Some Ardsley Park residents claim pets are being attacked by dogs

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Some residents of an Ardsley Park neighborhood say they are fed up with loose, off-leash dogs allegedly attacking their pets.

Nikki Greenwood, who lives near Guckenheimer Park, said her cat Mime died at the vet on Friday.

She tells News 3 that her neighbors allegedly saw Mime being attacked by two unleashed black dogs. She and her neighbors believe the dogs were seen on the Ring doorbell footage shortly before Mime’s alleged attack.

“A neighbor saw the attack and went outside to stop the dogs. They had to be pretty aggressive with the animals to catch them and get them to drop my cat, and then he told us what had happened,” Greenwood said.

The owners of the dogs are unknown, but Greenwood is not the only neighbor who spoke to News 3 claiming his pets were recently attacked by animals.

Jason Joiner said his cat was attacked in March.

“She had obviously been grabbed by a dog and has some deep puncture wounds and cuts,” Joiner said. “Luckily she made it out and the next day I found out the neighbor’s cat behind me had been killed. So I put two and two together and it was obviously probably the same dogs.”

Robert Costello told News 3 that some of his neighbors have accused him of being the owner of one of the dogs that attacked Mime and other pets because the description fits his dog, Milo.

“I can understand why she’s upset, but I don’t think you should just blame every black dog if they all look the same and say that’s the one that killed my animal,” Costello said.

Costello says Milo is very gentle and Chatham County Animal Services (CCAS) cleared him and Milo of Mime’s attack.

“When the kids come out, they all play with him. He’s really a big baby,” Costello said.

Nevertheless, the neighbors of CCAS are demanding responsibility for compliance with the leash requirement.

“I’m not sure why the county is having trouble enforcing the laws, but it seems like we’re having trouble getting justice,” Greenwood said.

CCAS told News 3 in a statement that they were aware of the incidents in Ardsley Park, were investigating and had increased patrols in the area.

Read the full statement:

“Animal Services is aware of incidents involving dogs running loose in the Ardsley Park area. Our officers are currently conducting several investigations. In addition, we have increased patrols in the area.

Most calls involve dogs running loose, and the number is always higher during the warmer spring and summer months. Chatham County ordinance requires dogs to be manually controlled, usually on a leash, when outside of the owner’s property. Residents should ensure gates and fenced areas provide a safe place to keep their pets.”

-CCAS Director Dr. Jake Harper

According to Savannah City ordinance, dogs must be kept on a leash when outside of their owner’s property, with the exception of specially designated dog parks.