This story has been updated with new information.
A Lubbock Animal Services employee has been placed on administrative leave due to concerns over an animal’s treatment over the weekend.
According to the City of Lubbock, an LAS employee was called out to pick up a reported “critically injured dog” on Saturday evening. After doing so, the employee returned to an apartment complex with an animal services vehicle and the dog still inside.
Throughout the night, the apartment complex residents reported being woken up by the sounds of the dog coming from inside the vehicle.
According to the city, the LAS employee tended to the animal, and the dog was quiet afterward. However, neighbors reported seeing blood pooled where the truck was parked the next morning.
According to the city, the residents assumed it was the dog’s blood and contacted LAS to report the incident.
An investigation is underway by LAS which says that at this point in the investigation, it can be determined that the employee did not follow protocol.
“The number one priority is proper and humane treatment of the animals we handle, no matter what perceived state they might be in. That was not done in this case,” LAS Director Steven Greene said in a statement. “The proper process is to bring the animal to LAS, into the clinic for a medical assessment, and, if needed, to euthanize it humanely.”
According to the city, the employee involved will be placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete, per city operating procedures.
A city official confirmed the animal died, although further details about the circumstances were not immediately clear.
This is a developing story. Follow Lubbockonline.com as more information is released.
