Memphis Animal Services (MAS) announced Friday afternoon that the city shelter has made the difficult decision to move forward with euthanizing dozens of dogs that were exposed to canine distemper (CDV) after consulting with outside shelter medicine experts.

"Our staff should not be the subject of your negative comments or social content. They are working hard to help protect our community. This team of dedicated public servants shows up every day to do the hard work of keeping our shelter running.

MAS leaders said three of the shelter’s 11 kennel rooms were affected by the outbreak after a litter of 11 puppies were taken in on Dec. 31, 2024.

A distemper outbreak at Memphis Animal Services has shut down the facility until at least Tuesday and led to the euthanasia of nearly 100 dogs with more possible, city officials said.

MAS said it had to make the "difficult decision" to euthanize dogs exposed to the virus "to prevent the further spread of the disease to healthy animals and our greater community."