Stray dogs, attacks to take center stage at Liberty County commissioner’s court meeting

LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – As complaints pile up, the issue of stray dogs and attacks is expected to take center stage at Tuesday’s Liberty County commissioner’s court meeting.

KPRC 2’s Corley Peel will be in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Residents of the county tell KPRC 2 the issues have been ongoing for a while and they’re urging leaders to act and help resolve them.

We were made aware of issues in one particular part of the county earlier this month, but this is not the first time we have covered incidents regarding stray dogs and attacks in Liberty County.

Nov. 2, 2023

On Nov. 2, 2023, Shari Abshier spoke with KPRC 2’s Re’Chelle Turner, telling her she was grateful to be alive after being attacked by a pack of dogs on County Road 109 in Devers.

“They pulled me from the road down into the ditch and they were just biting me everywhere,” she said.

Abshier, at the time, had gone through four surgeries and had to use a vacuum bag because of the attack.

“They bit my feet, legs, and all the way up to my shoulders. I guess eventually they got me in the ditch. I don’t remember that, but I don’t think I blacked out. Then they just started pulling on each side all over. I felt my ear fall down and then the hair; they pulled my hair out. Then I said the Lord’s Prayer,” she said.

Dec. 2, 2024

On Dec. 2, KPRC 2 reporter Deven Clarke met with residents in a neighborhood on Rd 5203 in the Cleveland area.

Several residents said they had been attacked by a pack of dogs roaming their neighborhood.

Emily Curtis said she was trying to go to work on Thanksgiving when about eight dogs attacked her relentlessly before a neighbor came to her rescue.

“I was attacked and it was completely unprovoked,” Curtis said.

On that day, Clarke noticed Curtis was bandaged up, but wounds all over her body were still visible.

“I feel every bite, I remember every ripping of the dogs’ heads and I just thank God that a neighbor came out and got them off of me because I may have been dead,” she said. “The same dogs that have attacked me have attacked Amazon drivers, have attacked Terminix employees on this same street.”

Another woman who asked not to be identified said her cousin was trying to help a delivery driver from being attacked when the pack of dogs turned on him. He was left with multiple bruises and bite marks.

Dec. 3, 2024

The following day, reporter T.J. Parker witnessed the issue firsthand as stray dogs were seen roaming freely.

KPRC 2 photojournalist Damon Sales encountered a man trying to control a group of dogs he had taken off the streets, highlighting the complexity of the situation.

A pack of dogs also ran alongside our station’s vehicle, barking as our crew approached.

County Judge Jay H. Knight vowed to KPRC 2’s Corley Peel he was working with other county leaders to develop a solution.

Dec. 4, 2024

On Dec. 4, reporter Deven Clarke spoke to two Liberty County commissioners over the phone. One of the commissioners, David Whitmire, is the Precinct 3 commissioner for the county, the precinct where our previous stories had taken place in.

“That’s been turned over to the county attorney, but I believe the judge is planning on having a meeting, in fact, one day next week. When I get that information I’ll let you know,” Whitmire said about the issue.

“People say this is an issue that’s been going on for years. Has it been brought to your attention before?” Deven asked.

“Well, I mean there’s dogs everywhere…but no, I’m not aware of the mauling’s and stuff like that. No. I’m not aware that’s been happening for years,” Whitmire responded.

“Is it something you think is important to address and something you’re hoping the county can solve?” Deven asked.

“Absolutely! Yeah, we don’t want anyone to get hurt, but we’re going to address it and see what we can come up with,” Whitmire said.

Dec. 6, 2024

Last Friday, KPRC 2 returned to Liberty County following up on new video sent to us by residents of other attacks.

Maria Arroyo told KPRC 2’s Mario Diaz about how her two dogs were attacked and killed shortly after getting out of their home in the community of Santa Fe. Arroyo said another group of stray dogs were responsible for the attack.

Residents also showed us video of another dog being attacked by the group of dogs in someone’s front yard. Another video, captured at a different time, shows dogs harassing a child on their way to catch their school bus.

Residents in the community did not hold back when asked to rank the challenges of the abandoned dogs in their community on a 1 to 10 scale, “Over 10,” said Margarita Mendoza.

Residents said the problem began with outsiders who come down their streets and dump their dogs.

KPRC 2 will be in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.