Six wild dogs captured in Cumberland County

Six wild pack dogs were picked up over the weekend in Cumberland County, animal control officers said Monday.

Cumberland County Animal Control said Friday that it was stepping up its efforts to trap, remove and euthanize about 10 packs, or up to 150 dogs, which have been reported in several areas of Fayetteville, including Village Drive, McPherson Church Road, Cliffdale Road, Haymount, Kingsford, VanStory Hills, Glendale Acres, Murray Hills, Raeford Road and the downtown area.

The animals, some of which may be pets abandoned by their owners, may be carrying diseases and have already killed some smaller animals. A pack that attacked and killed a fox could be at risk of rabies. Test results on the fox, which was killed in the Raeford Road area, had an "unsatisfactory result" for rabies, meaning public health officials must treat it as a positive case.

An outbreak of rabies among the pack dogs, county health director Buck Wilson said, would likely create an imminent public health hazard.

Animal control and health officials advise that residents have their pets vaccinated against rabies and to not feed any stray dogs they might see.

Cumberland County has had seven other reported cases of rabies this year. Four have involved raccoons and three have involved bats.

Of those cases, only three tested positive for the disease. The other four had unsatisfactory results.

The animal control office is open during business hours Monday through Friday at 910-321-6861. Residents should call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at 910-323-1500 after 5 p.m. and on weekends.