Horses, Donkeys, Cattle...Oh My!
By: R
Updated: September 11, 2012
As the Texoma drought continues to scorch crops and grasslands, more and more ranchers are abandoning their livestock.
By law, it falls on the County to deal with the stray donkeys, horses, cattle, and other animals; but finding a place to feed and house them is proving quite costly.
That's why Wichita County Commissioners set aside $14,500 in this year's budget, and $10,000 in next year's.
The money will be used to buy feed, a used stock trailer, and upgrade a facility in Iowa Park used to house the animals.
Judge Woody Gossom, however, said the plan doesn't stop there.
"We're probably looking at doing a plan to look at developing a facility outside of that area, but actually moving it to the Sprague Annex where the Sheriff can use inmates to clean the stalls, feed the animals, do those kinds of things," said Gossom.
Gossom added Commissioners will tread softly moving forward with the plan to build a new facility, because people may stop abandoning animals if it rains and grasslands recover.
By law, it falls on the County to deal with the stray donkeys, horses, cattle, and other animals; but finding a place to feed and house them is proving quite costly.
That's why Wichita County Commissioners set aside $14,500 in this year's budget, and $10,000 in next year's.
The money will be used to buy feed, a used stock trailer, and upgrade a facility in Iowa Park used to house the animals.
Judge Woody Gossom, however, said the plan doesn't stop there.
"We're probably looking at doing a plan to look at developing a facility outside of that area, but actually moving it to the Sprague Annex where the Sheriff can use inmates to clean the stalls, feed the animals, do those kinds of things," said Gossom.
Gossom added Commissioners will tread softly moving forward with the plan to build a new facility, because people may stop abandoning animals if it rains and grasslands recover.
