ALBUQUERQUE, March 23 (UPI) -- The mayor of Albuquerque says he wants to know why the dismembered remains of a beloved giraffe were tossed into a dumpster after the animal was euthanized.
The giraffe, Kashka, was put down last week at the Rio Grande Zoo and routinely dismembered after suffering a debilitating leg injury. The animal was supposed to be placed in a designated area for dead animals at a landfill, but a zoo worker allegedly placed the carcass in a zoo dumpster, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, reported Monday.
Albuquerque Cultural Services Director Betty Rivera said the incident is shocking and is "something that should outrage everyone."
"I know that the people in our department are very saddened and really upset about what occurred," Rivera said. "And I think you can understand why, it should never had happened."
Albuquerque city ordinance makes it illegal to leave animals in a trash can or dumpster for a garbage truck to collect, KRQE-TV reported.
Mayor R.J. Berry's office has begun an investigation. Berry said he wants the results by Friday and will take appropriate action when he finds out who was responsible, the television station said.
