JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Plans for a new animal shelter in north Jackson have drawn protests from some neighborhood residents.
About 20 gathered at the site Thursday to protest the upcoming opening of the shelter by the Animal Rescue Fund, which is moving more than 300 dogs and cats into the facility at an old warehouse.
The animals had been housed in Rankin County, but, WLBT TV reports (http://bit.ly/T60D8S), the Rankin County Board of Supervisors gave the shelter until Nov. 30 to move or build an expensive new building.
Jackson City Councilwoman Larita Cooper-Stokes led the protest.
"You know this dog pound is something that this community does not want," Copper-Stokes said. "I believe that if this was a white community, we wouldn't be having this problem today."
But there was at least one supporter in the area — a neighborhood resident who works for the rescue fund. Johnny Bailey says the shelter is needed in the neighborhood.
"I don't see the problem. We are rescuing animals, there are plenty of dogs running around here," Bailey said.
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