Orange County considering animal shelter

Orange County Commissioners today considered giving citizens the option to vote for a county animal shelter.  The idea was presented last week after at least two recent dog attacks were reported in Orange County.

Commissioners say the shelter isn't only a need, it's a county-wide want... and it's not a new idea either.

Today's debate was less about whether to have the election, and more about when to have it.

Judge Carl Thibodeaux says commissioners tried to get a shelter in the works about four years ago... there was even money set aside for the project.  But the downfall came from city shelters, like the ones in Orange and Vidor, because homeowners were already paying for the services there.

Commissioners say if that hurdle can be overcome this go around, including closing those shelters to help open one large facility for the entire county, the idea may get off the ground.

The call for a shelter has come back to commissioners after recent stray dog attacks on county residents and their pets, including one KFDM told you about last week in the Pine Forest area.

Woody Dugas, who was at the meeting today, says he was recently attacked in his neighborhood, and he agrees with the court that there is a need for a county-wide shelter.

Commissioners say they plan to approve the animal shelter referendum in October.  Before that, they hope to create a committee, which will include citizen members, to put the referendum together.

Once approved, voters will have their say at the polls in November 2010.