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Residents recount dog attacks at Oakland Woods park; board directs code enforcement follow-up
Summary
At the Town of Oakland meeting multiple residents described repeated dog attacks near a pond in the Oakland Woods subdivision and urged faster action by code enforcement. Manager Harvey Ellis said staff will follow up with code enforcement and meet with residents after the meeting.
Residents from the Oakland Woods subdivision told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen they have been repeatedly threatened by loose dogs running through a failing fence at a private property adjacent to a public pond and walkway.
A resident describing herself as an 85-year-old regular walker said a Rottweiler broke through a hole in a falling fence on June 6, attacked a neighbor’s dog and forced the speaker to fend it off with a walking stick. She said family members have experienced at least three attacks at the same property and expressed concern for children who fish at the nearby pond. “I feel like I should be safe to walk in a public park or a public street without being attacked by a dog,” the resident said. She provided the board with printed material and photographs, and the board invited her to meet with staff after the meeting.
Town Manager Harvey Ellis confirmed he and code-enforcement staff had discussed the issue and directed residents to meet with him and code enforcement after the meeting for follow-up. Ellis said the town has resources to enforce leash and property standards and that staff would pursue repeated violations.
Why it matters: residents reported a pattern of repeat incidents at the same property and said attempts to temporarily board holes in the fence were insufficient. Board members and staff said the town’s code-enforcement process and repeat-offender tracking software will help prioritize follow-up; staff asked residents to provide photographs and addresses to aid enforcement.
What the board directed: staff were asked to meet with the residents and investigate whether the property owner or the rental company must repair or replace the failing fence; code enforcement will document repeat violations and proceed with legal remedies if warranted.
The board meeting record shows the resident supplied photos and the town manager and code-enforcement staff committed to follow up directly with the residents.
