‘Set the record straight’: Judge Franklin addresses outcry over Smith County Animal Shelter
Published 5:40 am Thursday, March 13, 2025
- The Smith County Animal Shelter, 322 E. Ferguson, has a capacity for 169 dogs and opened in December 2016. A new facility is in the works, according to County Judge Neal Franklin. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)
Smith County Judge Neal Franklin took to the Smith County Animal Control & Shelter’s Facebook page Wednesday to address misconceptions surrounding the shelter, particularly in response to the recent euthanasia deaths of 10 dogs from a dogfighting seizure.
“I generally stay off social media except when I am posting positive information,” Franklin wrote. “However, I am often sent screenshots from coworkers, especially when it involves rude and/or threatening personal attacks that are almost always based on rumor and misinformation. I never respond when it is about me, but when it involves my fellow Smith County employees, I feel as though I need to set the record straight.”
Shelter operations and challenges
Franklin clarified that the county cannot legally enact a spay and neuter ordinance, as that authority rests with individual cities. He also emphasized that SCAC operates differently from local rescue organizations because they have a choice to take in animals or not. But when it comes to SCAC, it is legally required to pick up stray and nuisance dogs — an obligation that creates critical space issues when the shelter is full.
“It is our duty to protect the public, their livestock and pets from stray animals,” Franklin said. “In addition, we are protecting the dog as well when we remove it from all the dangers associated with running loose.”
SCAC receives between 30 and 80 calls for service daily, many of which involve picking up dogs and bringing them to the shelter. The facility has 100 kennels, but fewer than 40 are designed for large dogs.
“The vast majority of dogs we pick up are large dogs,” Franklin said. “We plan to address these needs in a new facility.”
In January, the commissioners court approved a plan that would fund an estimated $2.4 million for property acquisition and the construction of a new location for the Animal Shelter/Animal Control facility, enhancing the health and welfare of the animals and offering a more accessible location for citizens wishing to adopt. The current shelter, located at 322 E. Ferguson in a 12,070-square-foot building constructed in 1928, is in need of relocation to a less-central area away from downtown Tyler.
Franklin also praised both SCAC employees and local rescue groups, saying, “We are blessed in our community to have so many hardworking rescues with committed volunteers. I recently invited the rescue groups together for a meeting, and there was a great response. It really does take us all to make this work.”
Franklin said the current shelter was not originally built for housing animals, which makes maintenance a challenge. Inefficient drainage, flooring, and kennel layouts turn cleaning into a time-consuming process. These issues will be addressed in the new facility.
The shelter’s public hours were changed to 1 to 5 p.m. because cleaning and sanitization take all morning. Franklin noted few people visited to adopt during lunch hours before the change, and safety regulations prevent visitors from entering the kennels while cleaning is underway. To accommodate potential adopters, the shelter offers appointments, and Franklin said a future facility could allow for extended public hours.
Addressing the dogfighting seizure
Franklin also addressed the Sept. 6, 2024 dogfighting seizure, in which 61 animals – 59 dogs, two cats – were rescued from a mobile home on County Road 4136. Two Tyler men were arrested and later indicted in the case and are set to go to trial in May. The suspects, Kerry and Michael Cameron Jones, had a hearing last week where Judge Debby Gunter decided to continue the trial, originally scheduled for later this month, into May.
Franklin explained the steps taken to evaluate the seized dogs and the decisions that followed.
“Because litigation was involved, we sought a third-party evaluation and contacted HSUS (Humane Society of the United States),” Franklin said. “They sent an animal behaviorist who spent two days assessing all the game dogs.”
At the recommendation of the behavioral specialist, the shelter euthanized several dogs due to aggressive behavior, he said.
Other dogs required extensive rehabilitation. SCAC reached out to more than 100 rescues, but according to Franklin and the shelter, none were willing to take the dogs due to their history and the level of care required.
“We had several that were very friendly with people and other dogs,” Franklin said. “SCAC reached out to the same rescues with no response. We placed these dogs up for adoption and again, no response. These dogs were available for adoption for months. We sent out a final plea to help us move these dogs.”
One dog was taken in by a rescue, but the remaining 10 were euthanized on Feb. 24 to make space for new arrivals.
“This is a hard subject to talk about, but I believe you need to know what our SCAC faces often,” Franklin said. “Our SCAC employees are dog lovers just like me, your County Judge. Their job is not easy by any means. We are committed to making a difference in this arena, but we need your assistance.”
He urged the public to “thoroughly vet the posts read on social media,” including his own letter. The Tyler Morning Telegraph confirmed with county officials that the letter was indeed written by Franklin.
“I hope we can all work together on this issue in Smith County,” Franklin concluded. “It is my vision that we work hand in hand with the public and our community rescues.”
To view adoptable pets at Smith County Animal Control, visit www.smith-county.com/government/departments/animal-control/animal-listings.
The shelter is located at 322 East Ferguson St. in Tyler and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Adoption applications can be submitted in person or emailed to shelter@smith-county.com. For more information, call 903-266-4303.