BIG SPRING, Texas — A man from Big Spring was found dead near the property of Howard County Fair Grounds on Dec. 19 and it has raised some concerns.
While no cause of death has been determined for the man identified as 40-year-old Jasson Bullard, an autopsy has been issued and a preliminary investigation has determined that there is evidence of "animal predation," according to a media release.
Officers mentioned that they saw a pack of dogs run away from the deceased male. Animal Control has already located two of the dogs that ran away and brought them in, but local residents are still worried.
Stray dogs roaming the streets of Big Spring has been an issue and neighbors have taken notice.
Manuel Ontiveros lives on the outskirts of Big Spring, but works with the Howard County Fair Grounds as a coordinator.
“At the Fairground I just run them off, they just take off when I yell at them to get out," Ontiveros said about the stray dogs. "They try to get in when I have the door open but other than that I run them off.”
Animal Control has been working hard to try to combat the stray dog issue, but sometimes that means some strays slip through the cracks.
“I think Animal Control is full, I think they can’t handle it anymore," Ontiveros said. "I think that’s part of the reason they are just roaming around."
Another potential issue could be with some people dumping dogs.
Dumping a dog is when somebody leaves their dog on the side of the road and speeds off in their car, abandoning the animal.
Howard County Sheriff's Office has recently posted a video to their Facebook page with a potential case involving a dog chasing a car that could have been dumped.
These dogs are then left nowhere to go, and while most end up as strays, sometimes a good Samaritan steps up to help them out.
“I think multiple times, I’ve seen them just drop them off," Ontiveros said. "I’ve seen one of my neighbors pick one up, because they just left them there and he felt sorry for them and took it in."