Jones County officials confirmed Tuesday three serious dog attacks in a single Pollocksville neighborhood since Thanksgiving, including one incident where a dog was mauled to death.
Since 2019, these recurring events have prompted neighbors to demand stronger animal control measures.
William Gower, who lived in the neighborhood off Travers Road, revealed that his senior dog, Carly, was attacked by two dogs on December 5. He said the incident has left him feeling unsafe in the community.
“We never used to have to carry a gun for protection. When my dogs go outside, I’ve got a gun nearby,” Gower said.
Gower said he took Carly outside when he saw two medium-sized dogs in the darkness attacking her. Initially unsure of the severity of her injuries, Gower realized the extent of the damage after bringing her inside.
“We saw her throat had been ripped, the top of the head had about six deep bite marks,” he said.
Gower reported the attack to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office but expressed frustration with their inability to take action.
Jones County Commissioner April Aycock explained that the county follows state laws regarding animal control, which limit the sheriff’s department’s authority.
“The Sheriff’s department are not able to do anything,” Aycock stated.
Under the current framework, animal control authorities assess a dog’s danger and notify the owner to secure the animal. However, the owner has the right to appeal the notice. Aycock said there is no existing ordinance that allows the county to seize dangerous dogs, even after attacks occur.
Aycock added that she has been working for several years to implement an ordinance that would give the county greater authority in such cases.
“If we can put something at the bare minimum in place so if attacks like this happen, we can put a stop to it,” Gower said.
While Carly continues to recover, Gower remains concerned about the risks the dogs involved pose.
“A dog that attacked my dog could easily hurt a child,” he said.
As of now, it is unclear whether the dogs responsible for the attacks have owners. Aycock announced plans to propose an animal control ordinance at a January meeting to address these concerns and prevent future incidents.
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