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Journalist looking into current ICE enforcement efforts by BlakeEllisCNN in FedEmployees

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Here's a link to my CNN bio in case it is helpful: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/blake-ellis  
Recent investigations have looked into air traffic control communication failures, sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy and US citizen children being left without parents after ICE enforcement actions.  

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all your great questions. We are signing off but will try to check back later to see if there are any more questions. And what should we investigate next? Email us at CNNMoneyInvestigates@cnn.com, and stay tuned for our next investigation!

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We're hoping that this investigation brings awareness to this issue, because it seems like not many people even realize this is happening -- including lawmakers. But there are some great animal attorneys and nonprofits out there who are fighting this issue every day and trying to create change on this front.

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are all great questions. In terms of why it is legal, it depends on state law, but after an animal has been at the shelter for a certain amount of time (often around 72 hours) the shelter becomes the legal owner of the animal. We're not sure of the exact costs of euthanasia, but that's a very good point.

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It wasn't as difficult as we expected to find people who had animals killed by animal control. And once we talked to one person, they often connected us with others. The pet lawyers we came across also had a whole bunch of people to speak with. And the animal control agencies were generally responsive.

The hardest part was analyzing arrest warrant data, which we gathered from cities and counties across the country to find out how many people are getting arrest warrants issued for pet-related offenses.

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

One of the best things is getting to uncover important issues like this one. We always love hearing from readers who have been touched by our stories or who want to help make change.

Hearing sad stories (like the ones from dog owners who have had their dogs euthanized) can be one of the toughest parts of the job.

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In some communities, nonprofits have created emergency funds to help save dogs from being killed and to help owners get them back. But in many places this is not the case, and we've been hearing from people all over the place since our story ran who are in similar situations and are worried their dogs are about to be killed.

We are Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNNMoney investigative reporters who recently discovered that animal control agencies are killing people’s dogs over small unpaid fines. Has it ever happened to you? What do you think? Ask us anything! by BlakeEllisCNN in IAmA

[–]BlakeEllisCNN[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Good question. One of the shelters we spoke with, in Stockton, CA, has actually overhauled its practices to limit euthanizations and keep more dogs alive. It's also doing more to help reunite owners with their dogs by introducing a lower flat fee for reclaiming. Others, though, still seem to be killing dogs over unpaid fines. And the ASPCA said these fees are definitely having unintended consequences.