DICKINSON (AP) - Pet adoption groups in Dickinson are upset that 22 animals at the city pound were euthanized last week. Police say they had no choice because of overcrowding.

"We are shocked and dismayed by what happened," said Tara Couch, president of Oreo's Animal Rescue in Dickinson, which works to find homes for abandoned animals.

"Our group was actually devastated and in shock when we heard the news," said Sharon Dorval, vice president of Pet Project, another group that cares for abandoned animals. "Words can't even describe it, that this could happen."

Police said the conditions at the pound were not good for the animals, at least one of which had been at the pound since May.

"We have room for seven dogs and comfortably about six or eight cats," acting Police Chief Stuart Stenberg said.

He said it had been about two years since the city has had to euthanize any animals. The 11 cats and 11 dogs were euthanized under a city ordinance, he said.

"We have by ordinance, 10 days to hold a pet and see if the owner comes in to claim, and if not, after 10 days, it can either be adopted out or euthanized," Stenberg said. "We have went above and beyond the 10-day period in attempts to help."

Stenberg also said the pound has been running over budget.

"We need to serve as a temporary shelter, and we were just about to the point of being in the kennel business," Stenberg said. "We might have went outside the bounds of our ordinances in trying to help these organizations out."

Those involved with Oreo's Animal Rescue and Pet Project said they should have been notified before the animals were euthanized.

"We would have had instant foster homes set up," Dorval said.

"When people are aware that it's a life-or-death situation, sometimes people will come to the cause," Couch said. "We should have been given the opportunity to intervene or save these animals and if we couldn't, then fine."

Stenberg said the organizations are aware of the city ordinance and said he was not sure how letting them know about the euthanasia could have helped.

"They had been made aware of the rule, and they were told we could keep the pets a couple a couple extra days," Stenberg said. "We were compelled to do something. We didn't have room for any other pets."

The euthanasia is performed by a veterinarian who administers an injection, he said.

"It's very humane," Stenberg said.