by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Hesperian Contributor: Stephanie R. Holan

12-21-24

Stephanie Holen, an attorney representing Lauren and Chris Kirckof, and Paws and Pasture Sanctuary located in Marble Falls, demands the immediate cessation of the scheduled euthanization of dogs specifically Adolfo (A1982738) and Puzzle (A19827738) currently housed at the Houston BARC Animal Shelter.

According to Holen, Adolfo and Puzzle are scheduled to be euthanized but Kirckof and volunteers with the Paws and Pastures Sanctuary who are ready to save these dogs are getting delays and the proverbial “run-a-round” from the BARC Houston Animal Shelter while the kill dates loom over these two dogs like Damocles Sword.

“Who euthanizes dogs when they have rescues?” Holan said in a Facebook Post.

“Holan Law, along with Lauren and Chris Kirckof, and Paws and Pasture Sanctuary, demand the immediate cessation of the scheduled euthanization of dogs currently housed at your facility, specifically Adolfo (A1982738) and Puzzle (A19827738).

It has come to our attention that BARC is refusing to prioritize the approval process for volunteers who are ready, willing, and able to take these animals into their care. This refusal directly jeopardizes the lives of these dogs, raising serious ethical and procedural concerns.

Our clients are prepared to act promptly and responsibly to secure the safety of these animals. There is no justification for hindering their efforts, especially when lives are at stake. Your facility’s delay in processing these approvals appears to reflect an unjustifiable intent to proceed with euthanization rather than exploring viable alternatives,” a letter sent on Saturday, December 21st, 2024 to the BARC Houston Animal Shelter by Holen Law.

BARC Letter

 

County Commissioner Mariano Pargas proposed to the Uvalde County Commissioners Court this morning the Court consider and act upon the concept creating a county animal control division.

“What I’d like to do today is to get the approval to start the process to get more information on what is required to create one,” Pargas said

Pargas continued by saying he had reached out to Heather Stunkel and Judge Kimble with the Humane Society. He also stated that Medina and Atascosa Counties have built new animal shelters.

“It’s become a big problem. I think a lot of times we calls about the animals We have no authority right now to pick up strays,” Pargas said. He went onto say he wanted to bring the issue up as the new budget is coming up.”

“There definitely is a stray dog problem in Uvalde County especially in Uvalde Estates,” Diana Olvedo-Karau said to the court as she addressed the court.

“Our animals need help. It is a health and safety issue,” Karau said.

Heather Stunkel was invited to speak by Judge Mitchell. “I’m current vice president of BARK formerly HSU,” she said.

“This has been an ongoing issue and it is going to be a huge undertaking. “We are overwhelmed with calls every from the County,” she said.

“On September 22, 2022, my daughter was attacked by two unrestrained dogs,” Knippa resident Monica Martinez told the Court. “There is no control of the pet population.  Dogs also get dumped.” she said.

“There is only so much we can do as residents,” Martinez said.

According to Pargas, he would serve on the newly created committee along with Heather Stunkel, Judge Kelley Kimble and Sheriff Ruben Nolasco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Maddie’s Dog Rescue and how did it get started?

Maddie’s Dog Rescue is a Uvalde-based animal rescue program that was established in late 2020 when we foster failed with our dog, Maddie Anne while fostering for Flights to Furever after almost 2 years.

When did it get started?

We parted ways with Flights to Furever in late 2020, but continued rescuing dogs in the Uvalde area. We officially launched as Maddie’s Dog Rescue in January 2021, establishing ourselves as a local business registered in Uvalde County and operate primarily on donations from people that know of and support our work. We are not a 501c3 nonprofit, so donations to Maddie’s Dog Rescue are not tax-deductible.

How does the organization work?

Since late 2020 Maddie’s Dog Rescue has been able to establish a wide network of rescue partners across Texas, as well as across the east/west coast and the Midwest. The network consists of other rescue programs and rescue advocates who all have a common goal; to rescue as many dogs as we possibly can in South Texas and placing them in safe & loving homes.

Network: We primarily network dogs from our area to larger, reputable rescues that have the financial resources to fully vet (including spay/neuter) dogs they tag (rescue commitment) for rescue and eventual adoption;

Vet: We also help get dogs vetted who have not been tagged for rescue, including spay/neuters when possible. This helps dogs to be considered for rescue tag; as all rescues, big and small, struggle financially to help as many dogs as we would like; and,

Transport:We provide a significant amount of transportation for our rescue dogs. Picking them up from area shelters; taking them to vet appointments; transporting to fosters and/or rescue partners in Texas; and assisting with transportation when dogs are ready to transport out of Texas.

In one of your Facebook posts, you referenced the situation with stray dogs in the County. How big of a problem is it?

Stray dogs are a huge problem across our county, with a significant concentration of this problem in the Uvalde Estates area. That can be attributed to the dense residential population of this area of Uvalde County; more people, more dogs. Add to this that because there are isolated areas in this location, it is also a known dumping ground for dogs that may reside within the city limits and whose owners no longer want them.

The problem exists for a number of reasons including but not limited to the fact that there are no ordinances governing expectations of owners, and where there may be State statute the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office does not enforce those laws. So owners allow dogs to roam free and many times the dogs begin to run in packs; destroying properties, killing farm animals and likely biting humans. Families are afraid to let their children play outside, wait for the school bus, or even take a walk for fear of aggressive stray dogs roaming the area.

What are some of the challenges you face? Do you have friends, allies and helpers?

The biggest challenge Maddie’s Dog Rescue faces is lack of understanding by the general population of the importance of spay/neutering their dogs. Unwanted litters become adults that breed and birth more unwanted litters and the vicious cycle is never ending. That challenge is followed by failure to vaccinate their dogs so that they do not become sick with distemper or Parvo. Illnesses that are preventable and once contracted spread like wildfire across dog populations exposed to these sicknesses. And the final challenge is not enough people willing to foster dogs or volunteer to help in other ways. Being idealistic about the thought of dog rescue is not the same as actually doing something to help rescue dogs.

We are fortunate to have strong allies within our rescue network, as well as several local citizens who donate financially, as they are able, and more importantly pray for and celebrate with us the wonderful work of dog rescue!

What steps do you feel the Uvalde County Commissioners and perhaps City of Uvalde or other entities need to take to further address the issue of stray dogs?

Uvalde is fortunate to have been provided a significant amount of seed money by the Briscoe Foundation to establish the Briscoe Animal Resource Center (BARC) sometime in the near future and we support and celebrate with BARC & Flights to Furever the opportunity to build an adequate shelter for the City of Uvalde. We also understand that Uvalde County may finally be getting into the “dog rescue” arena and will be providing financial support to help fund BARC operations.

Any other comments or thoughts

We are at the beginning of our 3rd year of operation as Maddie’s Dog Rescue and we are humbled by the support we have been given by many Uvalde County residents. We are also humbled by the many people who reach out to us daily asking for help, and they do so because we have established a reputation of responding to requests for help in a timely manner and never giving up on trying to find help for every request we receive. We can’t help every person that needs help, but they know that we do all we can to help.

How can people help?

By volunteering to become a foster for Maddie’s Dog Rescue or any local dog rescue program in their area. Financial donations are always appreciated and can be sent to us via PayPal @maddiesdogrescue or Maddie’s Dog Rescue, 213 W. Mesquite Street, Uvalde, TX 78801. People can also follow us on Facebook, where we share our pleas for help, mourn the losses and celebrate the lives of every dog we are blessed to help into rescue.