Resident raises concerns about Bellaire dog pound heat; police chief says animals now moved promptly to climate‑controlled facility

A Bellaire resident asked the City Council on July 7 why dogs brought to the city’s facility were being held in an older, non‑climate‑controlled pound instead of the newer, climate‑controlled facility.

"Why are dogs out in an un‑climate‑controlled old dog pound?" resident Dawn Bloomer asked during public comments, saying some animals appeared to be left outside during hot weather and asking how a concerned resident could get a dog moved into the climate‑controlled facility.

Chief of Police Mola (recorded in the meeting transcript as the chief) responded to the council at the request of Council Member Taylor: the department previously maintained a policy of holding animals for three days before transferring them to the newer facility to give owners time to retrieve lost pets. "Given the recent concern, we have modified that policy," Chief Mola said. He told the council the department now transfers dogs to the climate‑controlled facility "as soon as it is reasonable." He also confirmed the specific dog referenced by the commenter was at the climate‑controlled facility and that staff were working to place the animal with a foster or rescue.

The change was described as an operational policy adjustment by department staff in response to public concern; the council did not take formal legislative action on the item during the meeting. Council members encouraged staff to include the issue in a future staff report so the council and public could review procedures and publicize the process for residents who find animals and need to retrieve them.

The chief’s statement establishes the department’s current practice as immediate transfer to the climate‑controlled facility when practicable; residents seeking to retrieve animals or request transfers should contact the police department and the Parks & Recreation office for guidance, staff said.