Wild dogs strike again in East Carson City, brutally maim pet goats for second time
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 06/24/2021 - 7:47am
The wild pack of dogs attacked again Tuesday night at an east Carson City residence, severely maiming a pet goat.
According to the goat’s owner, Maggie Jessberger, this was not the first time the pack of dogs had injured her goats.
The first attack occurred on May 17 at 4 a.m., when two of her goats were brutally attacked by the wild dogs. She called 911 to report the attack, and was directed to speak with animal control.
Upon reaching animal control, however, the woman she spoke to was dismissive and told Jessberger that they already knew about the dogs and “brushed it off.” No one came to take a report.
However, after the second attack on Tuesday, Jessberger again called 911 after the goats were attacked around 11 p.m., and stated that both animal control and the sheriff’s office were “extremely responsive” and both came out to see the damage and get statements.
“I am super happy with their response the second time,” said Jessberger. “It definitely seems they are taking the feral dog problem seriously.”
An emergency vet came out to assess Billy the Goat, who suffered from severe lacerations and puncture wounds to his hindquarters. The vet prescribed him painkillers and antibiotics for now, and Jessberger is making sure he is still eating and drinking while the wounds drain and recover.
A GoFundMe has been started to help Jessberger and her family pay for the emergency medical bills for Billy the Goat.
Jessberger identified the pack of dogs as the ones that the sheriff’s office and animal control recently responded to after they attacked a herd of Carson City deer at Lone Mountain Cemetery.
“The light colored one even tried snapping at my husband,” Jessberger added.
In a post to the Next-door app, Jessberger stated the attack occurred in the area of East Clearview Drive.
“I’m sharing these to alert people that they are at large and they snapped at my husband,” the post stated. “Animals are no longer (safe) on their own properties. The city of Carson needs to be held accountable for their slow response for a threat that has been going on since late last year.”
In a joint statement from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, the Nevada Humane Society Animal Control, and the Washoe Tribal Police, residents were urged to report any sightings of the pack to all enforcement.
The statement is as follows:
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Humane Society Animal Control, and Tribal Police are coordinating efforts to safely secure three feral roaming dogs. Residents are asked to call (775) 887-COPS (2677) to report immediate sightings.
The dogs are believed to be very minimally socialized and not owned by any resident. The dogs are described as weighing between 60-80 pounds, one is brown, the other is tan with a black mask, and the third is black/brown with white on its face.
Currently, the three roaming dogs are believed to have formed under a new pack leader, sightings of their activities were first reported in May of 2021. The dogs are very elusive and clever, making them difficult to tranquilize. The capture of the dogs is the coalition's top priority.
Citizens are urged to not approach or attempt to capture the dogs. Sheriff Furlong said “These dogs present a significant public hazard. While there are no reports of them attacking people, there is substantial concern that there is a risk to the public. Please do not attempt to engage or interact with these dogs.”
Residents must note, this is a different dog pack from the one reported last year but likely from similar origins. Last year, residents reported sightings of four roaming dogs. Following a capture operation conducted in the fall of 2020, the Nevada Humane Society successfully apprehended the pack leader, subsequently no further sightings were reported.
Based on the unique circumstances, the Nevada Humane Society will apply additional considerations because of the reported history of these dogs, however it is not the intent to harm or euthanize these dogs.
Please do not approach these dogs, call (775) 887-COPS (2677) to report immediate sightings.
