Our new next door neighbor...
 

is a pit bull. A LARGE pit bull. I'm not happy about it. Not only do we have a pit living 2 houses down but now there's one right next door. I know that most people say they're only aggressive if they're trained to fight, but it's not just the aggressiveness that scares me. It's the huge size difference.

I discovered the pit living next door when my husband and I had the girls outside while we did some yard work. I was walking up to the house when our schnauzer started going crazy. Lola soon followed suit. I looked over to see what had them freaking out and there was this young guy with a huge tan pit on a leash. Points for having the pit on a leash but what good does it do if he can't control the animal while on the leash? I started freaking out. I ran over to the girls, who by the way were jumping at the fence right in front of the dog's face, picked both of them up and carried them into the house.

Thank God my husband had fixed the gap in between the house and the first chain link fence post the previous weekend. What if Lola had slipped out and ran up to the dog?!?! I swear she's braver than the schnauzer! lol

I'm sorry if anyone is offended by my ranting about another breed but when it comes to my 4 lb yorkie I tend to be a little over protective. Even our medium sized schnauzer would be no match for a dog of that size and strength.

Okay, I'm done ranting now. Thanks for reading! lol :D

I understand your feelings! I'd been planning to get a yorkie long before I went house searching. One house I almost bought had a pitbull next door that was always barking at me through the fence. I went to look at the house 4 times. The 4th time there were 4 pitbulls in that backyard! That was enough to make me decide against the house!

At the house I did buy one neighbor has a big dog (I think a Boxer) but she seems nice. The other neighbor has 2 small poodles. It's a nicer environment for my baby...and me.

I can see so where your coming from! And yea pit bulls can be very mean. I just dont like people thinking that every pit bull is mean. We just lost our baby grl in Feb. she was blue nose and very very loving and we also have a male he is 2 and he will lick you to death before he will even think about bitting or barking, he is very loving. Its really in how you raise a dog. Any dog. The one next door is not yours so prob. will not be good for your babies to be around. My pit and yorkie are the best of friends they get alone so good. Good luck to you and take care.;)

I believe it is all in the way you raise your dog.. just like kids. If you remember back a few years it was the rottweilers (sp?) that everyone feared and the dobermans.. You may want to talk to the neighbor about how is the dog's temperament around other dogs and such. If it seems aggressive then you can take appropriate actions. Good luck to you!

You have every right to be over-protective with your yorkie and schnauzer. Any large dog can be a threat. Just recently someone wrote how her daughter's golden retriever attacked her yorkie. I would be extremely careful with my little ones having a pit bull so close by. There have been too many horror stories of yorkies getting killed by bigger dogs.

:eek: do your new neighbours seem approachable? I would probably go and introduce myself and welcome them to the area (while actually trying to see what their dog is like!) Maybe if you can kind of get friendly with them,and explain your fears, they will take extra care when they let their dog out.You will always have to be very very careful yourself, but it might help a bit to get the neighbours on your side too. Good luck.

I understand your fears. Yes some pits are fine, but any large dog coming at a yorkie is like :eek: It would be the same if we took our yorkies into a room that some one had their pet mice or rats running around you just would not do it. Not all yorkies will kill a rat but you just don't know. To me it's the same thing (size difference is about the same too) Yes I agree with others you need to talk to the new neighbours:)

Well, you are stuck by these dogs at this point and I think there is a better chance that these dogs are going to be fine being next door. You should find out from you rneighbor what kind of tempermants the pit has and go from there, just the sight of this dog alone shouldn't be the final say on whether you should be scared or not. I am NOT suggesting you let them into the yard together to play, but you most certainly should try to get the dogs face to face by the fence with the owners out there too (it will happen sooner or later) and see how all the dogs react. This could be a big puppy next door and he could very well adore your dogs and enjoy 'visiting' through the fence with your dogs. You are smart to make sure your fence is secure, and try to be really fair to the other dogs owner, he probably loves his dog a lot too and to judge his dog by sight will probably offend him. My Yorkie and pomeranian go out side and have serious races with the labs next door AND my 2 huge outdoor dogs and everyone has a good time for a few minutes and barks their head off and then they all go their seperate ways, it is loud but they all like each other. Good Luck, I hope it works out for you.

I've lived through this......

The next door's had a huge pit and an Australian something. The pit used to attack the other dog on a regular basis, and if someone was home, many times they would come out and beat the pit off the other dog. The other dog lost all personality and cowered all of its life, until one day they came home and found it in a pool of blood...but get this...REFUSED to say the pit had killed it.

Then there was the fact that one of their sons had MD and was in a wheel chair helpless.

But one day that pit wanted my little yorkie Rocky, and he just took planks from the wood fence in his mouth and ripped them off like they were paper and came through the fence. He went for the baby and he and my daughter just barely made it in the house. I stood at the back storm door and watch him snarl through the glass.

The mistake I made was calling my neighbor at work to come get him...then I called animal control after the incident was over. They told me that they would have had to remove him from my backyard in order to keep him, but since I had the owners come and get him, no dice.

Eventually they ended up giving this dog over after it started dismantling the sheet rock in the house in some kind of fit.

BUT THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE...who told me when they bought this puppy that the onus is on the owner and it is "all in how you raise them."

Yeah RIGHT

I feel sorry for you, you are now beginning a nightmare that was mine. These people moved about 3 years ago. The new neighbors biggest sin so far is that they throw loud frequent parties, but I'll gladly trade.

:mad:I understand your situation...I have the same problem. We have a "No Pit Bull Allowed" subdivision and one of the homeowners here rented their home to a couple with a pit bull. I am extremely upset and terrified because, as much as we love our new house, we would have n e v e r chosen to live anywhere that allowed 'potentially' dangerous dogs.
Because our subdivision is new and because of the economy, we have a lot of homes here that are not occupied which means no HOA (Home Owners Association), yet. The builder is acting on behalf of the HOA. I have spoken to the builder on a weekly basis, I have pictures of that dog outside without a leash, I have written letters and spoken to animal control, I have called the police and I first and foremost, spoke with the renter who owns the dog. At first (in December of 08) she said that she didn't know about the bylaw and would find a new home for her dog, but she did not!!! He is still there. She said that he was really friendly and wouldn't hurt a fly. I am in the process of looking for an attorney to find out what my rights are because it is stated in the bylaws, and filed in court, about this law.
My other neighbors have Yorkies, Poodles and Dashunds. They are upset as well. We are afraid to walk our dogs here now. When I do, my husband comes with us or I will take Prince out after the Pit Bull's owner leaves for work. (I always have my cell with me incase I have to call for help!)

Not all Pit Bulls are bad, but ALL have the potential to be extremely dangerous. Most of the problem have to do with genetics a n d how they were raised. Some breeders mate males and females from the same litter = neurological problems, most of the time. Almost every month I hear about someone's life forever changed because of a Pit Bull.

Good luck and keep this info with you: Animal Control
100 S Washington St
Ardmore, OK 73401
580) 856-3534
just in case. :mad:

Just to clarify myself, i wouldn't take any chance with a dog like Misti1 is describing, but I know a few pits that are wonderful and loving too. You need to find out what type of pit this is by observing a bit. Be careful and I hope that you have a good one living next door. You can tell alot by the type of neighbor you have too I guess.

:goodpost: So you say that your 2 barked and went crazy when they realized a dog was in the next yard, what did the Pit do? Was he barking and straining at the leash, or did he behave and listen to the person holding him? Although I would NEVER let my kids play with or be around such a large dog, I wouldn't judge this dog simply based on his breed.

Starting out on the right foot with your new neighbors will go a long way in keeping the harmony in the neighborhood. We have more trouble in our area with small dogs constantly barking 24/7 and owners that just open the front door and let them out to roam then with any of the big dogs. Good Luck!

Pit Bulls have been known to "snap" at a moments notice. Observing one does not help. Often times they may be friendly towards humans, but not towards other dogs...especially dogs that are unfamiliar to them. One nip from a Pit Bull can kill a Yorkie. (It happened in GA about two weeks ago. The owner of the Pit thought the dogs were playing!!!!!!!!)

Now admittedly, this is not a pit, but a Rotti I am talking about, but this one was "family friendly", and had been around the baby grandaughter all of her little life. So the dog is chained outside and baby grandaughter and paw paw go out to feed it. The baby made some kind of abrupt movement that angered the dog, and he went for her neck and killed her. Grandad had to shoot the dog to get it to let go, but too late.

Now he had been "observed", and the only explanation was "these dogs SOMETIMES don't like sudden movements around them".

The neighbor behind us had a pit bull when we moved in. He said the dog was like a little baby. Well they let their baby out without a leash and he bit my lab on the face and wouldnt let go. I was screaming, the neighbor came out and had to keep kicking the dog in the head for it to let go. Luckily my dog wasnt badly hurt and they moved out soon after. I will never ever trust a pit bull.

That is sooooo true. I didn't mention Rottis since the OP was upset about a Pit Bull. Check out this link...notice 1 and 2.

Top Ten (10) Most Dangerous Dog Breeds | Pets Do

When I was longer, my family had 5 rescues at one time which eventually stayed with us furever. Two were big animals both over 150lbs each. One was a german shephard and the other was a rescued wolf from SD.
The kids of the block use to come over and play with them with us. They were trained never to bite and were loving, respectful animals.

I think the major problem is not so much the big dogs, but the inhumane owners who do not teach or train these animals to be the loving caring creatures that they could be.
That being said:
as for me, I do not trust any animals nowadays, because I don't trust any humans. I always have an eye on my dog and everything around us when we walk. I walk with a knife; sorry for the dog that starts in with my dogs, because it will be the last little ones he goes after.
All I can say is talk to your neighbors and express your concerns, then if that does not work, keep your babies close and get some pepper spray and a knife. Best of luck!

Notice #1 and 2 on all of these links.


CDC's 10 Most Dangerous Dogs List [you'll never guess which one is the most dangerous!]

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf (look at page 837)

Dangerous Dog Breeds

Top Ten Most Dangerous Dogs

I never know what to think about Pit Bulls, really.... it's a tough thing.

I DO believe it's all in the way you raise them because my aunt has a Pit Bull who is the kindest, sweetest dog EVER and has never hurt a fly. He's 8 years old. However, I don't trust them. Perhaps that's a bit "racist" towards the breed lol but it's how I feel. Because if by chance they get pissed off, they can KILL you. And while most of the dogs I've seen that have been nippy have been the little dogs.... they can't do nearly as much damage.

If you happen to own a pit bull (or another breed of the like) you MUST be a major alpha leader, and I mean major, lol. They must know you're in charge.

I owned a German Shepherd as a kid growing up who was not trained properly and it was such an annoyance to have her. I loved her to death, she was MY girl, slept w/ me everynight but she was just not trained right. We could never trust her around guests or kids. You never knew what she was going to do. She did bite two people who tried to come into my room. And at the age of 3, she attacked a worker who came over to our house and he legally had to call Animal Control. She had to be put to sleep. :( Devasting! But, nobody in this household trained her properly. I blame oursleves.

ALL dogs have the potential to be dangerous!! Not just rotties, dobies, pits etc. I had a rottie for 17 years, he was the biggest baby. My friend has a pit , wouldnt hurt a flea. My mom has owned pom's and westie's that would of snapped a child's nose off in a heart beat. Granted a little dog probably wouldnt kill another dog or a child however they can cause serious damage. I had a chocolate lab that as a 7 month old puppy would get loose(despite all of my effort to keep in his pen and on a leash) and terrorize my neighbor, he would literally sit outside her door and growl and bark at her. He once chased her back into her house. He would go into attack mode anytime someone would enter my yard, but he was the most lovable dog around his family. I couldnt keep him. I was petrified that he would hurt someone. Arent lab's consider one of the best family dogs??? My toy poodle hates big dogs, she will growl, snarl, barks excessivly and on a few time she has lunged at one, being the instagator. She could of easily attack the bigger dog and the bigger dog retaliate and kill her, but it wouldnt of been that dogs fault. I dont bring her with me anymore if I know there are going to big dogs around or I carry her. When she is in my arms, she is less agressive. I usually just stay away big dogs period. I have seen many times where the little dog is "trying to attack" the bigger dog.
Im not saying that pits, rotties etc dont have the tendency to attack, that is was they were bred for many years ago, to be attack dogs. So of course its in their genes and IM not real sure something like that could be "out bred" when its been done for so long.
I agree with what some of the others have said, go and talk to your neighbor see what kind of people they are and what kind of personality the dog has. You said that you already have a fenced yard and they had the dog on a leash so precautions have been made. I wouldnt leave your dogs outside alone for any period of time just to be safe.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Lord knows I can't answer all the questions but here's a few answers:

When my girls saw the dog and ran over to the fence it took all the guy had to hold the dog back. The pit was yanking at the leash and snarling at the girls. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think that he was snarling just cause he's a "Pit". The girls were strangers and he was protecting his owner. I understand that.

The owner doesn't look like a bad person but who can really tell about a person anymore?

I do have to give him points for keeping his dog on a leash and also keeping in not only in a fenced in yard but in a kennel.

However, I just don't trust them. I wouldn't trust a rotti or a dobbie or any other big dog either. I don't want anyone to think I'm singling the breed out but that's just what type of dog that lives next door. And you pretty much hear all kinds of bad stories about pits attacking their owners, other dogs and so on. There's really not that many horror stories about Labs, or Great Danes out there. At least I haven't heard any.

I have also checked the city's laws and codes for "aggressive" breeds and there isn't one. Just my luck!

Well, again thank you to every one that responded. I knew this was a touchy subject to talk about. But everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

We've lived in our home for 20 + years. Last year the home next door sold and was turned into apartments. Two days ago we looked out the side window to see one of the dowstairs neighbors with a pit. In general pits don't scare me but we have an inhome childcare and a small dog. 3 when my sister visits and he was pacing our fence line while millie was out back.

I'm calling the property manager tomorrow and ask if he's insured for pets, cause I'm thinking he's not and probably doesn't know it's there. And I have no problem pulling a john Wayne on him. The owners fault, my fault, nobodys fault, that dog comes over my 6 ft fence and hurts a child or my baby and it's dead and he'll be responsable.

I understand where you're coming from.

I also think any large dog has the potential to be dangerous and I'm always cautious when I'm walking Piper. I don't care when the owner of a large dog says " He won't hurt her." I always keep a good distance away. Years ago I had a mini poodle and my neighbor was walking by with her Alaskan Malmute without a leash. I immediately called my poodle as my neighbor is saying "He won't hurt her". He scooped her up so fast. Luckily he did drop her when my neighbor yelled to drop it. But the damage was already done. My poor baby suffered shock, puncture wounds and a collasped lung.

Here are two websites that may be helpful:

Oklahoma Dog Bite Laws : Garrett Law Office, P.C.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Dog Bite Laws - Atkins and Markoff

A little CHow from next door came on full attack mode at our old Lab just minding his own business in our own yard! Our Lab just looked at her like "what the heck!" I agree there can be aggressive dogs in any breed. But don't judge the dog until you talk with the owner. He may be just as upset about living next to little dogs that like to jump and bark at the fence. ;)

I own pit bulls and they can be very loving and well trained companions when raised correctly.. they can be gentle as ever and not hurt a fly... Do some research and GET TO KNOW THE OWNERS AND THE DOG BEFORE JUDGING.

And he has the dog in a Kennel? he is obviously trying all he can to be responsible.. DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU HE LOVES HIS DOG TOO?

I would just be extra careful with my girls.. Gucci is within close proximity of Pit Bulls they live at my home.. but he isn't around them he is strictly in the house... why? because even rough play can injur a fragile yorkie.. I definately wouldn't have a problem taking extra care and keeping him away from the neighbors dogs.. after all I keep him away from my own.

I am sorry but I have pits and I get very defensive when people start "Judging" .. my dogs love kids, other dogs, cats and birds.. as well as people. I have been raised with them my entire life and bred them. The only reason Gucci doesn't hang with them is because he's so small. You don't hear news stories about labs and great danes because the media doesn't get a kick out of broadcasting those.. But to be honest one of the most dangerous breeds is a GREAT DANE :rolleyes: as well as a Dalmation, A Husky and the list goes on...

Hope it works out for you.. but I would really consider how he feels about his dog before "Snitching him out" just to be honest. I mean there are people out there with 10 yorkies and they would be deeply hurt if their dogs were taken away because someone didn't like them. What makes a pit bull owner any different? An Irresponsible one I can understand but a law abiding one.. well to me that's different.

Just tonight while walking the kiddles they discovered a black lab......guess who barked first yah the kiddles. I am a strong believer in any dog will bite or attack if provoked. How do we really know what provokes a dog. You just have to be careful and watch your babies all the time. Make friends with the guy and get an idea how he is raising his dog. Good luck.

I know this is kinda sneaky, but it's the price we pay for our babies. Most House insurances will drop the owner for having a "potentially aggressive" dog. If someone moved into my neighborhood with a "potentially aggressive" dog...I would find out who their house insurance was through and ummmm....send an anonymous letter with pictures:rolleyes:

Keep your little Yorkie's well supervised when their out in the yard . I would not create any hassles with your neighbor .One day you may need his help in a big way. Agressive dogs are everwhere. We, as owners need to protect our beloved pets from harm. This is our own responsibility. I agree that NOT all Pits are dangerous. However, I would never tempt one with a little yorkie's either.