A trio of dogs who have allegedly terrorized a Little Egg Harbor Township neighborhood have been caught, police said.The dogs have been responsible for biting at least a dozen people in the past four months, police said.The owner — whose name was not released — has been issued multiple summonses within that time and even had the dogs removed in December, police said. But they were later returned to the owner.Police were called again at about 2:15 p.m. Monday, about a dog bite on Lake Winnipesaukee Drive.Doorbell video released by police shows a resident trying to keep the dogs away with some sort of pole. A police car then pulls up and later the three dogs are seen running the other way.
Officers found a 69-year-old woman and 40-year-old man with multiple dog bites. The three loose dogs were well known to officers and residents there, according to the report.Officers and residents attempted to contain the animals over the next hour, resulting in six residents being bitten, police said.On at least seven occasions in the last four months, Little Egg Police have responded to calls regarding these dogs, totaling at least 12 victims, with unconfirmed reports of more. The animals were captured and turned over to animal control on Monday."These officers should be lauded for their efforts," police said in a statement on Facebook. "We would like to extend our sympathies to the victims and all of the residents of that neighborhood. (Monday's) events were horrific, and nobody should live in fear of allowing their children to play outside, walk down the street or simply get the mail."The department went on to say it "will do everything in its power to ensure these dogs are never returned and allowed to menace this neighborhood in the future."This is an active investigation.
