Tuesday, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen heard from Poplarville residents and members of the Animal Advocates of Pearl River County regarding a pack of wild dogs inhabiting and roaming around the city’s downtown area, specifically in the North Main Street area.
Megan Carmack, a Poplarville resident, veterinarian technician, and member of the Animal Advocates of Pearl River County, told board members that for the past year a half, a pack of wild dogs running around the downtown neighborhood chasing people’s pets and people running down the sidewalks. There have been attacks on pets, but no reported attacks on children. The dogs also destroy garbage, she said. The animals also have unknown skin conditions, she added.
Carmack said she tried trapping them when she lived on the other side of town last year with no luck.
“They are residing in one resident’s yard,” Carmack said. “Now that I’m close to that location, I have been able to trap the mother, who just had puppies. So her and her puppies were taken to Picayune. I’ve also trapped one of the other grown puppies who has been raised feral on the street. There is still another one roaming, a Corgi.”
In an effort to figure out what could be done about the animals, Carmack said she contacted the Pearl River County Animal Control Officer, but was told it was out of his jurisdiction.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said the city has received calls about the situation, after the animals have left the area.
Poplarville Police Chief Butch Raby said he is aware of the problem and has taken four dogs from the residence on North Main Street and took them to the veterinarian.
Carmack said the problem continued because the mother and father dogs ran around for so long, continuing to have puppies.
“I have a trap in my personal yard and feel sure that I could catch the other male in the resident’s yard if I had permission to do so,” Carmack said. “The Corgi is the only one left as far as the feral pack is concerned.”
Anne Gendusa Smith, the owner of the property, also attended Tuesday’s meeting and shared her experience with the feral animals.
Smith said none of the animals were hers. The female dog gave birth to three litters, one of which she thought involved her dog.
During the first week of January, Smith said she rigged a trapping system with several cages. When they were contained, she called Raby who took four of the animals off the property.
“On April 13, the mother had puppies under the house and we went under and got them,” she said. “I have caught 15 dogs personally.”
Carmack asked the board, “who do we call about stray animals?”
Necaise the Poplarville Police Department is responsible for stray animals within the city limits, but have limited resources. They do have dart guns and tranquilizers, he said. The city cannot afford an animal control officer, he added.
“The police department took a bit of criticism about this situation, but they do what they are equipped to do,” Necaise said.
Necaise said that regular communication and education, shared through social media, might help resolve this problem.
However, there’s another issue. Carmack said when the dogs ran through the area, they collected all the other strays from around the neighborhood to run as a pack, which includes people’s pets. These dogs are not on a leash, wearing a collar or tag, Carmack said.
Poplarville Alderwoman Shirley Wiltshire said that by law, the animals have to be leashed and tagged.
“If the animal is out running lose and not chipped, then it doesn’t belong to anyone,” Wiltshire said.
According to the city’s ordinance, pet owners must register their animals with the city. The application must be obtained within 30 days of adopting an animal more than three months old, the ordinance states.
The minimum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of $25 and the maximum penalty is a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail, the ordinance states.
The board took no action on the matter and encouraged Carmack and Smith to review the ordinance and submit their recommendations to the board.
“Our neighborhood and city can use a proper plan,” Necaise said.
The next board meeting will be held on May 17 at 5 p.m.