The loose dog crisis continues to be one of the hot topics in Dallas and is at the center of discussions as the city looks for a new leader for Dallas Animal Services.
Six final candidates met with members of the public and participated in private panel interviews at the Dallas Public Library in downtown Dallas on Thursday.
Both citizens who went to meet the candidates and animal welfare employees told NBC 5 that getting ahold of the loose dog problem is critical.
The DAS position has been open since last year when the city asked the Dallas Police Department to take over the job. Since then, officers reported improvements with the loose dog problem.
It's been a the topic of much discussion and call for change since the May 2016 mauling death of U.S. Army veteran Antoinette Brown.
Some of the candidates are from other states, and admittedly not overly familiar with the issue.
The six finalists for the position of Director of Dallas Animal Services are James Bacon, Barbara Hobbs, Frank Boldoe, Edward Jamison, Ryan Rogers and Clinton Thacker.
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Jamison, who currently serves as Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Cleveland, Ohio, addressed how he would conduct a thorough review of current practices and assured the public that great strides could be made because he was able to do it in Ohio with less resources.
"Iām looking for a candidate that has experience in animal welfare and that can do things in a positive way for our animals. And looking at them not as just an animal ... but in a way where we can let this animal have a great life wherever that is," said Leslie Sans, the executive director for Dallas Pets Alive!
Maj. Barbara Hobbs with the Dallas Police Department has been the Interim Manager of Dallas Animal Services since May 2016.
A human resources manager with the City of Dallas said the new director for DAS could be named as early as next week.
