A Pitbull tried to attack me and my Yorkies last night!!! What should I do?
 

Last night I went for walk around the block like I usually do...I don't know if any of you saw the Post about my friend who was killed on hwy 183 by a cement mixer here in Dallas? Well she left behind four children/husband and 1 pitbull. She passed away about 4 weeks ago. I guess you can imagine how preoccupied the family is and how neglected the dog must be? Well last night I was walking my two little Yorkies minding my own business walking past their home their pitpull in a rage started knocking down the fence slats! He was trying to get to me and my dogs :eek I had the sickest most scariest feeling in my stomach! I reached down very quickly and scooped up my dogs and walked quickly, NOT running to my home...I just knew he would get out before I made it. :eek: I kept looking back behind me and hoping he was not coming! I made it home! I just feel terrible for this family but I know the right thing to do is call the police. I am just so torn...I do not want to cause any more grief or stress for this sweet family. However a child or dog will be attacked....When I left my neighborhood this morning I looked at the fence ...one slat is gone!::eek: a big enough space for his nose to get through!!!!

What should I do?

How awful for everyone...:(

First call the owner and tell him exactly how you feel and see what he says. He may do something about it.

Tell the dog's owner about your concern!

I think I would go talk to her husband first.. I wouldn't call the police right now.. I would let him know your concerns and I am sure he will be understanding

i would contact the owner before the police. give them a chance at solving the problem first.

I would call the owner and tell him what happened and ask if there is anything you can do to help make sure the dog is secured.

I also agree with others, I would talk to the owner and explain the whole situation first. The owner should secure his dog.

I'd start carrying canine pepper spray and for now, find another route to take my dogs on their walks.

I agree with all of you but I went to his wife's funeral just a few weeks ago..she was one of my good friends! She was killed by a cement truck jumping over the median on interstate 183...her little 5 year old girl Angelica was in the car...she had to be cut out while she watched her mother die. Her husband is crushed....her four children are pitiful. I know this is an extremely dangerous situation but I feel like this would be icing on the cake!

I promise I will can animal control tomorrow and explain the situation. Maybe they can help in a nice way. I just cannot bear to go to their home..I just start bawling, This is so sad and sad for this poor dog who has been forgotten :(

I would still contact the husband first, it's not going to be easy news for them and probably will upset them even more, but I think they would be more upset if animal control or the police came knocking on their door. I know I would be. Then what if they find out it was you who called? That would probably upset them as well and I think I would feel betrayed in a way, if my friend went to animal control before coming to me first. Also, who knows what animal control will do. What if they just come in and grab the dog in front of the kids and everything, who knows how they will handle it. You really can't control that, and you don't want animal control to make an unpleasant scene for them. Please talk to this owner first, and in the meantime, find a different route and carry mace! If they refuse to do anything about it, then yes call animal control because that dog could really hurt or kill another animal or even a person, but give the husband a chance first.

Will do! Please say a prayer for me that I can be strong and for them that they will be comforted! I cannot imagine how they must be feeling..it just breaks my heart. My babies have thier Mommy and their Daddy. I am so blessed! Thanks everyone, your the best!;)

I'm soo glad your going to talk to him first! I can't imagine how hard it will be, but when you look back on this I'm sure you'll be more satisfied then if you were to go to animal control first. I'll keep you and the family in my prayers. If it's too hard for you to go over there, maybe try calling, or writing an e-mail or letter. Let us know how it goes.

First of all, this family is devestated belond belief. I am sure you are to and I am sorry for the loss of your friend in such a horrific accident. Consider mentioning the dog to the husband and call a rescue group in the area. They will handle it gently without stressing the kids or dad. I am sure both kids and the dog are putting dad out of his mind. The rescue group won't rip the dog out of their lives either. They should suggest training and other suggestions to help them out. Perhaps the dog was feeling protective over his family because he sensed something wrong.

Melissa and Rambeau (I am sorry for mommy going away :()

You really think is better coming out from strangers aka police and animal control? versus you??

This is exactly what I would do. By offering to help, or even have it fixed if possible, you're not causing your neighbor any further problems and I'm sure it would be very much appreciated.

I'm just about certain he isn't aware of how the dog is suffering too. And, possibly has even noticed the missing slat.

I agree.

good luck <3

I would try to talk to him too and you don't have to do it in a mean or confrontational way. Maybe you could offer to help in some way? My heart really goes out to that family and I just would never be able to call the police or animal control and actually, the dog never did get out so maybe he is not as bad as he sounds but I can understand being afraid - I am thinking of gettting pepper spray too.

I'd contact the owner and tell him what happened. Not a bad idea to file a police report, though. HOW SCARY!

My former next door neighbors had an australian sheep dog and a brendyl colored female pit. The day they brought her home I went over to play with the new puppy. Because she had a coloring I had never seen before I was unaware that she was a pit until I asked (still playing with her) "What kind of dog is this?"

When they said a pit I stopped and started walking away. The neighbor said "They are all in the way you raise them, she is gentle as a lamb."

These people had a child with MD confined to a wheel chair. Knowing how capricious and unpredictable these dogs can sometimes be, I was wondering what they would do if this dog ever attacked their helpless son.

Well she grew and grew and one day....as the original poster described, she starting eating fence slats to get at my yorkie. She was through the fence and after us before I could scoop ROcky up and barely made it inside the back door. There she stood snarling and trying to break through the glass.


I called my neighbor at work and she came to get her and they had a new fence built. That is where I made my mistake, because animal control said that had they found her in my back yard they would have taken her in.

This animal finally killed the SHepard, after my witnessing many a terrible fight between the two from my second floor which over looks their back yard.

They finally got rid of her when they decided that she needed to be indoors to be watched, and she started to systematically dismantle the walls of the house.

Now I know all of them do not turn out this way, but you didn't have to live in fear next door to this particular one, I did.

I'm so sorry about your friend - what a tragedy....

I had that problem when I was in my house with my husband for a few months when my neighbors were keeping their daughters pittbull - he/she kept chewing up my (6' WOOD fence) and I was constantly boarding it up - we're talking multiple holes and pushing boards loose - when they get it into their heads to get out & it's wood - they WILL

in your case - talk to the family - not only for the loss of the mom but also mention their dog is an 'attack waiting to happen' - if they can get a hole big enough to see thru - they can make one to escape through - I'm surprised the dog didn't already get out.......I'd have been scared too -

we were charged by one a few months ago in my new apartment - lucky for us - the dog wasn't in attack mode - but it was a close call -

Oh, I'm so sorry. My sister lives in the Dallas area and I remember hearing about that happening. So sad to know it's a YTer's friend. I do feel for that family.

As for the dog, I do hope you are able to talk to the husband and get somewhere with him before taking it to the authorities. He needs to think of his children's safety also. Good luck.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I remember reading about that in news paper. It is really sad to know it's a YTer's friend. How awful for the family and for you.

I agree with everyone else, talk to the husband frist. Maybe he just might really appreciate you warning him about what is going on with the pit. Hugs