I don't agree with dogs being kept in the back yard, either. The shelter workers could have handled that with more tact, however. Dogs are very personable animals and don't like being by themselves, especially for long amounts of time. I don't have a fenced in yard but even if I did, I couldn't bear to have my dog outside all the time. And down here, it's way too hot in the summer for dogs to be outside.
Oops, sorry, just now saw the msg above me.