Loose Dogs and Tact

[TurboK9]

They didn't attack him so why lie? And what is aggressive posturing as you know it. How well do you know your neighbor? My guess it is the first time you talked to them. Do you hate the dogs or the neighbor? Or never took the time to know the neighbor or the dogs. Guess that is a reason they closed the door on you. How long have you been neighbors and how long has this been a problem? Just some things I would need to know before passing judgement.:shrug:

Doesn't matter what they 'know'. Why is it OK for these dogs to run loose? All that 'niceness' and 'you don't know if they are mean' is gonna do a whole lot of good if one of the dogs gets run over, or someone gets bit, or there's a dog fight, etc etc etc. There is a reason why there are animal ordinances, and these people need to be following them. Personally, I don't care if you are my bestest friend ever.... if your dog is perpetually getting loose, and your attitude is "what do you expect me to do", My attitude becomes "put a stop to it". This person could easily confine their dogs. They do not have to allow them to run the yard and dig out, it's called 'supervision'. There is also 'prevention'... They can lay concrete pad around the base of the fence. They can bury chainlink around the base of the fence. There's a good many options. The fact these dogs appatently are outside in a pen and not in the house, tells my gut these folks probably shouldn't have bothered getting dogs. What's the point of owning a companion animal if it isn't a companion? (Don't preach to me about hunting dogs, there aren't a lot of boar around here and you don't duck hunt with an APBT.) Probably just think it's cool to have 'Pit Bulls'... which is reason # 1 why the breed is so villainized.

It is the owners responsibilty to ensure the dogs remain confined or otherwise under control. It is the communities responsibility to speak up when others don't live up to their responsibilities. Even if it is innocent, 'don't know what to do' ignorance, the dogs should not be running loose, period. Personally, I wouldn't have even approached the owners... I'm a hardass. First time is a gimme. Second time, I call AC. A dog even looks like it's going to act aggressively (postures) and AC is informed. I have kids, I don't take chances with stray dogs who act the fool... being 'nice' is not worth knowingly having my kids at risk.

When a dog gets out occassionally by accident, that's one thing. But if they are aware there is a problem and take no steps to confront it, they are wrong, and shouldn't own dogs. JMHO.

 

[TurboK9]

They didn't attack him so why lie? And what is aggressive posturing as you know it. How well do you know your neighbor? My guess it is the first time you talked to them. Do you hate the dogs or the neighbor? Or never took the time to know the neighbor or the dogs. Guess that is a reason they closed the door on you. How long have you been neighbors and how long has this been a problem? Just some things I would need to know before passing judgement.:shrug:

Doesn't matter what they 'know'. Why is it OK for these dogs to run loose? All that 'niceness' and 'you don't know if they are mean' is gonna do a whole lot of good if one of the dogs gets run over, or someone gets bit, or there's a dog fight, etc etc etc. There is a reason why there are animal ordinances, and these people need to be following them. Personally, I don't care if you are my bestest friend ever.... if your dog is perpetually getting loose, and your attitude is "what do you expect me to do", My attitude becomes "put a stop to it". This person could easily confine their dogs. They do not have to allow them to run the yard and dig out, it's called 'supervision'. There is also 'prevention'... They can lay concrete pad around the base of the fence. They can bury chainlink around the base of the fence. There's a good many options. The fact these dogs appatently are outside in a pen and not in the house, tells my gut these folks probably shouldn't have bothered getting dogs. What's the point of owning a companion animal if it isn't a companion? (Don't preach to me about hunting dogs, there aren't a lot of boar around here and you don't duck hunt with an APBT.) Probably just think it's cool to have 'Pit Bulls'... which is reason # 1 why the breed is so villainized.

It is the owners responsibilty to ensure the dogs remain confined or otherwise under control. It is the communities responsibility to speak up when others don't live up to their responsibilities. Even if it is innocent, 'don't know what to do' ignorance, the dogs should not be running loose, period. Personally, I wouldn't have even approached the owners... I'm a hardass. First time is a gimme. Second time, I call AC. A dog even looks like it's going to act aggressively (postures) and AC is informed. I have kids, I don't take chances with stray dogs who act the fool... being 'nice' is not worth knowingly having my kids at risk.

When a dog gets out occassionally by accident, that's one thing. But if they are aware there is a problem and take no steps to confront it, they are wrong, and shouldn't own dogs. JMHO.

 

[TurboK9]

OK that was wierd....

 

[ladyhawk]

Okay totally out the window.. Did not realize you had already tried to talk to them.. And boy am I going to get so slammed...

June

 

[ladyhawk]

I would call animal control or better yet send them a letter voicing my concerns with the situation as you did here. Include your attempt to mediate the situation then at least its on record... Then if the dogs do get loose, your dog will most likely try to defend.. But when two aggressive dogs are together and running loose, they tend to fight in pairs. I think if you've seen what I have you probably already know this...
For your own safety and that of your child, You should not get involved with breaking up this fight.
You should go to the nearest home or if you have your cell phone with you, climb into someones car and call animal control but I would call 911, its faster. You need to be inside something where you will be safe until help arrives.

June

Edited!

 

[ewashkow]

They didn't attack him so why lie? And what is aggressive posturing as you know it. How well do you know your neighbor? My guess it is the first time you talked to them. Do you hate the dogs or the neighbor? Or never took the time to know the neighbor or the dogs. Guess that is a reason they closed the door on you. How long have you been neighbors and how long has this been a problem? Just some things I would need to know before passing judgement.:shrug:

According to my husband, he pulled into our driveway and the pits had gotten out. He opened the door and started to get out of the truck when the dogs came towards him heads low, made eye contact which was kept, and growling. Not wanting to risk getting bit, he shifted back into the truck and closed the door, as the dogs tried to charge. He turned his truck back on and revved the engine. This sent the dogs running back to their home. To me, this was an attack since my husband went to remove himself from the situation and the behavior continued to progress. Since no physical contact was made, there is no proof.

Admittedly, I am not close with these neighbors but back before the behavior started becoming more frequent, I did call the husband a few times while he was at work to let him know that his dogs were loose. He had one of his kids collect the dogs and he even thanked me for letting him know instead of calling AC and having them come out. I understand that even the best dog owner can have their dogs get loose on them from time to time but with the frequency these two have been getting loose, it is just not paying attention on the owners part.

As for getting to know the dogs, they disappeared into the back yard at roughly 6 months old. This was over two years ago. Before that time, whenever I saw the dogs out with their owners, I would go over and strike up a conversation with the people and pay attention to the dogs. I have nothing against the dogs other then the fact that they have owners who neglected to properly train or socialize them which in turn have made them a hazard when they get loose.

I'm willing to venture that I had the door slammed in my face because I went to the owners and told them to control their dogs. After all who am I to tell someone else how to take care of their animals? I'm not Cesar Millan, Victoria Stillwell, or any other dog trainer. I admit that I am not the perfect dog owner. I know that I have made mistakes with my current two. Big difference between me and my dogs vs my neighbors and their dogs is this: I'll admit my two only seem to get loose when there was a mistake on my part-mainly forgetting to check the latch on the gate after I know there were people using it. Should my dogs get out with the frequency that my neighbors have been, I would expect someone to come knocking on my door sooner or later.

Like I stated in my first post, I have nothing against the breed. I have severe issues with people that take on the responsibility of dogs and then don't want to put the effort into it. I don't want to see the pits suffer for their owners negligence but should anything happen, we all know it will be blamed on the dogs breed and not the lack of socialization/training from the owner.

 

[TurboK9]

...... Should my dogs get out with the frequency that my neighbors have been, I would expect someone to come knocking on my door sooner or later.

 

[ladyhawk]

According to my husband, he pulled into our driveway and the pits had gotten out. He opened the door and started to get out of the truck when the dogs came towards him heads low, made eye contact which was kept, and growling. Not wanting to risk getting bit, he shifted back into the truck and closed the door, as the dogs tried to charge. He turned his truck back on and revved the engine. This sent the dogs running back to their home. To me, this was an attack since my husband went to remove himself from the situation and the behavior continued to progress. Since no physical contact was made, there is no proof.

Next time this occurs,
Instead of starting the truck and revving the engine...

If he has a cell phone, he should call the police and tell them he is being held hostage in his vehicle by two aggressive dogs.. When the dogs back off, he should just open and close the truck door.. This will keep the dogs there until animal control arrives and give the animal control officer a chance to see the behavior.

Any incident with these dogs should be called in! I don't think animal control would ignore these incidences... Dogs running at large is completely different than "AGRESSIVE DOGS running at large".. Keep calling ANIMAL CONTROL and get these incidences documented....

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS, IF YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCED.
An aggressive dog went after my neighbors daughter when she came out of her house to go to school... As soon as I realized what was going on, I grabbed a lead line and went out (in a t-shirt and underwear). I "played" with the dog which gave her enough time to get back in the house. At which point, I came back in mine and called animal control... While in the house on the phone, somebody in a van came and picked the dog up. They knew the dog had gotten out but I don't know how they knew where the dog was...

I gave the description of the vehicle, the dog and the person I saw get the dog. At that point animal control left because they already knew who owned the dog based on previous reports to animal control... We never saw the dog again. Have no idea what happened to it and don't care and It was not a pitt bull. Sometimes neighbors help each other but never realize it just by a simple phone call...

Make the calls, even if you don't help yourself, it may help someone else!

June

 

[ladyhawk]

Okay totally out the window.. Did not realize you had already tried to talk to them.. And boy am I going to get so slammed...

June

I would like to say THANK YOU to those of you that subscribe to this thread for not slamming me to the wall after receiving the post I made earlier unedited!

Especially TurboK9 because I believe you already do!
I was definately expecting it this time...LOL

THANK YOU

June

 

[TurboK9]

I would like to say THANK YOU to those of you that subscribe to this thread for not slamming me to the wall after receiving the post I made earlier unedited!

Especially TurboK9 because I believe you already do!
I was definately expecting it this time...LOL

THANK YOU

June

:shrug: I've broken up my share of dog fights.... When they are good lookin' we call 'em catfights!

Seriously though. I just figured you either weren't clear, or typoed. :shrug: The longer these threads get the more people tend to miss.

 

[ladyhawk]

:shrug: I've broken up my share of dog fights.... When they are good lookin' we call 'em catfights!

Seriously though. I just figured you either weren't clear, or typoed. :shrug: The longer these threads get the more people tend to miss.

Actually I had not realized that she had already had the "talk" with the neighbors. Once I read that, well I cut everything out with exception to what I would do if they refused! I would think, considering the issues with the two dogs, that Animal control would have required a concrete base to the inner pen and followed up to make sure it was done.

I think people who shouldn't have dogs end up with them because "they might be put down".. Sorry, but I am not an animal activist. I think an animal is better off put down than to suffer with a life of beating, being starved and/or neglected by its owner... most of them don't get a second chance.

My dog was adopted into an abusive home... I am the one that gave him a second chance and it was a challenge for both of us.

June

 

[frequentflier]

Actually I had not realized that she had already had the "talk" with the neighbors. Once I read that, well I cut everything out with exception to what I would do if they refused! I would think, considering the issues with the two dogs, that Animal control would have required a concrete base to the inner pen and followed up to make sure it was done.
I think people who shouldn't have dogs end up with them because "they might be put down".. Sorry, but I am not an animal activist. I think an animal is better off put down than to suffer with a life of beating, being starved and/or neglected by its owner... most of them don't get a second chance.

My dog was adopted into an abusive home... I am the one that gave him a second chance and it was a challenge for both of us.

June

Animal Control cannot do much if there is water and shelter and the animal is vaccinated and registered. They cannot force someone to build a *proper* environment for the animals; whatever *proper* is to you and me. A concrete
base might be a logical answer to the problem of the dogs digging out but many people would not care, or have the money to do so if it were suggested to them.
Local rescues pull many animals from Tri-county animal shelter. Puppies, adults, seniors, cats and kittens; too many are euthanized every day. Many deserve a chance at a normal life and make excellent companion pets.

 

[Crashpupty]

Actually I had not realized that she had already had the "talk" with the neighbors. Once I read that, well I cut everything out with exception to what I would do if they refused! I would think, considering the issues with the two dogs, that Animal control would have required a concrete base to the inner pen and followed up to make sure it was done.

I think people who shouldn't have dogs end up with them because "they might be put down".. Sorry, but I am not an animal activist. I think an animal is better off put down than to suffer with a life of beating, being starved and/or neglected by its owner... most of them don't get a second chance.

My dog was adopted into an abusive home... I am the one that gave him a second chance and it was a challenge for both of us.

June

Don't make this more than it is. The dogs have not been beaten, starved or neglected. The problem is the owners, people often want a dog and have no idea what it takes to have and keep the dog. After what has been said in here the owners do not deserve to have these dogs. If they were mine and they were digging out I would do everything to prevent that. This owner isn't doing what they should.

 

[Cheshire_Cat]

I have a neighbor that just lets his dog out on purpose to roam the neighborhood at night. Tears up everyones trash, poops in everyones yards. Animal control can't catch him and the guy won't own up to the dog. says it's not his. I see him walking it though. Grrrr.

 

[belvak]

They mentioned they can issue citations but that seemed to be about it.

If AC won't cooperate throw the county ordinance in their face.

Yeah, right! We've been through this with dogs constantly barking and being let loose to run. Though not pits, they have shown aggression towards us in our yard. They are constant barkers when they are left out tied to a lead too. Animal Control's advice to us...

"Here's a trap. Call us when you catch them".

Of course, the "Humans" at fault made sure to keep the dogs under control until AC had to come by and take the trap back since we hadn't caught the dogs running. This all happened in the fall. Now, it's spring and the dogs are tied out barking all the time again, but so far haven't been let loose. We'll see... Where's that can of wasp spray again?

 

[TurboK9]

Yeah, right! We've been through this with dogs constantly barking and being let loose to run. Though not pits, they have shown aggression towards us in our yard. They are constant barkers when they are left out tied to a lead too. Animal Control's advice to us...

"Here's a trap. Call us when you catch them".

Of course, the "Humans" at fault made sure to keep the dogs under control until AC had to come by and take the trap back since we hadn't caught the dogs running. This all happened in the fall. Now, it's spring and the dogs are tied out barking all the time again, but so far haven't been let loose. We'll see... Where's that can of wasp spray again?

Did you contact the Sheriff? How far did you go following up and hounding (pun intended) to get things taken care of?

There is an animal ordinance. AC enforces it. If they refuse to, you escalate, go above them. Eventually, you will get satisfaction. Just because they tried to make you trap the dogs doesn't mean you can't go over their heads to get things done.

Been there, done that. Done right, it works.

 

[ladyhawk]

Don't make this more than it is. The dogs have not been beaten, starved or neglected. The problem is the owners, people often want a dog and have no idea what it takes to have and keep the dog. After what has been said in here the owners do not deserve to have these dogs. If they were mine and they were digging out I would do everything to prevent that. This owner isn't doing what they should.

I'm not making it more than it is.
I said .... "I would think, considering the issues with the two dogs, that Animal control would have required a concrete base to the inner pen and followed up to make sure it was done." Only part of that was bolded in the previous post so maybe thats why you missed it. The enforcement laws could be changed.

As far as the abuse neglect part, I didn't say these dogs were abused nor did I say they neglected the dogs. Neglect covers many other things, not just the care the animals get. The owners are neglectful because they are not taking the responsibility to ensure the safety of the neighbors as well as the safety of the dogs themselves. The neglect of care was from the experience my dog had...

My dog was abused by his owner who adopted him from a county shelter as a puppy.. By the time I got him he was 8 months old, he is 10 now. Because of his abusive history, unpredictability and his age, I would have him put down if I had to get rid of him. And I would do it, if I could not keep him contained because he is a risk to others. He does not habitually get out but when he does (and he has twice), I call animal control myself and I go looking for him.

He is my responsiblity, not someone else's.... I believe pet owners should be responsible. If they were the shelters wouldn't have to keep putting so many down.

June