Chickasaw officials aware of dogs killing cats, promise enforcement of leash laws

Tigger was the name of Tina Haygood’s pet cat.

Tigger was killed inside Tina’s apartment on Spruce Street in Chickasaw when dogs pushed their way in through a back door while Tina was being treated in the hospital.

We brought you Tina’s story Monday night on NBC 15 News at 10.

And there have been many others.

Tuesday night, some of those pet owners went to the Chickasaw city council meeting in hopes the city can do something.

While no one spoke at the council meeting tonight, several did talk to us after the meeting, asking that something be done.

Carol Harris says she’s buried 8 cats so far.

“And it’s from these dogs killing them,” she says. “My cats like to go outside. I had one that would never leave my yard. He would lay right at the edge of the yard and would never leave it. But these dogs came up in my yard, on my porch and took my cat that was 7 years old and ripped him to pieces.”

“I live across the street from the elementary school down a little ways,” says a worried Kathy Abernathy. “And little kids are gonna start walking to school in the mornings when school goes back in. And these dogs are not. They don’t know the difference between a small child and, you know, another things to attack. It’s now dangerous for small children. I don’t want to walk with the dogs around. I would like to see them caught.”

Monzal Stigers was more direct.

“And I believe they ought to have a law that if your dogs is caught out running around with you or not with you, it should be on a leash,” she proclaims.

Actually, Chickasaw does have a law like that.

“Make them enforce it!” she exclaims.

It’s important to know that Chickasaw does, indeed have both a leash law and a tethering law.

And gives the animal control officer as well as police to impound animals that are considered vicious, abandoned, running at large or are endangered themselves.

Tonight i spoke with Chickasaw police chief Tommy McDuffie about that enforcement, and here’s what he wants Chickasaw dog owners to know:

“Keep an eye on your dog,” he says. “Make sure it doesn’t get out and roam. If it does, you will be held liable. If it bites somebody, it’s considered a vicious dog. You will be held liable. If we find out who owns it, unfortunately, you will be sited and/or jailed. You will be sited and you’ll have to come speak to the judge about why your dog was out without a leash, why you’re not a responsible pet owner.”

NBC 15 News also spoke to Mayor Barry Broadhead who assured us they are aware of the problem and laws will be enforced.

And one of the ladies NBC 15 News spoke with says a council member encouraged her to call police when they see these dogs roaming, since most of these attacks happen very late at night.

Chickasaw only has one animal control officer for the entire city, but the chief assures she will be available when needed.

To read the animal ordinances for Chickasaw, go to https://cityofchickasaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Animal-Ordinance.pdf

The Favicon for the website, dogsandpurses(dot)com, features an all-black background with a minimalist line drawing of a puppy's head poking out of a stylish purse. The puppy's head is drawn with a cute and friendly expression, making it the focal point of the design. The purse, which the puppy is emerging from, is depicted with clean, elegant lines. The contrast between the black background and the white line drawing creates a striking and modern look for the Favicon.
Dogs and Purses Favicon

WANT MORE?

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST on PAWS and PURSES in PERFECT PROPORTION.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.