East Texas

By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer

Some Wood County citizens say there is a big problem with animal neglect and abuse and this is the time to address it.

Volunteers with the Animal Preservation of Northeast Texas (APET) say they have worked tirelessly to garner the support of citizens for better treatment of animals in the area and are now taking their pleas to local officials.

About 50 citizens joined APET volunteers last week during a Wood County Commissioners Court meeting to present their concerns.

During the presentation, APET board member and volunteer Dr. Linda Rosene, armed with a long list of names of citizens who support the group's efforts, urged commissioners to begin formulating solutions that would alleviate the animal control problems. She said the group would ultimately like to see the county hire an animal control officer and provide funding for an animal shelter to reduce the growing number of abandoned and abused animals.

"There are some highly egregious abuse cases in the county," Dr. Rosene said. "There are only about 40,000 people in Wood County, but we have a big heart when it comes to animals. Over 1,550 people have signed the petition over a year's time. We want the suffering and abuse to cease."

APET was founded in late 2003 and is based in Mineola. APET now offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Although the group no longer houses abandoned animals due to a growing animal population and limited funding, volunteers found homes for more than 200 animals through its foster care program last year.

Board member and volunteer John Pellegrini said the community is ready to see some changes in regard to animal advocacy.

"People who care about animals are trying to save them and have no way to turn for help," Pellegrini said. "We are trying to fix the situation but we still need help in addressing those issues."

Wood County Judge Bryan Jeanes said although commissioners could possibly amend the 2009 fiscal budget to accommodate an animal control officer, an animal shelter may come with a hefty price tag and they may want to take the measure to voters.

In the meantime, Jeanes said commissioners will begin workshops next month with APET representatives to establish a timeline and review what resources are available.

"With a proposal of that magnitude, you'd have to get the approval of voters," Jeanes said. "We have to go through some steps and it takes time. We have tentatively set up a workshop on the 26th to hammer out the short-term and long-term goals for what we are needing."

Wood County Sheriff Dwaine Daughtery said he did not have an estimated figure of the stray or neglected animals reported in the county, but said the department responds to several hundred animal-related calls each year. He said they receive those calls almost every day and include loose livestock, dog bites, stray animals and neglect cases.

Daughtery refuted claims that he has shied away from addressing the problems with stray, abused, or neglected animals in the county.

"I have asked for an animal control officer for the past two years," Daughtery said. "And the bottom line is I can't do any more than what the commissioners court will let me do."

Daughtery said he has not addressed the issue in open court, but he has discussed the need for better animal control to commissioners.

"I have not said that I did not want an animal control officer," he said. "It would be a big burden off of me to have an animal officer and animal shelter. I am not against it. I am for the protection of animals."

Quitman Police Chief Bill Wansley will take over as Wood County Sheriff on Jan. 1. He said that animal control would be one of his priorities upon taking office, stating that he would correspond with commissioners and request an animal patrol officer be placed in the county's budget.

Wood County District Attorney Jim Wheeler said his office looks into any reports of animal neglect or abuse.

"I expect those cases to be investigated and prosecuted," Wheeler said. "The citizens have the right to expect that."