A husky that mauled two pet goats in Charlotte has slipped out of the foster home where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control placed it, leaving the goats' owner and nearby residents rattled. The June 30 attack badly injured the animals, Bertie and Butter, and one of them may never walk again. The owner says she is already facing thousands of dollars in veterinary bills while officers canvas the area for the loose dog.
Goats Badly Hurt, Owner Seeks Help
According to WBTV, the attack happened June 30 on the property of Isra Mohamed, and both goats were rushed to a veterinary hospital in Raleigh. Mohamed told the station she is already out thousands of dollars in medical costs and that Bertie, who had previously lost a leg, may never walk again. WBTV also reports that Mohamed has launched a GoFundMe to help cover the mounting vet bills.
Shelter Strain Complicates Placements
The Charlotte Observer recently reported that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control has stopped accepting non-emergency owner surrenders because the shelter is overcrowded. That shift puts even more pressure on foster homes and leaves staff juggling limited space with the risk of placing animals that have behavioral histories in private residences. Neighbors in Mohamed’s area say the husky’s escape has sharpened long-running worries about loose dogs and basic public safety on their streets.
Foster Rules And The Law
The foster information page for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control notes that foster caregivers are expected to separate pets when needed, provide photos and bios to the shelter, and be prepared for potential adopters to contact them directly. Animal control records show the dog's original owner was ticketed after the goat attack, and the agency, which told WBTV it completed medical and behavioral evaluations and documented the mauling, placed the husky in foster care before it escaped. Officers say they have received reports of sightings as far away as Union County and are actively searching for the dog. ACC officers are responsible for enforcing local animal rules, and county guidance on the Mecklenburg County animal ordinance instructs residents to report suspected violations by calling 311 or 704-336-7600.
What Neighbors Should Do
Officials say that if you see a loose dog, do not try to approach or catch it. Instead, secure your own pets, then call 311 or 704-336-7600 so Animal Care & Control can respond. Pet and livestock owners are urged to double-check fencing, gates, and pasture access, especially in neighborhoods that border more rural areas. Mohamed says she hopes the ordeal is a wake-up call that a loose dog can threaten property, livelihoods, and lives far beyond the home it slipped out of.
