Animal Rights Activists Plan Public Meeting In Idabel After Graphic Video At Shelter

A group of animal rights activists are planning a public meeting in Idabel Tuesday in response to a video taken at the city animal shelter last week. The video shows one dog eating from the carcass of another dog that was kept in the same cage.

Though city officials say it's a rare incident and that no crime has been committed, the video has gone viral and caused outrage among many viewers.

A group of volunteers who are calling for improvements to be made at the animal shelter are holding a public meeting Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Idabel Public Library, 103 East Main Street.

1/15/2015 Related Story: Graphic Video Taken At Idabel Animal Shelter Sparks Outrage

Area resident Rick Hawthorne said speakers are coming in from the Oklahoma City area to offer suggestions on how to make improvements at the city-run shelter and use volunteers to care for the facility and its animals.

The group is also calling for the dismissal of Idabel animal control officer Cecil Richards

Hawthorne said he has contacted local, state and national representatives calling for action but has not been satisfied with their response.

"I had the video sent to me by somebody and I started making as much noise as I could. I don't plan on stopping," he said.