Resident Tim Moon captured this recent photo of a pack of dogs in Ross River, Yukon. (Submitted by Tim Moon)

At least one resident of Ross River, Yukon, says he's still worried about packs of dangerous dogs wandering in the community.

Attacks by stray dogs have been a concern in the community of 300 for years, but especially this year, after several people reported being bitten by dogs.

In response, the Yukon government hired an officer to work in animal control and protection in Ross River and other communities without municipal governments.

Longtime resident Tim Moon said he has not seen any sign of the animal officer in Ross River.

"People have complained and complained and the RCMP can't seem to do anything about it," Moon told CBC News on Tuesday, adding that the Ross River Dena band council hasn't done anything either.

"Something has to be done. Otherwise, there's going to be a child mauled or killed for sure."

But Jay Lester, the Yukon goverment's animal control officer, said no one in Ross River has asked him to investigate the stray dog problem.

"We haven't been invited by the community as of yet," Lester said Wednesday.

"We've received no official complaints, either. Anything that we've received has been through the media reports."

Close call

Moon said he worries about the safety of his young grandchildren, especially after his 27-year-old daughter had a close call with stray dogs last year.

"My daughter was walking home one day and she was surrounded by five dogs, all baring their teeth towards her, and she was terrified," he said.

Just last week, Moon said, he broke up a dogfight involving a large pack of strays.

And this week, two women conducting a health survey in Ross River were afraid to enter people's yards because of the presence of loose dogs, he said.

Lester said since he began his job in March, he has travelled to Marsh Lake and Tagish to address animal issues there.

But while he said he is aware of the worries people in Ross River have about packs of dogs, he can't do anything about it until someone files a complaint.

At least one candidate vying for the chief's position on the Ross River Dena Council has vowed to tackle the stray dog issue if elected. Dan Etzel said the band council should be responsible for dealing with local safety issues.

"Bring in the vet, make sure that the dogs are spayed and neutered … and then just get dogs licensed or something," Etzel said Wednesday.

"We're not talking about rocket science here. It's pretty simple."

Elections for chief and council at the Ross River-based First Nation takes place Monday.