Internet rumor about killing dogs false, but generates buzz

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Sentinel & Enterprise

By Alexandra Perloe


ASHBURNHAM -- A recent Internet rumor stating Ashburnham officials planned to kill all the dogs in the town pound is false, but generated hundreds of phone calls from all over the country, said Interim Town Administrator Paul Boushell.

Even a person from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office called, according to Boushell.

He said the phone calls subsided slightly once the town posted a note on its Web site saying the rumor was not true.

"No dogs have been euthanized, nor are they scheduled to be euthanized," Police Chief Loring Barrett said Tuesday.

Barrett said one dog got adopted last week, and two others remain in the pound. These dogs have each been there for a few months, but do not cost the town extra money because most dog food is donated, and because the animal control officer works the same hours regardless, Barrett said.