Viral post said a dog faced euthanasia at a California shelter. It was an AI hoax - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Grace TooheyFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A viral social media post claiming a dog named Lumi faced euthanasia at a California shelter was later revealed to be an AI-generated hoax. The post, shared by the Facebook group "Saving Shelter Dogs from Euthanasia," falsely claimed that Lumi's final night was approaching and urged immediate action. This led to an overwhelming response from concerned individuals who contacted the San José Animal Care and Services shelter.
However, the shelter clarified that Lumi had already been adopted into a loving home and was safe. While the post included accurate details about Lumi, such as her ID number, nearly all other information was false. The shelter emphasized that this was not an isolated incident, as the same Facebook page has previously shared misleading content about other animals.
The situation highlights the growing issue of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly those claiming to advocate for animal welfare. Officials noted that the entire page "appears to be AI-generated," raising questions about its authenticity and intent. While the community's concern is appreciated, such false claims create unnecessary panic and divert attention from genuine cases requiring urgent action.
The incident also sheds light on how shelters handle misinformation. Shelter employees confirmed that euthanasia is rare and only occurs in extreme circumstances. The shelter expressed gratitude for the public's care but urged caution against spreading unverified information.
This story underscores the importance of verifying sources before sharing content online, especially when it involves animals or sensitive issues like euthanasia. Misinformation can cause unnecessary stress for shelters and their staff, who are already working to care for animals in need.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026