Huntington , Cabell County , West Virginia

Two dogs that were taken to the Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter earlier this week to be euthanized, have now been adopted.

Judge Paul Ferrell, with Cabell Circuit Court ruled Friday that a vet should evaluate the condition of those retrievers. That veterinarian determined that the dogs did not need to be euthanized and in instead, could be put up for adoption.

Cabell County Manager Chris Tatum tells Eyewitness News that the dogs were adopted within an hour Friday afternoon.
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We have a follow-up on the two dogs turned over to the Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter. The owner took them there to be put down, but volunteers have taken legal action to save them.

This is an exclusive picture of the two golden retrievers who are now in the middle of a legal battle. The owner wanted them put down by animal control because of health and age issues. Volunteers at the shelter wanted to save them, saying they are not sick enough.

A judge has ordered the dogs stay alive until a hearing scheduled for Monday.

Tonight on Eyewitness News at 10pm; we'll tell you why the volunteer program at the shelter has been suspended, and you'll hear more from the vet tech and an animal activist.
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When a local woman dropped her dogs off at the Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter to be put down, she never dreamed the backlash that would follow.

"These two animals, after talking with the owners, are 13 and 14 years old respectively, and according to the owner, have health problems. I know that there are differing opinions on that, and I guess that's where we are that it stands in the hands of the court."

The animals were reportedly suffering from health conditions that varied from a tumor, to seizures, arthritis, and more, and her vet recommended they be put to sleep. Having the animal shelter perform the task proved to be less expensive for the owner, so she dropped them off recently.

Apparently, a rescue group who did not know the back story of the animals stepped in to try to stop the animals from being put down, and got a court injunction from Cabell County circuit court to temporarily prevent it.

"You have an owner who is distraught because she has animals she thought were going to be laid to rest. And I understand, people think, well how could she just drop them at the shelter, and we all kind of deal with things differently, and the owner kind of thought that this was the best way to deal with it, and I can't fault her in that, but I also can't fault the rescuers for doing what they feel is the right thing to do either.

She had in fact raised these animals since they were pups and been with them their whole life and thought that due to their health, this was the best option for them.

If there's an opportunity for them to be adopted and to have quality of life, then I think that's okay, but on the other side, you know, I think you've got to take into consideration the owner's wishes too.

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