METROPOLIS, Ill. — With every call about a stray dog that John Roman receives, he wonders how much it will impact the Metropolis Dog Pound.
Late last week, Roman, the city’s animal control officer, posted to Facebook stating: “We are almost at capacity and will have to start euthanizing dogs. So please keep your dogs up and share the pictures so we can get them home or adopted.”
Metropolis Animal Control Officer John Roman looks over the 16 dogs in the 20-cage Metropolis Dog Pound. With the pound nearing capacity, Roman is encouraging owners to claim their dogs and those interested to adopt available dogs before euthanizing procedures have to begin to make room for other strays.
It’s a course of action he doesn’t like to use, but with 20 cages at the pound and 16 of them full, Roman said he doesn’t feel like he has much of a choice.
Metropolis Animal Control is a department of the city. The pound is used by the city and, through an intergovernmental agreement, the county of Massac to house stray dogs for a short period of time until they are reunited with their owners, adopted, or taken to a rescue shelter for adoption.
Metropolis Animal Control Officer John Roman, right, and Massac County Animal Control Warden Quinton Hillebrand have more than 30 years of experience between them. Hillebrand will be marking 20 years in May. Roman became the city’s animal control officer in April 2013. Metropolis Animal Control is a department of the city of Metropolis.
In the past four years, the pound has taken in 665 total dogs from the city and county. Roman said of those, 14 had to be euthanized because they were unadoptable due to being vicious or were too sick.
In 2021, of the total 205 dogs taken in, one was euthanized, one died of sickness and one was stolen.
In 2022, of the total 188 dogs taken in, two were euthanized and two died of sickness.
In 2023, of the total 159 dogs taken in, four were euthanized and two died of sickness.
In 2024, of the total 113 dogs taken in, seven were euthanized and one died of sickness.
Roman noted that while statistically, the pound may have a “no-kill status, we are not a no-kill shelter. Quinton’s on the same page as I am — we want to save the dogs, if they’re savable dogs.”
Quinton Hillebrand will be marking 20 years as Massac County’s animal control warden in May. Roman became the city’s animal control officer in April 2013.
“This is a kill facility, not a shelter or a humane society. It has been ever since it opened,” Hillebrand said. “The state, county and city ordinances all say when a stray dog is found, a written letter has to be given to the owner stating the dog will be held up to seven days.”
If the dog hasn’t been claimed by its owner after that seven days, “then we can either them adopted out or they’re euthanized. It’s just how it is,” Roman said. “Do I agree with it? No. That’s why we work so hard to get these dogs out” either back to their owners or by adoption.
Of the dogs at the pound Monday afternoon, two have been there since September, one since October, four since November, seven since December, and two since Jan. 9, when Roman made the Facebook post.
Adoptions through the pound are free.
“County and city, neither one makes a dime off these dogs,” Hillebrand said. “If you want to take a dog home with you today, all you have to do is fill out an adoption form saying you’ll take care of it and, if you don’t want it, you’ll call John back. You’ve got 30 days to make sure you get along with it.”
Under a new state law, each dog has to have a veterinarian’s health certification before it can cross state or county lines. Each dog also has to be spayed/neutered; be up to date on all vaccines, including rabies; and be microchipped.
While the city and county have the pound in their budgets, Roman said the amount isn’t large.
Donations can be made at the city clerk’s office inside Metropolis City Hall, placed in the city hall drop box, or mailed to Metropolis City Hall, ATTN: Animal Control, 106 W. 5th St., Metropolis, IL 62960. Roman emphasized that checks should be memoed or cash designated as “Donation: Metropolis Pound” so the money is placed in the correct account.
In addition, T-shirts showing support for the shelter can be purchased from its Facebook page — Metropolis Pound. The shirts are $25 each.
Metropolis Animal Control is selling Metropolis Dog Pound T-shirts to raise additional funding. The shirts are $25 and available on the department’s Facebook page, Metropolis Pound.
For fiscal year 2024, Roman said he had enough donations to help cover food costs. Fiscal year 2025 has been another story.
But whenever the Metropolis Dog Pound has had a need, the community has been there.
And due to the size of the cages and the unknown nature of the dogs, doubling up is out of the question because “you don’t know if they’re going to get along,” he said.
Roman said while many will pick up a stray “to keep it safe,” there are many times when if it was left alone, it would go home on its own.
The best way to notify is by calling.
Roman’s cell number is 618-638-8217. Or, contact the Metropolis Police Department at 618-524-2310.
Hillebrand’s number is 270-841-1283. Or, contact the Massac County Sheriff’s Office at 618-524-2912.
Terra Temple is a reporter for the Metropolis Planet. Visit metropolisplanet.com to read the full article.
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