Neighbor's dog

[theporkieyorkie]

Sadly, I think a Pitbull can be a wonderful breed of dog but for some reason, a lot of them seem to be owned by idiots. They are owned by people who think they make great guard dogs...when most of them are naturally dog aggressive, not people aggressive. They are owned by people who don't work with them, exercise or train them and they don't socialize them enough as puppies to make sure they aren't dog aggressive. Some people even work to make them people aggressive. I walked into a house once and there was a friendly little pit puppy, so I bent down to pet it. The owner yelled at the dog and told me not to pet it. He was trying to make it a guard dog.

Just like we have to be responsible when owning a little dog(not leaving our dogs unattended outside, making sure larger animals don't hurt it, making sure it's not jumping off high furniture etc etc), owners of big powerful breeds, like the pitbull SHOULD BE responsible for keeping their dog safe from harming other people or animals...but often times, this does not happen and THAT is why they've gotten such a bad rap.


To add fuel to the fire, many of the pitbull owners don't seem to care to spay/neuter their animals or they think they can make big bucks off their puppies, so you've got a HUGE overpopulation of pitbulls in shelters across the country...worse than probably any other breed of dog.

Overall...this breed of dog just seems to attract the wrong kind of owners.

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by theporkieyorkie

Sadly, I think a Pitbull can be a wonderful breed of dog but for some reason, a lot of them seem to be owned by idiots. They are owned by people who think they make great guard dogs...when most of them are naturally dog aggressive, not people aggressive. They are owned by people who don't work with them, exercise or train them and they don't socialize them enough as puppies to make sure they aren't dog aggressive. Some people even work to make them people aggressive. I walked into a house once and there was a friendly little pit puppy, so I bent down to pet it. The owner yelled at the dog and told me not to pet it. He was trying to make it a guard dog.

Just like we have to be responsible when owning a little dog(not leaving our dogs unattended outside, making sure larger animals don't hurt it, making sure it's not jumping off high furniture etc etc), owners of big powerful breeds, like the pitbull SHOULD BE responsible for keeping their dog safe from harming other people or animals...but often times, this does not happen and THAT is why they've gotten such a bad rap.


To add fuel to the fire, many of the pitbull owners don't seem to care to spay/neuter their animals or they think they can make big bucks off their puppies, so you've got a HUGE overpopulation of pitbulls in shelters across the country...worse than probably any other breed of dog.

Overall...this breed of dog just seems to attract the wrong kind of owners.

I agree. Even with all the "good press" they're getting like "Pit bulls and parolees" and "Pit Boss", the reputation of the breed is so tarnished that even a well trained pit still causes a fear response in most people. I certainly wouldn't let a child or small dog around one unless I knew it from birth and knew how it was raised, and even then, maybe not. (Trivua: Petey on "the little rascals" was a pit bull)

[yorkietalkjilly]

I adore the bully breeds and types and hate we're killing so many of them because people cannot control them.

[kimp5]

Have you thought about having a meeting with the people with kids on the street? Make it nice and friendly and just ask them if they have the same concerns. If they do, ask them if you can all come up with a friendly way to approach this guy. There is more strength in numbers.
If they don't they are all idiots who will not get it until they are on the 6o'clock news..they have kids for crying out loud!
I was walking a few weeks ago and a big dog was out front with the owners. He made a beeline for me as he was growling and jumped on my back. Trust me it hurt. The owner just said "sorry" I said "you need to keep him n a leash or inside" I have small kids and a small dog and I don't want them to become afraid. I wasn't mean but I was firm. Then I went home and emailed my association and a week later a letter went out to everyone readdressing the leash law in my community. Haven't seen the dog out front since..

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by ShowGirlLola

What he's doing isn't against the law, I have no legal support, and I can see my family's point, calling could make things worse.
This guy is directly across the street and his friend is next door to me.

I don't know what other people know, but the 3 families nearby with kids know about yesterday's incident. The dog went after one of the fathers, another father saw it, and we've told the 3rd family.

I would feel horrible if a kid got hurt, but there's not much I can do. At least the 3 closest families with kids know.


I don't know if the dog was reported for any of incidents, I hope the people with the dog reported him at least.

Yeah that's the danger with pepper spray, a lot of times it doesn't work on animals and just makes them madder.

I'm sorry for your neighbors dogs and your neighborhood, that's horrible.


No I haven't tried befriending him, he's about twice my age and gone most of the time, when he is home and outside he usually has the dog with him. My mom has talked to him a few times though, mostly about yard work or tools.
He's been friends with my next door neighbor for at least 20 years (prior to moving here), and he's not listening to him, so I doubt he'll listen to us.

He drives one of those huge 4 door pick up trucks and has a pit bull named Zeus, does that give you an idea about his personality?

Totally get it...is the red bandana around his head, neck or hanging out his back pocket??!!! I'm so sorry your going through this, it does suck and I've been where you are...fortunately in my case I was able to get it resolved.

[ShowGirlLola]

Originally Posted by kjc

I've had some good experiences walking my female in fancy dresses, ones with 'loud' patterns. The first time I did this, a PB mix that normally chases after her was not even phased by her presence. Well a little phased, but he sat there with his head cocked and the most confused look on his face. I guess the dress changes her profile and 'look', so that she did not elicit a prey response in this dog, which I have seen happen 3-4 times previously. Bold patterns and/or metallic, shiny fabric in the least dog like colors may help.

IMHO, living in a neighborhood with a PB type or other large dog with or without a bite history, I would not depend on any spray nor deterrent that may or may not work. You need something definite, like a gun or a knife (and be able to use it effectively).

Lola usually wears dresses when we go out, but I won't be able to dress her when it gets hotter.
I've also seen some dogs look at her like wtf? while dressed

I'm not willing to carry a gun and I doubt I'd have the speed or strength to do much with a knife.

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

I know that as an ED nurse, we are required to report all animal bites to the county animal control office in which the animal lives, or if unknown, the county in which the bite occured. This goes for personal pets. If the bite is severe enough to make you go to the ED, then a record is made. (Even if it is just a scratch. If the victim goes to the ED, it is reported). I would think this would be the rule, rather than the exception, everywhere. You could check with your local animal control office and see if this dog has a history of reported bites. I don't know if they have to release that information, but you might get lucky and be able to back up your report with documented history.

I know 2 of the people the dog went after weren't bit because my neighbor stopped the dog (NOT THE OWNER, even though he was there for the most recent). Both times he was on the dog right away so I guess it wasn't in full attack mode yet.

The other incident was against my neighbor, he went over to take care of the dog and something happened, not 100% sure on the details but he doesn't trust the dog at all any more and does the bare minimum for him.
This neighbor has had 2 rotties and 1 pit bull in my lifetime, so he is familiar with bully breeds. All 3 of his dogs were nice.

The dog was hurt pretty badly though, again I don't know full details, just what my neighbor told me.

My grandmom saw the most recent incident, she heard barking and looked out the window.

Originally Posted by kimp5

Have you thought about having a meeting with the people with kids on the street? Make it nice and friendly and just ask them if they have the same concerns. If they do, ask them if you can all come up with a friendly way to approach this guy. There is more strength in numbers.
If they don't they are all idiots who will not get it until they are on the 6o'clock news..they have kids for crying out loud!
I was walking a few weeks ago and a big dog was out front with the owners. He made a beeline for me as he was growling and jumped on my back. Trust me it hurt. The owner just said "sorry" I said "you need to keep him n a leash or inside" I have small kids and a small dog and I don't want them to become afraid. I wasn't mean but I was firm. Then I went home and emailed my association and a week later a letter went out to everyone readdressing the leash law in my community. Haven't seen the dog out front since..

I'm not willing to risk causing problems with my neighbors, for one thing he could start having the dog outside more out of spite. An anonymous call to animal control would have been one thing, if I had proof about the attempts, but contacting other neighbors is too risky.
I guess in some ways you're lucky to have a homeowners association.