Source: KTUV
San Jose Animal Care and Services is warning residents about an online scam using AI-altered images of shelter dogs to falsely claim they are about to be euthanized. The manipulated photos, shared on a Facebook page called “Saving Shelter Dogs From Euthanasia,” have sparked nationwide outrage and flooded the shelter with calls from concerned animal lovers.
In one case, a post claimed a Dalmatian named Pongo was in his “final hours,” but officials said he had already been adopted and was never at risk. The image showed digitally added human-like tears, signaling manipulation. A similar false post targeted another dog, Lumi, whose photo was also altered and misidentified. Shelter leaders stress they do not euthanize for space and only do so for severe medical or behavioral issues. Officials fear the misinformation could also be used to solicit fraudulent donations and urge the public to verify claims through official shelter sources.