MARLIN, Texas — Protestors from across Central Texas, as far out as Austin, came to the city of Marlin to show their support for the dogs at the city animal shelter on Jan. 13.
People were protesting against the alleged mistreatment of the dogs that had been under the care of the city. Many of them had seen the pictures and videos that spread across social media and said they were appalled and that's what inspired them to show up.
Many protestors said they want the leadership of Marlin to be held responsible and for certain leaders to be fired. Protest organizers said they will come out every Saturday until these people are held accountable.
Here's what protestors had to say Saturday, Jan. 13:
"It was shocking...how could they allow it these dogs suffered for a long time and they suffered to die."
"I came out here because I saw the deplorable conditions the dogs were in and honestly it makes me really sad."
"If I would have known, I would have fed them.....and that's what is heartbreaking is I am from here... and look what happened."
"Unless we bring the attention to it...nothing is going to happen and we've seen that."
One protestor, Francis Fischer. the co-founder of Journey Home Rescue said they saved three dogs from the Marling Shelter.
"Slowly but surely they're gaining wight, they needed food and basic care," Fischer added.
Fischer spoke to the conditions the dogs were in, adding that when she rescued them they were skin and bone. She believes there were pounds of food at the shelter in Marlin but the people running it just weren't feeding it to them.
She added that a petition is going around and over 400 people from multiple states have signed it in an effort to hold certain leaders in Marlin accountable.
"Get out and sign it," she added.
People from around the community said they expect to be back out there protesting every Saturday until change is made.