Soperton City Council to Take Action Against Dog Vandalism

The Soperton City Council affirmed its stance to leverage fines against owners of dogs guilty of vandalism during its regular meeting on Oct. 20 in the Soperton City Hall.

Soperton resident Leon Gillis spoke to the council during their work session regarding roaming packs of dogs which have vandalized multiple residents’ vehicles. He recounted his own experience with the vandals, resulting in damages to his truck and his wife’s car, as well as “at least six other people” affected in his neighborhood.

“The next week, the dog came back and vandalized [the car] again, and my truck again,” said Gillis. “I had to spend over $18,000 repairing all that stuff.”

Gillis also recounted stories from other residents whose vehicles had been affected by the dogs.

“I’m not opposed to anybody having dogs as pets, but they don’t have to pay for what’s going on,” said Gillis.”We have to pay for it.”

The city council agreed with Gillis’ concerns, with Mayor Pro-Tem Xandra Brown claiming a long-haired poodle to be “one of our main culprits.” According to the council and Gillis, the dogs would occasionally be seen in pairs or larger groups while roaming.

Antwon McClendon said the city’s public works division had been working to capture the roaming dogs, and even reported he had captured the last of the dog vandals on the day of the meeting.

“I got them all,” said McClendon. “I got the last two today.”

The public works department had also ordered more traps for future captures, as the limited number of traps the department owned forced city employees to frequently move the traps in order to capture the dogs.

According to the city attorney, the city of Soperton does have an ordinance in place, which would allow the city to fine dog owners “$1,000 a day” while their pets are in city custody. Mayor John Koon agreed with this approach, and asked the attorney to verify the correct owners to begin sending warning letters.

“Let’s make sure we have the right people, and then let’s send them a letter and tell them, you know, if it happens again, then we’re going to start not only getting the dogs, but we’re going to hold them responsible also,” said Koon.

Mayor Pro-Tem Brown also thanked Gillis and other residents for assisting in the apprehension and identification of the dogs.

“We have been trying to reduce the dog traffic in these neighborhoods, and the participation and the assistance that you all have given us as far as trying to take pictures of the dogs, so that we know what dogs need to be targeted, I appreciate you all for that,” said Brown. “Hopefully, with the new traps and the fines, we would help mediate some of this.”