Something’s Rotten at the Animal “Holding Facility”

You’ve probably seen the glowing headlines as the local media can’t stop wagging their tails. But behind the news reports that this is GRAND there are Animal Advocates who are growling.  From questionable facility operations and designs to compliance and transparency concerns many are asking: Who’s this facility really serving — the animals, or the headlines?

Dana Baird, City of Frisco Communications Director, was right about one thing in her press release “its a first of its kind” but where she was wrong was “in North Texas.”  After reading everything sent to us by animal advocates this type of facility with a “private partner” which really means “PRIVATE BUSINESS” has never been done anywhere from our research.  Ms. Baird made sure WFAA, her former employer, only reported the “GOOD NEWS” like she usually does. 

Yesterday we were cc/d on an email sent to everyone on the City Council, most of the folks in the City Manager’s Office, and almost every news outlet in town (including us).  My guess, it won’t be published by any local news outlet because we never anything “bad” published against the city.  The email also included several local animal advocates and rescue folks in Frisco.   

What was the consensus?  They animal welfare folks are growling at the new proposal, and one said to us off the record that “we feel this was thrown up in time for election season and to shut down animal advocates who have been working for years for a full-service animal hub / shelter (not a holding facility).”  After reviewing the presentation, we tend to agree! Link for presentation is at the end of this blog!

We will publish the letter sent to the city and media in its entirety below.  We don’t know much about animal welfare, but we can understand the concerns after reading it.  In my opinion, this appears to be a $12 million facility funded by CDC taxpayer money to support a private business. If that is the case, why not fund downtown and #SAVEMAIN? The building will be a two-story structure with a floor plan of 18,987 square feet. How does that break down? The breakdown: 10,769 square feet will be used by the private business, 5,277 square feet belong to the City of Frisco, and 1,100 square feet will be for utility space for both, such as laundry, storage, electrical, and janitorial. The private partnership is with a for-profit business called Wiggle Butts, and they will rent out space to a tenant (veterinarian). The question we have is why they have not held any community sessions or input sessions like they did for Universal Kids or the Performing Arts Center. With to little information and what looks like rushed planning, this looks like a hot mess. After reading the letter, I agree with the Animal Advocates that this has too many potential risks.

Dear Council Members,

This email was put together by several animal advocates who have concerns over the new Animal Holding Facility.  While I know this email will be long, I encourage you to read it thoroughly because the liability the city could potentially hold with this model could be costly.

There is a reason animal shelters across the country don’t mix owner owned dogs with stray or adoptable animals.  Most public/private partnerships across the United States are done with groups like ASPCA, Humane Society, Best Friends where they run an entire operation for a municipal entity.  Why?  There is too much liability when you have a “privately owned for profit business operation” within the same facility.  The current presented facility violates your own Frisco ordinance today for kennel operations and is a liability to taxpayers who will end up footing the bill in a lawsuit.

Here are the concerns and questions from local animal advocates across Frisco after the recent work session related to the facility operations & design, veterinary services & oversight, financial & contractual concerns, public safety & liability, animal intake & disposition, the relationship with CCAS, staffing & training, legal & regulatory compliance and transparency concerns.

  1. Facility Operation & Design

Two key areas of design in shelters are functionality and public health and safety.  Shelters (aka holding facilities) must meet Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 169, Subchapter A (Rabies Control) and Health & Safety Code Chapter 826.  Functionality or Flow Efficiency is importantA one-way flow design that allows animals to move from intake à medical à adoption/release (or in this case transfer to CCAS) without backtracking to prevent contamination.  The current design does not have a “one-way flow” at all! 

If Frisco Animal Services drops off a dog via the sallyport it will be moved into the  “dog intake” area and then transferred over to the quarantine kennels or general kennels.  The hallway space is not self-contained meaning airborne zoonotic diseases can transfer to other animals in that hallway space.  Now let’s say one of the stray dogs needs to see the vet and you walk it down the hallway to the “green area” for vet care, that dog could have potentially contaminated that main hallway.

Contagious Diseases (some deadly) such as Parvo, Distemper, Upper Respiratory are transferred by touch, clothes, shoes, or airborne. Even if you have separate HVAC systems in the kennel runs that does not protect “owner owned dogs” that are being paid to be boarded at a private business from contamination in these hallways or walkways.  This is a serious liability to the city and the business.  It can also have deadly consequences for owned dogs.

Now Wiggle Butt has a dog in boarding, and they move the dog out of the yellow kennels and over to the “daycare” space which is accessed off the same main hallway.  What happens?  If the stray that was in the hallway before the “owner owned dog” is unvaccinated, carrying a contagious disease it could potentially transfer that to that owner owned dog.  Owner owned pets can have not contact AT ALL with strays which is why at shelters they have specific areas for meet and greets or pet introductions.  The layout of this facility is a walking liability for taxpayers, residents, Frisco pets, the city and this business.

This leads to the following set of questions because the disease prevention and control aspects of this design are very worrisome.

  • Has the city conducted a FORMAL FEASIBLITY STUDY?  No!  Why not? 

The city has done this for every other project, including the recent Performing Arts Center.

  • Why not use a legitimate company like Quorum to do a formal feasibility study because this presentation does not reference best practices in municipal animal care.
    • Quorum / Shelter Planners of America can give you better demand planning than using arbitrary numbers from Collin County that do not truly represent Frisco’s intake.
  • Who helped design this model?  What professional input did you have?
  • How was the kennel count determined?  No data sets were given, and did you consider the forecast for today vs 10 years from now?
  • What experts were consulted on the design and functionality of this building?  (outside of those who have a vested interest)
  • While Councilwoman Laura Rummell has stated online that design will have different HVAC systems that does not matter in shared spaces.  Please explain in more detail which areas will have separate systems with separate air zones?
  • Will the HVAC systems be in compliance with the Association of Shelter Veterinarian standards?
  • Which veterinarian’s (other than those with a vested interest) were consulted for input in this design?  Did any of them specialize in shelter medicine?
  • Will the private partner and its staff be required to take the same certification classes on Zoonotic Disease control that Animal Control Officers are required to take?
  • What will the cleaning workflow be?  Where will cleaning supplies be stored?  In the storage room on the main hallway?  Will the supplies be used on both sides of the facility?
  • Will you have separate cleaning equipment and facilities for the “Frisco side” versus the “private business side” to prevent complete contamination by staff from one area to another?   For example, will use the same floor mops throughout the facility?
  • Where will the food bowls be washed and cleaned?  
  • How will the private business / city prevent airborne zoonotic diseases being transferred by clothes, shoes, hands, etc., around the facility to different areas of when they are crossing over areas where you have owner owned dogs?
  • If you must take a dog from the “Frisco” side to the medical area to see the vet (in green) how will you prevent diseases from being transferred to the staff kennels, daycare and grooming area.  They must walk right into it to get the medical portion of the building.
  • Will used food and water bowls be transported back and forth in the main hallway to the feed storage room after the dogs have used them allowing potential airborne diseases to be released in the main hallway?
  • For liability reasons we are curious why privately (owner-owned) boarded animals are located directly next to quarantine and adoptable animals that have the risk of disease?
  • Who was the architect for this project?  Do they have any experience in animal shelter designs?
  • What SOP will be in place and has it been written with the help of experts to confirm sick/healthy animals will be physically separated?   Especially from “owner owned dogs” that are in the care of the private business housed in the same facility.

2. Animal Intake & Disposition

  • What isolation set up will you have for the first 24 hours an animal is in the facility to watch for illness before putting a dog in the “Frisco kennels”?
  • What types of oversight and reporting methods will this private business have (subject to PIR’s)?
  • Will the facility spay or neuter these animals before they are transferred to CCAS?
  • Will animals be vaccinated upon intake or while at Frisco’s facility?
  • What medical services will be offered to these stray’s before being transferred to CCAS?
  • What shelter management system will be used for keeping track of records?
  • How will we prevent non-residents from using the facility and dropping of strays?  What will be the method to get those animals back to the proper facilities?  What is the method to monitor this?
  • Will the public be able to drop off strays?   At the presentation it was said yes, however WFAA is reporting the public cannot drop off animals to the facility?
  • Will Frisco Animal Services be the only ones with access to drop off at this facility?   
  • If it must go through Frisco Animal Services, how will after hours strays be handled?  Will residents still be able to drop off found dogs after hours at Frisco Emergency ER? 
  • The proposal mentions that animals will be transferred to rescues within 3–5 days.  Is it 3 days or 5 days?   
  • Will Collin County count that stray hold period towards the number of days in their stay hold period?
  • It was mentioned that the private partner will be transferring the animals to Collin County, how is this being accomplished?
  • If the private partner transfers animals to Collin County will the partner also use the same vehicle to transport owner owned animals to clients?  If yes, this allows for the increased potential of cross contamination (without separate vehicles)
  • Is CCAS on board with private business dropping off strays after the hold periods?  Who will be doing the paperwork?
  • It was mentioned by the private partner they have connections with rescues and plan to move some of the dogs after a stray hold to a rescue.   Which Rescue?  Have any Rescues committed to that in writing? 
  • Considering that rescues across Texas and the country are already at or beyond capacity and other shelters can’t get them to pull animals we are curious what magic element this private entity must make that happen.
  • Is the proposed director suggesting these animals be transferred to her own rescue?  If so, that raises significant questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
  • According to the press release you’ll be doing adoptions at the facility (which is fantastic).  Why do you need to transfer dogs to CCAS? 
  • After the stray hold is complete, and a dog is kept there for adoption, who will the adoption be through?  The City of Frisco, from Wiggle Butt?
  • Which legal entity will be responsible for the animals while in custody?  Does the liability fall on Wiggle Butts or City of Frisco?
  • If the facility is full and a stray comes in, what is the plan?  With no space where will the pet go?  Frisco ER, CCAS?  Who will you make those decisions with? 

Who will be responsible for managing clear intake & stray-hold policies: Exact stray hold period, owner notification plan, microchip scanning, and how/when animals are declared property of shelter/rescue. (Statute requires microchip scanning and gives cities duties.) Is the hold time / stray time the same for microchipped vs. non-microchipped pets?

3. Staffing & Training

  • Will the training for the staff be different for the private business versus the staff overseeing the “Frisco Animals”
  • Will there be SOPs for staffing & training standards
  • Will there be a requirement for minimum staffing ratios and animal-control training?  Will the staff working with “Frisco Pet” have to complete the same required Animal Control Officer Certifications as a standard ACO?  Who will pay for that training? 
  • Will the Animal Advisory board help oversee this process required by Chapter 823 including independent vets and animal welfare members.
  • Regarding the proposed facility, what experience does the proposed veterinarian and director have working in or managing municipal shelters?
    • Has the city talked with any local municipal shelters for feedback?  
    • Have they handled large-scale animal intake and the complex decision making that comes with public shelter operations?
    • Do either of the operators have certifications and relevant courses taken from the National Animal Care & Control Association?

Without the proper training and knowledge, the facility risks noncompliance and liability issues so who will be responsible for that, the private entity, the city, or both?

4. Veterinary Oversight & Public Services

  • What kind of veterinary services by law can you offer while a dog is on stray hold?
  • Who will have that Euthanasia authority?  What will the decision matrix be?  If no, then will the animals be sent to Collin County for euthanasia? 
  • If EU is conducted, who decides euthanasia, under what standards, and what review/appeal rights exist? How will triage be done during capacity crises?  Will the facility have humane euthanasia if needed for an injured animal?
  • We assume the vet will also be allowed to continue their private practice in the facility (same as Wiggle Butts).  Will there be any restrictions to whom they can service in the facility through private practice clients?
  • Who will be writing the biosecurity & infection control SOPs: Daily cleaning, PPE, isolation protocols, vaccination requirements for boarding clients, staff vaccination/training, disease reporting.
  • Veterinary oversight and VCPR: Is there a written VCPR for boarding clients (if clients will receive vet care on site)? Who pays for emergency vet care for customers vs strays?

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted through direct contact, aerosol transmission (airborne), and ingestion via food or water bowls.  If a stray animal comes out of the kennel and is walked down the hallway to the clinical area of the vet and it has a medical issue that is contagious, are you aware the hallway is not contaminated?  Who will clean the whole hallway before any other animal could potentially walk on it in order not to transfer a zoonotic disease or contagious virus from the floor. 

That same hallway will be used to walk owner owned animals from their kennels to a boarding / training room along that hallway without it being cleaned they could transfer zoonotic viruses

Public Services

  • Since the beginning of these discussions, it has been mentioned several times that this facility “may have” services for the public.  What services will be available?  What cost? 
    • Low-Cost Access for spay & neuter, dental care, set of yearly vaccines including rabies for dogs and cats of all ages, microchipping, parasite prevention, and heartworm testing?
    • Heartworm Prevention medications?
    • Wellness Subscription Plans for low-cost annual services over 12 months for budget affordability?

In the presentation the owner of Wiggle Butts mentioned the facility will try to offer services to those who need to surrender in hopes that it will help them be able to keep their dog instead.  Some of the suggestions were a food pantry, training, behavioral, etc.  Who will be providing the training?  What is the cost for this?  Will it be low cost or at her current prices of $250 per session (which most people can’t afford).

5. Relationship with Collin County Animal Services (CCAS)

  • Will Frisco continue its contract with CCAS?
  • Will the current contract remain in place, or will there be a new contract?
    • How much is that costing taxpayers on top of the new facility?
    • What changes will be made to the contract now that Frisco has its own holding facility?
    • Will it change to a price per animal drop off?
  • How much will the city of Friso have to contribute to the building of CCAS expansion if we have our own facility?  Will that be on top of the $12 million cost for our own facility?
  • Currently when an animal arrives at Collin County, they have a 7-day stray hold policy. 
  • Will the time an animal spent at the Frisco facility count towards the CCAS stray hold period?  
  • If no, will CCAS then hold the dog another 5 to 7 days under their stray hold policy?  (in addition to the Frisco hold time)
  • Will the dogs or cats that are transferred to CCAS, after the stray hold period at the Frisco facility, be at the top of the list for potential euthanasia since they have already been held for a stray period? 
  • How will CCAS determine what animals are adoptable when transferred over to them since they will have no contact with the animals while in Frisco’s care? 

The hold period allows staff at shelters to determine how adoptable a pet can be. 

  • How many animals currently housed at the Collin County Animal Shelter originate from the City of Frisco in a weekly or monthly period?
    • How many dogs are being dropped off at Frisco emergency clinics or veterinary offices?
    • Is there a way to determine how many of those animals dropped off are from outside city limits? 
  • According to the presentation No owner surrenders will be accepted at the Frisco Facility and Frisco residents will still have to contact either Animal Services or schedule to take them to Collin County Animal Services, correct?
    • Do you feel this is a confusing message to residents?

Reality Check: That is a very confusing mixed message to residents. “Go here for A but go here for B or maybe C call Animal Services” The end result will be the same as every other city Residents will dump their dogs in a nice neighborhood hoping they are found and taken to the shelter as a stray.  What will it take for the Frisco facility to allow surrenders?

  • Has Collin County been informed of the future changes and their role in the new set up?  How does Collin County feel about this plan?   Have they agreed to these changes to be your euthanasia headquarters and surrender headquarters?

Has CCAS agreed to have a private entity transport strays to them (instead of Frisco Animal Services) and do you have a signed agreement on that?

6. Public Safety & Liability

  • Bite Quarantine
    • Will you have a designated isolation area for “official quarantine dogs” or will you handle that process through your CCAS relationship?
    • Who will properly train staff in safe handling techniques and the use of appropriate equipment such as catch poles, muzzles, and protective gear.
    • What will happen when an animal comes in that is human-aggressive, or a dog or cat with a confirmed bite history? 
  • Volunteers
    • At the presentation the owner of Wiggle Butts said they hope to have a volunteer program put together soon.  Generally, people cannot “volunteer” for a private, for-profit business without pay under federal and Texas labor law, so how will volunteers fit into the equation?

If this facility is run by a private business such as a private kennel, trainer, or boarding business and has unpaid people walking dogs, cleaning kennels, feeding animals, or helping customers — that’s work that generates profit and violates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  Legally, they must be paid employees or independent contractors (rarely fits).

  • What is the plan to handle aggressive or dangerous animals that may pose a risk to staff, volunteers, and the public?
    • If a volunteer is bitten by a stray who will be liable?  The City?  Wiggle Butt?  The animal’s owner since it is on stray hold? 
  • What will the behavioral assessment and process be for strays? Potentially Adoptable Pets?  Bite Quarantine Animals?
  • How does a “fear-free” training approach align with public safety and the legal responsibilities of a municipal facility? 

While the “fear free” approach is a positive and compassionate philosophy, it must be applied realistically. Not every animal entering a municipal shelter can be safely rehabilitated or rehomed, and public safety must take precedence over idealism.  It can lead to inadequate space, staffing, or resources, often leads to overcrowding, increased stress, and higher disease risk.  

Therefore, what will be the balanced approach—combining humane care with practical decision-making to ensure that the shelter fulfills its mission responsibly and sustainably?  

  • This is a complicated, high-risk setup (owner owned animals vs strays) unless the contract and operations are written and run with rock-solid public-health, veterinary, procurement, and liability protections. Who will be responsible for this?

Does this model currently create a substantial liability risk for the City of Frisco and its taxpayers?

7. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

  • Which legal entity will own the animals while in custody? City or private operator? (This impacts who is allowed to provide medical care under the owner-exemption.)
  • Which statute will govern each function since you have a private kennel with a city facility?
    • Shelters operate under the Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 823 while “Kennels” defined as a facility that boards, trains or handles dogs or cats owned by others for compensation operates under THSC Chapter 824.
    • Will shelter animals be run under Chapter 823 and boarding clients or under Chapter 824 — and how will conflicts be resolved? 
  • Records & Public Information: Who will maintain the records, where will they be kept, and how will public-records requests be handled?  Owners have a right to privacy and now you have a private business with access to resident information which is usually considered confidential.
  • Consumer protections for paying customers: Will the operator and vet be required to provide written informed consent to private paying customers of the business that the facility will be holding strays that could be unvaccinated, possibly be carrying an infection disease, maybe there on an aggressive quarantine hold, etc.?
    • Will there be a written notice about how refund/compensation terms if a paying customer dog gets exposed or injured to protect taxpayers from a potential lawsuit.
  • Who will be responsible for Performance metrics & termination rights: Return-to-owner rate targets, disease outbreak thresholds, audit rights, corrective action, and termination for failure to meet standards.
  • Will the private partner be subject to PIR’s for city data or details?
  • Will the city carry its own insurance to protect us from potential lawsuits from this setup?  (outside the private contractor’s insurance)
  • CURRENT CITY OF FRISCO’S ORDINANCE:  Defines a kennel as “Any premises wherein any person engages in providing pet care services (except veterinary) for four (4) or more animals, such as boarding, grooming, sitting and training pets, except as prohibited by the City of Frisco’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, as it currently exists or may be amended.”
    • Veterinary services are excluded from that definition (i.e. if you’re a vet you may have other rules).
    • The current ordinance requires kennel clients to provide “Proof of current rabies, parvo, distemper and Bordetella vaccinations must be maintained for all dogs, cats and ferrets four (4) months of age” so will the for profit Kennel portion of the business have to disclose to potential paying clients that unvaccinated, pets potentially carrying a zoonotic virus will be contained inside the building?


8. Financial & Contractual Concerns

  • Does operator have a 10-year history of financial and business credentials?
  • Does the current business currently have a history that shows they can cover the potential monthly cost of over $50k +15% of profits (2nd year)
  • What is the back up plan if the operator cannot fulfill its obligations?
  • Will, or has, the city publicly advertised for operators now that they have a business model?
  • Has there been a Proforma (of Financial Forecast) of Income & Expenses for City
  • Has there been a Proforma (projection) for services, policy and operational costs and expenses?
  • Is the private entity positioned to benefit financially or professionally from this proposal through their private businesses?  If yes, how?
    • Furthermore, what is the clear contingency plan if the operation proves unsustainable?
    • If the director is unable to meet intake demands or financial goals, there must be a backup strategy—such as returning management to municipal control, restructuring the program, or appointing new leadership—to protect both the animals and the community?
  • What type of Contract language will there be: indemnity / insurance / risk allocation: Minimum insurance amounts, municipality indemnity carve-outs, who pays defense costs, and whether municipal immunity applies. Will the city require the private operator as an additional insured (and vice versa as appropriate).
  • Procurement transparency: Show how the city selected the vendor, RFQ/RFP documents, competing bids, and legal justification under Local Government Code. Confirm the contract was pro-cured properly.
  • Will, or has, the city publicly advertised for operators now that they have a business model?


9. Transparency

  • With the private partner announcement, did the “private partner” have any input or say on this while in her role on the city’s Animal Advisory Board? Is that a conflict of interest? 
  • Will she remain on the Animal Advisory Board in the future?  Is this a conflict of interest?
  • Will employees of the business have access to information on strays and how does this potentially violate privacy issues of residents. What about paying owners privacy? 
  • Procurement transparency: Show how the city selected the vendor, RFQ/RFP documents, competing bids, and legal justification under Local Government Code. Confirm the contract was procured properly.


In conclusion, this Animal Facility Presented is a liability issue all around.  Too many variables have not been considered.  This puts the city, the business owner, residents and Frisco pets at risk.  There is a reason this has not been done before, so what makes Frisco think they can do it better? 

For this to move forward it would need to have strict SOP Clauses in the Contract (to protect taxpayer dollars from potential suits)

Customer consumer protections: “Contractor must obtain written informed consent per Chapter 824 for boarding clients, disclose co-location with municipal shelter, fire-safety systems, and emergency plans; refunds/credit policy for exposure incidents.”

Strict physical separation clause: The contractor shall maintain distinct, walled, separately ventilated areas for municipal-custody animals and boarding/training clientele. No shared runs, HVAC, food/water bowls, or grooming equipment.   The floor plan should be reworked to have strays nowhere near a potential owner-owned animal.

Biosecurity & outbreak clause: “Contractor will implement DSHS-recommended isolation, cleaning, and cohorting plans; immediate notification to city and mandatory temporary suspension of boarding if an outbreak is suspected.”

VCPR & veterinary authority clause: “All veterinary care for paid clients must be provided under a documented VCPR; shelter animal care will be under the shelter VCPR as required by law. Contractor will not offer paid medical services to owners of boarded animals without expressed written authorization and compliance with TBVME rules

Insurance & indemnity: “Minimum commercial general liability (specify high limits), professional liability for vet services if provided on site, and contractor named as additional insured on city policy. Contractor indemnifies city for contractor negligence; city indemnifies contractors for actions taken under city directives.”

Records & transparency: “Contractor will maintain intake, medical, and disposition records on premises; microchip scans on intake; monthly reporting to city; records available for audit and subject to public information requests.

Sincerely,

Frisco Animal Advocates

Frisco Animal Facility Presentation: CLICK HERE

Learn More: Frisco Animal Advocates Website

Waldrip: Too Little, Too Late? A Masterclass in Delayed Leadership

Well, well. The Frisco ISD Superintendent has finally broken his silence. After being called out by Frisco Chronicles for their district’s lack of leadership during this recent tragedy, Dr. Mike Waldrip has released a statement. Not a press conference. Not a town hall. A carefully worded, non-emotionally packaged letter.

Some might say it’s heartfelt. Others—especially those who’ve been watching this district duck accountability like it’s an Olympic sport—might call it something else: too little, too late. Let’s be clear, bullets hit an elementary school and no response. Then rocked with another tragic event that left one student dead, and another charged with Murder, that has left our schools and community shaken to the core. The students, the staff, and the community deserved an immediate, transparent, and unflinching response from district leadership that would lead us through this difficult time. What we got instead was silence—and then, finally, a statement that reads more like a press release drafted in the PR department’s “Cover Your Assets” war room.

Let’s break down Waldrip’s response, starting with “two deeply concerning incidents.” Concerning Incidents? Are you kidding? Then you say you are “reminded that challenges often bring out the best in us, revealing our collective strength, resilience and compassion.” Your response revealed a lot – too little, too late! Where was that courage when parents were begging for answers after these events unfolded? Where was that resilience when students returned to school with more trauma than guidance, more rumors than facts, and more fear than support?

This letter expresses gratitude for emergency responders, and rightly so. But that’s not the leadership vacuum we’ve been calling out. That’s not the black hole of communication from the people paid—handsomely, I might add—to protect, inform, and lead this district through the worst of times. Instead, we got radio silence, save for the whisper campaigns and online confusion the district now blames on “fake social media profiles” and “fraudulent fundraising.”

When leadership abdicates its duty to communicate with clarity and conviction, it creates the perfect breeding ground for confusion. Leadership isn’t just about showing up when your asking residents to vote yes to propositions—it’s about showing up immediately, honestly, and with a clear plan of action. Instead, Frisco ISD waited. And waited. And waited.

Now, we’re being told to stand united. That’s fine. But unity starts with trust, and trust is built on transparency. Not platitudes. Not PR. And certainly not finger-wagging at a public left in the dark. Parents aren’t asking for perfection. We’re asking for truth and for our leadership to lead. If you wait until the storm passes to address the community, you’re not leading. You’re hiding in the bunker, hoping the wind blows over before anyone notices the silence.

So, Dr. Waldrip, thank you for your words. Now we ask—where were they when we needed them most?

Lack of Frisco ISD Leadership

Since last week momentum across the nation on social media and in the news continues to grow about the tragic death of Austin Metcalf and the alleged suspect, Karmelo Anthony who has been charged with Murder – 1st Degree Felony.  Our community is grieving, and it is compelled by the outside hate and accusations being hurled at the victim, the families, and the community. 

Everyone has questions that of course will go unanswered until the Frisco Police Department finishes their investigation.  The fact is that two families are torn apart, and both families are grieving in very different ways. Young adults witnessed this and will most likely suffer from some sort of PTSD as they cannot unsee what they experienced that day.  What has transpired since the tragedy could have been avoided.  What could have helped in this situation is for our City and ISD leaders to come out with a strong voice that a full and complete investigation would be carried out and to support the ongoing investigation by Frisco Police.

Where’s Waldrip?   That is a good question!  From a scan of social media, we can find no comments made by the Superintendent of the ISD anywhere.  All he did on Twitter was repost the Frisco PD post about fake accounts and then Chief Shilson’s letters to the public.  No personal comments from Waldrip anywhere.   What a good way to lead during crisis.  If you remember in 2024 he was all over social media in videos telling residents why they should support the four propositions on the upcoming Nov 5th ballot. Now, it is a game of Where’s Waldo Waldrip.

Where’s Frisco ISD?  A clear view of their page shows a post at 10:01 am right as the first 911 call came in relating to 5th graders. Then April 5th at 6am reminds people the last chance to complete the k-12 survey and share your feedback with district leadership.  Fast forward to today…nothing!  Great leadership FISD telling students you will have therapists on hand, that our ISD community is strong, etc.  Nothing – absolutely nothing!

Where is the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees?  Dynette Davis, Frisco ISD Trustee made a statement on April 2nd at 2:33 pm.  She writes “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a student within Frisco ISD. The Board of Trustees shares in the profound grief of this senseless act of violence and extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones. A young life ending far too soon is a heartbreaking reminder that violence is never the answer to conflict. In times like these, we must come together in support and compassion. Students who need help processing this tragedy are encouraged to speak to their parents or guardians and to reach out to school counseling services for guidance and support. Frisco ISD is committed to providing all necessary resources for everyone impacted by today’s terrible events.”

Current Frisco ISD Board of Trustees who made a comment or shared Davis comment includes Sherrie Salas and Stephanie Elad. 

Current Frisco ISD Board of Trustee members who have made no comment are Keith Maddox Sr., Mark Hill, Marvin Lowe, and Gopal Ponangi (who is running for Frisco City Council). 

Candidates running currently for the Board of Trustees that commented include Renee Sample, Stuart Shulman, Amit Kalara, Muniraj Janagarajan. and Melanie Jones

Others candidate running currently for the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees who have made no comment include Suresh Manduva and Ange Yao. 

Just look back over time:

We had a bullet hit a Frisco ISD elementary school prompting the early release of students, where is that investigation?  What happened? 

What happened to the students involved with vandalism at Memorial High School a few years ago during a senior prank day.  Damages included paint on the walls, furniture destroyed, and fire extinguishers set off, closing the campus for several days.

Seven years ago, a Frisco 5th grader accused students of bullying and sexual assault.  What happened in that case?  Frisco ISD did not even inform the parents.  The district only asked the boys on both sides to sign a stay-away order. 

Multiple kids have been killed in Frisco just walking to school or riding their bike in the early morning hours to school.  What is the district doing along with the city to prevent that?

We even had a child arrested for bring a BB gun to school back in 2019. 

Heck the Attorney General of Texas sued our district for electioneering back in 2024.

Where is the leadership within our school district?  What we don’t understand is why more people are not asking questions of the school district?  This is the time for them to come out holding hands with a powerful message of unity, forgiveness and strength … but nothing!  You could hear crickets’ chip from across the city.  Where is the leadership in our district?  Why is no one asking…. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FRISCO ISD?

At Whistleblower, we have said we feel for both families – this was a tragedy that did not have to happen.  These types of things should not be happening in our community.  When it comes to Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony, instead of being able to heal, we are faced with a firestorm of media outlets, content creators, and others whose goal is to create their narratives that include pushing hatred and divisiveness.  Every rumor, accusation, and false narrative only hurts this case and our community.

Today the Next Generation Action Network in Dallas met with Frisco Police.  They are concerned about a fair trial, and they are concerned about the false narratives across the board.  They were concerned about the Anthony families fear to leave there home and the death threats the family is receiving because their child was involved in this incident.  They want to make sure the Anthony family is receiving the protection they need.  The President of NGAN said the disinformation out there is actually hurting the case, and social media has been a stomping ground for them to launch any disparity they want to.  President, Dominque Alexander said after he met with Frisco PD, he feels comfortable as of right now things are being done properly, but they will have to wait and see how things go moving forward.  Frisco PD should look into the threats against the Anthony family as well.   We agree they should!

Next NGAN wanted to clear up some of the rumors being spread which include:

The Autopsy Report Online: Fake

The Statement From an account under Chief Shilson’s name: FAKE

Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony knew each other before this incident: False

Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony partied together before: False                                                                                                

Austin Metcalf and his twin brother were not on the roster to be at the track meet: False

Kamelo Anthony was not on the roster to be at the track meet: False

ALL THREE BOYS WERE ON THE ROSTER AND SUPPOSED TO BE THERE!

All three young men arrived at the track meet via Fisco ISD school buses.

Karmelo Anthony was kicked out of his home days before this event: False

Concern about if all witnesses have been interviewed:  Per the President of NGAN, Frisco PD confirmed they have interviewed several people and are ongoing, and they have more to interview.

Video of the event: Yes – Frisco PD confirmed they have confiscated video footage of the event.  That will not be released to the public as it is part of the investigation and will come out in court.

At Whistleblower we would also like to clear up two issue we have heard:

  1. Frisco ISD does not own the event/stadium? False, it is owned by the school district, so state laws apply
  2. What was Anthony right when it came to him carrying a knife on school grounds? 

Can a weapon, such as a knife be carried on school property?  Texas Penal code Section 46.03 (Places Weapons Prohibited) states, “A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, location-restricted knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05 (Prohibited Weapons)(a):

(1) on the premises of a school or postsecondary educational institution, on any grounds or building owned by and under the control of a school or postsecondary educational institution and on which an activity sponsored by the school or institution is being conducted, or in a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or postsecondary educational institution, whether the school or postsecondary educational institution is public or private, unless:

  • pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the school or institution;
  • on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless the person is a participant in the event and a firearm, location-restricted knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05 (Prohibited Weapons)(a) is used in the event;

Instead of creating a narrative that this is a race issue, ask Frisco ISD and its leadership some serious questions about how their actions have failed students.  Why don’t they back up their teachers?  What have they done over the years to bury issues?  Why would they not have security at the stadium?  What medical personnel did they have at the stadium? The big shockers that come from this are going to fall on the lack of leadership from our school district, starting with Superintendent Waldrip.

Most of all, continue to pray for both families and our community.

***** IF YOU WORK FOR FRISCO ISD AND WANT TO TELL US SOMETHING YOU CAN EMAIL US AT FRISCOWHISTLEBLOWER@PROTONMAIL.COM. WE WILL PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY ********

Deep Tissue Dilemma

After our Human Trafficking blog, we were surprised to see the number of comments regarding Frisco’s history of questionable businesses in the 80s.  The City of Frisco works hard to maintain a squeaky clean and impeccable image and we were curious how hard is it to determine a reputable massage business versus a sexually oriented one.

We were surprised to find an article that looks to be written by former Mayor Bob Warren on FriscoStyle.com where he talks about the sexually oriented businesses otherwise known as “S.O.B.s, brothels, or houses of ill repute.”    He states in the article “They came here after having been “flushed out” of neighboring cities … At that time, Frisco was just a little country town, barely a dot on the map, and four of the businesses landed along Texas State Highway 121, on Frisco’s southernmost border. There was the “Doll House,” the “Body Shop,” the “Tub Club” and “Michelle’s Ranch.”  He said the most infamous was Aprils which was located on Preston Road where La Hacienda Ranch is today.  Apparently, the mobile home stood out like a sore thumb to strangers passing by.  Upon entering the mobile through dangling beads in the doorway you were greeted with very dim lights.

Warren ended the article with “It was not easy, but Frisco finally rid itself of the little S.O.B.s. Where they went, I do not know, but may they rest in peace, just not in Frisco.”  But did they really rid the city of these businesses?  We were curious how easy it is to find “Happy Ending” massage parlors.  How many more in Frisco could there be?  Why are the police not actively trying to shut down these businesses?  Maybe they don’t want the whorehouses listed on the GIS Data to protect the reputation they have carefully crafted.

We googled “massage near us” and started reviewing Frisco locations.  First up Spring Spa located Preston and Lebanon Road.  From the looks of the website, everything looks on the up & up.  We took the phone number right on the google business site and the website and googled massages xxx-xxx-xxxx and first thing to come is the website BedPage.com with the same address and phone as Spring Spa.  Now do you think this looks reputable or like a “happy ending” hangout.

We also searched a website sent to us by a reader called Hot.com.  The first one listed under Frisco is King Spa with a 3.7-star rating.  It is located off Preston just across from the entrance to Preston Vineyards.  On one erotic review site, we found 4 reviews from 2024/25 talking in code of course. The code refers to an HJ which we are assuming means “hand job” and another refers to the young lady taking the HF and for an extra $100 offering an HJ (hand job) and the customer to got to play with and suck on her tits. Through a website called Encounter, we found a post about “Lucy” where they describe her as 5’6 tall, skinny with black hair, flat aZZ, and naturally smaller boobs. She apparently offers “Premium Content.”

YL Wellness Center seems to be a HOT HOT place based on the reviews.  Located very close to King Spa off Preston in between Preston Vinyards entrance and Rolater Rd.  In one review from 2022 found on adultsearch.com we found a review written by DarkManHere that reads “Massage for 1 hr is $60. The massage was top notch.
I had lower back pain so went for this massage. After the massage I felt a lot better. Relieved now. Offered just HJ for $40. By removing the dress and allowing me to touch, she charged $100. I went for $100. She came over me, rubbed her tits on me and then jerked me. Used hot towel to clean me up”

The next review was written by HereComesTheBoom in 2021, and it reads “Massage was okay, but after telling her that I was a virgin, she told me she loved virgins and would be more than happy to change that for me. So, then she gave me a blowjob and let me f*ck her and c*m inside of her. I will definitely be back again.”

Lastly, we found an ad on an escort network website with an address of 615 Main Street, Ste 112, Frisco, Texas and when we googled that address it came back to May Foot Spa.  While the ad looked clean, we were curious about who placed the ad on the website.  Why would you place an ad for a simple innocent massage on an escort website?   Someone who works there had to and they included the business phone number and address for May Foot Spa.  Innocent massage businesses are not going to post on sites like Bedpage, Hot, Call Girl Guide, Encounter, and more.

What did we discover?  A simple search of most of these businesses can be found on other sites offering erotic massages and happy endings.  If we can find it, then why can’t the Frisco Police?  Here is a thought, create a task force and shut these operations in the hub areas of our city and nearby communities down.  They are in shopping centers that you and I go to daily.  As a community, we have to do better! Our leadership cannot avoid the problem and then say we are “One of the Safest Cities in America.”  We need to be a safe city and while many may say this is not a crime that hurts others, we are pretty sure most of these girls are probably trafficked in some form and we should never say that is okay and turn a blind eye.

Frisco’s Human Trafficking

If you hear “Frisco, Texas” what is the first thing that pops into your head?  Is it the glitzy new PGA lifestyle we have?  Maybe it’s The Frisco Star, oh wait, the Cowboys would need to win a game first. What about The Mix or Grand Park, our bad, those are not built yet.  Soon to be new downtown in time for FIFA?   Maybe it is none of those things!  Maybe you are more pragmatic and think of the CROWN JEWEL … that we are the #1 Safest City, where nothing bad ever happens, or at least that is what the city wants you to believe.

Certainly nothing bad is happening behind the tinted windows of countless “massage” parlors scattered across town, right? Nope, in the city that proudly boasts its title as the #1 safest place to live, there’s absolutely no way anything shady could be going on.  If it were, surely our vigilant city council and ever-watchful police force would be all over it, right? Because it’s not like they’d want anything to hurt that squeaky-clean image or anything…

Back in November we received an email tip from one resident who was concerned about the number of POP UP “Massage Parlors” and how they seem to be as popular as the fast-food restaurants on every corner.  The resident noted that she went to pick up an RX late one evening and while sitting in her car waiting in line, she noticed a massage business with tinted windows and a scrolling open neon sign saying open until 11pm with men coming and going the whole time. 

She felt something was off and was pretty sure illegal activities were happening there, but like many residents turned a blind eye.  It was not until her neighbor mentioned something two days later about going there to get a massage and was turned away because they were “busy.”  The neighbor noted that there were no cars near the place, and it didn’t make sense.  That is when she told her neighbor about her concern and what she saw when picking up her RX earlier that week. 

The next day the neighbor who had been refused service texted (still upset) saying she googled the business, and she was shocked when the phone number pulled up sex ads.  She texted her screenshots which prompted her to go look it up too!  After finding the shocking info she decided to file a report with Frisco PD they were supposed to send her a statement form to fill out but never did.   After a few weeks of no response to her call and email, she reported it to us, and we started looking into it!

When you first google the name of the business Massage Aces it appears to be very reputable!  It is located at 423 & Stonebrook Parkway behind the CVS Pharmacy.  They had a link to their YouTube Channel which showed a nice video of a reputable massage business. A simple search of the business phone number just like the tipster said, brought us to a whole new world.

The business phone number on the website pops up on multiple “other” websites like bodyrubsmap, bedpage, skipthegames, and craigslist. The ads offer massages, sex, clean girls, escorts, and call girls which all link back to the business address 400 Stonebrook Pkwy, and the business phone number. Disturbing pictures of rather young girls in sexually provocative poses and clothing.

We were shocked that this was reported sometime in late October, and nothing was done until the middle of February 2025. The tipster forwarded us the email she sent to Frisco PD, leaving us wondering – what took so long to take action? How many other massage parlors are there in Frisco, just like this? We determined within one day of getting the tip this was a front for a lewd sexually oriented business. Just google the phone number that offers sex in their “CLEAN ROOMS” with “CLEAN GIRLS!” We are left wondering if the issue of being the safest city will be on John Keating’s political mayor when he tries to run for Mayor! Frisco…the home of human trafficking and exploited underage girls! Ladies check your husbands’ receipts, if you see Massage Aces or Sandy Spa, it might be time to talk with them.

Our biggest concern is the safety of these young women being trafficked, the fact that it is 1/2 mile from our schools and backs up to our neighborhoods. At least we can assure you as of this week Frisco PD, Code Enforcement, or Building Inspections did stop by, and the business has a big “red tag” on the door! It was done with little fanfare, not to attract attention to it. The notice is for an “occupancy issue” under the new name Sandy Spa. The red tag notes it is a “sexually oriented business” and closed until further notice. Wouldn’t you like to know what the city and/or Frisco PD did to protect these women? Our guess is not much in hopes of quietly moving them to another city so it’s “not in our #1 backyard!”

NFL BREAK-IN

Goodbye, 2024, you chaotic overachiever, and hello 2025! Like every New Year, we dive in headfirst and pretend that turning the page in our calendar will suddenly fix our lives! We treat each year like a shiny new model, but are we expecting too much? Gym memberships rise, and vision boards are crafted, and plastered with our new year’s resolutions. Really those “visions” are like drunk promises we know we won’t keep.

By day three or four, we are tired of eating Kale and wish we had the holiday cookies still left in our pantry. One thing that never changes with each new year is that we know whatever promises or commitments we made in good faith will most likely never be met because they are just one of those New Year’s resolutions that fall by the wayside. Cheers to the illusion of change!

As we enter the new year one would hope our City Council members had an epiphany to put the community first over their own self-interests. Soon we will know because a new year also means a new city council election and guess what, it is right around the corner. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is January 15th and the last day to file for a place on the ballot is February 14th. Time will fly and soon it will be April 22nd, the first day to early vote. All of it will come to a close on election day which is May 3rd.

From now through election time, you can expect to hear how the candidates or incumbents will be transparent and represent you the residents. We will hear the same old tired-out slogans such as “We are the #1 this and the #1 that.” You can bet money the incumbents will talk about how “we are the #1 Safest City” and how they have a personal stakeholder position in making that happen. It leaves us wondering if residents will open their eyes to the fact that the city manipulates what we “need to know” versus the truth of what is happening around us! Remember John “Cheating” Keating (who hopes to be our next Mayor) threw the #1, #1, #1 in our face over and over during his election.

Even high-profile NFL athletes are not exempt from being the victims of crime. By now you have heard about the burglaries targeting the homes of NFL players, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Recently, local DFW news stations reported that on December 27th in the affluent upscale Preston Hollow neighborhood, the home of Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic was broken into. Reports say the thieves got away with $30,000 worth of jewelry. The FBI has gone as far as to warn the NFL and NBA that players need to increase the security of their homes when they are away playing, and they believe they have connected these burglaries to a “transnational South American theft group.”

The good thing is we can rest easy here in Frisco! We are the #1 SAFEST CITY! That means it would never happen here, right? One might think since Frisco is known as Sports City USA, we could be a target! If something like that happened here, surely the city and Frisco PD would put out a crime alert to warn the residents of Frisco. It would have made the local news stations just like Luca Doncic home break-in. Frisco has several affluent neighborhoods, filled with high-profile players, and I am sure their neighbors would want to know if that happened in their community.

FWB received a tip over the holiday break that it did happen here! In fact, based on the police report, the home burglary took place in our very own affluent community of Stonebriar Country Club. According to one website, residents of SCC enjoy a wealth of amenities in the exclusive guard-gated community that epitomizes luxury with elegant homes and a lifestyle of unparalleled sophistication and tranquility. Residents should know they are not exempt from this kind of potential danger.

When did this happen? November 28th just after Thanksgiving, during the Dallas Cowboys game against the New York Giants at AT&T stadium. The home game started at 4:30 pm and the report states the crime was committed 11/28/24 between the times of 15:05 (3:05 pm) and 20:44 (8:44 pm). Ken Wang is listed as the case officer and the Incident Report number is 24143447. The offense code is listed as Burglary of Habitation. The Frisco Police Report states 8 watches totaling $550,000 along with 2 purses totaling $100,000 were stolen. The remarks state unknown suspect forced entry into a home and stole $700,000 worth of miscellaneous jewelry. Luca Doncic got off easy!

To protect the NFL player, we are not going to release his name or address because his family has been through enough! We can tell you we googled the address, and we were surprised to see it on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. One would assume that Realtors who handle multi-million-dollar listings like this would remove the photos once the listing is sold. The images on the Douglas Elliman listing, show the whole home, and the location and access points of the home. Douglas Elliman is a well-known, respected real estate brokerage which is why we are a little surprised the listing agent did not remove the photos after selling it. We are curious if those images could have helped the criminals figure out how to access the home.

I asked my neighbor, a Frisco Realtor if agents usually remove high-end listing photos after a sale. He said that good Realtors are usually proactive and to protect the privacy of both parties after a sale, they request removal of the images on luxury listings. He also told us while the listing agent can request the removal of photos after a home has been sold, there is no guarantee a third-party website will take them down. I asked him how an owner could request the images be removed and he told me owners can google how to remove the pictures of your home from real estate websites and each one has step-by-step instructions on how a homeowner can remove them.

Residents of Frisco had the right to know about a burglary of a habitation where over $700,000 worth of valuables were stolen in our opinion. Frisco PD could have withheld the player’s name and address but a warning to the community. How is it, that every other high-end pro-athlete burglary made the news, and this one didn’t? Did Frisco PD ask the FBI if this could be related to the other high-end thefts? How come we never heard about this burglary on the news?

The city does not point out we are a safe city, they always say we are the #1 safest city and to be honest, it does not feel very safe here anymore. We have had more crimes, shootings, and God knows what else because leaders manipulate want, they want to share so it fits their narrative. Just like they manipulated the sales presentation of Universal Kids. After it passed, residents learned everything they promised changed from the height of rides, the traffic congestion they claim will not happen, and the times the theme park would be open. In Frisco, the NFL stands for Navigating Frisco Lies!