“This is a hard subject to talk about, but I believe you need to know what our SCAC faces often,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said.
TYLER, Texas — Smith County Judge Neal Franklin is seeking to clarify some misconceptions after 10 dogs involved in a suspected dogfighting ring were euthanized in late February.
Back in September 2024, nearly 60 dogs injured dogs were found on the property of Kerry and Michael Jones. The brothers were arrested and charged with dogfighting. Some received treatment from a vet, while others were taken to the Smith County Animal Shelter.
Franklin said Smith County reached out to the Humane Society of the United States, which sent an animal behaviorialist who spent two days evaluating the dogs. That specialist recommended that several of them be euthanized due to their aggressive behavior, and the Smith County Animal Control did so.
Some of the other dogs needed extensive rehabilitation, and the SCAC reached out to over 100 rescues, but none wanted to take the animals because of their needs. These dogs had euthanized as well, Franklin said.
The remaining 11 dogs in the shelter were friendly to people and other dogs. SCAC reached out to the same rescues with no responses, and after putting them up for adoption again, there was no response as well. These dogs were available for months.
After a final plea, one of the 11 was taken by a rescue. The final 10 were ultimately euthanized due to needed space for new dogs, Franklin said.
“This is a hard subject to talk about, but I believe you need to know what our SCAC faces often. Our SCAC employees are dog lovers just like me, your county judge. Their job is not easy by any means. We are committed to making a difference in this arena but we need your assistance as I have pointed out. My final request for each of you is to thoroughly vet the posts you read on social media, including this letter from me,” Franklin said. “I hope we can all work together on this issue in Smith County. It is my vision that we work hand in hand with the public and our community rescues.”
Additionally, Franklin clarified a few things about the animal shelter, including the county cannot enact a spay and neuter ordinance. He said the SCAC has to respond and pick up dogs, creating a critical problem of filling the shelter up.
“The public expects us to come to their rescue and remove what they consider a nuisance animal. It is our duty to protect the public, their livestock and pets from stray animals. In addition, we are protecting the dog as well when we remove it from all the dangers associated with running loose,” Franklin said.
Franklin noted that there are over 100 kennels, but less than 40 of them are large. Most of the dogs that are picked up are large. According to Franklin, the county hopes to address with a potential new animal control facility.
Smith County spokesperson Casey Murphy said Franklin brought up the idea of having a new facility in December during a capital improvement project discussion. So far, nothing has been budgeted for it yet.
