Fayetteville fighting feral dogs with gunfire
An estimated 10 packs of wild dogs — up to 150 in all — are roaming the streets of Fayetteville, N.C., county animal control officials say.
Dr. John Lauby, director of the Animal Services Department, said his animal control officers have shot and killed nine feral dogs in the last two weeks.
“It’s a distasteful thing,” said Lauby, a retired veterinarian. “They are a large problem.”
According to an article in the Fayetteville Observer — and we have to point out that it’s written by Andrew Barksdale — the large number of feral dogs may be a result of more dogs being abandoned by their owners. Dogs can turn become unfriendly to people after being abandoned, Lauby said.
Fayetteville City Councilman Jim Arp has asked that the county animal control office — there is no similar office in the city — help solve the problem. Arp said the feral dogs put children at risk, and some residents say the wild dogs are killing their cats.
Lauby said his department had thinned the packs of dogs over the winter, but new litters in the spring compounded the recent surge. The problem, he said, is compounded by people leaving food out for the dogs.
Posted by jwoestendiek July 11th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: abandoned, animal control, animals, cats, dog, dogs, fayeteville, feral, hunting, killing, neighborhoods, north carolina, pets, shooting, stray, street dogs, streets, wild
Comments
Comment from josie
Time July 11, 2011 at 11:32 pm
So Jim Arp and John Lauby blame feeding homeless and abandoned dogs is the problem and the result is to shoot the dogs — but more are born, but the people who feed the dogs are the problem. Yes, so let’s have even more starving, emaciated and hungry dogs dumped, abandoned and subsequently shot bc Fayetteville is in the stone ages, animal control needs a serious overall bc they can’t think straight, residents who are ignorant, abandon dogs or threaten them — create the problems. A dog will defend himself/herself if people are abusive. The more people act ridiculous and try to scare them the more these homeless dogs get on guard. Think people. Food is always used in training and behavior modification — and it applies to strays and homeless dogs as well as aggressive dogs. Shooting them will not only not resolve the problem — how come more civilized, educated cities down have this problem?? Maybe bc residents are better dog owners and more time is spent on humane education. We need spay/neuter laws and better laws in NC — no doubt. How? Call your legislators and tell them you are tired of the animal abuse and want gas chambers banned, increased animal cruelty felony laws and will watch as bills are created to see how your legislators vote and support humane legislation. That is the first step. Get involved holding city council in Fayetteville responsible. People who are educated, humane — and who care about animals and people — don’t shoot dogs and blame people who are feeding them.
Comment from Anonymous
Time July 12, 2011 at 11:38 am
Someones been feeding the dogs ^
Comment from Annette Ortiz
Time July 22, 2011 at 9:10 pm
This is barbaric
Comment from Catherine Ritlaw
Time August 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Trap or dart the dogs! WE ARE NOT IN CHINA!
I swear you people are devolving there. My sanctuary has a once-feral dog and hew has risked his life 3 times to save mine. SHAME ON YOU ALL!
Comment from Eugenia Renskoff
Time October 23, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Hi, I think those dogs should not be killed. Feral dogs could be put in a sanctuary. Eugenia Renskoff
Comment from tianna wall
Time October 25, 2011 at 10:29 pm
The animals never had a chance to survive in the beginning
Comment from Gil-Ann Wilder
Time July 11, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Firstly, spay and neuter laws need to be reinforced, secondly, people that cannot afford dogs should not be allowed to get them, thirdly, people should not let their dogs roam free (in my opinion that is animal cruelty). I feel very sad for the poor dogs. They did not asked to be born just to be abandoned and killed. I am a devout animal lover and rescuer. I am sure there are many dogs in this pack that are not aggressive. The animal laws in NC need to be STRENGTHENED!!!! Animal cruelty of any sorts should be treated as a felony. I feel sorry for these dogs. I guarantee you that none of them have been spayed or neutered.