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'Crazy dog lady' starts pet rescue

HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Pat Huntley was 15 years old when she determined her English setter, Mr. Chips, must be the smartest dog in the world.

"He would open the fridge door on his own and take a steak," Huntley said with a laugh. "I thought, 'He is the smartest dog in the world."'

Owning Mr. Chips was the just the beginning of Huntley's lifelong passion for furry, four-legged animals.

"Ever since then, I have just loved dogs," Huntley said.

Throughout her life, Huntley has dedicated her time in some capacity to the canine companions and is known around town as the "crazy dog lady."

Most recently, Huntley has taken up the cause of pet rescue through an organization called Crazy Dog Lady of Lea County PetRescue.

"We are in the process of applying for nonprofit status," Huntley said. "I'm not there yet, but it's what we are working on."

Huntley was inspired to start the rescue operation after learning of the high euthanasia rates at the local animal shelter. She spoke out about the high rates during a few Hobbs city commission meetings last summer. She told the commission that the community needed to work together to get the euthanasia rate down.

"I'm really proud of the city," Huntley said. "They brought the euthanasia rate to 50 percent (from 75 percent). It's still high but ... it's an improvement over the past year."

Due to her vocal stance on the issue, people started coming to her for advice on abandoned dogs.

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"In October, people started asking me if