ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – A pack of loose dogs in one St. Louis City neighborhood is leading neighbors to plead with the city to take action.
Neighbors tell First Alert 4 that a pack of dogs from around the neighborhood makes walks, yard work, and other outdoor activities nearly impossible when they’re outside.
“They are bold, and they will approach you,” said Angela Tabb.
Videos from Tabb show a group of dogs walking around the Kingsway East neighborhood like they own the place. Sometimes just one dog—other times in a pack. On her front step, in her backyard, and across the street at the neighbors’.
“I hope they get cited for one,” said Tabb.
She’s made multiple reports to the city in hopes something is done.
“These people need to be held accountable for their pets,” she said.
The dogs range from pit bulls to German shepherds to Labrador mixes. Tabb says they come from a variety of different homes that surround her Greer Avenue home, saying their presence makes it difficult to hang on the porch or do yard work.
“It’s hard to do when you have to constantly watch your back,” said Tabb.
Other neighbors back up the claims.
“I’ve had to run them out of my yard,” said Beverly Scott.
Scott has lived in the neighborhood since the early ‘90s and says the dog problem has arisen within the last year. Her family had a scary moment when her 17-year-old grandson was chased by several dogs while taking a walk last month.
“Luckily, he had a stick, and when he swung the stick, they took off,” said Scott.
A spokesperson for the city health department says they’ve increased patrols in the last two months after Tabb’s reports but have not encountered any loose dogs. However, they add they have evidence there have been issues.
They also said they’ve warned the owner of four of the dogs about the leash law last month. They’ve since been found non-compliant, and the city is in the process of issuing dog-at-large charges.
Adding to the residents’ fears is that Northside Community School is right around the corner. They worry if nothing is done, there could be an attack.
“Somebody is going to get hurt real bad. Someone is going to get hurt very bad,” said Scott.
The city also adds that at this point in the investigation, if loose dogs are found, they’ll immediately be impounded.
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