There is a bad dog running the streets of Balch Springs.  At least one, more than likely, it is two.  No, I’m not talking politics.  I’m serious.  Dead serious.  There  have been two livestock killings in as many nights in southeast Balch Springs.  

The woman who owns the little nursery over on Pioneer lost 5 goats Friday morning.  The day before, one of the residents/employees from the Oaks reported seeing 2 tan colored part, but larger than, pit bull dogs in the parking lot of the apartment complex.  He say he tried to call animal control but they had apparently closed for the day and 911 was giving him a busy message.  The dogs hit the first farm early that next morning when the owner was still inside.  She said she didn’t hear anything at all, but when she went out to feed about 6:50 a.m. found a horrible sight.  “it was terrible, just awful, they were just sweet little pets and the beast that killed them was doing it for sport.  A coyote would have drug one off and fed on it.  These poor goats were just like sitting ducks.” 

Residents spot or hear a coyote from time to time out here, or see the tracks.  But the tracks around the neighbors place this morning, the scene of the 2nd killing, were no small coyote foot prints.  And these prints belonged to a dog mean enough to take down and kill a normally natural enemy to a dog – a llama. 

This dog or these dogs need to be caught and put down!  They are too dangerous to be out running the streets with our pets and kids.  One pit bull was picked up at HodgesElementary School yesterday morning, right after the first report of killing at the garden shop's farm.  However, it does not appear to be one of the same dogs, according to the animal control authorities.  So we still have 2 very dangerous dogs out here.  Keep your eyes open.  If you know of a neighbor wiht a dog like this, check to see if they are home.  It is everyone's responsibility to protect each other from this kind of thing.  I'm sure the owner would't want his or her dogs out there on a killing spree every night.  It is possible the owner doesn't even know they are out of the yard.  And then again, it may be that the owner doesn't care. 

If you see a large tan colored dog running the street, please do NOT attempt to catch it.  Instead, be sure to call the police at 911 and tell them you believe this to be one of the dangerous dogs that have been killing livestock in the area of Pioneer and I-20.  Animal Control’s number is 972-913-3006.  This actually goes for ANY stray dog you find.  Dogs that are on the run may be injured, scared, and/or hungry.  You probably can’t trust them – it is a job best left to someone trained for it.  

In the meantime – if you are a dog owner, please take a moment to double check your gate latches.  Look around your perimeter and see if that sweet ol’ Fido has been digging out.  Especially if you own a dog capable of killing a large animal, or small child.  You may have the right to own such a dog, I have a few myself, not pit bulls, but big dogs that could hurt someone if they wanted to, but you and I also have the responsibility to keep them on our own property.  Killing livestock is a fineable offense.  Killing your dog trespassing on someone else’s property, is not.  No one wants to see death of any kind, I’m quite sure.  So let’s all do our part to be responsible citizens.  Balch Springs, we can do it if we all come together.  This is part of being a community. 

STORY UPDATE - A second llama's life was taking Tuesday morning.  This dog or dogs needs to be captured.  Animal control has been seen staking out the pasture in the area but to no avail so far.  Keep your kids in at night if you live in the area.  Neighbors are concerned as livestock runs out, the next moving target may not be an animal.