If you take a drive anywhere in Lubbock, odds are you will pass a stray dog or two. This seemingly minor issue has turned into a crisis for Lubbock as more cases of violent, or even deadly, stray dog attacks occur.
As the Lubbock Animal Shelter fills up, it’s up to the community to help where it can.
In 2022, Lubbock Animal Shelter, or LAS, brought in nearly 8,000 animals off the streets. With that many dogs roaming around, accidents are bound to happen.
Dog attacks have occurred for many years in Lubbock, one of those cases being in 2019 when a woman was seriously injured after being attacked by several dogs in West Lubbock.
An attack in 2022 ended deadly when 64-year-old Jack Looney was mauled to death by a pack of dogs near the Buddy Holly Recreation Center, another woman was also attacked by the same pack but sustained moderate injuries.
With attacks like these occurring, it is important to know how to stay safe. A TikTok influencer, Luke Davidson, gave tips on how to protect yourself when a dog is attacking. It is also vital to report the attack to Lubbock Animal Services.
With little left to do except put dogs down when at full capacity, the LAS needs the community’s help to keep the streets safer. The difference between a dangerous stray dog and a protective family dog is a home with love.
To celebrate Halloween, LAS is offering free adoptions. To get more information, visit their Facebook.
Anyone who can adopt should know that choice is keeping the Lubbock streets safer. If you are not able to adopt, the LAS is still in need of help. Every fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m., LAS holds a volunteer orientation.
After completing the orientation and paperwork, a volunteer is able to help with many things such as walking the dogs, playing with the animals, photographing them so they have a better chance of adoption, doggy day outs, fostering, and more.
It’s up to everyone in the Lubbock community to help combat the stray dog crisis, whether knowing how to stay safe, reporting dog attacks to Lubbock Animal Services, adopting a dog, or helping out at the animal shelter.