Happy Friday, Longmont! This morning, The Longmont Brief offers our deepest condolences to the non-football watching wives of Longmont. The NFL returned last night as the Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in a surprisingly entertaining game. There is good news though: It’s just the preseason — for now. Also, the next season of Great British Bake Off premieres in about a month.
Today — Drama at the Longmont Humane Society, a historic week of weather, and a massive street-scanning project begins.
Let’s dive in.
TOP STORY
🌎 Animal shelter on the defense after former employee claims unnecessary euthanasia
After a dog from the Longmont Humane Society was euthanized, a veterinary technician at the shelter quit her job and wrote a scathing social media post.
Susanna Rohr is claiming that LHS unnecessarily euthanized a dog, according to a post on Facebook. LHS, on the other hand, argues euthanasia was “the only compassionate option.”
Backstory:
Roughly three months ago, a dog named Scram, along with his littermates were surrendered to LHS after the animals were “brutally attacked by their mother,” according to the shelter. Scram was the only one to survive but he suffered “catastrophic” skull injuries and severe neurological damage. Despite his injuries, he was alive. This is where stories begin to diverge.
Rohr claims that although Scram was neurologically compromised, he was also happy, capable of eating, drinking, playing, and seeking affection. Rohr says he made significant progress over the 11 weeks in her care. Rohr adds…
Scram deserved the opportunity to be evaluated by a neurologist before euthanasia was considered, so she scheduled an MRI.
July 20: Rohr claims LHS didn’t want to pay for the MRI despite funds already being allocated for it. Rohr volunteered to adopt Scram and personally pay for the MRI herself, but the shelter refused.
Scram was taken from her care, placed with a “non-medical Kid” where his condition rapidly deteriorated. His MRI was canceled and the next day, he was euthanized.
Rohr also accused shelter leadership of bullying and intimidation in response to her advocacy for Scram.
LHS’ side of the story:
In an interview with The Longmont Brief, Gus Mircos, LHS’ executive director, said Rohr left out critical details. Regarding why she was not allowed to adopt Scram…
LHS is bound by PACFA (Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act) regulations — the Department of Agriculture’s regulatory arm for companion animals — which prevents the adoption of animals who likely need euthanasia. However, PACFA is only responsible for ensuring LHS is up to state standards for animal care. It has no influence on euthanasia decisions.
Mircos added that Scram’s condition deteriorated while in Rohr’s care — not after Scram was taken away, as Rohr had stated online. According to Mircos…
While Scram was in Rohr’s care, Rohr met with LHS leadership and reported that Scram’s condition was worsening. Rohr then agreed to provide daily updates about Scram’s condition to LHS, but the shelter says that never happened.
As a result, LHS felt it necessary to remove Scram, who was placed with a shelter manager — also an animal welfare professional. That’s when Scram’s worsening condition reached its climax.
Scram began experiencing prolonged seizures with as many as 14 in a single evening. He also lost the use of his back legs and could no longer eat or drink unassisted. Notably, in the comment thread of her Facebook post, Rohr disputes claims that Scram could no longer eat with videos she says were recorded in the days leading up to Scram’s euthanasia.
Regarding the prospect of an MRI — Mircos said money was, indeed, set aside for Scram. But when his condition deteriorated, LHS’ DVM staff said that an MRI would not change course of treatment or outcome, and was unnecessary. Rohr initially agreed but later changed her mind after LHS canceled the MRI. Rohr rescheduled the appointment without permission, which the shelter canceled again.
The decision:
Mircos says decisions about euthanasia are made by a committee. Two internal Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, as well as a third-party veterinary neurology specialist, were consulted. They unanimously recommended euthanasia. Also…
A neurology consult recommended euthanasia as the most humane option. It added that the likelihood of Scram making it to adulthood was “basically zero.”
The shelter euthanized Scram on July 21.
Moving forward:
Rohr indicated on the comment thread of her post that she may pursue some degree of legal action. LHS adds that saving as many animals as possible is its highest priority. LHS says it has a 98% live release rate, which means that “the overwhelming majority of animals who come through our doors leave alive.”
Headlines
3 Big Things
Courtesy: Infrastructure Management Services, City of Longmont
Longmont to begin massive street scanning survey: Longmont has 350 miles of paved streets. This month, the City of Longmont is commencing a survey to collect data on all of them. The city will be using the specialized technology pictured above to scan and assess Longmont’s streets and identify pavement concerns like cracks, potholes, and other headache-inducing issues for drivers. Longmont collects this data roughly every five years and it requires about two weeks to perform. Information collected will help the city better understand its roads and inform which areas to prioritize.
Historic week of weather in Longmont: A 30-degree drop in temperature usually brings bad news. Such was not the case on Wednesday when Longmont saw a high temperature of just 72 degrees. That’s 29 degrees lower than the high on Tuesday, and 31 degrees less than Monday, when Longmont saw a sweltering 103-degree day, which became Longmont’s hottest August 3 of all time, per the National Weather Service. Also on Wednesday. temperatures fell as low as 51 degrees. That’s the coolest Longmont has been since June 12 when the city was just 48 degrees.
Longmont offering $200 vouchers to trade in your lawn mower: In an effort to reduce air pollution and neighborhood noise, the City of Longmont has $15,000 worth of vouchers to hand out to residents who are willing to trade in gas-powered lawn care equipment for electric versions. Handheld equipment, like leaf blowers or string trimmers, are worth a $100 voucher, while lawn mowers and snowblowers, are worth $200. Vouchers can then be redeemed at Ace Hardware in Longmont. Participants can also take advantage of Colorado’s 30% instant point-of-sale tax credit to save even more cash. Find out how to register here.
Events
Happening this weekend
Annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale: Downtown Longmont’s biggest sale of the year returns with “summer markdowns, special offers, and can't-miss finds from local boutiques and shops throughout downtown.” A new feature this year — Sidewalk Sale businesses will have a limited number of reusable tote bags to give away to shoppers during the sale (while supplies last). Check out the deals being offered and businesses participating here. You can even catch the unveiling and ribbon-cutting for a new mural that’s been painted on the south wall of Jesters Dinner Theatre by Front Range Community College interns. Light refreshments will be provided after the event kicks off at 11 a.m. The Sidewalk Sale last from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Boulder County Fair: Day three of Colorado’s oldest fair begins today at 10 a.m., the carnival begins at 2 p.m., and events include a cat show, animal round robins, a tractor pull, and live music from five acts including Eli Rey and Aubrey Dale. Learn more here.
Free Landfill Day: Get the chance to haul off large items and debris to the landfill for FREE this Saturday. Longmont residents can bring one level pickup truck load to the Front Range Landfill at no charge from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — just remember to bring your current city utility bill and photo ID. Learn more here.
Last Call
Today’s forecast predicts sunny and clear skies with a high of 97 degrees and lingering areas of smoke, per the National Weather Service. A heat advisory as also been issued for Saturday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Gas prices are trickling down once again in the Boulder-Longmont area. The average cost for a gallon of gas is $4.08 today, eight cents less than a week ago, according to AAA.
Longmont City Council member Jake Marsing is holding virtual office hours today from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Speaking of Marsing, he and State Senator Katie Wallace will be hosting a town hall on childcare affordability — and the upcoming ballot measure to increase it — on August 23.
Future Longmont brewery, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, won a silver medal at the 2026 Best of the West National IPA Throwdown.
Until next time,
The Longmont Brief
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