Overton warns of aggressive pack of wild dogs

OVERTON — Overton cautions residents to be wary of encountering a large pack of dogs running around at night. The City of Overton posted a video of a pack of about 15 dogs running near West Rusk High School in New London, warning residents that the dogs “are very aggressive at times.” According to our news partner KETK and the Overton Police Department, the video was taken in September, but was only recently shared with him.

“As a matter of public safety, the city manager and I have decided it is necessary to share this video with the citizens we serve,” Pool said. “Please keep in mind these are not just stray dogs, they are dogs that were most likely once dumped somewhere and have now reverted back to their natural instincts of hunting in a large group as a means of survival.”

Pool urges residents to contact the local law enforcement agency if they encounter a large pack of wild dogs and not to fear prosecution for protecting themselves or another person.

The Overton Police Department is working with Rusk County officials to find a solution.

“The goal for doing that is to create a dialogue, that leads to a workshop, which will allow us to sit down together and “as partners” come up with a solution to tackle this ever growing problem that plagues Rusk County, and every city within its boundaries,” Pool said.

Currently, the City of Overton has set traps. It has city ordinances in place to help combat the problem, including prohibitions on feeding stray animals and on declaring wild dogs running at large within city limits as a public nuisance.