Resident urges stronger enforcement after encounters with loose dogs near neighborhood schools

Cheryl Barnes, a Forest Park resident, told the City Council she is a senior who walks the neighborhood and described several encounters with loose dogs, including a pit bull that she said frightened her and companions.

"I felt like I was running for my life," Barnes said, recounting an incident when a neighbor's pit bull got loose and she and others had to back away; she said she carries pepper spray and that the encounters have left a friend unwilling to visit. Barnes asked the council whether anything could be done to keep walkers and schoolchildren safe.

Council members responded that the city already has an ordinance requiring dogs be on a leash and asked Barnes to provide the addresses of the incidents so police and code enforcement could follow up. The mayor said the city would explore enforcement options and asked Barnes to leave the location details with the clerk. "We will make sure that code enforcement is happening," the mayor said.

Barnes also said she had photographs of at least one incident and provided neighborhood location details (near Cara Hill and Long Acre). Council members noted the approaching school year and emphasized the need to protect students walking to school.

The council did not vote on new measures during the meeting; members said they would coordinate with police and code enforcement and pursue follow-up actions after receiving location information from Barnes. The public-comment period then concluded and the council moved to reports from members.