Update: Salina Police Confirm Active Investigation Into Animal Shelter Complaint

The Salina Police Department has confirmed it is actively investigating a complaint involving the Salina Animal Shelter.

In a message provided to Salina311, the department said it has received a complaint regarding the shelter and that the matter is now under review.

“We have received a complaint regarding the Animal Shelter. We are reviewing that complaint now, and it is an active investigation,” the department said.

When asked whether police could specify what the complaint involved, the department declined to provide additional details at this time.

“For now it’s just an open investigation. Once we have had some time to look into it I’ll have an update for you (Salina311),” the department said.

The response came after Salina311 provided the Salina Police Department with copies of correspondence from the Drug Enforcement Administration related to questions about Fatal-Plus, a controlled substance used in animal euthanasia. In that correspondence, DEA Diversion Investigator Jaron S. Dowell said he had been in contact with Officer Surface of the Salina Police Department.

Dowell also confirmed Fatal-Plus is a controlled substance and said the DEA is responsible for ensuring registrants comply with applicable federal regulations and laws.

“As for Fatal-Plus, yes, it is a controlled substance and we, the DEA, ensure our registrants are compliant with all applicable regulations regarding the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and laws applicable to United States Code (USC),” Dowell wrote.

At this stage, police have not released details about the specific nature of the complaint, and neither the Salina Police Department nor the DEA has outlined any findings, charges, or timeline for the investigation.

Salina311 will continue following the matter and seek additional comment as more information becomes available.