MACON, Ga. — Neighbors in Kings Park say stray dogs have been roaming the Macon area for years.
While Macon-Bibb leaders say this could be an accountability issue within the community, others say that animal control needs more support.
Commissioners say when they receive complaints about animal crimes, public safety and stray animals, they typically pass them along to the Sheriff's Office's Animal Services Department.
County leaders say some people in their districts are experiencing "tremendous" issues.
Mayor Lester Miller sat down with Senior Civic Journalism fellow Liz Fabian to address these ongoing reports as part of our Central Georgia Focus Series.
"Certainly we don't want someone to be in fear of their safety walking around a neighborhood and having dangerous animals out there," Miller said.
He said it would be a "tough decision" to expand staffing or facilities within Animal Services.
"You can't just keep building a bigger and bigger facility," Miller said. "But really, people need to step up to the plate and do what the law requires and have your pet spayed or neutered, I think that's the most important thing."
In East Macon, Commissioner-elect Stanley Stewart says people have raised concerns about stray dogs in Kings Park.
He said the issue was brought up in a neighborhood meeting a few months ago.
Neighbors say some strays are fairly calm, but others can be aggressive.
"I mentioned to them the fact that we should find more patrols," Stewart said. "Everybody's short-staffed, so you would have to increase that department. A bigger facility, more man-power, more people-power, may be something to look into because you want to reverse numbers."
The Animal Services told us they receive around 30 to 60 calls daily.
Mayor Miller says the county is looking into what other cities do to find a solution to this problem.