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Pima County's animal shelter is out of space for dogs. It's asking the public for help

The Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson says it’s out of space for incoming dogs. 

In a press release, the animal shelter says it has struggled with capacity issues for a long time. Now, it’s at a critical stage, with more than 1,900 animals currently in the its care — including more than 670 staying at the shelter itself. 

The majority of the animals coming in are large, stray dogs. They’re trying to find immediate space for an additional 50 large breeds now. 

Last month, the shelter suspended most intakes after a dog died from a suspected case of a streptococcus equi zooepidemicus, a bacterial illness.

Now, the shelter says it’s receiving a higher number of pets each day than the number leaving. It says the public can help by fostering, adopting or reclaiming pets being housed there.

Alisa Reznick is a senior field correspondent covering stories across southern Arizona and the borderlands for the Tucson bureau of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk.