LUMBERTON — Dead cats and dangerous dogs are a growing concern for some Lumberton neighborhoods whose residents say a pack of dogs has been killing animals around the city since the beginning of July.
Jaki Heinz lives on Parkway Drive in the Candlestick neighborhood. She says on July 21st, the pack of four or five dogs killed her 10-year-old cat Meio.
“When I saw my cat in that condition, I cried because of the loss, but I cried more because I couldn’t imagine what he had gone through,” said Heinz.
Heinz found Meio in the ditch outside her home. She says his insides were completely ripped out through his rectum and he died baring his teeth and brandishing claws. Much of Meio’s hair was lodged under Heinz’ car near the engine where he attempted to hide.
“The fact that they were after my cat and tearing up my car trying to get to my cat, that shows viciousness,” said Heinz.
Heinz says it took a week and a half to repair her car after the dogs ripped out wiring and plastic.
The dogs have been spotted at multiple houses in the Lumberton area between 2 AM and 4 AM. Neighbors say they frequent the Stonegate and Candlestick Neighborhoods. Heinz says others she knows have experienced the same thing.
“He fed his cat at three o’clock in the morning, because that’s when he drives a truck,” said Heinz. “He came home at seven, his cat was dead.”
Some who haven’t dealt with the attacks directly say they’ve found the dead cats the dogs leave behind in their yard. Heinz is concerned for her pet and others and wants something to be done.
“What about if what about if it was a child? You know, that’s far-fetched. A child’s not going to be out in the wee hours of the night,” said Heinz. “But we don’t know where they’re at or what they’re doing or where they’re staying.”
Neighbors say Lumberton Animal control is aware and has made efforts to find the dogs, but so far they’re still roaming the streets.
“Once the dogs have gotten the taste of the cat, I don’t know that they can be rehabilitated. I don’t know that.” said Heinz. “I’m not looking for the animals to be destroyed, but I just need them to be picked up.”
KFDM reached out to Lumberton Animal Control who redirected us to Lumberton Police. We will update this story as we receive new information on what’s being done about the dogs.
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