Help for Stray Dogs in Bullard

TYLER – The city of Bullard will be getting assistance in housing stray dogs. Smith County Commissioners Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Bullard to take its stray dogs into the Smith County Animal Shelter. According to the agreement, Bullard will be responsible for responding to animal control matters within its city, then transporting the dogs to the shelter. The city will pay any fees associated with impoundment, testing, medical treatment or other services. Whitehouse will pay Smith County $50 per dog that is brought to the shelter, as well as an additional $35 for each dog requiring euthanasia. The agreement between Smith County and Bullard is effective through Fiscal Year of 2018.

There are currently 75 dogs in the shelter, which has a maximum capacity for 169 dogs. The animal shelter waits 72 hours to try and find the dogs’ owners before they become the responsibility of Smith County and can be adopted. They try to have dogs adopted or taken by rescue groups within one to two weeks.

The agreement with the city of Bullard is similar to agreements the commissioners previously approved with the cities of Troup, Arp and Whitehouse