Why Is Animal Control in the state of Virginia so powerless to deal with dangerous situations?

Question

Last week, our neighbors cat was killed in it's own fenced-in back yard, by the neighbors Pit Bulls. There was nobody who literally saw the cat in the dogs mouth, but we know the dogs are responsible:

- The neighbors across the street saw the dogs roaming the area around the time of the attack.

- The dogs are the only ones that are seen not on a leash

- One of the dogs had scratches and injuries consistent with having been in a fight.

- The owner of the dog admitted his dog's responisblity.

In addition, the attack occurred right across the street from Haycock Elementary School. Animal Control has done nothing, and the dogs remain a threat to every kid that walks up the street on their way to school.

Why can't Animal Control have the necessary authority do deal with this dangerous situation?

Answer 1

actually going for small furry "game" such as squirrels, rabbits, or unfortunatally cats has NOTHING to do with if they will or won't bother a child....

HOWEVER loose wandering dogs are in violation of leash laws and in most areas can result in oener fine IF the animal control SEES them (not only report)

Answer 2

If the dogs are being cared for, fed, watered, sheltered, then that in itself lets the owners off.  As you have said nothing can be proved that these dogs killed your cat, even though you "know" that they are guilty.  Perhaps the owners have been warned, would any one know if they have been.  As in most cases with government facilities, someone has to be attacked, hurt or killed in order for any thing to be done.  

Answer 3

The owner of the cat needs to press the issue with animal control, the police and even the media.  

Those officers are not doing their jobs if they have not investigated and sent this to trial under the dangerous dog law ( http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.... )

what the dog did qualifies it as a dangerous animal.  it killed a companion animal.  Which means there needs to be a trail or hearing.

They will need to show how the dogs got in the yard.  And have neighbors who saw the dogs roaming free make statements.

Try to get your local news papers on this, as well as the tv.  Also ask the police why nothing was done.   And hold them accountable.  Sometimes they try and let things go because it could be difficult for the people involved, which is wrong.  And they will only act if they have no choice because its out in the public eye.

Answer 4

I would think that they would give the owner some kind of warning to keep the dogs in the fence.  

Answer 5

What you need to do is call Animal Control EVERY time you see the dog roaming free.  The cat's owner needs to do what they van to press charges.  Unfortunately, if no one saw the incident, there may be nothing anyone can do.  Animal Control can de something about it, but not without taking the dog's owners to court first.  Dogs are considered personal property, and they can't be removed from the home without a court order.  

I live in Virginia as well.  I am also on the opposite side of this.  I don't have vicious dogs, but I have been harrassed by an Animal Control Officer for the past several months.  I show and breed my dogs, and she doesn't like it.  She has gone so far as to make false allegations to both zoning and Social Services.  I had to go to the sheriff to make her stop.  Animal Control does have limited power.  But they can, with the courts supervision, remove animals from their owners.  But a judge has to get involved.

Answer 6

You are saying that no one saw the cat being attacked by the dogs you are accusing of doing the act. Now my question is this.  Is it because these dogs are pit bulls and running loose that you say ok they did it?  Ok the one dog had scratches on him. How old were the scratches and how can if be proved that the cat was the one that did the damage? I'm not saying that the dogs didn't do the killing. I'm saying that it can't be proven that the dogs are the ones that killed the cat 100%. No animal control officer is going to take the dogs without proof that they are guilty of the crime. Sure the owner should be fined for the animals running at large.

You are also assuming that if the dogs attacked the cat that they will attack a child. Now I think that is based on the stories and what not that you have read about pit bull attacks. Have these dogs attacked people before?