Residents and council raise animal-control concerns; dog park remains in five-year plan

Multiple residents at the July 22 Maryville meeting urged council action after recent stray-dog incidents and called for an animal-control program. Several public commenters described dogs occupying porches and yards, chasing people and triggering multiple calls to police and outside agencies; callers said county animal-control and regional shelters declined assistance because Maryville is an incorporated municipality. Council members and staff acknowledged the problem. Councilwoman Uslak and others noted the town has no municipal animal-control shelter and that the dog-park project is included in the town's five-year master plan. Councilman Pettit said park planning and larger projects will be discussed in upcoming committee meetings. A resident described calling multiple agencies over a multi-day incident; police responded but town staff said the town currently lacks a dedicated animal-control service. Town manager Michael Griffin said staff will handle the individual cases and that building and code staff have attempted to contact property owners when permits or encroachments are involved. No new ordinance, contract or funding was adopted at the meeting. Council members asked staff to follow up on stray-animal reports, and staff said they would revisit procedures and enforcement options in committee, noting that shelters and rescues in the region are often full and that responses can vary by jurisdiction.