Pack of stray dogs captured after 68-year-old man was mauled to death

WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. (First Alert 4/Gray News) - Officials in Illinois set out traps Monday to capture a pack of dogs that killed a 68-year-old man last week.

Attack details

James Gibson, of East St. Louis, was mauled to death last Thursday night on North 49th Street after the dogs dragged him across a road and into a ditch. Gibson had been working on a nearby rental property and was taking a smoke break outside.

Police said the pack of stray dogs also bit a woman’s hand on the same street two hours before Gibson was attacked.

Trapping efforts

One dog was caught on Monday. Others were seen roaming nearby before running into the woods.

An animal control officer in St. Clair County said several dogs were spotted during the search.

“I saw the white and black one right here run across, and then I saw a black one also back there,” the animal control officer described.

Mayor seeks county help

Washington Park Mayor Ann Rodgers said she wants help from St. Clair County Animal Services to help work on a more permanent solution for their stray dog problem.

“My hope is that they can come in and canvass our area here in the village of Washington Park so that we can curb the stray dogs that are actually in our area,” Rodgers said.

Asked if she had seen a situation like this turn fatal before, Rodgers said no.

“No, first time. First time ever,” Rodgers said.

Staffing shortage

St. Clair County Animal Services Director Ashley Jett said the department is understaffed. Only one field-trained animal control officer is employed for a county of about 250,000 people.

“Every day, you have to pick a level of importance,” Jett said. “There will always be an influx of animals. Pet ownership and responsibility is where it needs to start.”

Jett said she is now looking at how future calls can be handled after hours and how to coordinate with police.

“What is expected of my office is my question,” Jett said.