Published: July 01, 2008 05:57 pm      

Animal refuge in trouble

By Erik Onstott

The Orange Leader



A local animal refuge is in trouble once again.

Jack Houseman, owner of the Have A Heart refuge north of Vidor, told The Leader an Orange County sheriff’s deputy came out to the refuge on FM 1131 Tuesday afternoon and gave him a difficult choice to make.

“They told me I would have to euthanize these animals or pay a $6,000 fine and go to jail,” he said. “I am really, really upset about this.”

Houseman said he had about 43 dogs who need shots for rabies but that he could not afford to get the shots.

Capt. David Peck with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told the Leader , however, that the dogs will not be taken or euthanized.

“We are not taking the dogs. He does need to get them vaccinated; it only makes good sense,” Peck said. The Sheriff’s Office will work with him any way we can, to make sure the animals are in good condition. We are not going to remove the dogs.”

Last month, a strong summer storm destroyed a portion of the shelter Houseman uses to house the pets he takes in. The Have a Heart owner said the collapse of the structure is not repairable and he cannot afford to construct a new building.

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2616 or eonstott@orangeleader.com