Dear Jasper County Commission and Honorable Judge Mark Allen,

We, the undersigned residents, and concerned citizens of Jasper County, are writing to express our urgent need for the establishment of a county dog shelter and the enforcement of stricter dog laws within our community. As responsible members of society, we believe it is imperative to ensure the safety and welfare of both humans and animals alike.

Firstly, we urge the county to establish a dedicated dog shelter facility equipped to provide adequate care and shelter for stray and abandoned dogs. Currently, our county lacks a centralized location where these animals can receive proper care, leading to overcrowded animal control facilities and unnecessary euthanization.

We understand the county contracts with the city of Jasper for use of rabies quarantine services, but not for any other shelter services, including enforcement. We feel these are inadequate measures for the current animal control needs of our county. 

Secondly, we call for the implementation and enforcement of stricter dog laws to address issues such as irresponsible ownership, neglect, and dog-related incidents. By enforcing leash laws, licensing requirements, and responsible ownership education programs, we can promote safer interactions between dogs and the community while holding negligent owners accountable for their actions.

We have witnessed an alarming increase in incidents involving aggressive and uncontrolled dogs in our neighborhoods. Despite existing dog laws and regulations, irresponsible ownership and inadequate enforcement have contributed to public safety concerns, including dog attacks, nuisance behaviors, and property damage.

Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering programs to help control the population of stray and unwanted dogs, ultimately reducing the burden on animal shelters and taxpayer resources.

We believe that by taking proactive measures to establish dog shelters and enforce stricter dog laws, we can create a safer and more compassionate community for both humans and animals. Therefore, by signing this petition,  we urge the county officials to prioritize this matter and take decisive action to address these pressing concerns, effective immediately.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,

LaRinda O’Donnal and Tena Wright

Jasper County Texas residents