Shelter Questions

Jim Douglas reports

More WFAA Latest News video

• View larger
• E-mail clip
• More video

Related links:

• Jacksboro Animal Shelter
• Parvo virus Q&A
• Stories about pets and animals

Search Video:

JACKSBORO — There were only three dogs at the tiny Jacksboro animal shelter on Thursday — a still-unnamed Dalmatian and two basset hounds named Mo and Joe.

But several days ago, there were also at least 14 puppies here.

Shelter manager Star Kinder said one of them died, and then: "Within two days, 90 percent were showing the throwing up and diarrhea," Kinder said. "I knew then it was probably parvo."

Parvo is a highly contagious disease. "Even with the best available care, the mortality of severely infected animals is high," according to the PetEducation.com Web site.

Fearing a parvo outbreak, Kinder said she had no choice but to euthanize the remaining 13 pups. She said she hated doing it, but, "I cry and throw up and get through it."

But a former shelter volunteer contradicts Kinder. She posted reports on the Internet and told News 8 she saw three or four puppies that died in the heat in filthy pens while Kinder was away.

Jacksboro Police Chief Van Maples said he investigated the claims and found no evidence of animal abuse by Kinder. "She loves any animal that comes in here," Chief Maples said. "She takes care of them."

The chief added that the city has asked state health inspectors to examine shelter operations.

Carol Sanders, who runs a nearby animal rescue, said she doesn’t believe Kinder would leave animals unattended. "I knew it was a lie because I knew Star," she said.

Sanders and Chief Maples praise Star Kinder for creatively stretching a small shelter budget — often caring for the animals on her days off and getting as many as possible into rescue — which is where Mo and Joe are headed.

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com