Police in a North Carolina town were on the hunt Monday for a pack of dogs that has been roaming the streets and terrorizing residents for weeks, and had caught one of them.
On Sunday authorities admitted to facing a canine conundrum after “multiple efforts” to catch the problem pups were unsuccessful but vowed not to let the town of Scotland Neck go to the dogs.
“We are actively exploring various strategies to enhance the safety of our community,” the police department of the town, about 85 miles northeast of Raleigh, said Sunday. “This week, a plan involving tranquilizers has been established.”
Police asked the public to report sightings of pack so they can take the hellacious hounds out of circulation. They also urged residents not to approach or feed the dogs.
Traveling in groups of three to five, the dogs have been injuring or killing pets, chickens and other small animals all month. On Feb. 3 the police department alerted residents that the dogs were rampaging and said numerous animal control officers were trying to catch them. Two days later, on Feb. 5, police raised the alarm again, exhorting people to keep their pets close.
“The lead dog is a pit mix and is highly aggressive, with a history of attacking and killing small animals,” police said. “We don’t know why the dogs have grouped up, but the lead dog is a huge problem. It is crucial that people keep their small pets indoors until we confirm the capture of this dog.”
That’s the dog that was captured Monday, WRAL-TV reported. The rest were still on the loose.
“We set up traps to catch them safely, but they keep getting triggered by someone or something,” Scotland Neck Police Chief Tommy Parker told WRAL.
The department also theorized that the dogs had been “abandoned by their owners and are now acting on instinct” but emphasized that not all strays are dangerous.
“There are several strays in the area that are harmless,” police said. “Do not take action unless dogs are actively attacking.”
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