Corny Dog Surprise

Fletcher's Corny Dogs unveils retro concession stand at 2016 State Fair of Texas

One of the best known vendors at the State Fair of Texas has a surprise for the 2016 fair that evokes a spell of old-time carny nostalgia.

The vendor is Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs, maker of the fair's trademark hot dog engaged in a cornmeal crust. The surprise: a new concession stand that you could almost call tasteful, at least by the raucous standards of State Fair design.

It'll be Fletcher's seventh location, but it's one into which the Fletcher family poured their heart and soul, says proprietor Gigi Fletcher.

"We've been asking for years for a new location, and we finally got a shot," she says. "Last year, they started a new area by the extreme rides, where there were three concession trailers, including a funnel cake place and a barbecue place. The president of concessions said, 'Well, if you want to build a concession trailer ...' my husband said, 'Yes, we'll do it.'"

The family spent four months getting it built, she says.

"I think we're excited because we took some creative liberties," she says. "It doesn't look like your ordinary concession trailer. There are none of the usual pictures of the menu. Instead, we had some fun and made it about Fletcher's, with a vintage look, with red and yellow flags, and a counter outside to serve from, and 'Fletcher's' in LED lighting that'll look cool at night."

The new booth follows up on their revolutionary release from 2015, when they introduced a vegetarian version of their famous corny dog, an invention that set the state fair world on fire.

The new booth will have the complete corny dog lineup, including the original, the turkey hot dog, the corny dog with jalapeño and cheese, and last but not least, the veggie dog.

"We will have our veggie dog. It's a vegetarian hot dog, not vegan, because it's dipped in our famous batter," she says. "It'll be available at all of our Fletcher's locations this year.

"The veggie dog turned out to be such a nice surprise," she says. "Even when I'd be out walking the grounds, people would come up and ask about it."

Look for the return of the veggie dog at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

Photo courtesy of Fletcher's

Look for the return of the veggie dog at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

state-fair

Animal News

Wills Point, Texas man charged with cruelty for abandoning 18 animals

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Lucas Wayne Penrod, charged with animal cruelty

Another animal cruelty case has emerged from Van Zandt County, resulting in the arrest of a Wills Point man: Lucas Wayne Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

It began on Friday, October 24, when the Wills Point Police Department performed a welfare check at a mobile home within the city limits. Officers became concerned when they heard multiple dogs barking along with a foul odor of animal waste.

On October 25, after obtaining a search warrant, Wills Point PD and the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit entered the residence and found multiple animals living in deplorable conditions.

The mobile home was filled with trash and animal feces. The team discovered a total of 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 4 adult dogs, and 4 puppies, cruelly confined to the unsanitary living conditions on the property.

Two dogs were confined to filthy crates with no access to water.
Three puppies were in a small bathroom covered in urine and feces; one of the puppies was deceased and decomposing.
The guinea pigs were found in a cage without access to food or water.

Most of the animals showed signs of long-term neglect and were in dire need of urgent medical intervention. The animals were seized by the SPCA of Texas and transported to the organization's Dallas location for veterinary care.

Dog in cage Wills Point Lucas Wayne Penrod Dog abandoned in Wills Point by Lucas Wayne Penrod.SPCA

On October 26, Lucas Wayne Penrod, the owner of the animals, contacted an SPCA of Texas Investigator regarding the animals. The Investigator determined that Penrod had unlawfully allegedly abandoned the animals, failing to provide them with proper care, resulting in the death of one of the puppies and the critical state of the surviving animals.

On October 28, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Penrod, who was apprehended by Tyler Police Department and booked into the Smith County Jail with a $50K bond. Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

On November 1, at a civil custody hearing at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 courthouse in Wills Point, Penrod relinquished custody of the 18 allegedly abandoned, cruelly treated animals to the SPCA.

"The squalid conditions these beautiful animals were living in were abhorrent--locked in spaces without food or water, in their own excrement," said SPCA of Texas ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. "This is some of the worst mistreatment of domestic animals I've seen in my extensive career in animal cruelty investigations. In no small part, these pets owe their lives to the Wills Point Police Department. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking to involve us right away, I don't think the animals would have made it."

"This case perfectly illustrates the team effort that investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Texas is," Burns added. "We are extremely thankful to the Tyler Police Department for their efficient assistance in apprehending Penrod so that he can be brought to justice in the timeliest manner possible. And we are especially grateful to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and court system with whom we continue to partner to get justice for abused animals in their jurisdiction."