CLINTON TOWNSHIP -- The battle to turn the Macomb County Animal Shelter into a no-kill zone is turning ugly.

On one side are animal rights activists who are pushing county commissioners to change the euthanasia policy for animals brought into the shelter.

During a commissioner’s meeting Wednesday night several Macomb County residents spoke out against the shelter’s euthanasia policy.

Commissioners told Local 4 they have received faxes filled with personal attacks and political threats; however, they agree it is not practical to turn the shelter into a no-kill facility.

Macomb County Commissioner Pete Lund said, “No one wants to see any of these animals put to sleep” but sometimes it is necessary.

Shelter workers say many animals come into the shelter sick or injured.

Often owners do not want to put the animals to sleep and instead drop them off at the shelter; workers there are forced to do what the owners could not.

But for animal lovers the argument is not a logical one; it is an emotional one and they simply do not want the county shelter to kill dogs and cats.

While commissioners said that will not be possible they are making other suggestions like raising awareness about animal adoptions.

Lund went even further, suggesting the county waive the $80 adoption fee for rescue groups that want to take in animals facing euthanasia.

Wednesday night the 26-member board voted unanimously to adopt Lund's suggestion.