Smith County — The city of Winona will begin sending animals to the Smith County Animal Shelter in Tyler.

The Smith County Commissioners Court approved a contract with the city at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, which would allow animals to be sent to the county's shelter.

The contract mirrors a similar contract the county has with the city of Bullard, according to Winona Mayor Pat Schlau. Winona will be able to send anywhere from several animals to a maximum of 20 per drop off.

“It gives us something for our citizens,” Schlau said. “It’s been asked for for quite a number of years, and I’m talking as far back as five to eight years. We just never had anything in place that would work.”

Schlau said the city did started offering animal control services after sending an employee to animal control training in March. The person needed to attend a three-day training to get a certification.

Smith County also has animal control agreements with the cities of Troup and Arp.