Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday at 2:30 PM, as I was headed to an appointment, I encountered a
pack of 3 dogs, running loose.
Two were obvious Pit mixes, the third seemed terrier like.
The largest was about 75#s and cinnamon colored, one was brindle, the
smallest was brownish and about 35#s.
They were travelling north on 46th toward Springfield.
Lucky for me, the cats that hang out at 4601 Springfield proved a more
tempting target.
The dogs tore across the street, up the lawn and onto the porch,
seemingly in hot pursuit of cat snack. I did not wait to see if they
caught any cat or kittens.
Despite the press of my appointment, I was aware that SFDS would be
dismissing 600 children in less than 5 minutes, and I was not prepared to
see cat-snack be redirected to kiddies-&-bits.
I made a mad dash for the crossing guard at 47th (I didn't even realize I
can still run), while calling the school on my cell. The call was a
hope for time for the school to generate a Public Announcement of the
imminent danger.
It is amazing what flashes through minds when there is danger to self or
children. I realized I was mentally accounting for parents who walk
their kids to and from school and assigning them a value as practical
assistants in the herding of children into larger groups and away from
the danger of the dogs. I also dialed 911, but the dispatch service
didn't get "potential / preventable" risk and demanded I take down the
number for PACA (Philadelphia Animal Control).
So, with a Crossing Guard restraining the kids to 47th and Springfield,
and Terry B. holding firm on Farragut, and a boiling mass of children
along all of that block of Springfield, we provided a noisy incentive for
the dogs to move on.
The pack headed West on Springfield and than South on 47th (with a brief
dash into one of the alleys on the West side of 47th) to Chester.
Children were instructed to travel in groups and several adults
volunteered to walk the kids to the trolleys. Parents, who normally
drive, helped by positioning cars to separate the kids and the dogs until
imminent danger was passed. There were reports that an adult male had
been attacked, on 46th, before I first saw the pack. One of the parents
claimed the man was dragged into the street, and that the parent used his
car to tap the largest dog, which let go and led the other dogs to 4601.
That Driver claims he also called 911, and expected some response. I was
less optimistic after my contact with 911. The parent headed toward the
school, because he saw the attacked man stand up and appear okay, but the
driver feared for his children who were expected to be on a path that
would intercept that of the dogs.
I write for three reasons.
First is in warning.
I am concerned that these dogs pose a danger to neighbors.
I fear that they will come back to 4601, as there is almost always dry
food, water and cats on that porch.
I called Paul (owner 4601) and suggested he look out before he steps out,
to avoid meeting the pack on his porch.
I also let him know that it was animals not any human that had wreaked
havoc on his porch.
I am faxing a copy of this note to PACA, and I ask you, my neighbors, to
please stay away from these dogs, and to please report their movements or
regular hangouts.
I do not think these are pets, I do not remember seeing collars, only the
blood on the ruff of the largest dog, and the kids I was hoping to
protect.
Second, I'd like to see a greater willingness on the part of Police
Dispatch to deal with preventable incidents.
The Crossing Guard, other mothers and I should not have to become the
perimeter defense for close to 300 children.
The Principal, Sr. Constance, followed up with Police who claimed they
responded, but it was not while the danger was imminent ( a period of at
least 12-13 minutes). The dogs spent at least 2-3 minutes at 4601, at
least 5 minutes of sassy posturing as they investigated our group from
the south side of Springfield, and several more minutes each, on 47th
street and in the alley. The kids had time to see that the lead dog was
covered in relatively fresh blood from his muzzle to behind his ears. It
was not clear if it was his own blood, that of one of the cats, or even
from the male dragging victim. Some of the kids were terrified.
Third, It is that terror, that can be triggered by the sight of any
unleashed dog, that keeps me fierce in my support of leash laws, even
where I know the owner and the dog and believe the owner has voice
control over the dog. Dogs can not be kept happy, on public property, at
the expense of the peace of mind of pedestrians or cyclists who might
fear them.
Please be safe and be party to helping all of us be safe and feel (within
reason) safe.
All the best in 2005!
Liz
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