On Monday afternoon, LISD announced that new security measurements were now underway for the district’s Ag barn. The changes come exactly a month after the first attack to the livestock, and one week from the most recent.
Over the past month, the LISD Ag program has lost 39 goats due to attacks by humans and dogs. On July 15, nearly 30 goats were shot and killed at the Ag barn. On August 08, a group of dogs jumped into the pens and attacked more goats, killing 10.
To prevent any similar incidents from every happening, LISD Superintendent, Dr. Berhl Robertson, Jr. outlined the new plans underway, which include the replacement of the four-foot fencing and gates with six-foot fencing topped with barbed wire. In addition, more lighting and surveillance cameras will also be installed as some short-term measures increasing the facility’s security.
“Long term – we really want to take this facility and make it great for our students and FFA, because it’s important. If we’re going to offer programs, as we’ve said before in many areas, we want to make sure that we have facilities that our kids can be proud of,” said Dr. Robertson.
The district reports that although the LISD 2020 Long-Term Facilities Plan (created in 2010) did not make the last bond election, extensive renovations to the Ag Farm are being reviewed for future implementation.
The new security measurements come as a relief to Roger Green, the LISD Ag Barn Manager. Green says that in the 27 years he has worked with the district, he has never endured quite a devastating blow to his livestock as he has seen in the past month.
“Parents have driven out and they’ve come out and called and asked what are we going to do and I’ve told them it’s in the works. And so when they see this, they obviously know everything is headed in the right direction,” said Green. “Any improvements we have, we appreciate. That’s really, it’s going to be nice.”
For Katherine Bell, who shows pigs and who will be attending Monterey High School as a freshman this school year, says the new changes are sure to put students like her who are also involved in Ag, more at ease going into the new year despite the barn’s recent tragedies.
“With the security updates and the new fence, I think it’s going to be a great place to have animals and know that they’re safe,” said Bell.
Dr. Robertson says he anticipates the new fencing should go up fairly quickly, within the next five to six weeks, and that the installation of more surveillance cameras and lighting may take a little longer at five to seven weeks.
The investigation regarding the loss of the LISD barn goats in the two separate incidents on July 15 and August 8 remain ongoing. If you believe you might have any information that may help police, you’re encouraged to call LPD Crimeline at 806-741-1000, or the LISD Police Department at 806-219-0200.
A dog trap remains near the scene where the goats were attacked by the dogs on August 8. Green says that while Animal Services has not yet been able to catch one, he is confident that the leader of the pack of three that are believed to have attacked the goats, is a large white dog with a big brown spot on one side.
If you happen to see this dog, or any wild dogs lingering near your property, you’re encouraged to call Animal Services at 806-775-2057.