Volunteers and residents urge review of Austin Pets Alive training after playgroup injuries and alleged use of shock collars

Public commenters urged the commission to investigate training and safety practices at Austin Pets Alive, saying recent incidents show a pattern of risky decisions.

Vanessa Haas, a former dog behavior trainer, told the commission she has documented a shift at APA toward aversive training tools, saying the behavior program manager proposed using electric shock collars on a dog named Scotty and that pinch collars and vibration collars have been used. “Leadership positions in animal behavior should be held by individuals with the education, training, and expertise necessary to apply modern evidence-based practices,” Haas said, and asked the commission to require greater transparency about partners’ training methods and staff qualifications.

Volunteer Ann Lee Skill described multiple playgroup incidents that, she said, led to injuries requiring on-site veterinarian care, hospitalization and, most recently, the death of a dog named Merlot transferred to APA. Skill said volunteers witnessed a staff member use a maneuver she called “helicoptering” — lifting and spinning a dog by the leash — and reported that established playgroup safeguards (limits on conflict-driven dogs in a yard) were frequently violated. “Play group protocols exist to protect dogs, yet those safeguards are not being consistently followed,” Skill said.

Commissioners and other commenters pressed for clearer documentation of bites and incidents and suggested that Austin Animal Services (the shelter) strengthen vetting and accountability for rescue partners that receive transferred animals. Robin Katz Gonzales, a resident who submitted a public information request, cited multiple recorded calls for service and urged that cruelty determinations be reviewed by veterinarians with current clinical experience. Katz also warned that removing screening in adoption standard operating procedures (SOPs) could place animals and the public at risk.

Director Dangler responded that shelter staff provide rescue partners with behavior and medical histories when transfers occur and described the shelter’s bite-classification process (DB1–DB5). She said DB3 cases are typically “pleaded to rescue,” DB4 and higher often result in euthanasia, and staff review contextual factors before final outcomes are determined. Commissioners asked staff to pursue follow-up information with APA about training protocols, documentation practices, and whether incidents (including Merlot’s death) were handled according to shelter policy.

The commission did not make a formal directive during the meeting; public commenters asked that the commission relay concerns to council members and consider an agenda item to review training standards and rescue partnerships.