Stray dog on Blue Ridge Parkway injured after ‘aggressive behavior,’ NPS says
By Deanna Sipe
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BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY (WLOS) — Following an almost two-week search for two stray dogs on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the National Park Service has released an updated statement saying the dogs had returned to the parkway.
As previously reported, parkway rangers began looking for the dogs on Saturday, April 18, after receiving a report of two “aggressive” dogs near milepost 451 near Waterrock Knob.
During the initial search, park rangers closed the parkway between mileposts 443 and 455 in an attempt to trap the dogs. On April 24, the National Park Service released a statement saying that the dogs had appeared to have “left the area.”
In a new statement released Wednesday, April 29, the National Park Service said one of the dogs was injured following an incident in which they say park rangers observed one of the dogs behaving aggressively towards a visitor with two leashed dogs and a child.
“Based on the immediate safety risk, park rangers took action consistent with NPS regulations to protect visitors. During that response, one dog was injured and both dogs fled the area,” the park service said. The park service said that as of Monday, April 27, at least one dog has been observed in the area.
“The park continues working with local county partners to safely remove the dog and is also willing to work with established nonprofit animal rescue groups that are prepared to coordinate directly with park staff to retrieve the animals,” the park service said.
As previously reported, despite park rangers claiming the dogs were aggressive, the community says the dogs were nice.
“That dog was very nice but extremely scared. These dogs were dumped off by somebody, and they are scared and timid,” local resident Holly Greenwald told News 13 on Monday, April 20.
Rangers asked the public to immediately notify park officials if they see dogs off-leash in the area. Park officials also asked the public not to approach, feed or try to capture the dogs.
SEE FULL NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATEMENT BELOW:
The National Park Service prioritizes visitor and staff safety. The park received multiple reports of aggressive behavior involving the dogs at Waterrock Knob, and on April 18, park staff observed one of the dogs behaving aggressively toward visitors, including an incident involving two leashed dogs and a child. Based on the immediate safety risk, park rangers took action consistent with NPS regulations to protect visitors. During that response, one dog was injured and both dogs fled the area. To reduce the risk of additional incidents and limit access to human food sources, the park also temporarily closed portions of the area while continuing efforts to monitor and safely recover the animals.
The area reopened on April 24, after several days without dog sightings. As of April 27, at least one of the dogs has again been observed in the area. The park continues working with local county partners to safely remove the dog and is also willing to work with established nonprofit animal rescue groups that are prepared to coordinate directly with park staff to retrieve the animals. These groups are encouraged to contact the park at blri_info@nps.gov.
The NPS continues to request public cooperation for the safety of park visitors and animals, both domestic and wild. Park visitors are asked not to feed or capture any dogs off leash and notify park officials immediately.
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