Why is animal control allowed to do this?

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(This next part is from CNN but the link won't work)
California resident Gerilynn Aflleje was horrified when her 4-year-old Siberian Husky mix was killed by a local animal shelter over $180 in fees that she couldn't afford.

Her dog, Chunk, had been dropped off at the Stockton shelter after getting lost in 2013, she later explained at a city council meeting. When Aflleje discovered her dog there less than a week later, she said the shelter demanded $180 within 24 hours for storing Chunk.

Unemployed, Aflleje couldn't get the money in time. "We didn't only lose our pet. We lost a family member," she said.

In a number of cities across the country, animal control agencies are aggressively going after pet owners with big fines for small violations. Some hold people's pets until they settle their bills, even if it means they end up killed. Others leave the dogs alone but issue arrest warrants for owners who can't pay up.

We didn't only lose our pet. We lost a family member."

—Gerilynn Aflleje, Stockton, Calif.
The infractions can include failing to license a pet, owning a dog that barks a lot, or accidentally letting an animal get loose in the neighborhood. But the penalties are serious, often amounting to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

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That's just wrong.

I agree that it's wrong.
So many things are just "WRONG" and it's time people change it.

Agreed! That is just SO wrong.
What has happened to common sense and simple compassion?

It's ironic that certain "Humane Societies", are sometimes not very humane. A friend of mine had a wonderful little Spitz that she eventually had to give away due to her living situation. When she told me about it, I went to the shelter the next day, even though I wasn't in a situation where I could keep the dog myself, because I was determined that I wouldn't let anything happen one of the most lovable and loving creatures I ever knew.

I looked through all of the cages, and when I didn't find him, went up to the front desk and explained that I was looking for a certain dog, and gave his name and description. The girl at the desk said that he was put down. I asked why. She said they determined that he was too timid to be deemed adoptable. I told her that didn't make any sense whatsoever. Would people prefer to adopt aggressive dogs?

I think if we really paid attention, we'd see that these are not isolated incidences.
Many years ago, I tried to adopt a dog. They wanted me to spend $200 doing what they insisted were things needed (neutered, shots and whatever else) before they'd allow me to have the dog.
I didn't have that much right then and they refused to let the dog go without every last thing being done first.