When discussing the City of Lubbock and the challenges it faces, one stands out among the rest.
Whatever you call it – a stray dog problem, a loose animal problem, or a people problem – Lubbock’s struggles with its pet population aren’t simple.
According to recent metrics, Lubbock Animal Services receives more than 1,000 service calls each month. In December of 2024, that number was 1,370. In that time, the department conducted 158 aggressive animal investigations, 64 bite cases, and had 698 animal intakes. LAS says its shelter holds 350-400 animals, despite only having half that capacity in adequate enclosures.
The city faces overpopulated shelters and an abundance of stray animals, which has led to people being attacked by dogs in their neighborhoods.
Lubbock City Council took steps to assist Lubbock Animal Services with some of these problems at Tuesday’s meeting.
The agenda saw potential changes in city policy regarding LAS and pet ownership, including three amendments to the City of Lubbock Code of Ordinances and a shift in Lubbock Animal Services’ budget.
That budget change would have removed a current fence repair program to instead create a position for a new animal control officer.
In a December meeting, District 3 councilman David Glasheen and District 5 representative Dr. Jennifer Wilson expressed concerns that the fence repair program “rewards bad behavior.”
“It's time for this council to become harsh on our citizens, on the expectations that we have for irresponsible pet owners,” she said. “And harsh on – I think – the way we respond as a city, and what we allow and how we allow bad behavior to continue.”
Glasheen further posited that the program is a misuse of public funds.
District 6 representative Tim Collins argued this week that the program doesn’t reward bad behavior but helps folks who are trying to do the right thing.
“They don't receive installation, they don't receive labor, they don't receive a new fence,” Collins explained. “They receive boards and nails, and they go out and put up the boards and nails and build fences to contain their dogs. They're trying to do the right thing for us. And the side effect is that it's easier for capture.”
Animal services director Steven Greene said that while staffing is one of the most significant hurdles facing LAS, the department currently has two open positions for officers and creating another position would make three unfilled spots in the department.
After deliberation and further conversation with Greene, council voted to maintain the fence repair project and intends to revisit the need for potential new positions, with the rest of the budget later in the year.
The council succeeded in passing two amendments to the City of Lubbock Code of Ordinances. One of which requires a permit for breeding cats and dogs and the other increases liability insurance to keep a dangerous dog.
Greene explained that a “dangerous dog” is not limited to certain breeds, but is determined after a complaint or charge and a formal hearing against an animal.
“It has to have an affidavit filed on it and go through a hearing,” he told council. “And it has to basically fit the stipulations of having been off its property unrestrained, unprovoked and caused bodily harm to a human, a domestic animal or a foul.”
Once a dog is found dangerous, the owner has three options: remove the animal from city limits – like rehoming it – euthanize it, or follow a series of procedures outlined in the city code – including registering and sterilizing the animal and obtaining liability insurance.
The amendment passed by council increases the required liability insurance from $250,000 to $1 million.
Both the insurance increase and the requirement of a breeding license were specifically requested by LAS.
“We do think that the increase in insurance will help possibly have people make the right choice when they have a dangerous dog and maybe not want to take it back home and put a neighborhood in danger,” Greene said.
The initial amendment proposals from city council also saw a decrease in the number of pets a resident would be allowed to own, which is currently 4 dogs and/or 4 cats. According to city code, residents with more than 4 cats and/or 4 dogs are required to have a “multipet” permit.
Jennnifer Wilson removed that portion in response to public comment, particularly in regards to foster households for local rescues.
More than 25 members of the community spoke to council at the meeting, many advocating for LAS, calling for an expansion of the spay and neuter program, and asking council to maintain the fencing program.
Included in those who came forward was Brent Toellner. He’s the Senior Director of National Programs for Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit that strives to create partnerships and programs for rescues and shelters across the country.
Toellner is not from Lubbock, he came out in response to the ordinances and to stand with LAS. He was encouraged by what he saw and heard at Tuesday’s meeting.
“The people in this community are amazing. The people at Lubbock Animal Services are amazing, and it was really heartening to see the council take to heart,” he said. “I think the outcome was really good in terms of an ability to sit down and really work through all the issues, because it is more complex than people sometimes think it is.”
Steven Greene, the director of LAS, hopes people continue to share their love of animals and support for animal services.
“You can donate your time, you can donate your resources. You can come volunteer. You can do Doggy Day Outs. Definitely if there's animals loose in your neighborhood, report them to us,” he said. “And one thing they can do is get to know their neighbors. Nowadays, so many people don't want to associate with their neighbors, and you get to learn where dogs you see out maybe belong, and you can help get them back home.”
You can find Lubbock Animal Services’ contact information, how to volunteer and donate, and see the animals currently available for adoption on the animal services page.