MESA, Ariz. — Eleven dogs have been rescued after a county shelter told the community they would be euthanized if they didn't find homes Thursday.
In a release, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control executive director Mary Martin said the dogs tested positive for canine distemper and posed a risk to the other 174 who did not test positive.
The shelter has been under quarantine since June 6 because of an outbreak of canine distemper.
Most of the 11 dogs that tested positive show no signs of distemper, which would appear as cold-like symptoms.
The dogs had until the close of business at 7 p.m. Thursday to find permanent or temporary homes.
Martin said in the release that the dogs are mostly bully-breed dogs who must be confined to a home or yard for a minimum of six weeks, with no walks in communal areas.
MCACC has had to euthanize 55 dogs since June 1. All but 10 of those dogs either tested positive for the virus or showed severe signs of illness.