Neighbors say deadly dog attack that killed beloved cat follows years of complaints
By Tia Maggio
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SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — Residents in one Savannah neighborhood say they’re fed up after a deadly dog attack left a beloved neighborhood cat dead and renewed concerns about safety on their street.
The attack happened Saturday in the Ardsley Park neighborhood near 48th Street in the front yard of another neighbor’s home. Neighbors say the incident is the latest in a long list of problems involving a nearby resident and his dogs.
Ardsley Park homeowner Lindsey Melvin said her nearly 11-year-old cat, Fitz, was attacked and killed by a neighbor’s dog.
Melvin said Fitz wasn’t just her pet — he was known throughout the neighborhood.
“Not only did I have him, but the neighborhood had him, the street had him. There were people six houses down that knew his name,” Melvin said.
Melvin says the dogs belong to her neighbor, Calum Crampton, who she claims owns multiple dogs that have shown aggressive behavior in the past. She said the attack that killed Fitz is far from the first incident.
“I’m not the first person to lose their cat. I’m not the fourth person to be a victim of these dogs in some form or fashion,” Melvin said.
Several neighbors told WJCL 22 News they have raised concerns about the dogs for years. They claim the animals have attacked people, children and other pets.
Police records obtained by WJCL 22 News show multiple past complaints involving Crampton, including reports related to animal attacks, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Johnny Walgate, who’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said the attack happened in his front yard. He said the situation has made some residents afraid to even step outside.
“We’ve got women that won’t go out their front doors because he goes after them verbally,” Walgate said. “He has threatened women with guns. He’s threatened lots of people.”
One neighbor, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said she previously obtained a restraining order against Crampton after alleged threatening behavior: “We don’t go out the door unless we’re pretty sure he’s not out on the street. I don’t walk my dog anymore. I just go from my front door to my car and out the driveway,” she said.
Now, some neighbors say they want stronger local laws to address dangerous animals and irresponsible pet ownership.
Residents say they have repeatedly reported incidents to authorities but feel more action is needed.
“We call the police. We do everything we’re supposed to do. But we can’t do any more than we do,” one neighbor said. “It’s up to law enforcement, and it’s up to judges.”
WJCL 22 News reached out to the Savannah Police Department and Chatham County Animal Services for comment.
While Savannah police said they could not comment directly on the case, Chatham County Animal Services confirmed the incident is under investigation.
Neighbors told WJCL 22 News that animal control removed Crampton’s dogs from the home Tuesday afternoon. However, Chatham County officials have not yet confirmed that action. The investigation remains ongoing.
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