Please Help!!!

[Bruce's_Mom]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions...Well I have been talking with the police and my apartment management for the last hour and a half. This is where I have gotten...

(1) We do have a leash law, but our good ole ineffective SPD will not enforce it in the parking lot of a private building. Since I was not harmed aside from having the but ripped out of a $250 pair of jeans there is nothing they can do (so they say) except take a complaint.
(2) Animal Control just tells me they have been unable to reach the dog owner (come on over here anytime between 5-10pm and he and the dog will just be roaming around the parking lot).
(3) My apartment manager said there was not much she could do, but she did switch my parking space so I am closer to the exit of my apartment and can just rush Bruce to the car for every walk. From now on we will drive a few miles down the road to begin our walks.

The unfortunate part is that the dog is so fast and has gotten fairly close to us when we are even walking to the car with Bruce in his carrier. So...I called this self defense spy shop, and ordered a taser that supposedly can take down a 200 pound man...Bruce and I will just practice the drill of me covering him with my body, and then tasing the dog...In the meantime the lawyer in me is coming out, and the only reason that I moved into this complex is because it has its own off leash area, and dogs over 25 pounds were not allowed...Now it seems that out of 80 apartments everyone has a dog and all but 4 or so are large dogs well over that...So I think I may try to sue my apartment complex for violating my lease, and hopefully then I could get out of my lease. So basically we are still freaked out and I know this dog is going to hurt someone or their precious dog, and hopefully my videotape will be rolling! Thanks for the suggestions guys...I am really just beside myself. The only thing the owner says to me is "maybe you should have gotten a real dog instead of some overpriced pocket dog"...

[Itspuppyluv]

I hope it doesn't come to needing the taser but you have to do what you have to do. Just out of curiosity, how much does the owner weigh? J/K but he sounds like a real prince. I wonder how he is going to feel when his "real" dog really hurts someone.

Hopefully, you'll be able to get out of your lease if that's what you want. Seems like the best solution for you and Bruce if nothing else can be done.

[Bnot]

I'd definitely call the police and make a report on this. I don't know where you live, but there IS a leash law where I live.

Seems his dog attacked you, is what I got out of this. If nothing else, you can press charges on him, for not having full control of his dog.

[Sadie's Mom]

Since the police & the apartments refuse to do anything, I would call the media. TV stations, newspapers, radio. They usually jump all over stuff like this. Especially when it comes to the police not wanting to do anything about it & also when it comes to pits (they've got a bad rap, yeah, but this is why & the media eats it up). Nothing like a little bad press to stir things up a bit. I'm sure that's not something the apartments want. I know that most of the time, if it's a TV news story, they will even get a shot of the apartment sign so that everyone knows what apartment they are talking about. I'm surprised your apartment complex even allows this guy to live there. Most apartments in this area have a breed restriction where they don't allow pits, german sheps, rotts, etc....all those guys that have bad raps. This guy sounds like a real winner. Maybe he'll change his mind when his dog actually harms someone & HE is held responsible. Wasn't there a woman went to jail a few years back b/c her dog who had previously shown aggressive behavior attacked & killed someone?

[BLowry]

I think you should use the taser on the manager of the building for the real dog comment. And where on earth do you live that you can just order a taser!! There are a few people I would like to "zap" once in a while!! LOL

Seriously now...I would not hesitate to use this on that animal if he were charging at you....and why don't they consider the fact that the dog ripped your pants an attack!! did he have to remove flesh with it in order for them to do something about this?

[Bnot]

Ok, I replied before I read the whole thread here. I'd hate to have to use a tazer on a dog, but you gotta do what you gotta do to take care of yours.

Maybe HE should have got a pocketbook dog instead of a killer!

Sad though, you might have to see if you can break the lease and get out.

And looks to me the owner of that dog, is laughing through this! Hell, use the tazer on him, and his dog! Just kidding!

Also you might want to make sure a tazor is legal for a civillian to use. I'd hate to see YOU in jail, when its the owner of the other dog that really needs to be there!

[LuvMySissy]

It sounds like you have a good plan of action ready. You know the saying "the sqeaky wheel....", well it just may help you out here if everytime you see the dog unleashed, you make a call to the police and/or animal control. I would think eventually they would do something about it and if not, I like the idea of calling the media.

Are you using a harness for Bruce - cause if you are, you should be able to very quickly pull him right up to you off the ground with his leash. I also agree that it sounds like you were attacked by this dog, which makes the dog vicious and should mandate fines and penalties for the owner.

I know this doesn't help, but one day this guy and his dog are going to be taken down (one way or another) by an owner of an overpriced pocket dog!! Please keep yourself and Bruce safe and hope Bruce's recovery is full and complete.

[LauraMichelle]

Taser, that is a really good idea. If you have ever tried to stop a large, muscular dog with a bat, its damn near impossible. My Dad has had Boxers all his life, I had a large one as a child, Elwood. Elwood was a great dog, but there were always certain dogs (males) he would try to fight. My Dad has hit that dog (ours and the other) repeatedly with a shovel! Neither would break, he had to use the handle end to pry them apart. Pits and Boxers are very much alike. I would seriously doubt the stopping force of a bat. A taser is a smart choice, extreme yes, but multi-purpose (owner and dog maybe?), concealable and legal. Legal in Oklahoma at least, I'm not sure about your area. Its a shame that your apartment manager won't help. Everytime I saw the owner and the dog unleashed, I would file a complaint with management. Unleased dogs aren't fair to everyone else, its lazy and irresponsible.

There is a pit on the back side of our street, it has jumped the fence to get to my dog before. Luckily I had my Rottweiler (Bruno) and he let out his "play" bark, which sounds like the devil reincarnated, and the owner rushed over and death was avoided. When we walk our Yorkies, If its me alone, I avoid that street, just to prevent anything. If its Shane and I, he has a conceal to carry license, so we have a gun just in case. I would hate to do that, but if you own a dog and can't keep it up, we have the right to protect ourselves.

I do like Pits, I just can't stand irresponsible owners!

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Bruce's_Mom

Thank you everyone for your suggestions...Well I have been talking with the police and my apartment management for the last hour and a half. This is where I have gotten...

(1) We do have a leash law, but our good ole ineffective SPD will not enforce it in the parking lot of a private building. Since I was not harmed aside from having the but ripped out of a $250 pair of jeans there is nothing they can do (so they say) except take a complaint.
(2) Animal Control just tells me they have been unable to reach the dog owner (come on over here anytime between 5-10pm and he and the dog will just be roaming around the parking lot).
(3) My apartment manager said there was not much she could do, but she did switch my parking space so I am closer to the exit of my apartment and can just rush Bruce to the car for every walk. From now on we will drive a few miles down the road to begin our walks.

The unfortunate part is that the dog is so fast and has gotten fairly close to us when we are even walking to the car with Bruce in his carrier. So...I called this self defense spy shop, and ordered a taser that supposedly can take down a 200 pound man...Bruce and I will just practice the drill of me covering him with my body, and then tasing the dog...In the meantime the lawyer in me is coming out, and the only reason that I moved into this complex is because it has its own off leash area, and dogs over 25 pounds were not allowed...Now it seems that out of 80 apartments everyone has a dog and all but 4 or so are large dogs well over that...So I think I may try to sue my apartment complex for violating my lease, and hopefully then I could get out of my lease. So basically we are still freaked out and I know this dog is going to hurt someone or their precious dog, and hopefully my videotape will be rolling! Thanks for the suggestions guys...I am really just beside myself. The only thing the owner says to me is "maybe you should have gotten a real dog instead of some overpriced pocket dog"...

Aha! That sounds more like ther Allison I met! I can't believe the cops say they can't do anything when they see he damaged your clothes. At least, make the pitt-owner pay for some new jeans.

It's unfortunate that you have to be inconvenienced because of this, but it sounds like you're doing everything you can. Good luck, take care of Bruce, and keep us informed.

[Osso]

If you have talked to the land owner already and he/she is not doing anything, get a lawyer to send a certified letter explaining that the neighbors dog attacked you - and that you are concerned for your safety. For some reason a dog's safety is generally not as important as money lost.

If you can't afford a lawyer right now at least send a certified letter yourself explaining your fear of safety.

[ditsy]

I wouldn't carry a bat, as you could get into lots of trouble if you hurt their dog.

I would consider having some pepper spray or mace close to hand though, but just for emergencies.

I would at the very least write to your housing company explaining that your living in fear because of this dog, that it is frequently not on a leash or any form of adult control and most of all mention that it attacked YOU (doesn't matter that it was actually going for your dog, it bit at you).

Include a picture of the damaged trousers to support the case, including any other evidence you may have (other tenants comments / supporting letters ???)

In the letter to the housing dept you should also mention what you expect as compensation ie: the dog must be kept on a leash at all times when outside its apartment or complete removal of the dog - Whatever you think is fair.

Finish the letter off by making it clear that if your complaint is not taken seriously you will be taking legal advice and pursuing this matter.

Be prepared to negotiate with your house dept, and remember you are more likely to end up with a positive result if you stay calm and polite the whole time.



Second, I would write to the owner with a bill for a new pair of Jeans.



The police & animal control are in a difficult situation as this has happened on private property, and while its disappointing, their hands are tied until a serious injury takes place, however you as a tenant have a right to live in your own home without fear.


While I know your concern is for your dog, I would recommend you pursue any complaints / action in reference to your own safety rather than that of your dogs to be taken more seriously.

Good luck

[Rae Rae]

When someone has a vicious dog, they need to take every single precaution they can to prevent any attacks from happening. Your neighbor should definitly have the dog on a leash, and muzzled! From the way this pit sounds, that is how my Gizmo is with people he doesn't know. We have him ALWAYS leashed outside, and when he goes for walks he is muzzled. If this dog is terrorizing your apartments, and the owner doesnt do anything, I would go to the police, or get a lawyer. If your landlord won't do anything, I would bug him/her until they do. Hopefully this owner will learn to prevent anything from happening before anything does happen. Until then, don't take Bruce out if this dog is out, and always keep him close by you so you can grab him real quick if anything. Just don't wait around, and don't take crap from the owner and your landlord. Your and your babies safety, along with other dogs safety is in jeopardy.