February 11, 2007
the killing dogs are still around
The same 2 dogs that were so devastating a few weeks ago struck again last night on the 400 block of North 31st and 32nd. Where is animal control? [via]
From the Church Hill Yahoo Group post:
This incident took place on the 400 block of North 31st and 32nd.
The cat ended up between two houses on 31st. [...] He was
still alive when we took him in (Carytown Emergency Vet), but I am very certain, with the extent of his/her bite injuries and loss of blood, that he/she either
died right away or was euthanized.[...]
I immediately called the Emergency Animal
Control and was told that they would try to get someone out. I
called back after finding the injured cat and was once again told
that they would try to get someone out, but they could not promise
that someone could get that cat.[...]
That is disgraceful and unacceptable. If it had not been for the
neighbor calling 911 and the assistance of a very nice and caring and
helpful police officer, it would have been totally disregarded. That
police officer even tried calling animal control and got the same
answers that I got.
I am sorry to learn about the demise of an animal, but you are placing the blame on the wrong people. Richmond has only a handful of animal control workers. They stay busy. So, unless you are willing to pay extra taxes so that Church Hill can have its own stray dog task force setting up sting operations…
I see a LOT of cyber-activisim but absolutely no efforts elsewhere. So, unless the owners of teh dogs are reading this page, they probably do not know the destruction their carlessness is causing.
Perhaps, if you are truly troubled by the stray dogs, you could organize and go door to door educating people. Or, at the bare minimum, put up some fliers on telephone polls explaining the situation and asking anyone that knows who owns the dogs to call you.
This situation is above and beyond the typical animal control situation. I understand that they might be understaffed, but this type of spree must be stopped. I am very willing to blame animal control for not controlling dangerous animals.
I reported the dogs to animal control back in December when they were living under the vacant house next door. They were there for a few weeks and easy to get. This could have all been prevented.
These are not dogs with owners. They’re were living under a vacant house by us for a while and are migrating across the neighborhood.
I talked about this situation with my vet last week. I’m not sure if the dogs are a threat to people (i.e. rabies, agression, etc.), but I was encouraged to try to catch the dogs if I feel safe enough and bring them to the Church Hill Animal Hospital. I’ve already seen them once while driving, so I plan to keep leashes in my car in addition to some thick gloves, and a barricade for the back seat. If anyone else is interested, this might be a good way to provide some supprt to the understaffed and underfunded Animal Control department.
Also, I know this has been mentioned before, and I don’t mean to offend any of the cat owners since I’m very sorry for their losses, but this problem doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. How long have these particular dogs been roaming around? A month? Two months? I think it would be in everyone’s best interest to keep their pets inside no matter what kind of animal they are (dog, cat, bird, duck, monkey, lion, tiger, bear, etc) unless they are certain there is absolutely no way for their pet to escape from their property, which is rarely the case. Furthermore, even if the dog problem is solved, there are still plenty of other threats to animals that are permitted to roam outdoors in this neighborhood (e.g. cars). Will our next pet fatality posting involve people speeding too fast on Clay Street (which is already a problem) and others and consequently running over our cats and dogs?
Church hill is but a fraction of Richmond, believe it or not. I was told that there are about 8 to 10 animal control officers to patrol the entire city. So, perhaps, you need to start some sort of vigilante animal control force, voluntrily pay more taxes, or find alternative solutions.
The dogs have done what comes natural to them. I have not heard of them attacking a person or doing anything other than chase another animal. Basically, they are implementing that there “Circle of Life” that the Lion King taught us about.
And the big picture is that we can’t use limited resources as an excuse in a situation that is clearly not the norm. A pattern of violence like this is not something that should be tolerated.
I don’t think this just started in December. My next door neighbor’s cat was mauled by a dog (unseen, he found the cat the next morning) back in July. This was just around the corner from where Sandy’s two cats were killed, months later.
Big Picture, the two dogs did threaten a human over on 28th Street, she made it safely back into her house.
I think someone needs to do a vigilante thing. Bravo to Magneto for being prepared.
John, I agree, this is not the norm. While speeding traffic might be something else to deal with, dogs that kill should be removed from the neighborhood.
There is a trap via animal control which is set tonight in my yard near where the black dog killed an innocent stray cat. Tonight I will set the trap again. Either the black dog is very clever and knows not to go into the trap or the trap is too small for the dog.
Also, we might form groups who are willing to stay up late and drive around and look for the two dogs.
Obviously they range from Libby HIll to Jefferson. Also, one of the biggest
reasons they haven’t been caught is misinformation.Mac the Cop thought he had caught them. These dogs are not old. The black one can leap a five foot fence. I suggest, if we can get some groups together, we take an animal control worker with us, though I don’t think they work at night.
Lu Motley
Dear snide “look at the big picture”; please follow your own advice. These dogs have chased a young mother with her baby in her arms up onto her porch and into her house.
I like dogs, but not foolish people who don’t research dangerous dogs which are holding a whole neighborhood hostage because we love our cats. Come on…get real.
M. Blizzard
everyone seems to agree that this problem w/stray animals is unacceptable and potentially dangerous. animal control knows the problems that exist all too well.
the truth is the animal shelter is critically understaffed and overrun with unwanted animals of all ages and all breeds. most of the unwanted dogs in this city are pit bulls and pit bull mixes. i reguarly encounter young guys when i’m walking my dogs who ask me if i’m interested in breeding my 11-year-old-spayed female pit bull with their pit bull. i’ve stopped trying to explain why they shouldn’t breed their dogs. these kids and some adults are the same people responsible for problems we have in our neighborhood w/roaming dogs.
the city has a law in place that requires everyone to spay or neuter their pets, or purchase a $150.00 breeder’s license. unfortunately, there aren’t enough animal control officers to enforce the law. requests for funds to hire additional animal control officers have been denied. two groups exist - one statewide, the other richmond based - that are working on a solution to this problem - it is worse in other cities and towns, if you can believe it.
more people are needed to add their voices to this effort.it is very easy for the gov’t to overlook this issue if only a few people are speaking on behalf of everyone who shares this concern. if you are serious and want to do more than voice your complaints here or find an excuse to form a vigilante death-squad to round up the current pack of dogs, feel free to contact me directly - 804-248-8547 or via email maconmy@hotmail.com. thanks.
I’m up for trying to catch these dogs. We should probably see if we can get some supplies donated…catch poles, crates, etc. I’ll contact some shelters to see if they can assist. Anyone interested in heading this up please call me at 301-0287 or email me at heather@fountainheaddevelopment.com
If someone could draw up a poster regarding the dogs and print it, I am willing to handle distribution. I’ve seen the two dogs on 22nd and leigh twice now, both times around 5:30am. There are quite a few cats running loose at that corner, so catching dinner is a sure thing. If someone wants to set a trap there, I would be willing to check the trap.
While walking my dog this morning on the 800 or 900 block of N 24th Street I noticed half of the remains of a lightly colored calico cat in front of a new vacant house. It was definitely the victim of an attack, possibly by the same dogs.
Allowing aggressive, uncontrolled dogs to wander the area is absolutely unacceptable and it is the city’s responsibility to take care of this issue.
Last year, my cat was killed by the dogs. Worse, my children have to walk home from the bus stop and have seen the dogs. The dogs may be acting on instinct, but that does not make them less of a danger to the neighborhood.
Do not let anyone off the hook, don’t rationalize why this has been allowed to go. Do not wait until there is a devasting attack to push the issue. I would not even attempt to capture the dogs myself, but I will call upon Animal Control, Delores McQuinn, and others who are responsible for such things to step in and take charge.
jh - if not a hand-drawn poster, does anyone have a digital camera or camera phone that they could use when they see the dogs? Also, there’s a humane trap over at 28th and Franklin that animal control set up a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps it needs to be moved, what do you think? I just sent an email to the woman who has it in her yard, if you respond here she will eventually see it. Or maybe we need SEVERAL traps?
i think 22nd or 23rd and leigh would be a good place for a trap, given it’s cat corner. i’ll call animal control and suggest it. but if someone has one and they want to move it, just post a notice here and i’ll check the trap daily.
as for posters, i think a good thorough description would be fine.
What one location do you all think would be best to sit and hopefully catch these dogs? I am trying to get a small group together for Thursday night to see if we can catch one or both.
Hi Everyone,
I just spoke to the City of Richmond Animal Control Program Manager. Because there has been a mix up in the communications, I will be acting as liaison between the Church Hill neighbors and Animal Control.
Here are some facts to clear up any misinformation:
The City of Richmond Animal Control and the Police Department are NOT a single department.
Animal Control Officers patrol 8am to 8pm 7 days a week.
Animal Control Dispatches Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm 646-5573
EMERGENCY After hours and weekend calls are dispatched by City of Richmond Communications. The dispatcher will determine whether it is an emergency. Generally a normal, non-violent stray would not qualify as an emergency. Because there have been several viscous killings by similarly described dogs, calls in this area WILL be considered emergencies and an on-call officer will be sent to the scene. 646-5123
What has been done thus far:
Sgt Lewis Thompson of Animal Control has contacted 1st Precinct regarding this situation. Sgt Lewis also happens to live nearby and can be on scene relatively quickly.
A trap has already been set near the 2700 Block of Franklin Street.
Animal Control is preparing an information sheet for Church Hill Neighbors regarding the issue with contact information and reminders for pet owners.
Daily patrols have been set up for 21st St to 28th St by animal control at 7am and 7pm.
Next steps:
Sighting log – I will keep a log of the date, time, description, location and behavior of dogs when sighted. Please call animal control at the appropriate number first and then email me so that I can log it.
Establish regular communication between liaison, police and animal control.
Establish behavior/travel pattern of dogs.
I’ve got about 8 of you on my contact list regarding these dogs. I will be available Thursday night after 7:30pm to try to locate these dogs. Others have expressed interest in helping. Because I no-longer live in Church Hill I haven’t seen where these dogs are hanging out.
Where is one location that you all would suggest to sit and wait? I have a large plastic crate and extra leashes. IF we happen to catch one, do one of you have a garage or shelter where we could keep the dog until animal control shows up?
Animal Control has asked that we log sightings, suggest trap locations and call the appropriate numbers. Animal Control strongly discourages anyone from trying to capture or corner a potentially aggressive dog.
Thank you all and please remember to email me about any sightings AFTER you have called animal control.
ps. I don not have a computer at home so if you MUST get in touch with me after work hours please call my cell phone 301-0287
shoot the damn dogs.
why do you need the fn govt to take care of the problem for you.
its not like it’s nazis or fascists or terrorists.
it’s dogs.
how about citizens taking action for themselves and not waiting for govt.
Uuuhhhhhh……..Andy? If you discharge a weapon in the city limits, you will be breaking the law. Although the animal owners are also breaking the law, I do not think two wrongs make a right, do you? Most citizens that listen and post here are not anarchists. I think Mac would agree.
Actually bob, I think that andy is more of a Libertarian. There’s an alarming concentration of them in the area since Church Hill has become “gentrified.”
One or two of they as of late have assaulted me. Maybe we should put out a patrol…
First we round up the dogs…then we should set traps and round up the libertarians. I suggest baiting them with Milton Friedman books.
Libertarians hah! Rumor has it that the rarest of beasts, the urban Republican, has been sighted in the neighborhood.
Andy offered a suggestion, does that mean you have to verbally attack him?
I am very frightened when I walk my two little Shih tzu’s. We wouldn’t stand a chance if these dogs attacked us, maybe Andy has the right idea to get them off the streets.
One of them cornered me and my baby and started threatening me with a flat tax…Wont someone please put a stop to this dangerous behavior…wont someone please think of the children!
While I understand your concern over your dogs’ safety, from what I recall these dogs don’t have a history of going after other dogs. Or maybe I’m wrong?
The day when I saw them, which I posted in the previous loose dogs post, they were around five other people walking down the streets of Church Hill near 32nd and Clay. The dogs didn’t seem to pay any attention to the people as they scurried along the streets within arms distance of two men and then made their way into the alleys. I acknowledge several people’s claims that the dogs chased a mother and her baby up her stairs, but I’d like to hear that story from the mother, herself, rather than from people who’ve heard about it directly or indirectly, since we can all sometimes embellish our stories - I know I have.
I know I’m sounding harsh here, and I’m probably going to get a lot of backlash for this, but at this point, we’ve made these dogs into monsters. They’re dogs. Dogs chase after cats. They’re probably starving and are using their survival instincts to stay alive. Unfortunately, this means our cats are their prey. Please keep your cats indoors. Dogs also can read people’s emotions really well, so when we post all of these messages, we sensationalize this into an episode of terrorism and end up scaring everyone (particularly those without a great familiarity and history with dogs) so that when they see the dogs, they assume the worst. If you see the dogs, please stay calm, walk slowly, and go onto the nearest front porch and knock on the person’s door so they can temporarily shelter you as you call the police/animal control. Heck, I admit that I’ll be scared the next time I see them (if I see them) and try to put them in my car, but I’m going to go for it anyway, so we can put an end to all of this chaos.
Just the heading of this post makes it sound like Cujo himself lives in church hill. I expect to read stories about maimings and disfigurment. Real Stephen King type material….”I was walking along and a pack of dogs lept on me, tearing my arm off. As I staggered away for help, hemmoraging my life blood away, I saw them run off playing fetch with my arm…..”.
I suspect that an honest and fair counting would demonstrate that a handful of cats were killed, not the dozens that these post imply.
Yes, stray dogs are a problem. ANd cat deaths are a problem. But this post has gotten 10 times more attention than the murder of a civil rights marcher over the summer ever did.
And, I suspect that there are multiple dogs out there. I know that I have seen stray dogs with collars on roaming unattended. Two of these probably killed a cat before christmas. Some of these dogs escaped temorarily. Others are allowed to roam. ANd still others are strays.
Finally, back to the most meaningful suggestion. If it really bothers you, some sort of public outreach might help. I seriously doubt that many of our neighbors have the same internet access that teh posters here do. ANd many people that do have internet do not even know about this site. So posting on this site is probably about as effective in reaching a wide audience as opening your window and yelling would be.
perhaps if we set a specific time to yell out our windows, it could be effective. but we would have to yell slowly as not to blurr our message.
About the shortage of animal control officers: I live in C.H. near where these attacks are occuring. My own indoor, vaccinated cat bit me during a bath. I had to get some antibiotics and the doctor reported the bite to animal control. Animal Control managed to make two visits to my house to supervise and take notes on my very docile (except during bathtime) cat. Priorities?
Animal bites are reported to the Health Department and must be followed by Animal Control. Not a question of priorities, just following the rules.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Much_Apu_About_Nothing
The SImpsons have a great storyline that parallels “Church Hill Under Seige…Killer Dogs Terrorize Town”….
Matt,
Thank you for the link. It’s absolutely hilarious. While people may have exaggerated and taken things out of proportion, the important thing is that we have now opened up a line of communication with animal control and are working together to get strays off the street.
wric8 has a blurb about all of this
I like the idea of a coordinated yell…sort of a ‘Horton hears a Who’ thing. I can think of a lot of things other than dogs to yell about…can we do it at a council meeting?
(And Milton Friedman was never a libertarian.)
I can absolutely for two of the cats killed. They now exist in a box after being creamated.
OK. The news made me look like a loon hunting man eating werewolves and left out the part were I reminded people to have their dogs licensed and to call animal control if they spot a stray. I’ll ask both news channels to set up an interview with animal control to go over some of the city codes and laws regarding pets.
btw, I didn’t see ANY loose dogs last night and animal control was EVERYWHERE.
To all the little smart boys who are using this venue to voice their opinion (Grrrr, Matt, Wolverine, etc.) get with it. You don’t belong in Church Hill. There are good kindergartens out in the West End and Chestefield.Goooooooo!!!
A concerned Church Hill cat person.
nbc12 has the story, with video
Cat Person, you are very delusional if you think you have a better understanding of urban life than I do. I know that I will pay the price for living here. That it will not be as clean or well run as a suburb. That there will not be a dog catcher on every corner. That my tax dollars are spread thinner and government can not respond to my every whim. And I understand that I will be dealing with poverty, ignorance, and other problems that will constantly lead to stray dogs and cats. There is no way the city can prevent strays unless they hire an army of animal control workers, post traps everywhere, and create some kind of canine police state.
So, basically, I am facing reality while you are actually whining about issues that can never be fully fixed.
In fact, I was not going to say anything about it, but I believe the person who appeared on tv as a concerned church hill resident has in this blog admitted to not living here. Hmm….
Ann Milton Friedmans works became the economic bible for libertarians
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism
John M. - I was hoping that most people had not seen it. Thanks for dashing that hope :D
Wolverine - I no longer live in The Hill but I did for 4-5 years until recently. I was involved in this blog 1. because I care about the neighborhood and 2. because I love animals. I suggested looking for the dogs b/c so many people were talking and not doing. Animal Control contacted me and asked me to be the liaison b/t the neighborhood and anmimal control.
I’m a busy body, I don’t like to sit back and complain, and I love trying to solve problems (which makes me look like an idiot on TV). But hopefully people will keep their pets inside and animal control will pick up the strays.
Heather, I admire you muchly - don’t apologize (your latest post sounds like an apology to me). I think what you’re doing is just fine - particularly since it’s really cold out and it can’t have been fun last night. Thanks for what you are doing, and keep it up.
We had a call this morning for the dogs in the area of 28th and E. Broad. When I got there, they were no where to be found. Whoever called, thanks for calling and keep calling us. Thanks again.
Mac, in the old days, when we had neighborhood watch up here, there were several neighborhood watch people out on several corners each night. Of course the weather wasn’t so vile.
Now, you’re dealing with some very bright, streetwise dogs who travel through alleys, across the Hill which is above Sugar Bottom,(they killed a cat at 33rd and the Black one was spotted the next day in back of Libby Terrace) through Sugar Bottom and up the hill to Libby Terrace, one of the last sitings; basically coming down hills and gullys, a different route.
Perhaps when police who ride bikes get started, something may happen.
Old one
Thanks “Old” for the additional info. I need to get more exercise so I guess I should get out and walk and try to find these guys.
I saw the two dogs today in my alley (i live on the 400 block of 28th street) and i called animal control–so lets hope they get caught this time.
I also saw one of the dogs in my alley today on the 400 block between 32nd and 33rd- just minutes after I had let my cat back inside. Close call- needless to say the cat stays inside until the dogs are destroyed, or captured…
There’s a stray, orange tabby which looks to be under a year old, who shows in 18 degree weather on my back porch. I have discussed this with Dr. Jac who will look at the cat when I trap it.
If the owner (if there is one) lives near 28th and Libby Hill Park, I hope when they get to where ever/whatever is the afterlife, I pray it is 18 degrees and there’s absolutely no food, no clothes, in fact, complete deprivation.
This cat is starving, a prey for the dog, and looking for someone to look after.
L. Motley
Animal control did pick up two more dogs in the Church Hill area. One brown and one tan, the tan dog was running with a black dog that was in the process of attacking a cat. Unfortunately the black dog eluded them.
The trap that was set in the 2800 block of Franklin was moved to another location and there were 3 dogs picked up from there this morning. Two were black and white dogs.
Animal control is still patrolling the area a various times.
Heather, that is really good news! Please, when you are next in touch with Animal Control, extend my gratitude.
I certainly will Ann. Although they have caught some of the dogs, everyone please remember to keep calling animal control when you see a stray.
I saw the black dog with the shirt curly tail today, at 25th and T streets. He was limping pretty badly and looked skinnier than before, but that tail is distinct.
I found a mauled opossum in the landscaping on the sidewalk in front of my house this morning (2300 block of E Grace). I can’t say that I heard any attacks overnight, but the back half of the carcass was bloody enough to suggest bite wounds. I called Animal Control to report the event and my location, suggesting it might have been caused by the loose dog(s).
Animal control thanks everyone for their efforts in controlling the loose dogs. Keeping this partnership between animal control and members of the community will help lower the number of loose animals in the area. Please continue to report sightings of loose animals to Animal Control Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm at 646-5573.
EMERGENCY After hours and weekend calls to City of Richmond Communications at 646-5123.
I know it’s been a while since a post here but my neighbor saw a dead cat in the 700 block of N 27th St in a vacant lot. The cat was black/white. I had asked around and told people to get their animals in but I guess it fell on deaf ears. This happened Sunday (sorry for taking so long but I was sick).
The dogs, in my honest opinion, are not aggressive toward people as I’ve been very near them 3 times now and they’ve only run away. My downstairs neighbor was outside with her dog when they approached once and they were all fine together, even playing a little. The dogs appear to not like cats very much, which isn’t surprising because given half a chance, any dog will attack what used to be their prey.
The female of the pair is a boxer/pit mix with white & brindle markings; the male looks to be an akita mix, not a chow, due to the shape of his head (they, too, have fuzzy curled tails) and yes, he was limping pretty bad last time I saw him, too.
They are constantly walking around as if on a mission and we’ve called Animal Control every time we’ve seen them after they killed one of the many stray cats in my backyard (we didn’t realize how dangerous they were the first few times we saw them).
Just to fuel the flames, I have to agree: cats should not be allowed to roam anymore than dogs. Why is it okay for one but not the other? Because I see animals as people, would we allow obvious discrimination between “breeds” if they were in fact human? Hell no. Cats kill the local birds, sometimes at devestating rates so who is around to naturally keep down the ferral/stray cat population? Anyone with an understanding of basic ecology knows if too much of a good thing happens, it destroys the natural balance in an ecosystem, including a very urban one. In this case, stray dogs are killing the stray cats who are killing the truly free birds, helping to balance our local ecosystem. Don’t get me wrong, I do not like the dogs killing cats (or anything else for that matter), but I don’t advocate letting cats roam free either.
I think we need to be held responsible for all pets, not just dogs.
To nut:
Most cats do not roam. However Church Hill has many cats who are abandoned by those who move away, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Frank, the only dog I’ve encountered, was wrong to kill the stray who was trying to find it’s ownerin the yard outside my door.
Why don’t we admit people are the problem? That poor baby did not deserve such a violent death, just as all the cats those those dogs have killed didn’t.
No matter how much you rationalize about those dogs, they are killers and the owner of them is completely irresponible.
Lu Motley
This Times-Dispatch story shows what easily could have happened with the dogs that were plaguing our neighborhood. It also further shows the problems with police and animal control’s repsonse to dog attacks. This woman had to fight this pit bull for more than half an hour after 911 was called before anyone showed up.
There are still dogs running loose. This still can happen in Church Hill. PLEASE report any loose dogs you see. Just because a few were caught doesn’t mean that there aren’t more.
Another cat was recently killed on the 2200 block of Marshall.
maybe I am crazy, but I have recently seen a large black dog with matted hair that looks just like the legendary Black Dog from the west end. He has been hanging around Leigh and M street, near Jefferson Park. He has not appeared aggressive, just hanging out.
I saw the black cork-screw tailed dog a few days ago, at 22nd & Q Streets. I called animal control & gave them my cell # to give to the guy that came out, and I then followed the dog for while. Animal control never showed up and never called.