So many animals are found roaming the streets of Dallas, Texas, becoming a stray for a number of reasons. They could be abandoned, abused, neglected or runaways. Residents in both north and south Dallas have complained about the loose dog problem, carrying with them some type of blunt object for protection in the event of an attack. Authorities have decided that they need to resolve the number of stray animals through a new Spay And Neuter program. Currently, it is estimated that 80 percent of South Dallas dogs are not fixed compared to 15 percent of dogs in North Dallas.
Funding provided to nonprofit leaders to engage in massive spay and neuter program
The Rees-Jones Foundation, W. W. Caruth Foundation and the Dallas Foundation raised a substantial amount of money necessary to carry out a massive spay and neuter effort in the southern part of Dallas, Texas. Out of $24 million to start the proposed spay and neuter campaign, they were able to donate $13.5 million for the project. Because of the huge Stray Dog issue, the goal was to have more than 46,000 dogs fixed. Veterinarians from Operation Kindness, Spay Neuter Network and the SPCA of Texas were scheduled to perform the surgeries.
Mayor Mike Rawlings endorses the spay and neuter efforts
Southern Dallas' sea of shivering stray dogs still on the streets | @SharonFGrigsby https://t.co/0YvOS1yagi pic.twitter.com/qPhRQLScjr
— DMN Opinion (@DMNOpinion) January 13, 2016
Mayor Rawlings triumphed over the efforts of the proposed spay and neuter campaign because of the growing stray dog problem.
He said that this plan is the key to solving the loose dog problem long term. Although this has been an issue for quite some time, it became a crisis when an Army vet by the name of Antoinette Brown, 52, died as a result of a gruesome dog attack by a pack of stray dogs. Her horrifying incident coincided with an effort to generate funds for a Boston Consulting Group study of the city’s animal control and shelter operations.
The BCG study emphasized the problem with stray animals and engaging in a spay and neuter campaign, but it was in its infancy. Now, it is believed that Dallas has set the stage for other communities that may be facing similar issues. To carry out the plan, mobile spay and neuter trucks will visit areas of concern to perform the surgeries.
In some cases, the dog will be transported to local clinics, which includes helping pets of owners who do not have the means or time to get their pets fixed. This program is not only to help the community but also affects the quality of life of the dogs fixed.
