Two dogs escape animal shelter and kill 29 cats in Alabama

Workers find animals mauled to death upon arriving at centre

Two pitbull dogs broke free from their cages at an Alabama animal shelter and mauled 29 cats to death.

Workers at the Dothan Animal Shelter found the dead cats on Thursday morning, local media reported.

Shelter director Bill Banks told television outlet WTVY that it appeared the two dogs had forced their way out of their cages and pushed against the fence of the cat area to get inside.

City mayor Mark Saliba told CNN the incident would be investigated.

“Unfortunately, tragic events sometimes fuel us to push things forward a little bit faster,” he said. “I’m thinking this will do just that.”

“We are all saddened and surprised by the event that took place,” Mr Saliba said. “The safety of our animals is the top priority at the shelter.”

Officials told local media the dogs were subsequently captured, but did not say whether the dogs would be killed.

Members of the public have taken to social media to express their anger at what happened, with many calling for an investigation into the shelter.