Saline County Attorney Requests Sheriff’s Investigation into Salina Animal Shelter Complaint

The Saline County Sheriff's Office has opened an investigation into a complaint involving the Salina Animal Shelter.

The complaint was initially brought to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which contacted the Salina Police Department. However, Salina Police determined it should not investigate another city entity, so the matter was referred to Saline County Attorney John Reynolds.

Reynolds then contacted the Sheriff's Office to handle the case. The investigation began Monday and remains ongoing.

Reynolds said that if investigators find charges are warranted, the case will proceed through the normal legal process. No additional details about the nature of the complaint have been released.

DEA Reviewing Fatal-Plus Use

In a separate matter, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has confirmed it is reviewing information submitted regarding the Salina Animal Shelter and its use of Fatal-Plus, a euthanasia drug referenced in recent records questions. It's unclear whether this review is connected to the Sheriff's Office investigation.

In an email, DEA Diversion Investigator Jaron S. Dowell said the agency is "reviewing all the information provided" and noted that he has also been contacted by Officer Surface with the Salina Police Department.

Dowell confirmed that Fatal-Plus is a controlled substance and said the DEA is responsible for ensuring registrants remain compliant with all applicable federal regulations.

At this stage, the DEA has not announced any findings of wrongdoing or confirmed whether formal enforcement action will be taken. The email does, however, show that the agency is actively reviewing information related to controlled substance compliance involving euthanasia drugs used at the Salina Animal Shelter.