Marlin Mayor says she is heartbroken following discovery of dogs in deplorable conditions at city shelter

KWTX
By KWTX Staff
Published: Jan. 12, 2024 at 7:28 PM GMT-7

MARLIN, Texas (KWTX) - City of Marlin Mayor Susan Byrd in a statement released Friday said she was heartbroken following the discovery of dogs living in deplorable conditions at the Marlin animal shelter.

On Monday, a Central Texas man looking for a stray dog at the City of Marlin animal control facility discovered a dead dog and other dogs suffering from starvation. The dogs had no food or water and the kennels were dirty with feces.

Local shelters and residents stepped up to adopt nine dogs rescued from the Marlin facility and Falls County Sheriff Joe Lopez announced he was launching an investigation.

In her statement, Mayor Byrd expressed gratitude to those who stepped in to provide assistance to the animals.

Byrd reassured concerned residents that the city is taking the situation very seriously and is working to cooperate with the Falls County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Once the Falls County Sheriff’s Office investigation is completed, Byrd says the city will “do our best to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable.”

Since the investigation is still ongoing, Byrd says she is unable to comment further at this time.

“My main objective today is to inform the citizens of Marlin that we are taking this seriously and we will be executing updated policies and procedures to prevent this from happening in the future,” Byrd said.

Byrd said she is also aware of a protest planned over the weekend against the city. She said that regardless of her personal feelings about the situation, her position as Mayor prohibits her from joining the protest.