GIRARD, Ohio - A warning for people living in the Youngstown-Girard area: A pack of wild dogs are terrorizing neighborhoods, killing other animals and attacking people.

Inger Bielawa saw them and the four mutilated cats they left behind early Thursday morning outside her Girard home.

“They were pulled apart very badly and going into the garage,” Bielawa said. “It actually was just horrendous. So we're looking at some very fierce and wild dogs.”

Inger observed four dogs, but neighbors have told her they've seen as many as ten traveling together over the past few weeks.

Dave Nelson, Mahoning County Humane agent, said the issue stems from owners abandoning their pets.

“A lot of people come up here and dispose of dogs they don't want,” nelson said. “It's a pack animal and other ones come and now you have a pack and now it just creates more work for us.”

One of Inger's Davis Street neighbors told her he was lucky to be able to fight them off.

“There was a gentleman and his car had broke down,” Inger said. “He had tried to walk home and on his way home, the dogs had attacked him. He was a large gentleman so he was able to protect himself a little better.”

The dogs have been seen along Dupont Street between Dearborn Street and Stansbury Drive in a Youngstown neighborhood where many children live.

“If there's any young kids that are out or elderly people, they could be injured by these dogs because they are very vicious,” Inger said.

Nelson advises that people should stay away from the dogs and contact authorities if they encounter them.

“This way, we can identify – especially in the snow – where the pack is, set some traps down, get some dogs caught in the kindness traps and get this problem resolved,” Nelson said.

Authorities say if you see any stray dog, or pack of dogs, do not go near them. Call your local police department or your local dog warden.