A new sign outside Polk County Animal Control has animal advocates worried it could cost countless dogs their lives.

The sign, prominently posted on the shelters front gate, reads simply: WARNING BAD DOG.

Its unavoidable, said Rudie Ashley, shelter manager at the Lakeland-based Polk County Bully Project, which rescues many of the dogs that pass through county animal control. People are going to get the wrong impression of dogs and stop going there to adopt them.

Ashley says labeling all dogs as bad is misleading. She pointed to Trinity, a three-legged dog from the county shelter whos now in her nonprofits care.

She likes to give lots of kisses and is by no means a bad dog, Ashley said.

Another rescue, a puppy named Limerick, is equally affectionate.

The concern comes as Polk County A

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