Canines terrorizing residents
Some Tate County residents are fed up with dogs running loose and wreaking havoc in their neighborhood.
Kathy Arnold and Sabrina Medlin voiced their concerns Monday, Sept 16, to the Board Supervisors regarding an irresponsible owner allowing dogs to roam free and attack other animals on Pamela Drive in Royal Heights subdivision.
“These dogs are killing livestock and pets, and they are doing it on our property,” Arnold said. “My daughter’s cat was killed by one of these dogs. The dogs are kept in a pen, but they keep getting out. I am afraid they are going to attack a person…maybe even a child.”
Both Arnold and Medlin said they are searching for ways to hold the owners accountable since Tate County does not have a leash law making it illegal for dogs to run loose.
“They have killed one of our cats and attacked two others,” Arnold explained. “We contacted the Tate County Sheriff’s Office, and we located the dogs and identified them from photos and videos we have. The owner claims they aren’t his since they never get out of their pen.”
Arnold obtained a report from TCSO detailing her claims of the nuisance dogs living at a residence across a field from Royal Heights subdivision. She has filed a civil suit against the dog owner in Tate County Justice Court.
“This is an ongoing issue in our county,” Medlin added. “People won’t claim responsibility or ownership of their animals. They want to put the blame on someone else.”
Supervisor Leigh Ann Darby, an attorney in Senatobia, confirmed Arnold and Medlin have taken the appropriate steps to rectify the problem by filing a complaint in court.
One county official advised a person has the right to shoot an aggressive dog if its displays vicious behavior and endangers humans and pets.
Supervisors authorized the following items on the consent agenda including:
• Spread the monthly road department update on the minutes.
• Circuit clerk’s claims for a grand jury session.
• Solid waste department settlement for $110,649.19.
• Planning department settlement for $15,445.80.
• Approve pay estimate number two for the Tate County Safety Circuit Riders Project for $956,133.00.
