West Valley City cancels animal shelter open house

WEST VALLEY CITY — City officials have canceled Thursday's planned open house at the West Valley City animal shelter, citing scheduling conflicts.

The open house had been scheduled to address residents' concerns about recent allegations that the shelter's carbon monoxide gas chamber has not been functioning properly.

City officials say issues with animals surviving gassings were caused by employee error, not equipment malfunction, and have been addressed by shelter management through additional training.

Several residents have expressed concern and asked questions about the shelter during the public comment portions of West Valley City Council meetings in recent weeks. The open house was scheduled as a way to respond to some of those questions.

Instead, city officials say "individual conversations will continue with residents who have expressed concern about the animal shelter," according to a statement released Tuesday.

City Manager Wayne Pyle and Community Preservation Director Layne Morris also will be meeting this week with several groups to discuss suggestions that have been made to improve the animal shelter and increase adoptions.

West Valley City also has posted online an informational packet regarding the shelter's euthanasia policies, including its responses to allegations of gas chamber malfunctions, at www.wvc-ut.gov/euthanasia.

— Jared Page