James Island feral dog pack shrinks

The fight against a pack of feral dogs that has been going around killing cats on James Island appears to be paying off.

Thirteen dogs have been captured since Charleston city and county animal control officers started setting traps around Fort Johnson Road last month, Charleston County sheriff’s Maj. Jim Brady said Monday.

The last dog was captured Sept. 5, almost a week ago, near Ben and Honeyhill roads. Officers have not received any more complaints about wild dogs since then, Brady said.

All the dogs had to be euthanized, Charleston Animal Society Chief Executive Officer Joe Elmore said.

“If feral dogs show aggression, we can’t put a dangerous animal back out,” he said.

On the other hand, he pointed out that the society has successfully captured, sterilized and released many feral cats.

James Island residents should continue to take precautions to make sure any remaining dogs don’t come back, such as covering trash cans to discourage scavenging, Brady said.

Anybody spotting a wild dog can call the Sheriff’s Office at 202-1700.