FLORIDA -- Three pit bull terriers escaped twice from their owners' home last week and ran after several residents, forcing one man to climb on top of a car to avoid being bitten, police said.
While no one was injured, residents said the dogs appeared violent.
"I'm afraid to come out of the house," said Becky Aloi, who lives in the 8000 block of Northwest 66th Terrace, the same street where the dogs' owners live.
Aloi said the dogs saw her standing in the doorway of her house and ran up to her. She said she closed the door before the dogs reached her but "they hit the door so hard the house shook."
Tamarac residents said the dogs jumped over six- and seven-foot fences to get onto their properties.
According to Tamarac police, the dogs escaped from their owner`s home July 6 and Wednesday. Police cited the owners, Leroy Felt and Tammy Ann Felt, for violating a city ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leashes outside of homes.
The Felts are scheduled to appear in Broward Circuit Court Aug. 27 on the ordinance violation.
Residents who live in the city`s Heathgate-Sunflower development said they`re angry police can`t restrain the animals.
Lillian Pyle said she called the police and, "When I talked to an officer he said, 'Keep your children inside.' Can you imagine that?"
Tamarac Police Lt. Roger Oprea said, "There's no law that says we can lock up the dogs (if they haven't attacked anyone). We can cite the owners for the leash violation and confine the dogs for up to five days, but that's it."
Residents complained to Stephen Mersal, president of the Heathgate-Sunflower Homeowners Association. Mersal said he would speak to city officials and try to have the matter discussed at the City Council's July 24 meeting.
(Sun Sentinel - July 13, 1985)
