Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice
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2009-11-29 5:46 PM |
Expert 1456 Central New Jersey | Subject: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice First off, my dog and I are fine physically. Background: 1) I love dogs, grew up with them and have one now (German Shepherd Mix almost 2) 2) All dogs can be mean/vicious/attack. Bigger dogs can do more damage, but my BIL's beagle is one mean bugger, so this ISN'T about a breed 3) My neighbor in question is a triathlete (Ironman actually) who I see out running/riding and at races quite often (they live less than 1/2 mile from us) 4) I get not all dogs are friendly but MOST will do the sniff thing then decide what is next 5) June 08 - I was walking our dog, Pepper, then a 6 month old puppy when their 1 dog (a pit mix for the record) I heard their dogs (other is a greyhound (muzzled as he eats anything) running in the yard. We are across the street (I also get dogs don't get property lines, if they can see it it's theirs). Anyway, as we walk past the pit mix runs down the driveway, across the street and bit my dog on her back leg. I threw the water bottle I had, bag of poo, yelled, etc. The other dog also joined in the mess but being muzzled wasn't as big a concern. Wife comes out to "try" to collect the dogs (this takes some doing, they don't listen). I get home and find puncture wound on dog. Go to vet next morning, need shot, antibiotics, etc. Total vet bill $127. Neighbor comes by, very apologetic, pays for vet bill in full, puts dog on a good size chain, won't be free in the yard etc. I did file a police report after some consideration but our mutual neighbor who is on the town PD said I should, what if it was some grandmom or kid walking Fluffy? Dog had to be quarantined for 10 days. Didn't press charges, just report on file. Neighbor ok with everything. Since then I have NEVER seen the dog not on the chain attached to the house, unless he is on a leash running with said neighbor. Today I went for a run with Pepper, as we approach their yard I can see the dog chained to the house. Start to walk, briskly, not run, to get past house. Dog starts barking, lunging, etc. and then THE CHAIN BREAKS! Dog rushes down driveway, into street, I am crossing street to open yard, Pepper is attached to me via a cardiocanine belt so I'm not worried about her getting away. The dog charged, growling in a very menacing tone. I pulled this citronella spray I carry (learned lesson last time) and spray said dog. NO EFFECT. I finally kick the dog when it get close enough and it backs off. I am screaming for the owner at the top of my lungs. Cars stop on the road, dog crosses back to driveway and I start to backup the street toward home. Owner finally comes out and has to chase his dog, only caught him by stepping on broken chain. Very apologetic, are we ok (far as I can tell) can't even remember his phone number (wanted me to call if there was a problem). Meanwhile his greyhound is now running around in the street as he takes pit mix back to house. So here is my question (finally, sorry it's so long). What now? Hubby thinks I should file another report as the dog is obviously vicious and has repeated attempts to attack us OFF it's property. On one hand I agree, but I know what will probably happen to the dog if I do. What would COJ do? Lani |
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2009-11-29 5:52 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Glad you're OK. Now, to file or not depends on what you're trying to get done/protect. If you have a relationship with the neighbor, filing a report will put a sharp stick in their eye. Be prepared for a bitter neighbor if his/her dog gets taken. On the other hand, if all you're interested in is safety, file away. It is what it is, and it's not OK to have a dog attack you no matter what. |
2009-11-29 5:58 PM in reply to: #2534848 |
Expert 1456 Central New Jersey | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Don't really have a relationship with the neighbor, they are pretty far down the street (8 houses maybe) just a friendly wave etc. I'm just concerned it's going to happen again, to me or someone else. I love dogs but the first time would be the last time for my dog. Sorry, not taking that chance. |
2009-11-29 5:58 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Master 2115 Dothan, Al | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Buy a logging chain, and put in the neighbors yard. Seriously, sound s as if your neighbor is trying to do the right thing. Yes, he may be negligible for the chain breaking, but how many of us have ever taken a dog chain and had it X-rayed to make sure there were no defects. I would probably have a talk with him and explain that I am a " three strikes and you're out" type of person. And explainn that this was strike two. Tell him you love dogs, but you love your dog more than his, and will do what ever it takes to protect him. Maybe the police report is the righ thing to do, so you ahve a legal "paper trial" incase thre are more incedents. JMO |
2009-11-29 6:01 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Bob 2194 Binghamton, NY | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice If it were my dog I would come and talk to you about it. Most likely, the dog will need to be put down. It doesn't sound like much of a pet if he just stays chained outside anyways but that is probably an unjustified, harsh opinion. Talk to the neighbor about your options, he might appreciate it. |
2009-11-29 6:05 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Shame me once .... I'd file, since the precautions were not good enough. Their dog, their responsibility, their control, etc. I feel for the owner, but, the dog obviously has some problems that were not dealt with and is a danger, ESPECIALLY since it went beyond the confines of its property and went out into the road and across the street. |
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2009-11-29 6:10 PM in reply to: #2534856 |
Expert 1456 Central New Jersey | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice They do let him out to run in the backyard with a fence but ONLY when they are home, he runs the dog on outside regularly, I just am having trouble getting past the 2nd time. Yes he took precautions, but they obviously didn't hold. Was the chain faulty? Not connected properly? I don't know, but if it happened this time it could (and probably) will happen again. Lani |
2009-11-29 6:24 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Master 1655 NJ | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Are there lots of kids around your neighborhood? You are an adult with spray and enough forethought to kick and defend yourself. Could you say the same about an 8 yr. old on a bike? I am not anti dog but it's scary to think what would have happened if a child was walking/riding/playing there instead of you. I'd talk to the neighbors and tell them you're filing a report. Glad you're OK. |
2009-11-29 6:55 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Pro 4827 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice |
2009-11-29 6:55 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice For the record: I love dogs and work with them professionally at a dog daycare. I am very experienced in animal behavior. File the report. In my county, a dog has two chances before it is put down. In the next county over, its only one chance. You don't feel comfortable with the level of safety of you and your dog in your neighborhood. This is a no brainer. |
2009-11-29 7:14 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Because they are a neighbor, I'd talk to the owner to see if they would do something to correct the issue possibly fencing in the dog better or whatever. But yea, if you file it, I'm sure the dog is gone. Here, it's two times and the dog is vicious and put down. |
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2009-11-29 7:17 PM in reply to: #2534938 |
Champion 6503 NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Atlantia - 2009-11-29 6:55 PM For the record: I love dogs and work with them professionally at a dog daycare. I am very experienced in animal behavior. File the report. In my county, a dog has two chances before it is put down. In the next county over, its only one chance. You don't feel comfortable with the level of safety of you and your dog in your neighborhood. This is a no brainer. I have a St. Bernard who could (when she was well) break through just about anything, if she so desired. However, she is amazingly well trained and submissive to all of the family members. When we first got her, she pulled against her lead, tried to jump the fence, etc. For the past three years, with about 4 weeks of work, all of her undesired behaviors ended. It ain't rocket science to train a dog. They want to do your bidding. This dodo should be forced to give up his dogs, in the same way that child protective services would for a child. |
2009-11-29 7:19 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Regular 92 Highlands Ranch, Colorado | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Mace! Non-leathal and will make a point. Just make sure it is justified. |
2009-11-29 7:20 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Contact the police/animal control. |
2009-11-29 7:21 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Master 1662 Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice I don't get it. Why is the dog in the front and chained rather than in his fenced backyard? Dug up the petunias? No dog needs to be chained. So sad. It's almost always the owner rather than the dog that is the cause of the problems. If they need to chain a dog people shouldn't have one. |
2009-11-29 7:53 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Master 1903 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice It makes no sense to me why, if they have a fenced yard, they don't use it! If the dude can afford triathlon, he can afford a secure enclosure for his running partner. Leaving the dog on a chain out front is just asking for trouble. It leaves the dog open to whoever walks by to tease it, feed it who-knows-what, etc. IMHO people who have pit mixes should hold themselves to a higher standard of care/caution simply because the reputation of the breed tends to scare people. He should do a better job training the dog if he wants to keep it. Because the dog is apparently quite willing to charge you from across the street and is not under any reasonable voice control by it's owners, I would report the incident. It may not 'count' as one of the strikes as there was no damage, but a paper trail is usually a good thing in these situations. |
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2009-11-29 7:54 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Extreme Veteran 930 Fort Worth, TX | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice I politely disagree with PGA Mike that all dogs can be completely trained beyond their instincts. My father trained service animals in the USAF and for law enforcement groups for a career. Some breeds are difficult to train and trust that their instincts won't override their training - which is why law enforcement/service animals are generally left to a few breeds, which perform well according to the job. Aside from that perspective - I also think many dog experts would caution households from having certain breeds as pets - around children, in congested urban environments, etc...they may prove to be a choice that brings out unwanted actions and consequences. As for this dog - it is clearly an aggressive animal. Regardless the efforts of the owner/s, this dog has proven uncontrollable. A pit-bull is an exceptionally strong breed; I know of pit-bulls that are competitors in weight-pulling competitions that can pull such a high amount of weight that the owners must use commercial-grade chain sunk in concrete to keep them from getting loose and chasing other animals - not much of a life, granted, but it illustrates how strong they are. My larger yellow lab weighs just over 100 pounds and broke the largest chain Wal-Mart sells when briefly attached while we built our fence out back - just to go see someone walking down the street. Impressed me severely - also, sped up the fence building since he's a hyper-friendly dog and I didn't want his size to frighten someone if he got out and ran up to them. (I was able to verbally command him to stay after the chain broke). I suggest you report the animal. If not, you must be prepared to deal with the feelings you will have when the dog gets out again and attacks someone else with severe consequences. I would be terrified that a child could get hurt by this dog, just because the child is walking his/her dog. As for other options, it's limited - moving the animal is just moving the problem into someone else's home area. Unless, it is on a huge farm that doesn't border any other properties for a large distance. It stinks all the way around, but I think the precedent has been firmly established |
2009-11-29 9:14 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Bob 2194 Binghamton, NY | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Hmmmm. I was just thinking about this guy being a triathlete. Is he a BTer? Give COJ a day and your problem may be solved. Being an uncontrolled pitbull I would imagine he's a Slowtwitcher! Just being lighthearted of course. |
2009-11-29 9:38 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Member 14 | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Regardless of how they choose to restrain the dog, it's really only a matter of time before it gets out again, and next time it could be on you, someone else walking their dog, or a neighborhood child playing. If it were me, I would feel morally bound to report it. In my mind, it really doesn't matter that they are very apologetic, the bottom line is that they have an aggressive dog, and it's eventually going to break whatever chain they have, or escape through some other means. If it's a two-strikes and your out issue where you live, I probably wouldn't bother even calling them, since you know the outcome and it's not going to be pretty. If they do get another chance, maybe I would call them and try to make sure they are taking necessary precautions. I personally am a dog-person, and don't want to see any animal have to be put down unless necessary. For your own protection, I would recommend carrying something with a little more "kick" than citronella! I know someone who works the phone company, and he would carry mace with him. From what I understand it works well. If you choose that route, buy 2, and use one to practice with first, so you know how it works, how far it shoots, etc. Mace is cheap, it's probably well worth it. Aaron |
2009-11-29 9:48 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Expert 1456 Central New Jersey | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Aaron - I'm going to the sporting goods store tomorrow to get bear repellent. Will not be repeating this again with any dog, or bear. Didn't even consider he might be on BT (EEK) but if so, then he knows how I feel (badly) Fence for the backyard, isn't high (no more than chest high and I'm 5"4") so dog could easily go over. When he has been chained in the front (not often, he runs him frequently, I see him out and about) it is near the house (100+ feet from the street) but he has only been chained since the incident last year. I agree, my husband pointed out what if our son (13 with severe anxiety) had been with me (as he usually is on weekend walks/runs) it wouldn't be pretty. What if it was a kid, or grandmom, or ME again next time. Need to call in the morning to determine if I should file PD report or animal control or both. Thank you all! Lani |
2009-11-29 10:21 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Expert 763 Behind you | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice File the report. When you do, think about children and animals that it will hurt. If a complaint was filed on me the first time, I would be getting rid of the dog so it wouldn't happen again. |
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2009-11-29 10:23 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Member 14 | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Lani, One more thing, whatever you decide to get, make sure that you're going to actually make the commitment to carry it and use it.... for example, bear repellent usually comes in a pretty big can. I'd rather see you carrying around a key chain pepper spray, than have a can of bear repellent that you don't use because it's too bulky. I see this all the time...IMHO, you should get the biggest, baddest thing you are capable of using, and are willing to carry every time you go out for a run. Even if this problem goes away (dog is put down), I'd recommend you still carry something... better safe than sorry! Aaron |
2009-11-29 10:27 PM in reply to: #2535254 |
Expert 1456 Central New Jersey | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Aaron - I have a canister of Pepper spray but it is pretty small, the citronella spray canister was slightly larger (and didn't fall off the belt clip). I had never planned on using it, but did so today without a seconds hesitation. Whatever I carry I will use if necessary Team Angel - I agree, first time my dog even thinks about biting someone is the last time. They did attempt to rectify the situation, but obviously it didn't work. |
2009-11-29 11:03 PM in reply to: #2534839 |
Pro 4339 Husker Nation | Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice I can't give advice, just what I would do if I were in your shoes. While I appreciate the neighbor's sympathy to the situation and attempts to rectify it, the reality is that this dog could break loose again and go after somebody. If that somebody happened to be my wife or my dog(s), it would take quite a bit of personal restraint not to do something I'd later regret to Mr. Neighbor Guy. I would call it in. |
2009-11-30 2:23 AM in reply to: #2535281 |
Subject: RE: Attacked by neighbors dog (again) need advice Screw the spray carry a weapon and shoot the dog. If he has done it twice there will be a third time. It's just a matter of if it is you or a child. |
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