Theresa Moten, who identified herself as executive director of Parents for Academic and Community Excellence, told the Alexander City Council she had photographs showing a utility pole that had split and was hanging with exposed wires and said the condition posed a hazard to nearby residents. Moten also reported that, between Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, she had documented about 11 free-roaming dogs in parts of Districts 1 and 2 and asked the council to address the public-safety risk for children and neighbors.

City staff and police responded during the public-comment period. Staff said the split pole had been reported earlier, was monitored and later taken down after staff determined it was unsafe. Police described a nonlethal net gun being used as a capture tool but said animal-control operations face statutory and procedural limits: officers must attempt to identify and contact an owner and obtain consent where possible; if an owner cannot be found, seizure of an animal typically requires a court process. A police representative noted the area involved is large, which complicates capture efforts.

Council members said they would explore other communities’ approaches to animal control and asked staff to report back. The mayor thanked residents for raising concerns and said the city would pursue facts and bring a feasibility study to the council outlining costs and benefits before committing to new spending.

No formal action was taken at the meeting on the pole or animal-control matters; the council recorded direction for staff to continue monitoring and to investigate possible procedural or operational changes.