BAKERSFIELD -- A lawsuit and injunction has been filed against the Kern County Animal Shelter, asking them to stop euthanizing until they comply with federal and state guidelines.

The lawsuit filed Monday by local animal activists claims that the shelter is killing animals, without ever giving them a chance to be adopted.

Attorney Kate Neiswender said the law requires that owner-surrendered animals must be held for four days, not counting the day of impoundment,

so they have a chance to be adopted.

There are county euthanasia records included in the lawsuit. KERO 23 news found the records, which classified animals as aggressive, sick, aged, timid and normal.

In one case, a dalmatian, whose condition was listed as normal, was surrendered by its owner July 23. The same goes for a rottweiler, which also had a condition listed as normal. Records show both animals were euthanized the same day.

The lawsuit also alleges that cats deemed ferelare not held for three days and then tested to see if they are merely scared. Instead, they are

euthanized before the mandatory three-day period. County records show that this has happened in several cases.

The county animal control director said he could not comment because there is a lawsuit involved.

The county attorney told KERO 23 news through his secretary he wasn't commenting because he had not seen the lawsuit, and did not return our calls.