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The city announced the shelter closures March 27, citing its need to contain and mitigate the spread of the highly contagious, incurable and airborne canine distemper virus. Since then, the shelters have been on lockdown, not allowing the intake or release of any dogs.

The city audit, which looked at operations at the shelter from 2023 and 2024, offered 34 recommendations for improvement, many of which Sassenus and staffers have been addressing for several months.

After temperatures plunged in Tarrant County over the weekend, local municipalities, nonprofits and faith-based organizations are offering shelter from the cold and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

City Manager Sara Hensley commissioned the review of Denton Animal Services by a consulting company, Shelter Savvy, after news of Gunner’s death led to a public uproar.

Denton announced Tuesday that the Animal Services Department will undergo a review of policies and procedures. Animal shelter consultant Shelter Savvy will conduct the review and provide an objective assessment of the department and make recommendations for improvement and compliance, according to a news release from the city.

Since the public learned about the euthanasia of Gunner, a nearly 13-year-old dog, within 24 hours of his arrival at Denton’s animal shelter last week, people all over the world have been sharing their anger — and some threats — with city officials.

On Wednesday morning, Gilcrease posted on the Nextdoor social media site and in a Facebook group saying that Gunner had been missing for 12 hours. A commenter shared a photo of Gunner at Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center.

Government officials in Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Montgomery County and elsewhere are opening up community centers and other locations where impacted residents can cool off in air-conditioning, charge their electronic devices and, in some cases, receive food and water.

Animal Shelters throughout DFW are experiencing overcapacity as the summer season starts to pick up along with 4th of July.

Shelters are seeing a rise in people surrendering pets due to eviction or not being able to afford veterinary bills.