Las Cruces shelter must evacuate hundreds of dogs amidst virus outbreak
Update: Dr. Baiz called after publication to clarify how many dogs had been euthanized.
The Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley must relocate hundreds of healthy dogs while they work to contain a distemper outbreak, the medical director confirmed.
“Distemper is so complicated and harmful in dogs,” said Dr. Susan Baiz. “It can affect any dog that doesn’t have a good immune system and hasn’t been vaccinated.”
Baiz told ABC-7 the center has identified between 80 to 100 dogs that have shown critical signs mimicking the virus, including dogs that are housed with infected dogs. She said they have euthanized close to 60 dogs.
“Those dogs that are critical or are showing neurological signs for this,” Baiz said. “Those get euthanized.”
Her staff will make the impound area of the building the new quarantine space for dogs showing signs of the virus. Baiz said they will have to find a temporary home for hundreds of healthy dogs while they work to sterilize the building.
“It is a challenge to move around and play Tetris with all the population,” Baiz said. “When I arrived, it was a huge mess.”
The medical director encourages anyone willing to temporarily foster healthy dogs to reach out to the shelter at (575) 382-0018.
