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Residents urge Shenandoah council to act after repeated aggressive dog incidents
Summary
Homeowners described multiple attacks and near-misses by large dogs from one property, said officers issued warnings and a citation, and asked council to pursue stiffer fines and animal-control action. City staff said Montgomery County Animal Control has been contacted to investigate.
Shannon Sullivan told the Shenandoah City Council on Oct. 23 that large dogs kept at 2927 Deadwood Lane have escaped repeatedly over the past year and attacked neighbors, delivery workers and a mail carrier, and that attempts to resolve the problem directly with the owner have failed.
"These dogs are unfairly left up to the citizens," Sullivan said. "Children should be able to wait at the bus stop without fear." She said the animals have charged people in a coordinated way and that neighbors have posted videos on a community page documenting multiple incidents.
Neighbor Rosaline Olivarez corroborated Sullivan’s account, saying she watched a mail carrier unable to return to a vehicle because the dogs were charging, and that one elderly resident had tripped and been injured when dogs escaped. Resident Ted Hos described two occasions when the animals approached him while he was in his yard.
Chief Troy told the council officers had responded several times, issued a warning, then a citation after further incidents, and that Montgomery County Animal Control had been contacted to investigate and determine whether the dogs should be removed or rehomed. "We have not yet heard back from Animal Control," Troy said; he said the county would advise if the dogs meet the threshold for removal.
Council members asked staff for follow-up and clarified enforcement tools. A council member noted that a dog-at-large citation in Shenandoah can carry a $50 charge as an example but said the actual fine would be set by the city prosecutor and judge up to the ordinance maximum. Officials urged residents to call the police when incidents occur rather than relying on social media posts.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said they would notify the council when County Animal Control completes its investigation.
