LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – After years of public pressure, a spike in dog attacks, and a recent hot mic controversy, Liberty County officials gathered Monday to discuss long-delayed plans for a county animal shelter.
The conversation, led by County Attorney Matthew Poston and Kathrine McCarty, was on the agenda for a special commissioners court meeting. It marked the first formal step toward addressing the growing stray animal crisis and the community’s calls for low-cost spay and neuter programs and proper animal control services.
The meeting comes weeks after a hot mic moment at a previous commissioners court meeting caught Judge Jay Knight and Commissioner David Whitmire mocking animal advocates following public comments.
Community members have long demanded action as reports of stray and aggressive dogs, often roaming in packs, continue to surge in rural parts of the county.
On Monday, commissioners ultimately voted to take no immediate action, but there’s cautious optimism moving forward.
Officials say they intend to begin construction on a shelter in the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The next step involves gathering bids for construction and determining the total cost to build and operate the facility.
KPRC 2’s Lisa Hernandez was inside the meeting and will have updates on KPRC 2 News at 3.
