Help! New Neighbors are Pit Bulls!

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Nico29

This might sound crazy to some people but I would not let my dog go in the backyard even on a leash. Like many posters said, tragedy happens in a split second. I have seen big strong men lose control of their dogs and those weren't even pitbulls. I don't let mine socialize with large breeds because even play from the bigger dog could hurt my baby. I agree with the poster that said to consider indoor potty training and if not definitely go for walks. It is so devastating for you that your babies had freedom in their yard and now that is taken away from them. I would not let my guard down for a minute. I am just so sad for you to have to go through this.

I see people walking big dogs in the park who can't control their dogs too. I stay completely away from them or leave. They don't seem to realize that their dogs could easily get away from them.

[lrichardsonrnc]

Dear OP, may I just say this to you? Honestly, you have the absolute best attitude EVER! Thank you for not getting defensive and feeling "attacked" by these posts who (like me) are getting high blood pressure just thinking about your pretty babies being stalked.
Instead, you are being solution oriented and proactive. Who cares if other people think we are over protective? I would consider it a compliment compared to the name I'd give to people who beat their dog with a stick!

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Crestwing

Go here and see how many 100's of ways you don't want your Yorkie's to meet the Pit Bulls. Common Sense Dangerous Dog Laws - Legislate and Regulate Dangerous Dogs - DogsBite.org So many people say how friendly their Pits are and never attacked anyone until now lol. Yorkies can be very noisy and aggressive and if the Pitts and Yorkies are charging the fence you need to put a buffer in between so they cannot see each other and you need to somehow get that fence higher even if you use sheets of lattice. The tarp might work so they can't see each other but a 3' fence is nothing. Even the Yorkies could get over it if they tried. Pits can jump a 6' fence but at least it would give you a little comfort knowing it would be a little harder. This is just my opinion but if you read the website it will horrify you and let you know what triggers Pit bulls. Hopefully nothing ever happens. Take care, good luck, Sue

Thanks for the advice and the link. A lot of good reading there.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by lrichardsonrnc

Dear OP, may I just say this to you? Honestly, you have the absolute best attitude EVER! Thank you for not getting defensive and feeling "attacked" by these posts who (like me) are getting high blood pressure just thinking about your pretty babies being stalked.
Instead, you are being solution oriented and proactive. Who cares if other people think we are over protective? I would consider it a compliment compared to the name I'd give to people who beat their dog with a stick!

Thanks for your encouraging post! I didn't take offense to anything that was posted, instead I got a wake up call that I really needed. I never did care if anyone thought I was being overprotective, in fact one of my 'friends' called me that and it didn't bother me. She was trying to feed Daisy a jelly bean and I put my foot down. She got mad at me and called me over protective. I never let her near my dogs again after that. I will do everything I can to protect my babies and that might mean moving. Too sad. :-( I have lived in my home for 26 years and have been happy here until now. It just doesn't seem fair. :-( The new neighbors have been here about 4 weeks.

[itzzbarb]

Originally Posted by lrichardsonrnc

Dear OP, may I just say this to you? Honestly, you have the absolute best attitude EVER! Thank you for not getting defensive and feeling "attacked" by these posts who (like me) are getting high blood pressure just thinking about your pretty babies being stalked.
Instead, you are being solution oriented and proactive. Who cares if other people think we are over protective? I would consider it a compliment compared to the name I'd give to people who beat their dog with a stick!

Well said! I was thinking the same thing.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by lrichardsonrnc

Dear OP, may I just say this to you? Honestly, you have the absolute best attitude EVER! Thank you for not getting defensive and feeling "attacked" by these posts who (like me) are getting high blood pressure just thinking about your pretty babies being stalked.
Instead, you are being solution oriented and proactive. Who cares if other people think we are over protective? I would consider it a compliment compared to the name I'd give to people who beat their dog with a stick!

[Princes mom]

I was looking for info for you online and wanted to share this. (I know no one has gotten bitten...yet.

Missouri Dog Bite Law
Missouri does not have a state law that specifically covers dog bites. That means the law on the owner's legal liability for dog attacks is governed by the common-law "one-bite rule," which says that owners are not usually liable the first time a dog bites or otherwise attacks a person. If the dog has attacked a person before and the owners know about it, they are considered liable for any further attacks, because they know of the dog's dangerous propensity to attack without warning, and should have taken steps to prevent it.

There are multiple exceptions to the one-bite rule. Dog owners may still be found liable for the first bite if:

They intentionally ordered the dog to attack.
They helped cause it with reckless or negligent behavior, such as violating a leash law or letting the dog roam free.
The dog has been trained to fight.
They know the dog is dangerous for reasons other than a previous bite, such as a propensity to growl and snap at people in public or a history of chasing vehicles.
The dog is of a breed known to be aggressive.
Whether or not an owner is liable under the one-bite rule, he or she may still be liable for negligence -- the failure to use reasonable care to prevent a foreseeable attack. Neglecting and abusing the dog, which is known to make dogs more aggressive, is an example of negligence by an owner. Negligence could take many forms, and often depends on the circumstances, which is why it is important to consult a qualified dog bite attorney if you're considering legal action. However, if owners break a law (such as a leash law) and it leads to an attack, they are more likely to be found negligent than owners who did not break any laws.

The cities of Springfield and Kansas City have municipal laws that specifically address the issue of dangerous dogs. In Springfield, if animal control officials decide a dog is dangerous, they may order licensing, confinement, spaying or neutering, liability insurance or euthanasia for that dog. Kansas City heavily regulates dogs that have been deemed dangerous by its animal control authorities. Owners aged 18 or older may keep only one dangerous dog in Kansas City, and must license and register that dog. In order to earn registration, the owner must show that the dog is kept enclosed, with a written notice warning others of the dog's danger; that it wears a muzzle outside of its enclosure; that there is a microchip from Animal Control inside the dog; and that they have liability insurance for at least $100,000. In both cities, ignoring those orders or otherwise knowingly harboring a dangerous dog leads to both criminal charges and civil liability.

The St. Louis law firm of PageCagle has extensive experience in handling dog bite cases in the state of Missouri. If you are thinking of filing a personal injury lawsuit over a dog attack, our attorneys can help you evaluate your case.

[zcb]

I have exactly the same situation here. Next door there is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is a pit breed. She is a crazy, scary animal and every time they let her out she also charges the fence along with her buddy who is an equally crazy Jack Russell. These dogs not only charge the fence but the Jack Russel has dug under it and wound up at our back door. The fence is a 6 foot privacy and I doubt the pit could jump it but I'm not sure. When she charges the fence Scooter and Bitsy go nutty. All four of them are snarling, barking and fence fighting. It's terrifying. Fortunately both of mine respond to my order "inside" and they reluctantly come in. These neighbors think it's FUNNY and CUTE what their horrible dogs do so I can't get any help there. It is awful that my dogs cannot enjoy being out when those animals are also out. I wouldn't trust any 3 foot fence at all. Please don't underestimate how strong and determined those pits are.

[BanditSocks2]

I would get a privacy fence, even if it's just along the side you share to save on costs. It will be pricy, but worth it! The boards will be dug deep into the ground so the dogs can't dig underneath, and they will not really be able to see each other, and since it's made out of solid wood, even if the dogs charge it, it should hold. Good luck. Our neighbors with pit-bulls moved out 4 months ago. Even though they were 'friendly' and got along with ours on leashes, it still scared me.

[Breezeaway]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Can you tell me what an electric fence box is? I will check into it. Also, the tarp seems like a good idea too. Thanks.

It is a electric fence controller, you can get the plug in type or a solar powered one. We had to put a stand over my husbands Bird dogs fence because they kept jumping out over the fence. You can get them at any farm supply store. If you would like any more info just pm me.

[Breezeaway]

Heres a a link to a pic of one, they arent expensive and not hard to install.
Tractor Supply

[Soccer50]

Originally Posted by gloriajean

get a bigger / taller fence, NEVER trust a pit never, never,

I'm sorry but that just seems harsh to me.( My OPINION ) . Not all pits are bad but not all are good either. I have multiple pepole that I know who have pits and they are vert good with other small dogs. But yes, I would do something if you feel that your babies are in danger. I hope everythin gworks out.