Decision to Shoot Stray Dogs Under Review

Capt. Annette Books gave police supervisors the following instructions in the December 5 memo:

If the animal is vicious and a danger to the public and/or officers, or if the animal is obviously sick, injured or suffering the animal may be destroyed in as safe a manner as possible. The animal will then be taken to the Agriculture Bldg. (near the loading dock area) on Cameron St. for disposal.

The memo continued:

If the animal is determined to be a "found" animal, the officer can ask the complainant if they want to keep the animal or if they know someone who will adopt the animal, or the officer can adopt the animal for himself/herself, or the officer can place the animal in a prisoner van and release it to an area where it will be safe for the animal.
If you choose to adopt the animal yourself or release it in a safe environment, DO NOT inform the complainant of your intentions.

The memo goes on to suggest that officers inform citizens the dog is "going to a nice farm in the country."
When news of the memo broke, you can imagine the outrage. At least one group created a petition to stop the city's plans. The goal was to collect 1,000 signatures. As of this writing, nearly 1,150 had signed it.

Robert Philbin, a spokesman for Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson, told (Rueters), "The general directions and guidelines (of the December 5 memo) remain in play. However, the language is being modified to comply (with) the solicitor's recommendations. This is in process right now."