no accountability, then no animal in San Diego’s care is truly safe.