'Friendly' dog called Barney was BEHEADED after shelter incident, sparking huge protests and claims he was wrongly killed

Published: 21:45, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 21:49, 23 July 2026 A Georgia animal shelter is facing scrutiny after surveillance video showing a euthanized pit bull's head being removed for rabies testing sparked protests and questions over whether officials followed Georgia's euthanasia rules. Barney, a two-year-old pit bull described in shelter records as 'people-friendly' and 'very sweet,' arrived at Clayton County Animal Control as a stray on January 21 and reportedly showed no aggression during more than three weeks in custody before rescue organization Poor Paws arranged to take him on February 12. According to Clayton County Police, Barney attacked a kennel employee and a state inmate after workers implanted a microchip before his release.  Both victims suffered bites requiring reconstructive surgery, despite Barney having 'not previously shown any aggressive tendencies toward staff,' police said. Barney was euthanized the following day, and his head was removed for rabies testing because Georgia's public health lab requires brain tissue to test for the virus, officials said. Surveillance footage obtained by the Shelter Reform Network through an open records request and reviewed by Atlanta News First sparked outrage.  The organization argued Barney should have remained alive under quarantine instead of being euthanized immediately. The video reportedly shows a veterinarian and veterinary technician removing Barney's head while his body rested on a trolley in an open bay. Barney, a two-year-old pit bull described in shelter records as 'people-friendly' and 'very sweet,' spent more than three weeks at Clayton County Animal Control before he attacked two workers and was euthanized Clayton County Animal Control has defended its handling of Barney's case, saying immediate rabies testing allowed the injured workers and their physicians to make timely medical decisions The Shelter Reform Network also questioned the apparent lack of personal protective equipment, saying only gloves were visible during the procedure. Clayton County defended its decision, saying rabies testing was necessary so the injured workers and their physicians could make timely medical decisions. The controversy has centered on whether Barney should have completed Georgia's recommended 10-day rabies quarantine. Although kennel records show Barney was euthanized on February 13, they also list him under bite quarantine through February 22. Georgia Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr Amanda Feldpausch said the preferred approach is generally to observe a biting dog for 10 days if it can be safely confined. 'If we did not observe that animal for 10 days, we can't be confident it didn't have rabies,' Feldpausch told Atlanta News First. Barney tested negative for rabies five days later. Shelter records show Barney had been designated 'rescue only' because he had not been neutered. Surveillance footage obtained through an open records request shows Barney's body after euthanasia as his head was removed for mandatory rabies testing Emails obtained by Atlanta News First show Poor Paws responded after the bite: 'Once his quarantine is up we will still pull him. I will sign whatever necessary.' The shelter replied minutes later that Barney was 'no longer available.' Internal drug logs reviewed by Atlanta News First show the shelter veterinarian used intracardiac injections, commonly known as a 'heart stick,' in nearly 90 percent of euthanasia procedures between February 2025 and February 2026.  Barney was euthanized using the same method, which Georgia regulations generally reserve for unconscious animals. 'The last thing on the list that you should be using to kill an animal is a heart stick,' Clayton County animal advocate Kimberly Kirby told Atlanta News First. 'It's only for very aggressive animals.' Kirby and other animal welfare advocates argue the procedure can cause pain if an animal is not fully unconscious, noting Georgia regulations and American Veterinary Medical Association guidance generally reserve intracardiac injections for unconscious animals. Barney tested negative for rabies after being euthanized, despite records indicating he had been placed under a bite quarantine through February 22 The Georgia Department of Agriculture initially cited the shelter over its euthanasia procedures before removing the violation the same day, according to Atlanta News First.  Clayton County Police later said the issue was an 'observational comment,' not a formal violation, and that procedures had since been updated to comply with state guidance.  A follow-up inspection in June found no violations. Atlanta News First also reported an apparent discrepancy in Barney's timeline. Shelter records show Barney was euthanized the day after the attack, while an inspection report states Capt. Kevin Hughes told inspectors Barney was euthanized 'approximately 10 days' later. Clayton County has not been found responsible for wrongdoing in Barney's case. The Daily Mail has reached out to Clayton County Animal Control and the Shelter Reform Network for comment.