Outgoing County Judge Lucy Hebron has appointed a county advisory group on animal welfare following a meeting in Quitman Dec. 12.

Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, addressed a group including animal shelter workers and animal non-profit group members concerning new state laws on animal welfare and animal cruelty.

She urged the group to work on a plan to address animal welfare, animal bites and dog attacks, which are on the rise in the county.

Though state law does not require a county animal shelter until the population reaches 75,000 (it is less than 50,000), Bobosky said the county is dangerously close to reaching critical animal population thresholds.

She stressed the need to coordinate efforts with the public, county government, law enforcement, veterinarians and rescue groups.

Bobosky urged the group to begin researching the county’s needs, pet over-population numbers, costs for a shelter and partnerships with private non-profit groups.

Hebron appointed Tom Keenan, Craig Lindholm, Georgia McClain, Barbara Wax, CJ Thatcher, Denise Miranda, Jana Harris, Susan Resnik, BJ Gold and Tona Blizzard to address long-term needs and make recommendations to county officials.