Animal Control mishandles dogs as community advocates raise concerns in Texas

The Windcrest City Ethics Commission Hearing held on December 13, 2024, focused on significant concerns regarding the treatment of animals under the city's care. The meeting highlighted a troubling incident involving the transfer of several dogs, including Jude, Matthew, Isaiah, and Isabel, who were diagnosed with heartworms—a condition the city reportedly euthanizes despite being treatable.

During the hearing, a representative from Texas REACT detailed the confusion surrounding the identification of the dogs. Matthew was correctly identified through a microchip, but Isaiah and Isabel lacked identification, raising questions about their care and tracking. The representative expressed deep concern over the whereabouts of Isaiah, who was later found to have a microchip registered to another dog named Socks.

The discussion also addressed the condition of Jude, who was transferred to Texas REACT to avoid euthanasia. The representative shared emotional accounts of Jude's previous appearances at adoption events, contrasting her current state with her earlier health. It was noted that Jude had not been attending events due to being labeled aggressive by animal control, a characterization that the representative disputed based on their experiences with the dog.

Concerns were raised about the lack of proper veterinary care for the dogs, including the absence of flea and heartworm medication for Jude, and the representative criticized the city's handling of the situation. They emphasized the need for better care for abandoned animals and expressed hope that ongoing complaints against them would not hinder their mission to find loving homes for these dogs.

The meeting concluded with a hopeful note, as the representative shared that Jude is now in a loving home, underscoring the positive outcomes that can arise from dedicated animal rescue efforts. The representative thanked the commission for the opportunity to speak and expressed a desire for continued support in their mission to improve animal welfare in Windcrest.