Wild Dogs Threaten Miami-Dade Pets Amid Rabies Fear

MIAMI, FL — With seven confirmed rabies cases in Miami-Dade County this year, concern has been growing over a pack of wild dogs that have killed a number of family pets in one northwest neighborhood. Residents tell Patch that they believe Miami-Dade County Animal Services has not done enough to help.

"The dogs hunt down raccoons and cats. When we would check the traps there were clear signs of dogs attempting to attack what was in the trap," explained Alyssa Collins, whose Jack Russell Terrier, "Harley," was attacked and killed in her backyard on May 27. "Given the opportunity, there's no doubt that they would get hold of either and contract the disease."

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The wild dogs frequent an undeveloped property in the 13000 block of NW 17 Avenue. They are apparently being fed by a Good Samaritan, according to Collins and a spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Animal Services.

One nearby resident posted on a neighborhood forum that his cat was recently attacked when two dogs jumped his fence in the 14000 block of NW 144 Street.

"My wife witnessed these same two dogs killing a smaller dog in the street," the resident penned.

Neisha Brown, who lives next door to Collins, said that she too suffered the death of a family pet. She said the problem has been going on for years.

"My puppy was killed by the same wild dogs," she told Patch. "For years, those dogs have been a nuisance to the neighborhood. I think the county should order the property owner to do more. The property's grass should be cut down because the grass is high like forestry that the dogs could hide in."

She said that the county did not place enough traps on the site to rid the neighborhood of the wild dogs.

"Whoever is feeding the dogs and trying to save them needs to take them and keep them on their property and not contribute to the nuisance of the neighborhood," she added. "It's obvious no one cares as much about the situation because it's not their dogs or pets that's being killed or attacked."

Miami-Dade County Animal Services told Patch that the agency receives hundreds of inquiries each day.

The agency's Gilda Nunez said that an animal welfare officer successfully trapped one dog in the area after Harley's death. She said that the agency placed two traps near the property where the dogs were seen.

In addition to the traps, Nunez said that an animal welfare officer visited Collins' property on May 30, three days after the attack on Harley. Collins got the dog as a teenager and has been heartbroken since his death.

"There were no dogs observed in the area at that time," Nunez said. She said that a German Shepherd was captured on June 15 and removed by Miami-Dade Animal Services."

Nunez acknowledged that the traps have been monitored and reset over a period of many weeks with little to show.

"Trapping efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to a well-meaning Good Samaritan feeding dogs in the area," she told Patch. "When conducting trapping efforts, animals will generally not enter a trap if there is an alternate food source provided locally."

She added that anyone who sees stray dogs in the area can call 3-1-1 to file a report.

Four people were being treated for possible exposure to rabies last week in North Miami Beach after a pet cat tested positive for the deadly disease, according to state health officials. A rabies alert was issued for a portion of North Miami Beach for 60 days. Meanwhile, a Kendall rabies alert also remains in effect through Nov. 16.

Dr. Alvaro Mejia-Echeverry, a medical epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County told Patch that the four were either scratched, bitten or were in contact with the animal's saliva. The unvaccinated pet cat had to be euthanized after it showed neurological symptoms consistent with rabies while in quarantine, according to health officials.

Health officials also advised residents to avoid contact with wild animals in the area. The rabies alert will remain in effect until Nov. 24 within the following boundaries:

• NE 163rd Street to the north
• NE 151 Street to the south
• Biscayne Blvd to the east
• NE 14th Avenue to the west

The Kendall alert covers the following boundaries:

• SW 152nd Street to the north
• SW 187th Street to the south
• SW 117th Avenue to the east
• SW 137th Avenue to the west

Collins said she has counted as many as 10 large wild dogs in the area when she comes home from work late at night. She fears that a child may one day be hurt by the dogs if something is not done about them.

"The problem is bigger than most people think," she said. "They know that’s a problem, and they’re not doing anything about it."

Alyssa Collins and her dog, "Harley" in better times. Photo courtesy Alyssa Collins.