Delinquent Donkey Dilemma
By: Kendall Kirkham, KETK
Updated: January 9, 2012
There are plenty of feral hogs causing problems in east Texas, but in some areas, it's another animal causing trouble: donkeys.
"I wish I had a solution, I'd be a popular person in the state of Texas but I don't have it," said Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson.
David Roach of Tri-County Livestock Market says they had to stop accepting them because they can't sell or even give them away.
Since the severe drought spiked hay costs last summer, people can't afford to feed them, and apparently they're letting them loose on the streets.
"I've heard rumors they're turning them out in the country in road or woods," Roach said.
There's nowhere to dispose of them, no sell barns to sell them and so they began dumping them," Dickson said.
Dickson says the problem is occurring all across the state.
"I supervise 53 counties all over the state of Texas and all of the sheriffs are having a major problem with it," he said. It's their responsibility to do something with the strays, but they have no where to send them since they cant sell them. And for a while there were donkey rescues, but of course those filled up quick."
It's a big concern for safety on the roads, too.
"They don't do well in front of a vehicle," Roach said. "They tear your vehicle up when you hit them."
So for now it's leaving many scratching their heads.
Dickson says the donkey problem has gotten worse since horse slaughtering was made illegal a few years ago.
He hopes some type of legislation for help is in the near future.
"I wish I had a solution, I'd be a popular person in the state of Texas but I don't have it," said Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson.
David Roach of Tri-County Livestock Market says they had to stop accepting them because they can't sell or even give them away.
Since the severe drought spiked hay costs last summer, people can't afford to feed them, and apparently they're letting them loose on the streets.
"I've heard rumors they're turning them out in the country in road or woods," Roach said.
There's nowhere to dispose of them, no sell barns to sell them and so they began dumping them," Dickson said.
Dickson says the problem is occurring all across the state.
"I supervise 53 counties all over the state of Texas and all of the sheriffs are having a major problem with it," he said. It's their responsibility to do something with the strays, but they have no where to send them since they cant sell them. And for a while there were donkey rescues, but of course those filled up quick."
It's a big concern for safety on the roads, too.
"They don't do well in front of a vehicle," Roach said. "They tear your vehicle up when you hit them."
So for now it's leaving many scratching their heads.
Dickson says the donkey problem has gotten worse since horse slaughtering was made illegal a few years ago.
He hopes some type of legislation for help is in the near future.
