https://www.northcentralpa.com/community/dog-shot-killed-during-early-morning-incident/article_bf034f21-de18-4716-8b57-aaa64e0fbd28.html

Willliamsport, Pa. — One of the pit bulls terrorizing a Williamsport neighborhood has been shot and killed, police say.

The pair of dogs were reported running loose several times over the past few days, including on Saturday when they were caught on a doorbell camera ripping apart a neighborhood cat.

Outrage over the animal's behavior, as well as the owner's complacency, prompted Williamsport police to issue a statement Monday, saying they plan to cite owner Sonya Smith.

Smith, who lives at 516 W. Edwin Street, had attempted a makeshift fix to a fence with a bungee cord, which likely allowed the dogs to escape again on Tuesday, according to police.

Just after 7 a.m., a neighbor of Smith shot and killed one of the dogs after it entered his property and threatened the safety of those on the property. The shooter had a right to defend and will not be charged, they added.

However, police say Smith is to be receiving additional charges. Meanwhile, the city's street department is working to secure Smith's fence.

An escalating threat

The viral nature of Saturday's attack has intensified the community's distress. Heidi McCarty of Heidi's Furry Friends Rescue shared her frustration on social media after viewing the doorbell footage from Saturday.

"Tonight, I watched video footage of the two loose pit bulls that have been terrorizing local neighborhoods attack and kill another cat," McCarty posted to Facebook. "I wish I had never watched it. The cat suffered terribly in its final moments and never stood a chance."

https://reddit.com/link/1u1jspg/video/3gktsgaa0c6h1/player

McCarty emphasized that the tragedy was entirely preventable, noting that the dogs had been returned to their owner numerous times after being reported loose. She alleges the animals' aggressive behavior extends far beyond neighborhood cats, noting that the pack mentality is actively escalating.

According to McCarty, the dogs have chased local children riding bicycles, pursued pedestrians, run blindly through private yards, chased other leashed dogs and cornered residents, forcing one woman to jump into a stranger's vehicle to escape.

McCarty has received reports of nearly 30 cats killed by the dogs.

"I am one of the biggest animal advocates you will ever meet," McCarty wrote. "I believe every animal deserves compassion and understanding. But I also believe our community deserves to be safe. No family should have to worry about their child riding a bike down the street. No pet owner should have to worry about their animal being ripped apart in its own yard."

Safety advisory for residents

As the community waits for legal resolution of the matter, residents living near West Edwin Street, Maple Street, Spruce Street, and the surrounding area are still urged to take safety precautions including bringing pets inside, avoiding leaving dogs unattended and keeping a close watch on children playing outside.

Extra - In the comment section, a neighbor posts a video of the two pits killing TomTom the cat on June 9

https://reddit.com/link/1u1jspg/video/gfx23fnw0c6h1/player

u/lobster-666

Magical 1yo rescue pit can instinctively do DPT and detect PTSD episodes

when lying backfires

bullherder bred for bitework as a service dog lol

shepherd lol

A couple were looking for their two “registered service dogs” that were taken by a shelter after they were arrested

Woman lets her intact service pitbull roam the neighborhood and is pissed when it gets picked up by AC and the shelter wont release it back to her intact w/o a fee

Farmer shot 2 pitbulls that were attacking his goats. 3 goats were injured. A few days earlier, the dogs killed 2 of his cats (July 1, 2026 - Hawthorne, FL, US)

Man trying to rehome his pitbull who was declared dangerous after it killed a poodle (attack date: June 3, 2026 - MN, US)

A couple are fundraising to move to another apartment after their pitbull bit a woman on a walk and their leasing office told them to get rid of the dog or move (June 2026 - North Wales, PA, US)

Disabled woman takes her "service dog in training" pitbull to go potty offleash near her apartment, the dog then rushes and bites 3 leashed dogs and their owner (June 2026 - California, US)

Owner defends her pitbull from critics after it severely bit her

Standard Poodle attacked by neighbor’s pitbull for the second time (Barbourville, KY, US - June 2026)

[UPDATE] One of the two pitbulls that were terrorizing a community was shot, killed during an incident (June 9, 2026 - Willliamsport/Lycoming County, PA, US) [WARNING: Two videos of attacks on cats]

An escalating threat

Safety advisory for residents

Two pitbulls have been terrorizing a community. They are frequently loose, have killed multiple cats (both owned and colony ones) and chased people and dogs (2026 - Lycoming County, PA, US)

A loose pitbull dug under a fence and attacked two emus in a farm. Both emus had to be put down due to the injuries (June 2026 - Eagle Point, OR, US)

Rescuer trying to gather funds for a woman to keep her pitbull after it was classed as a dangerous dog. She let it roam and it bit someone while offleash (no date, 2026 - Ottawa County, OH, US)

Pitbull owner and his dog are banned from a dog park after his pit attacked a committee member’s dog (May 20, 2026 - Carnduff, Canada)

[NSFW] Woman bit on the face by her boyfriend’s pitbull. She made a police report, but the boyfriend had someone take and hide the pitbull before the police came. (May 2, 2026 - China Grove, NC, US)