Two separate public commenters described neighborhood safety problems tied to animals during Alexandria’s Saturday public comment period and asked the city for help.

James (last name VanderMeer in the record) and a second resident described repeated incidents of unleashed dogs near Hooffs Run Playground northwest of the King Street Metro station, including a reported attack and numerous complaints about owners not following leash laws. The speaker described rising reported dog‑bite numbers and said animal control issued relatively few citations; he urged the city to increase enforcement, consider staffing changes for Animal Control and explore fencing and physical improvements to an off‑leash area four blocks north of the playground.

A second speaker described a neighbor who had converted backyard beekeeping into a small business within feet of the complainant’s yard and adjacent to Jefferson‑Houston Middle School and a public pool. She said her small dog had been stung three times in a week and a half, that there are tens of thousands of bees per hive and that she feared for children who walk to school nearby. She told the council she had contacted animal control (which does not handle insects) and code enforcement and asked for city assistance; staff agreed to exchange contact information and follow up, and the city manager arranged a staff‑level meeting before the speaker left.

Council members and the city manager acknowledged both concerns and directed staff to follow up: Animal Control and Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) staff will review enforcement and signage at Hooffs Run, and code enforcement and the city manager’s office will follow up on the beekeeping complaint and advise the resident of any applicable local regulations and enforcement steps.

No formal council action was taken during the meeting; council directed staff to follow up with the residents and report back.