SWFL.io - Local NewsHunter Walteman
•9/17/2026
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Collier County suspended a shelter dog program after one of the dogs died.
The citizens advisory committee that helps oversee the county shelter met Tuesday night. They didn't speak very long about what happened since it's under investigation But one thing is clear — they definitely have some questions.
Several board members say they only found out through Facebook.
"I was getting questions about this this morning, and I had no idea what was going on," board member Kelly Hyland said.
The program allowed county employees to take shelter dogs out for the day in their trucks, giving the people and pets some fun.
"Good to have these kinds of programs around here, but they're supposed to be taking care of the animals," Michael Adcox of Collier County said.
The program is now suspended after one of the dogs died. A new sheriff's office incident report says it happened last Friday after an 8-year-old female dog was possibly left in a vehicle.
Committee member Victoria Redstall says she's glad law enforcement is investigating and believes they'll get more answers soon.
"How it happened, how it will never happen again, and the punishment that the person will face. That's what we need to know. That's transparency," Redstall said.
Other board members agree there should be safeguards in place, but they don't want to see the program disappear. They also cautioned against speculation until the investigation is complete.
"It keeps them out of the shelter. It keeps them social. They can meet and greet people as they go. So I think it's really important that that program get back on track as soon as possible," Hyland said.