SAN ANTONIO -- An estimated crowd of 500 people packed a town hall meeting Tuesday night to demand a change in the way the City of San Antonio euthanizes stray animals.

The emotional meeting, which had people spilling into the hallways at the SBC Technology Center at St. Mary's University, was called in light of media coverage that revealed that tens of thousands of dogs and cats are gassed to death at the animal control facility.

Some people in the crowd voiced their outrage toward animal pound director Dr. William Lammers.

"It's really a poor reflection on San Antonio that they treat animals this way," said Warren Kaufman, who attended the meeting. "The fact that so many people have turned out to support the animals, I think, is a great reflection on the spirit of the people here in the community."

The San Antonio Fire Department was called in at one point because the crowd was so large.

Lammers told the crowd he is working on a more humane way to euthanize animals.

Earlier in the day, City Councilman Julian Castro voiced his concern about the pound's policies, calling for more spay and neutering clinics, a Web site for lost pets and a change in attitude by residents toward strays.

"I think there's a culture among many San Antonians (who) see strays as discardable," Castro said.

He added that more stray animals need to have a home.