At our last neighborhood meeting, it was suggested that many of these dogs reside at rental properties. Would it help (or is it even possible) to cite the landlord(s)?

My dogs and I were attacked by a neighbor's pit bull while we were in my backyard a couple of years ago, and the animal control response was excellent. Additionally, when I think back a couple of years ago, I do not recall having a loose dog and stray problem in the neighborhood. The attack on me was a one-off incident where my neighbor's dog got out and it was handled well by animal control.

I have to agree with Rebecca that the situation has changed and there are now many stray and loose dogs in the neighborhood now and this does present a hazard.

I would agree with the comment that property owners/landlords need to feel the consequence of permitting out-of-control animals to reside at their rentals. Tenants rotate in and out of blighted properties with these animals, so the problem persists long after the dog has been hauled to the pound or negligent pet owners have been evicted. Many of the properties, like 2263 Rumson where the St. Bernard lives, does not even have secure fencing to keep the animal on the premises. Other properties like 700 Barksdale, has no fence at all, so the tenants keep their pit puppy tethered in the backyard despite my husband and I calling non-emergency to report the situation.

It would be helpful for Animal Control to attend a CAC meeting - with plenty of notice that they would be attending and work with the community to develop a plan. No one wants to dump on an underfunded, overworked department, but it is becoming actually dangerous to walk in the neighborhood. So please work with us to come up with a plan to put legal, civil and ay other available remedies in place. We have an active and involed community, it would be nice if we were utilized byt he city to help solve this problem.

The property owner of 2263 Rumson is one of Raleigh's largest owners of minimally maintained rental property. So this is not surprising. I agree with my neighbors, property owners need to be held accountable for such negligence. While I'm no expert, I'm unable to find anything related to vicious animals in the PROP or nuisance codes. This is all so very disappointing.

My husband and I routinely walk our dogs on leashes and now carry a heavy walking stick to fend off a large number of pit bulls and the occaisional german shepard. I love dogs, have always had one. These folks who don't keep them secure shouldn't have a dog, clearly don't love them enough to protect them from what may happen if they run loose and have no respect for others and the love they have for their dogs. I say we need increased and better animal control folks who aren't afraid of these dogs and care enough about them to ensure the safety of all the pets and people in the neighborhood. We also need inforcement of the legislation which prohibits chaining dogs all day so that if they do escape, they are not wild with the need to exercise and get into mischief.

The Probationary Rental Occupancy Permit (PROP) program was established to put rental owners on a tighter leash (so to speak) regarding properties that have repeated violations of certain sections of the code. The animal control ordinance is not part of this group of violations. They are listed below. Upon petition to the City Council, it can be considered that this criteria be added to the PROP definition below. I am still waiting on a report from the Animal Control division and will further update this issue when I have heard back from them:

Probationary rental residential dwelling: A dwelling unit, other than a utility apartment, including the premises of the dwelling unit which is the site of:

(1)A violation of §10-6058 by reoccupancy of a dwelling previously found unsafe;
(2)A violation of §10-6137 by reoccupancy before certification of compliance with the Housing Code by the Inspections Department;
(3)Activities resulting in (a) a third conviction for violation of §13-3017 the Nuisance Party ordinance, within the twenty-four (24) month period following notice from the PROP Team of the Police Department of the first conviction or (b) a third civil penalty for violation of §13-3017, within the twenty-four (24) month period following notice from the PROP Team of the Police Department of the first notice of violation;
(4)Activities resulting in (a) a third conviction for violation of §12-5007, the Prohibited Noises ordinance, within the twenty-four (24) month period following notice from the PROP Team of the Police Department of the first conviction or (b) a third civil penalty for violation of §12-5007, within the twenty-four (24) month period following notice from the PROP Team of the Police Department of the first notice of violation;
(5)A violation of §10-6058 by the failure to repair, vacate or demolish within the time provided for compliance with the Code in the order issued by the Inspections Department pursuant to N.C. Gen. Statute §160A-429;
(6)A violation of §10-6137 by the failure to repair, vacate or demolish the dwelling within the time provided for compliance with the Code in the order issued by the Inspections Department pursuant to §10-6127
(7)A violation of §10-2151 by housing more inhabitants than permitted in the zoning Code section applicable to the dwelling;
(8)A zoning vehicle violation by the failure to comply in a timely manner with an order issued by Inspections Department due to the unlawful storage of unlicensed, uninspected, wrecked, crushed, dismantled, or partially dismantled automotive vehicles on the premises;
(9)A second nuisance abatement pursuant to §12-6003 within a twenty-four (24) month period;
(10)A fourth notice of violation within a twenty-four (24)month period, when the prior notices of violations were resolved by corrective action and without issuance of any order or mandate for corrective action, of any of the following sections §§10-2151, 10-6058, 10-6137 and 12-6003 of the City Code .
(11)Activities resulting in a third conviction for a criminal activity on the premises of the dwelling following notice from the PROP Team of the Police Department within the twenty-four (24)month period following notice from the first conviction for a criminal activity on the premises of the dwelling.

My own family has been affected by this as well. My children and I were chased into our house repeatedly by a neighbors dog. They finally gave that one away. But when they got another one, the same problem is happening again. The new dog is not aggressive but is getting out and sleeping in the street (a busy street that public buses use). The problem is not the dogs, but the attitude towards dog ownership and responsibility that is the problem.

I was very disappointed to see Honey, the St Bernard who resides at 2263 Rumson on the loose again today. Fortunately her owners came to pick her up as I was taking this photo, but this is the same dog that gave my dogs 14 staples and has caused my neighbor around $2,000 in vet bills as she's tried to saved her dogs after a crushed femur, a punctured lung, and a punctured liver. The owners have been sited and fined, but the dog keeps getting out.

A police officer in the neighborhood called Animal Control for a loose black pit bull early Saturday morning on Brighton Rd, at my request. (I spotted the dog on my way out of the neighborhood and did not have my phone with me.) It was in the 30s outside, and the dog looked pretty miserable, though as usual for our neighborhood, appeared well fed and had a collar.

The loose and stray dog problem is scheduled for the East CAC January meeting agenda (3rd Monday of the month, 7pm, Lions Park Community Center). Any city or county workers who are involved in addressing this issue are welcomed to attend.

Re:Honey the St Bernard

It is my understanding that Ron & Judy Stacy previously contacted 2263's property owner, Mr. Gupta, regarding the tenant's inability to control their vicious dog. Mr. Gupta expressed to the Stacys that either the dog goes or the tenants will be evicted.

So now my question is, has anyone from the City contacted Gupta regarding this still unresolved threat or is Gupta even aware that the beast is back?

This dog is a public safety threat considering the recent attacks on neighbors and that any pedestrian traffic in Lockwood to the Buckeye Greenway must pass 2263 Rumson Rd. or re-route to Raleigh Blvd.

the St Bernard attacked my two small dogs in my own back yard...the vet bill so far is over $2000, one dog had a punctured lung and liver, the smaller dog had multiple bruising, hair pulled out and a curshed/broken right paw/ankle.
i missed 2 days of work due to straining my shoulder(documented at Urgent Care/Wake Forest Rd.) trying to push the St. Bernard away before help arrived.
i'm afraid to take my dogs out in my own back yard, be careful.

It seems to me that part of the problem is Mr. Gupta's rental practices. If one looks around the neighborhood, the houses with 15 cars, loud disturbances, police invovement etc. appear to be his. He should be held accountable for trashing the neighborhood as well as contributing to endangering the public allowing these folks to keep this nasty dog.

Our Animal Control officers have increased patrols here day and night. They have issues a few citations but as you can imagine, it is often difficult to catch the loose animals "in the act". We will continue to provide more frequent attention here. Please do not hesitate to call 911 if you see dogs on the loose. This will allow quicker response and document the occurrence of problems to allow us to work with the property owners. We will also be sending an Animal Control officer to the CAC meeting in January. For now we will leave this issue open. To contact our supervisor directly please call 919-996-1449 to speak to Tracey Alford or contact via email at tracey.alford@raleighnc.gov.

Well, Honey was out again today around 2pm at 2243 Rumson Rd. where a poodle also resides. While I was dialing in to report her, two kids came running down the street and caught her in my neighbor's driveway.

Before the recent attacks, Honey attempted to enter our backyard, but my husband managed to scare her off. We have a beagle and dachshunds that freely roam our gated yard as well.

We also called non-emergency when she aggressively chased a woman walking her dog one afternoon in September. Honey's owner blocked traffic on Rumson with their vehicles' doors wide-open while attempting to corral their vicious dog. Other drivers had to jump the curb and continue to drive in the Greenway easement lot to avoid the traffic snarl.

It has been clearly demonstrated that Honey's owners do not have control of this dog and it is just a matter of time before another attack occurs.

If you see Honey (or any other trouble making dog) on the loose again, please call 831-6311 and leave a call back number so that Animal Control can contact you. I spoke with the Animal Control Supervisor of the RPD today and he said that it would really help a lot if you could do that. Also, whenever safe to do so, taking a picture is helpful in terms of gathering evidence.

This is one of my biggest beefs with our neighborhood - irresponsible dog owners. I live on Brighton and see it all the time. I've been charged at by loose dogs out in the street and seen countless roaming dogs on King Charles, Locke, Glascock, Sheffield, Colleton, Brighton, etc. They seem to be everywhere over here - I've called Animal Control but not sure if it does any good. I don't even walk my own dog near my house anymore. Glad this issue is coming up at the January CAC meeting.

Hi folks, I know this is a terrible issue...we have a few in my part of the neighborhood over on Somerset and I really appreciate everyone's attention to the problem!

I've fostered dogs for years and while we have a few problems with our new small one (who seems to be an escape artist) our girls are watched or contained to the best of our ability for the safety of themselves and our neighbors. I do want to remind everyone that it is the OWNERS - not the dogs - who are to blame for their poor behavior and I would like to encourage a note-writing campaign to those neighbors you know are in need of some pet education.

I also want to offer assistance to anyone who needs it learning how to train, contain, or care for their pups. It's hard to be a dog mom or dad if you don't have the means but there are resources out there to help, including assistance with low-cost healthcare and supplies.

If you need help dealing with a dog that you can't care for or no longer want please let me know. I'm happy to help find a safe, loving home - even for dogs with aggression issues and a not-so-great track record - so that our neighborhood can be a safe, happy place for all.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need help. Alissa (309) 750-0307

Honey was out again today around 5:30 pm. A man and several kids along with a sedan were chasing her on Rumson, stopping traffic. They finally caught her near the Greenway easement…

Our Animal Control Supervisor, Tracey Alford indicates that the Animal Control division is coordinating with the community resource police officer to better identify dogs running loose in the area. There is a community watch meeting that will be taking place this month that an animal control officer will be attending to answer questions. This is an area that we patrol everyday due to the high volume of loose animals. The owner of the Saint Bernard on Rumson Road has been citied and summons have been issued for them to be in court regarding the dog running at large. We will continue to patrol the area.

I do not live in East Raleigh however one of the dogs listed in the above feed attacked my husband and dog on 3/20/2013 in North Raleigh. The St. Bernard Mix jumped out of a 2nd story town home window to charge at them. My husband has lacerations on his hands and leg and my dog has a broken or bruised rib and a puncture wound from a bite. We trapped the dog in our garage until Animal Control could come. The dog had already been deemed dangerous by Animal Control and is currently quarantined for 10 days from the attack. I am all for dogs....but dogs with violence on multiple accounts...that you can google... that are still loose in the public...is beyond me. There is a good chance this dog will be released soon. I agree owners are at fault but with multiple charges being brought from the above response with the City of Raleigh and our charges pending...I would like to know what it will take to have this dog off the streets? Something has to be done- this dog should not be allowed to terrorize people and pets all over Raleigh!

I wrote the above comment and realized I could re-open the issue. This issue effects us all!

If the CoR would adopt dangerous dogs ordinances to the strict enforcement levels of cities like Charlotte or Asheville I doubt Honey's owners would still be in possession of this dangerous dog.

She is court ordered to be muzzled outside of the home.

My neighbor has yet to receive the $3000+ worth of damages she was awarded from smalls claims court from the Gilchrists either. This whole scenario is simply sickening…

Please contact your landlord to report this crime and hopefully the tenants will no longer be able to keep this animal on the premises in the meantime.

Hello All,
I'm Teresa Washburn/2259 Rumson Rd./919-835-2747
Just for the record, after my ordeal, the whole court maze, etc. I finally came to the sad realization that nothing's going to be done by this SLOW MOVING BUREAUCRACY.
At the end of my ordeal I was told by Officer Jones from the Sheriff's Dept. that Karen Gilchrist (Honey's owner) owns nothing, has no job and says she has no money to pay for anything.
I just have to ask HOW does she pay rent to Bhola Gupta - 919-782-5487, HOW does she pay utilities, HOW does she pay for food, HOW does she manage to drive late model cars? It's curious to me and others that for someone who has no money etc. HOW DOES she manage to fill up 2 to 3 garbage cans a week! Is this house used as a Boarding House?
I and some of my neighbors also can't help but notice all the in and out traffic to Karen's house that periodically happens.....we don't think she's selling Avon or Tupperware!
Let me just throw this out; since those IN CHARGE seem to have their hands constantly tied up, why don't we as a neighborhood start collecting signatures from home owners in the areas having these sorts of problems and then turn all this in to the N&O, City Zoning, Narcotics Dept.,Animal Control and all the TV stations?
Lets send a message that we don't want dangerous dogs and their irresponsible owners, slum lords or possible drug dealers
in our neighborhood.

More bad press:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/04/02/2795845/repeated-attacks-by-dog-prompt.html

Unfortunately the newly adopted dangerous dog amendments are toothless and do not clearly delineate the steps AC officers need follow to protect the public from dogs like Honey.

Liability insurance, yards signs, secured enclosures and even tattoos for dangerous dogs are explicitly required by other NC municipalities.

Why can't Raleigh adopt strict and comprehensive dangerous dog ordinances like Asheville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem or Charlotte's:

http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/CMPD/organization/Support/AnimalControl/LocalOrdinances/Pages/Dangerous%20Dogs.aspx

Closing out Open issues that have been addressed. Please call 911 for stray, loose dogs to that Animal Control officers can be dispatched. SeeClickFix is not a tool for reporting issues such as stray, loose dogs as law enforcement must observe ordinance violations in order to enforce. Thanks.