PORTSMOUTH — Police have declared two dogs on Sherwood Terrace a “public nuisance” after receiving multiple complaints from neighbors of threatening behavior exhibited by the pets.
The owners were issued the notice on Tuesday, Police Chief Thomas Lee said.
“They have to immediately abate the problem. If not, the dogs will be taken to the Potter shelter pending a hearing in Municipal Court,” he said.
Although there’s no evidence that anyone has been bitten, Chief Lee said neighbors have told police they’re frightened of the dogs, which repeatedly run loose in the neighborhood, bark loudly and exhibit threatening behavior.
“This has been an ongoing problem for months and months,” said Chief Lee, who estimated that police have probably received 20 calls on the matter.
“The animal control officer (Ariel Fisher) gave them a few warnings, and now I think she’s up to 11 violations,” the chief said.
Although he wasn’t sure what breed the dogs are, they resemble “pit bull mixes” or American terriers, he said.
Chief Lee said this may be the first time Portsmouth police has ever declared any dogs to be a public nuisance.
“We just want to let the neighbors know that we’re doing something,” he said.
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