Episode shows pet dumping a major problem

By BILL McCLELLAN
News Editor
Fourteen puppies found together along a cold, dusty road are an indication of how bad the animal dumping problem can get in Howard County, authorities say.

A passerby discovered the pups in and near a wire cage on a remote oil lease off of Cauble Road, south of Interstate 20 in late January. A Howard County Sheriff's deputy investigated and called Big Spring Animal Control, which collected the animals — described as an Australian Shepherd/Heeler mix. Two had died and another died a short-time later, leaving authorities with 11 puppies on their hands.

Dumping 14 puppies in the county at once is something of a rarity, authorities admit, but the act of dumping one or more is not.

“Unfortunately, it happens more often than people think,” said Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker.

What frustrates Parker, is that the animal shelter will take the animals if people no longer want them.

“We have an animal shelter that doesn't cost them a dime,” said Parker. “There is even a drop cage, where any time of the day or night someone can leave an animal at the shelter.

“There are times people get young pets because they are cute and cuddly and then those pets grow up and start having litters of their own and the owner decides they can't handle all of them. Instead of doing the right thing and giving them to the shelter, they take them out and dump them in the county,” said Parker. “They need to take the responsibility to do the right thing.”

Animal Control has located a temporary foster parent for the puppies. Anyone who would be interested in applying to adopt one of the pups and can provide it with the proper care — spaying/neutering, good food, clean water, adequate shelter and love — is asked to call 264-9797 and leave a message.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office reminds citizens that animal dumping is a crime.

“Trying to find whoever dumped these puppies is hard to do. We basically have to find a witness who saw them do it. If we could find out who it is, we would prosecute, however,” said Parker. “This is basically animal cruelty.”

Anyone who has any information about this crime, or who sees anyone dumping animals is asked to contact the Howard County Sheriff's Office at 264-2244 or CrimeStoppers at 263-8477.

Contact News Editor Bill McClellan at 263-7331, ext. 235, or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it