Gov. Abbott to visit Belton for Hillary Hickland's 'Get Out the Vote' celebration, rally for Marlin dogs to coincide the event

BELTON, Texas — Governor Gregg Abbott will be returning to Central Texas to show support for Republican candidate Hillary Hickland at her Get Out the Vote celebration on Monday, Feb. 19.

Hickland, who is running for House District 55, received Abbott's endorsement back in December 2023. The seat represents much of Temple and Belton, as well as other areas in Bell County. 

The celebration will be held at Fire Street Pizza in Belton at 9:45 a.m., which is the same time and location of a scheduled rally for the dogs found in deplorable conditions at the Marlin Animal Control Center.

Members of the Marlin community became outraged when several videos and images of malnourished dogs living in their own feces were shared to Facebook on Jan. 9. 

The post was made by Jeffrey Rich, he says he went to the Marlin Animal Control Center in order to look for a lost dog of his, but what he found instead was an abysmal scene. 

The rally has been organized by Dorothy Sanders and Justice for Marlin Dogs group on Facebook. 

The event's page reads the following:

"We will attempt to gain the attention of the Greg Abbott Campaign. This is where we and the Marlin shelter dogs need your voice! If you are within the driving distance of Belton, we ask that you join us with your signs and your voices as we demand justice for the Marlin Dogs!"

To learn more about the rally, visit here.

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