Animal Shelter Location Prompts Lawsuit Against City
By: Allison Morrison
Updated: June 12, 2009
The location for Lubbock's new animal shelter is once again causing controversy.
Seven Lubbock citizens have filed a court petition to stop the new shelter from being built.
The Lubbock City Council voted in favor of the Mackenzie Park location 6 to 1, but the issue is far from over.
A lawsuit filed by several Lubbock citizens claims an animal shelter is not a 'correct and proper use' of a city park.
It also states the Texas Parks and Wildlife code specifies that there is a procedure that must be followed to use park land for other uses, which they claim has not happened.
"What the plaintiffs are arguing is that the city did not follow the Texas Parks and Wildlife code, Chapter 26, which has specific procedures for taking or use of park land. A lot of folks, they are passionate about the park. They want to keep it the way it is, they want as much of the park for park use as possible, not an animal shelter," Plaintiff's Attorney, Bill de Haas says.
A hearing on the issue is scheduled for next Tuesday, where both sides will be able to present evidence to the judge.
