Residents Seek Solutions to Animal Control Problem

They came from Monroe, West Monroe, Jonesboro and Winnsboro with one common goal.
Resident Wilda Smith said, "I love animals and I want to make sure they're taken care of and now I don't think they are."

These people want to put an end to this--

These images were taken of abused animals and deplorable conditions at city-run animal shelters in Winnsboro and Jonesboro last month. Officials claim they found dead dogs and enough evidence of animal cruelty to send the Jonesboro animal control officer to jail and close the facility. But that didn't solve anything.

Karen Louden said, "I'm mostly worried about the  stray animals walking the street they have no where to go to be taken care of so usually they're starving. in the streets...which may be better than what it was before they were being poisoned supposedly"

So the director of the humane society of Louisiana came all the way from New Orleans to help the group clean up this mess and work with their local mayors offices.

Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson said, "The standards are is if your animal was picked up and placed in a shelter would you be comfortable with it staying there for a couple of days. If you're not, something is wrong with that shelter.  The ones we've seen locally, somethings wrong with these shelters."

About 30 people showed up for the meeting-- some who have already started rescuing animals and others who are just ready to form their own group, focused on improving the quality of life for homeless animals in their community.  

Dorson hopes with this much support things will turn around quickly.