Alger Heights neighbors concerned about loose husky
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A community social media page in the Alger Heights area of Grand Rapids has been full of posts over the last few weeks, tracking a chronically loose dog that neighbors say has attacked small animals in the neighborhood.
Now, they are wondering what can be done to get the dog under control.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office and its animal control department say that repeated offenses are the main driver of successful legal consequences in situations like this. They have already received four unique reports for this specific dog in Alger Heights.
A roaming husky, often spotted with a rottweiler companion, is causing concern in the Alger Heights neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
"A lot of times I just see it roaming around or on the Alger Heights discussion group just loose, doing things it's not supposed to do. It's supposed to be locked in a cage and not loose," said Ky, Alger Heights resident and dog owner.
Neighbors told News 8 the young-looking husky is a sweet dog when it interacts with people, but small animals in the neighborhood are not faring as well. Posts to the Alger Heights community Facebook page show it has succeeded in catching a few birds.
Alexandria Wong told News 8 the husky was seen roaming on their street for a while and was found in their backyard this past Saturday night.
"The husky, I immediately recognized it, had our four-year-old daughter's favorite chicken in its mouth. It totally decimated our little flock. It was sad, those were our pets," said Alexandria Wong. "But it's been going on for a few weeks. Long enough that you feel like the dog owner should take steps to contain their dog."
News 8 obtained reports from Kent County Animal Control, which received reports of the husky and rottweiler running lose four times this year.
In April, the dogs were rounded up by animal control and returned to the address listed on their collars on Hazen Street and the owner was warned.
The same dogs were reported in August and twice in September — the owner receiving official warnings from the department to keep their dogs at home on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10.
The Alger Heights husky isn't the only example. Earlier this year, a shih tzu in southeast Grand Rapids and a cat on the West Side were both killed by loose dogs.
Kent County Animal Control told News 8 there are legal avenues available, but enforcement is largely a case-by-case basis.
"Charging, attacking, obviously biting would give the authority for an animal control officer to issue a citation. If it is more egregious and rises above the level of civil infraction, then criminal charges could be field through the prosecutor's office," Lt. Brian Wheeler with the Kent County Sheriff's Office Animal Control said. "If it is severe attack, we would impound the animal at the time, especially if it is against a person."
Once the animal is impounded, or in the case of repeated civil infractions, the dog could face a dangerousness hearing. If it is deemed a dangerous animal, the owner has to fulfill very specific requirements to keep the dog. The dog could be humanely euthanized, but that's after a court hearing and a hearing in front of the judge, including a prosecutor and the owner.
Neighbors were able to point News 8 to the apparent residence of the Alger Heights husky, where we saw it sitting in the backyard, seemingly with a restraint keeping it there, for now.
Kent County animal control said above all else, if you encounter a stray animal in your neighborhood, aggressive or not, do not try to corral it yourself. The best reporting protocol is to call their office at 616.632.7300.
