LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – Liberty County commissioners have budgeted funds to build a new animal shelter following years of reported stray dog attacks, but community members express concerns about operational funding gaps.
The decision comes after multiple documented attacks in the area, particularly in communities like Colony Ridge in Cleveland, where residents continue to battle an growing stray dog population.
“Actually, nothing has changed,” says Zully Vasquez, a volunteer rescuer. “It has gotten a lot worse because we’re a community of immigrants and there has been a lot of deportations going and people are leaving behind everything, including their dogs.”
The issue gained public attention after several reported incidents, including an unprovoked attack on resident Emily Curtis in December 2024.
“I was attacked and it was completely unprovoked,” Curtis reported.
While the budget allocation for construction represents progress, community members worry about staffing and operational costs.
“How many animal control officers are we going to have? I don’t think one or two is going to cover this whole area,” Vasquez notes.
Liberty County Attorney Matthew Poston indicates plans are in development to advance the project, though specific details are not yet ready for announcement.
The timeline for the shelter’s construction and operational details remain under discussion by county officials.