The Salina Animal Shelter is currently housing 23 pit bulls, according to information shared during the most recent Salina Animal Advisory Board meeting.
Board discussion indicated that some of the dogs have remained at the shelter for more than a year, not because they are unavailable for adoption in the normal sense, but because they are tied to ongoing legal cases. According to statements made during the meeting, in certain situations owners have requested a trial, and the animals remain in shelter custody while those cases work their way through the court system.
Why dogs stay that long
When an animal is connected to an active case, the shelter’s options can be limited. In those situations, the shelter may not be able to move forward with adoption, transfer, or other placement until a legal decision is made. That can create extended “hold” periods that last months, or in some cases, more than a year.
While the meeting did not provide case-by-case details, the broader point raised was that legal timelines can directly affect how long some animals remain at the shelter, regardless of space needs or adoption demand.
What it means for shelter capacity
Long-term stays have a practical impact on day-to-day shelter operations. Each dog held for an extended period occupies kennel space that could otherwise cycle through multiple animals over the course of a year. Long holds also require ongoing daily care, enrichment, cleaning, and staff time, and can place pressure on the facility when intake numbers rise.
What happens next
The Animal Advisory Board discussion highlighted the current pit bull count as part of a broader look at shelter challenges, including capacity constraints and the complications created by animals being held under legal restriction.
Salina311 will update this story if additional details are provided about how many of the current long-term holds are connected to pending trials, and whether timelines exist for when those cases may be resolved.