To the Editor,

On Wednesday, May 23, after hearing for much of the day several dogs barking in the woods that run behind an office building on Fayetteville Road and in front of the townhouses in Walnut Cove, we heard the barking getting louder and becoming more frantic. It was discovered that four or five large dogs were in the water — there is a small lake on the property — tearing an animal, perhaps another dog or small deer, to pieces. We called the police but by the time they arrived the dogs had disappeared into the woods again. We have not heard the dogs barking since then but the neighborhood remains on edge.

I am writing this letter to warn people to be aware of dogs running in packs. We have a lease law in Lumberton so if you are allowing your dog to run loose, he may be joining a pack. There are small children living in our neighborhood and these dogs are dangerous.

The Animal Control officer has been called but as I write this we have not heard back or seen him checking this out. I appreciate our police and understand that they are stretched thin, but we do need a full-time Animal Control officer that is prepared to handle these dangerous situations.

Evelyn Smith

Lumberton