Deadly Disease Shuts Down Stockton Animal Shelter

A deadly disease has shut down the Stockton Animal Shelter and made it necessary to euthanize some dogs to prevent its spread.
Other dogs in the shelter have been treated with antibiotics.

The Stockton Animal Shelter will open Tuesday but only a limited basis and restricting visitors from freely walking among the animals.

On Wednesday, a stray dog taken to the Stockton Animal Shelter showed signs of sickness which tests showed was a disease called strep zoo.

The respiratory illness can spread quickly and cause death among dogs and cats.

Shelter Director Phillip Zimmerman says 19 dogs were euthanized to contain the infection.

“We just wanted to reduce the possibility of infecting the rest of the population especially by addressing the ones that were most at risk,” says Zimmerman.

Zimmerman also says almost 200 dogs were given antibiotics, but not the cats because they are housed in a separate area.