LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – Residents in Liberty County gathered at the courthouse to voice their growing concerns about the stray dog crisis, calling for stricter laws to hold owners accountable for neglect and abandonment. For many, the issue has reached a tipping point, and they’re demanding action from local officials.
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A Plea for help
Residents like Tracy Dupree, who works with stray dogs, expressed the need for more resources to care for abandoned animals. She and others want support from the community and local leaders to address the overwhelming number of strays.
Raquel Reyna, a Cleveland resident, recounted a tragic incident where her dog was shot on a neighbor’s property despite having an owner. “The majority of us are here asking for help,” Reyna said, emphasizing the need for solutions to protect pets and punish irresponsible owners.
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Building a safety net
For some, the crisis has inspired personal action. Alexis Allred, who has been rescuing animals for eight years, described the situation as feeling like a “third-world country” when it comes to animal care. Without a local cat shelter, she purchased a building to rescue and rehome cats, successfully adopting out 500 so far.
Meanwhile, Angelica Oriente is working toward creating a shelter to care for dogs but says more is needed. “Taking care of one dog is a journey, but managing a pack is overwhelming,” she said. Oriente and others want laws that not only protect animals but also impose consequences on owners who abandon or mistreat them.
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Repeated calls for change
For some residents, this isn’t the first time they’ve raised these concerns. Amanda Jordan said she’s addressed the issue at the courthouse five times since 2022 with no progress. She highlighted Colony Ridge as a hotspot for dumped animals, saying, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Jordan, along with others, is asking for the creation of an animal shelter and for the issue to be added to the county’s agenda.
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Low-income solutions and law enforcement
Many speakers pushed for more accessible spay and neuter programs to curb the stray population. Lisa Note, a lifelong Liberty County resident, has spent six years rescuing dogs. She called for events that provide low-cost spaying and neutering, stating she feels ignored by officials.
Marlene Reyes also spoke about the community’s struggles, urging the county to enforce stricter laws on animal dumping and introduce fines for violators. She proposed spay and neuter laws and called for limits on excessive animal breeding and sales.
What’s next?
Residents made it clear they are frustrated with the lack of action and feel their voices have been brushed aside for too long. Many urged county officials to add the issue to their agenda, create resources like animal shelters, and enforce laws to hold negligent owners accountable.
The Commission plans to hold public workshops in the coming weeks. They also intend to include this issue as an item on a future agenda for further discussion.
As the Liberty County stray animal crisis continues to grow, residents remain hopeful their concerns will finally lead to meaningful change
