PHOENIX, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Residents of a Phoenix neighborhood said a pack of Chihuahuas have been wandering the streets for the past year and harassing residents.

Ray Rios of the Maryvale neighborhood said he has often seen the dogs wandering the area and chasing after children, KSAZ-TV, Phoenix, reported Tuesday.


"Yeah a lot of them, they are out here chasing kids or going yard to yard... anywhere in groups of eight to 12 just running around," Rios said.

Frank Garcia said the Chihuahuas seem to have friends.

"Well the last time I seen six or seven Chihuahuas ... and big dogs running with the Chihuahua's in a pack running every single day," he said.

Maricopa County Animal Control spokeswoman Melissa Gable said Maryvale received 6,000 calls for service last year, twice as many as in nearby Glendale.

"Obviously you have the deal with feces and is unsanitary and all these strays everyone is at risk for dog bites," Gable said.