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Resident urges action after alleged pit‑bull attacks, cites town three‑animal limit
Summary
John Dinges of 505 14th Street told the council a neighbor at 506 14th Street keeps many animals — including multiple pit bulls he described as aggressive — and urged enforcement of the town ordinance limiting animals; council discussed prior animal-control outreach and ownership via an LLC.
John Dinges, a Grottoes resident, told the council Aug. 10 that a neighboring house at 506 14th Street keeps dozens of animals and several large dogs and described safety concerns for pedestrians and children.
"At one time, they have 14 cats, 2 dogs. Now they got still numerous amount of cats, but they got 4 dogs... 3 of them consist of pit bulls," Dinges said, recounting that a relative was recently attacked when "2 pit bulls burst through a window and attacked her." Dinges said residents are afraid to walk nearby and asked the council to enforce the town’s animal-control ordinance, which he said limits residents to three dogs and three cats.
Dinges said animal-control officers previously offered cages as a remedy; he told the council he declined to take custody of animals because he did not want the legal or safety liability of transporting them to the SPCA. Councilman Chinnom acknowledged the problem and told the speakers he had experienced similar issues; Chinnom added that the property is owned by an LLC, which may complicate enforcement or civil liability.
The council did not take immediate formal enforcement action during the meeting and did not specify further timelines for investigation or compliance checks. The town ordinance limiting animals and the process for special permits were referenced by a speaker but no ordinance citation or permitting procedure was provided on the record.
