Stray animal crisis in Cooke Co. Save Email Print
Posted: 6:00 PM Jun 24, 2008
Last Updated: 6:32 PM Jun 24, 2008
Reporter: Stephanie Brletic
Email Address: stephanie.brletic@kxii.com

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COOKE COUNTY, Tex. -- Stray animals left on farms, in open fields, and even on the side of the road is a growing problem around Texoma. Officials in Cooke County say they can no longer keep up with the number of strays.

It takes a lot of money and a lot of work to keep a pet. Both Cooke County officials and shelter workers say more and more often, owners decide they can't handle the burden and dump their unwanted animals.

"It's a pretty sad state of affairs you know, starving to death, getting eaten by coyotes, looking for boyfriends and girlfriends, getting hit by cars, that kind of thing," Cooke County Judge Bill Freeman says.

In a county that's more than 900 square miles, Freeman says it is difficult to keep up with the number of strays. Shortages of staff and money are also concerns. There is no county animal control officer, and there is not enough funding to build or staff a facility.

"If we come up with an animal control officer, we would have to have a controlled facility, and the bills connected with that facility. We're talking about a million dollar price-tag, easily. And I just do not believe that the county can afford to do that," Judge Freeman says.

With nowhere else to turn, county residents often end up taking unwanted animals to Noah's Arc Animal Rescue in Gainesville.

Vice president and veterinarian Dr. Michelle Gomulak says they try to help as many animals as possible, but they too have space limitations, and each week the shelter takes in between 30 and 50 cats and dogs.

"We just frankly don't have room. Our maximum capacity is 120 animals and when we're full, we're full, you know. We can't just go and kill everything and make room for the county animals."

Since all the animals found in the county are brought to Noah's Arc, Gomulak would like to see another shelter in the city or county to ease the burden. But she says a simple way to help control the stray animal population is to spay and neuter your pets.

"People don't realize that if they spay and neuter their pets early in life, they avoid not only the over population with the puppies and kittens, but they avoid a lot of health problems with their pets. Their animals will live longer, they'll hand around the house more, won't be running off looking for boyfriends and girlfriends, getting hit by cars, that kind of thing," Gomulak says.

Noah's Arc is so full now they are unable to accept animals from the county, saying they received at least nine animals from inside Gainesville on Tuesday alone.

For more information on Noah's Arc, check http://www.noahs-ark-care.org. Adoptions are $85, and the price includes spaying/neutering, first set of shots, and microchip.

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: G-ville on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Ok people these are animals, no different than a deer, cow, fish, snake, ect. If there is a over population of the formentioned animals, we hunt them. Why should it be any different for dogs and cats? If a dog or cat continually messes with my property, or my children trust that I will do a little hunting of my own. So plan and simple if you are a good animal owner you have no worries, but as for the strays in my yard, you better believe I'll handle that. ;)

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Oklahoma on Jun 26, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I happen to agree with MP Dog Handler. I have dogs and cats. I take very good care of them. Then there is my neighbor . . . I am sick of thier dog barking and running at me like it will bite. Not just me, other people in the area and the mentally disabled boy down the street. The mouth breathing owners just watcht he dog - never calling it back or trying to make it mind I, too, want my property respected. I don't let my dogs and cats use other's yards as a toilet.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 at 04:20 AM
mr 400, I'm limited to the number of characters here. I don't have kids in cages, but they have carseats when I transport them. so far my kids are living and I haven't had to go thru a funeral. I do carry ins on them so that isn't an issue when the time comes. you are probably the redneck I passed on the highway with your dog loose in the bed of your truck. hopefully you won't have a wreck and have your flying dog go thru a windsheild and kill someone wearing their seatbelt!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 at 02:53 AM
I am thankful for all of the other handlers serving now and others from the past. this is a very difficult job, it was unfortunate that I had only 1 other handler to help me maintain my kennel 24/7 and ultimately led to my burnout. it just gets to me when I see all these news articles about stray dogs, a woman with over 70 dogs, dog maulings, etc. this has been going on for a long time, even michael vick and dog fighting. dogs are always in the news and I have preached on owner responsibility. that is the bottom line. like it or not, animal lover or hater, I just want pet owners to be responsible and don't infringe on others. happily retired.

Posted by: MP Dog Handler on Jun 26, 2008 at 02:11 AM
I just want my rights and property respected. nothing more nothing less. any animal that violates me does not deserve a pedestal like most animal lovers put them on. do you know that in Korea they have a national holiday where dog meat is served? now take your animal loving PETA organization stop wearing furs, don't eat chicken, beef, pork, or fish. outlaw all hunting and fishing. then take back all the rats that have donated their lives to medical research. and don't forget to save all the fire ants, cockroches, mosquitoes and all the other animals you have murdered

Posted by: 400 lb Gorilla Location: Sherman Zoo on Jun 25, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Bill, We're not necessarily "animal lovers". We're just humans who care. It is true that they're are millions of homeless people in the US. And we try to help them as much as possible. However, dogs and cats mostly rely on us too. So your statements are half-baked. And I suppose that your mind is too. NO...WE ARE NOT "SICK"! Animals are living breathing creatures just like us. They have feelings and can feel pain and neglect just like you and I. And of course "We" care for our pets, because they are our friends, much more than you are! Remember....KROGERS!

Posted by: Bill Location: Texoma on Jun 25, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Animal lovers think more of thei cats and dogs then they do people. Women, children, and veterans live homeless in the good o us of a but you animal lovers sure take good care of your cats and dogs. Your sick and need to get your priorities in order before Jesus returns.

Posted by: 400 lb Gorilla Location: Sherman Zoo on Jun 25, 2008 at 03:56 PM
WOW!! MPDog...you really have some "issues"! Here's your quote "if you intend on having a pet, it is no different than having a child, raising it, teaching it, feeding it, watering it, bathing it, giving it proper medical treatment and exercise. transport with a proper cage, keep your pet on your property, and properly dispose of the carcass when the time comes." So...just how many kids have you put in a cage, or properly disposed of their carcasses??? Did Fido whiz in your Cap'n Crunch when you were 6, or maybe had some liberties with your leg??? YES IN FACT, dogs have a sense about who's good and who's bad! You are obviously a "biteable" person. AND to Bill...I'm guessing that you still hunt for your food. You probably use a cap & ball rifle, and banjo music get's you off! Your one sick puppy. Get a life, and a Krogers card, moron!!!

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Sulphur Springs on Jun 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I just want to say to the MP Dog handler you are a sorry SOB! I'm glad you have been bitten you deserve it. I would love for you to step in my yard. Hell I might bite you myself.

Posted by: Be Kind Location: Ok on Jun 25, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Bill that is not very nice. People don't need to be just leaving them anywhere. Animals have feelings too. I care about my pets because they are always so fun to watch. The are like family because they are always with me.

Posted by: Bill Location: Texoma on Jun 25, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Open up a slaughter house for cats and dogs and lets start eating them. Or just kil'em n skin'em n eat'um. I prefer biting them over them biting me. People think more of their cat and dogs then they do peope. what a shame.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 25, 2008 at 10:25 AM
MP Dog "Hater", I have three dogs that are very well kept. They are my kids. I have children too. Don't tell me that my dogs are no good because they aren't bomb sniffing dogs! You know, dogs can tell when people care and don't care. Maybe that's why you've been bitten so many times! hehe. Come into my house and I'll let my tiny kid bite you!

Posted by: Fozzy Location: Ardmore on Jun 25, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Sounds like someone needs to change their name to MP Dog Hater.. The problem is real and there isn't anything that anyone WILL do about the problem. Unless we start tossing these people in jail for dumping live animals or fining and impounding and selling their homes for failure to pay for who allow their animals to run free and create what amounts to a health threat to the community, no one will take this threat seriously. The attitude around here is "that they are only animals" and no one cares about their suffering is apparent. A few morons get kicked out of their homes for not registering their pets and caring for them properly.. then the rest of the hicks might just wise up.

Posted by: Mom Location: OK on Jun 25, 2008 at 08:36 AM
It has become so costly to spay and neuter these days. I can afford my own pets, but it is hard to afford to take all the strays that come up to the house looking for food. I feed anything that looks hungry, but many are wild, and I couldn't catch them if I wanted to.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 25, 2008 at 02:24 AM
for all you lazy dog owners, please come over and clean up the dog crap, fill the holes in my yard, and build me a fence to keep your stupid dog out of my yard since you don't keep him in yours! put a muzzle on him so he doesn't bark all day and all night or when you leave! be a responsible pet owner and respect others

Posted by: MP Dog Handler on Jun 25, 2008 at 02:17 AM
dogs lick themselves, they bark, they chew things, they dig and they bite. unless your dog is trained at sniffing bombs, drugs, or tracking fugitives, chances are you have a mutt. I don't care if it's a full blooded breed of any kind or whatever. Keep control of your pet! I have been bit numerous times by at least 10 dogs! if they were human, I'd have them in court for assault and if I know you are the owner, I will sue you! MY QUOTE: I never met a dog that didn't bite

Posted by: MP DOG Handler on Jun 25, 2008 at 02:06 AM
I have made NUMEROUS posts on this matter. there are loose dogs running rampant in my neighborhood just as everyone else's. one recently had a litter of pups that now run amuck digging, defecating, urinating on everyone's property. I have picked up dead dogs as part of our local neighborhood program that all of us non-dogowners pay a yearly membership for. PEOPLE TAKE FULL RESPONISBILITY FOR YOUR ANIMAL! NO EXCUSES! if you intend on having a pet, it is no different than having a child, raising it, teaching it, feeding it, watering it, bathing it, giving it proper medical treatment and exercise. transport with a proper cage, keep your pet on your property, and properly dispose of the carcass when the time comes. I would like to comment about the noise these animals make which would equate to disturbing the peace, as well as damage to any vehicle that hits one on the roadside. dogs do not pay taxes for roadside maintanence nor do they pay insurance premiums!

Posted by: Sherman Location: texas, mexico, whatever on Jun 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
My next door neighbor of two years in Sherman has a cat that they do not feed or give water to. She has had a litter of kittens every opportunity given to her. I set water outside for her, but I wish the neighbor would have her fixed. They live in the city now, not in the country. Cats and dogs are considered pets and not mousers as some country people consider them, they still need food and water and spayed.

Posted by: Kelly on Jun 24, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Sad story but so true. I live outside the city limits in the county, a few years ago I found 4 kittens about 6 weeks old dumped at the corner of Loy Lake Rd & Seymour Bradley (shame on the person that dumped them) I took them home & the next day found homes for 3 & kept 1. I rescued a female cat from going to the shelter, she presented me with 3 kittens a few weeks later. They all found homes & mama cat was spayed. I still have her! I also have several other cats hanging around my house. I can't afford to feed all the strayes that show up at my house. I think there should be a city law that pet owners are required to have their pets fixed unless they are a breeder.

Posted by: Amy on Jun 24, 2008 at 07:30 PM
A lot of people see their pets as potential moneymakers, they don't want to spay/neuter their dogs because they think they can just breed it to another purebred and sell the puppies for a quick buck. And then there's all the men who are crazy enough to think that if they get their dog neutered, it'll affect the dog's "manhood". I am tired of people dumping their unwanted animals out here in the country, where they chase my children and my animals!

Posted by: 400 lb Gorilla Location: Sherman on Jun 24, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Good Story! There are so many people in this country that don't care if their pets are spayed or neutered. And even more people don't care what happens to them. Has anybody reading this post seen a stray dog or cat wandering the side of a road, possibly looking for somebody to rescue them. Has anybody reading this post seen a stray dog or cat "dead" on the side of the road, because nobody cared? It sickens me to think of the inhumane treatment that Gods creatures receive. My two dog's are the greatest companions. And I care for them more than most people! PLEASE...GO TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTER & ADOPT YOUR NEW FRIEND! It will do your heart a WORLD OF GOOD!

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