Residents urge stronger enforcement after repeated hybrid-canine attacks in Dyerly neighborhood

At the Sept. 15 Roanoke City Council meeting a neighborhood leader and residents asked the city to ensure enforcement and resources after repeated incidents involving hybrid canines running at large in the Dyerly neighborhood.

Adam Mastrangelo, president of the Greater Dyerly Neighborhood Association and a Dyerly resident, told council that since Oct. 2020 his neighborhood has tracked six incidents tied to hybrid canines at 3580 Windsor Road Southwest, including an episode on June 26, 2025, in which four hybrid canines attacked a deer and at least one of the animals later attacked a resident's pet. He said two companion pets were mauled in separate incidents. Mastrangelo said two criminal charges were filed in Roanoke City District Court; one was dismissed and another resulted in a not-guilty outcome.

"From the Dyerly residents: we're frightened and don't feel safe walking in our neighborhood," Mastrangelo said. He told council the neighborhood unanimously supports the city's draft ordinance to remove the hybrid canines from 3580 Windsor Road Southwest and asked the city to make sure enforcement resources and legal support are available to implement the ordinance.

City attorney remarks and staff follow-up: City Attorney Tim Spencer (City Attorney) clarified the draft ordinance was written to protect the public at large and not to target individual residents. Katie Hedrick (Inclusive Services Manager) and Sergeant Knoll (Animal Control supervisor) described the limits of current enforcement under the city code. Hedrick told council the applicable offense is currently a class 4 misdemeanor for dogs running at large; she said staff had been in contact with the Commonwealth's attorney and that charges in some cases had been dismissed in court under existing code language. Hedrick said staff are reviewing the code and are consulting with the Commonwealth's attorney to determine whether existing code or additional ordinances could provide stronger enforcement tools. Sgt. Knoll, who supervises the animal control and protection unit, said the department is continuing to monitor the reported incidents and respond as allowed by law.

Why it matters: Residents say the incidents have occurred repeatedly over several years and resulted in injury to pets and fear among neighbors. The exchange illustrated a gap that city staff acknowledged: under current code the most-applicable charge for dogs running at large is a class 4 misdemeanor, and some prosecutions have not resulted in convictions.

What council asked: Mastrangelo asked specifically for "necessary resources for enforcement," including code, law enforcement and court-level follow-up. Councilmembers asked staff to look into whether stronger ordinance language or other administrative steps could be pursued and whether the Commonwealth's attorney has additional prosecutorial options.

Clarifying details from testimony and staff: - Incidents tracked: six incidents dating to Oct. 1, 2020, including Oct. 22, 2021; Dec. 14, 2021; Dec. 31, 2021; and June 26, 2025. (Mastrangelo statement summarized at council public comment.) - Address cited by residents: 3580 Windsor Road Southwest. - Legal outcomes: two charges filed in Roanoke City District Court; disposition recorded as dismissed for the first case and not guilty for the second. - Reported injuries: two companion pets were mauled (one per incident in two incidents).

Next steps: Staff said they will continue to monitor calls, coordinate with the Commonwealth's attorney, and review whether an amended ordinance or additional enforcement resources would permit stronger enforcement or other remedies. Hedrick indicated the draft ordinance under consideration had been reviewed by the Commonwealth's attorney for strengthening where possible.

Source notes: Statements recorded from public comment and staff briefings in the Sept. 15 council meeting transcript.