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Residents urge Liberty County to create animal-control services as strays and aggressive dogs rise
Summary
Three public commenters told Commissioners Court the county needs dedicated animal-control officers, a shelter and stronger enforcement of state law to address rising numbers of stray and aggressive dogs.
Three residents told the Liberty County Commissioners Court on Feb. 25 that the county needs a permanent animal-control program, shelter space and stricter enforcement of state law to respond to a growing population of stray and aggressive dogs.
Lisa Noble, who identified herself as a longtime local animal rescuer, urged the court to “establish animal control services,” including officers to enforce leash and vaccination requirements and a county shelter to partner with rescues. “Without a facility to house stray animals, this problem will continue to grow,” Noble said.
Lydia Martinez, who runs Alaska’s Hope Animal Rescue, described the situation as a public-safety concern and said the county is “facing an escalating crisis with the overwhelming number of stray and aggressive dogs walking the streets.” Martinez said local responders are operating “beyond their limits” and that the crisis was reaching a breaking point in some areas.
Amanda Jordan, of Dayton, recommended short-term and long-term steps including temporarily contracting with a nearby city to impound strays, enforcing state law and passing county ordinances where permitted. Jordan cited provisions of the Texas Health and Safety Code and said the county sheriff is the animal-control authority where no county animal-control agency exists. “The county sheriff is the responsible entity,” Jordan said, and she urged the court to use fines and registration fees to fund facilities and services.
Court members did not take immediate action during the public-comment period; Jordan and other speakers noted a county workshop on the issue scheduled for the afternoon, and Jordan asked that future workshops be scheduled in the evening to increase public attendance.
The comments were part of the court’s public-comment agenda and did not create a binding directive. Commissioners and staff did not make a motion during public comment; the court later held a workshop on animal-control options (time noted in the meeting).
