Several former employees of the Tangipahoa Animal Shelter where over 170 cats and dogs were euthanized are coming forward and asking for an investigation.

On Tuesday, Betsy Pittman heard about the mass euthanasia of animals at the shelter for the first time.  “It is disgusting and appalling to me,” she said, describing the incident.

Wednesday, Pittman, who worked at the shelter since 1998, resigned, citing an unprofessional and hostile work environment, although she admits she was worried that something like the mass euthanasia could happen.

“Lack of support for shelter from parish” was one problem Pittman said plagued the facility.

She is not alone.

Jay Callais, who is a former director of the shelter who left in 2007 for health reasons, also sees problems.

During Callais’ four-year tenure, he had one outbreak of corona virus, but managed to save 80 percent of the animals.   

“To see this happen, I hope they get what they deserve because it is not right, something is wrong,” said Callais.

Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess told Eyewitness News that the outbreak of corona virus was a dangerous viral infection inside the kennel.  The shelter has been closed since Monday and remains under strict quarantine.

Meanwhile, former shelter workers can’t help but ask why.  They hope that an investigation outside of the parish will find out why.

“There is just a lack of concern for the lives of animals,” said Callais. “There is no reason for it.”