ORLANDO, Fla. — Homeowners in an Orlando neighborhood said a pair of pit bulls are terrorizing them, and multiple calls to Animal Control for the last two months have not solved the problem.
A woman said she had to screen in her front porch so her cats stay safe, but when the pit bulls got loose again, they busted through the screen so she called 911.
Judi Chapman and her neighbors have called Animal Control about the pit bull problem for months.
Raw: Woman responds to pit bull complaints
In the 15 pages of complaints, residents reported that the dogs were loose, and in one case, a caller said the dogs killed her cat.
On Oct. 23, Animal Control discovered one dog is not vaccinated.
Anna Bland, the woman who said she's not the owner but still takes care of the dogs, was issued a warning.
When Channel 9 reporter Janine Reyes went to the neighborhood, the dogs were running loose.
Despite multiple patrols, Animal Control writes they “observed no loose dogs.”
“When we call them, they come hours later and then the dogs aren’t around,” said Chapman.
Animal Control only issues a citation if officers see the dogs loose or if someone files a written statement.
Chapman filed a written statement Wednesday, but no action was taken until Reyes started asking questions.
Bland was cited $660.
“I said, you go ahead and cite me how you want because there’s no way I can pay that kind of money,” she said.
Both dogs are now contained in her backyard.
“I know there’s a law against the dogs being loose in the neighborhood, but I never seen them run after anybody,” said Bland.
Champman fears the problem won’t end.
“I’m tired of complaining. Something needs to be done. Are they going to wait until the dog attacks a kid or they kill another cat,” she said.
Animal Control said unless the an officer spots them loose in the neighborhood, they can’t confiscate the animals.