local
Humane Society of Odessa overwhelmed as animals are thrown over fence
By Luke Johnson at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
ODESSA, Texas — Animal abandonment is illegal in Texas, but the Humane Society of Odessa says it is far over capacity as animals continue to be thrown over the shelter’s fence.In the past month alone, around 20 animals have been chained and thrown over the fence at the shelter. Staff said the ani...
Key takeaway “The biggest thing for animals especially is the ground temperatures because the air temperatures can get very hot, but the ground is what actually heats up the air,” said Ethan Yost, First Alert 7’s meteorologist.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The Humane Society of Odessa's struggles to cope with animal abandonment are a stark reminder of the community's responsibility to care for its pets. With the shelter over capacity and facing significant financial strain, it's clear that the issue of animal abandonment is not just a matter for the shelter, but for the city as a whole. The fact that many of the abandoned animals arrive with untreated injuries and disease suggests a lack of awareness about the importance of proper pet care and the resources available to support it. As the shelter is forced to close its location on Mockingbird Lane, it's crucial that residents consider the consequences of their actions and explore alternative solutions, such as joining the waiting list to surrender an animal or donating to support the shelter's work. By working together, the community can help alleviate the burden on the Humane Society and ensure that animals in need receive the care they deserve.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ODESSA, Texas — Animal abandonment is illegal in Texas, but the Humane Society of Odessa says it is far over capacity as animals continue to be thrown over the shelter’s fence.In the past month alone, around 20 animals have been chained and thrown over the fence at the shelter. Staff said the ani...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Johnson at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter