There is debate in Anne Arundel County over whether animal control should have euthanized a stray dog last week. Some in the animal rescue community are questioning the reasoning behind the decision to put the dog down. Anne Arundel County animal control officials said the dog failed one part of a behavioral test and had other health issues. But some in the local animal rescue community said the dog could have been saved. Animal rescue advocates said the dog, a 10-year-old stray named Sanford, was brought in to animal control on Oct. 10. Eight days later, the dog was euthanized. “It just points to all that is wrong with an archaic temperament testing policy that puts far too many dogs to sleep,” animal rescue advocate Tom Hamlett said. According to Sanford’s animal control temperament tests, the German shepard, who was also blind, was agreeable and friendly to people and other dogs. However, the dog failed the cat interaction test. According to county documents, when Sanford was introduced to other cats in the kennel, he snapped and kept snapping indiscriminately in the air when they removed the cats from the room. Police, who operate animal control, said that combined with Sanford’s other health concerns and a recent case of another animal control dog mauling a child shortly after being adopted was why he was put down. “No one wants a dangerous dog roaming the streets, Hamlett said. “I agree but I think they go a little too far to cover themselves, instead of being compassionate.” Police tell 11 News that they use a hodge podge of suggested temperament tests from animal groups to determine adoptability. Hamlett said the cat interaction test in a shelter environment is problematic. “Now people are poking at you like this isn’t indicative of how you’re going to be three months from now on a couch,” Hamlett said. Police said the person who found Sanford went to several houses but couldn’t find an owner. Records show Sanford did not have a microchip.