Residents urge Dimmit County to act on growing stray-dog problem

Kehlani Perez, a lifelong Dimmit County resident who operates local family businesses and is active in church ministry, told the commissioners court she and others have endured “constant barking that has driven our customers away, trash and debris…property damage, and ongoing concerns for the safety of our family, our tenants, and other animals.” She asked the court to pursue a “sustainable solution, whether through funding, partnerships, policy changes, or clearly defined plan,” and to communicate next steps and timelines to the community.

Peter Vez III, also speaking during public comment, described similar impacts on his business and on animal welfare and said the community is “not simply here to complain. We are here to ask for leadership, solutions, and action.” Both speakers asked for decisive measures that prioritize public safety and humane treatment.

Court members acknowledged previous conversations with residents and noted the complexity of implementing solutions that require time and resources. The judge and commissioners agreed to record the concerns and indicated staff will explore funding and partnership options; no specific program or budget appropriation was adopted during the meeting.

The public-comment request will be available to the court’s staff as they develop follow-up options and potential agenda items for future meetings.