Irresponsible dog owners BEWARE!

[labrown]

THANKS! I took my other dog to obedience class when he was just over a year old, and a great dane mix put him in his mouth and threw him about 5 feet! I could have done something then but didn't because the instructor never said anything about it. What do you all do when your dog is being mouthed by larger dogs? Has this ever happened to you? Is it just my dogs that are being mouthed by bigger dogs? I'd love to hear if other owners have gone through this!!! HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!

[Ladymom]

Lady was nearly attacked by a loose dog a couple of years ago. My neighbor was dog sitting and her four year old let the dog out. It came up behind us so I didn't realize it was there until it was almost on Lady. I dove and saved her, thank heavens, but fractured my pelvis in the process.

From now on, I carry doggie mace (called Muzzle) with me. I never, ever want to be in that situation again. All it takes is one shake of a toy dog's neck by a larger dog to break it. I will "shoot first and ask questions later".

[GG3]

If something like that EVER happens again call 911. Does 311 work in every city??? Years ago I know about the people on the block that just let their dogs out and one was attacked from a pit that jumped off the porch. The dog was in the porch unleashed and able to jump out and and small dog was also unleashed. They are both at fault there. I know if a big dog came at us. I would pick her up over my head and take the bites for her.

[HallTx1203]

Originally Posted by Little Bit

Here, here! That is one of my pet peeves also! I am even afraid when I walk my big dog around our neighborhood. There are always big dogs off leash running around. I have called animal control before, but nothing ever happens, could it be because it was the city attorney's dog?? That dog has since passed away, but there are many others to take his place. I wouldn't dare walk my yorkies! It is just not right. Why can't people abide by the leash law!

My 2 guys have only been out once for this very reason. People just don't take responsibility for their pets.

[blksnowbunny]

OMG don't get me started on this. This ticks me off so much. You know, what gets me is, yes, I am mindful of my baby, Cyrano but hey, what about MY safety as well??? You see people walking around in la-la land while their lab or boxer runs around off leash...spots me and Cyrano and runs straight at us. While this was happening, she had this smirk on her face, which made me even more livid. I got so ticked off at her about it I said, "Hey! Get your dog! I don't know it and he doesn't know me!" She had nerve to act insulted, rolled her eyes, and walked away with her dog. And another thing...just because you have your dog on a leash, don't give it ten feet of slack where it can still lunge out at me and Cyrano. People need to be mindful and alert. As much as we love our dogs (babies), they are still dogs first and have animal instincts. They don't have the ability to think rationally like humans should!

[uiucpeng]

Freedom comes with responsibility, and the only true freedom is when you are exercising your own without violating other people's freedom. If you are given the freedom to have dogs, then it is only natural to be responsible for it and not violate other people's freedom. By letting dogs off leash, you are 1) not taking any responsibility 2) violating other people's freedom to enjoy a safe environment (psychological and physical). I don't think it matters whether your dog is small or big, friendly or aggressive. It's an harassment. Whether or not you had the intention to harass or not, if the other party feels harassed, than it is an harassment.

Unfortunately, I am not sure if calling 911 will resolve the problem, unless it's a life-threatning situation. The underpaid, overworked dispatchers do not dispatch units immediately, they do this on their own judgement based on the short conversation you have over the phone. Though I'm not trying to diminish the issue of dogs-off-leash, they are probably going to give priority over armed assault, robbery, and serious accidents over dogs-off-leash problem. Maybe by the time units arrive, those irresponsible owners are probably off the scene (or had their dog leashed already and there's no evidence).

It never ceases to amaze me how so many people do NOT do such a simple thing, to have a simple respect and properly enjoy their freedom.

I think the owners should be pepper sprayed btw, the dogs really didn't do anything wrong, and shouldn't have to be sprayed. But since that's not really an option, only the poor dogs suffer due to their inconsiderate owners.

[artie merlino]

I'll try not to get too emotional on this subject but........I feel strongly about this issue! You have every right to walk your Dogs any where at any time, you should not have to worry about other Dogs on Leash or not? What other Dog Owner's "Do or Don't Do", it's not your Responsibility! On that point alone
I used to have the same problem @ my old Apartment Complex too, and I still have the same problem @ the Dog Park (which I happen to live next door to)
I would definitly complain to your "Manager" first and let them know that you are having this problem daily. Then I would call the Police or Animal Control and I would Report it every time until it STOPS! I would not tolerate this behaviour from any Dog weather it was with its' Owner or not? I beleive it is my "Responsibility" to insure all 3 of my Yorkies "Safety" at all times, my Dogs are well trained in voice, sound and hand commands but if the other Dogs are not? You need to take control of the situation and don't trust that the other Dog/Owner is "Responsible" let alone "Socialized"? I find that bigger Dogs tend to react to Yorkies as "Prey", especially if they are smaller Yorkies, my 4 pounder gets chased all the time but she has learned to out run them being
off leash @ the Dog Park. Both my 10 lb. and 8 lb. Yorkie will stand their ground by nipping the larger Dogs nose. This is very nerve wrecking but Dogs don't see size, they smell first. They feel energy....yours too!
You should definitly communicate with the other Owner, if there is one around? Most of the time people like that (Larger Dog Owner's) think they have the run of the Land and are very non-chalant and lazy about watching their Dogs. Mine have been attacked twice by Pitbulls and each time the Owner has apologized and said their Dog has "Never" done that before?
Of course because they don't take the time and effort to "Train" or "Socialize them! In South Carolina, if a "Dog/Owner" has gone to "Court" for "Aggression/
Fighting", the Dog will be confiscated from the Owner! But they have to be in Court 4 times, we had someone that had a Great Dane, that was attacking every thing in sight and he's been to Court 3 times! Just think how many times he Attacked a Dog and it was Never Reported? Most of the time it's the other Owner's fault not Your's! If I were you.....always carry a cell phone, always Report it to some one, any one? Don't let them get away with it, otherwise not only have your Dogs Right's and Personal Space have been Violated but Your's too! You have more patience and tolerance than me, I commend you for that. But if you don't stand up for you and your Dog's Right's no one else will, this will continue until God forbids, your Babies will end up in the Vet's Office or even worse get killed by the other Larger Dog?
Try chasing the other Dog Owner, to reimburse you for Vet. costs? Or to replace your Dog, you can't find a decent Yorkie for under $1,500.00?
I don't know about you but I would rather be "SAFE" than "SORRY"!
Let me get down off my "Soapbox", sorry this is so long! But this is all about mutual respect and "Your Right's"! It's not fair to your Dogs, it's not their fault that they are so tiny and fragile compared to Larger Dog Breeds.
Good Luck!

[ladyj]

Originally Posted by labrown

I just moved to Austin TX at the beginning of August, and since I have moved here, my smallest yorkie Tina has been attacked 5 times by dogs off leash. 5 TIMES! Last night we were walking our dogs around the apartment complex, and we rounded the corner of one of the buildings, and there were two dogs out there with their owners off leash. The larger of the two, some type of black lab I would assume, attacked both of my dogs. The lab actually put Tina in its mouth! And every time she is attacked, the owners apologize profusely. Well, you know what?? SORRY ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH ANYMORE!!! Seriously, every time she has been attacked, it has been from a dog off leash, either in our apartment complex or in a dog park. Today I noticed that Tina has a bruise on her ribs, basically under her belly. That was the last straw! Thank goodness she doesn't have any broken skin or bones! So, we called the SPCA today to ask what we can do when this happens again, and they told us that the number for animal control is 311, and if any dog is off leash and showing aggressive behavior toward your animal, you can call and either a police officer or an animal control officer will be there asap. I am just so fed up with this! Am I wrong to want to take this kind of action? I swear I haven't met any responsible dog owners in the area, and for her to be attacked twice in one week and five times in two months, something has to be done. What do you think???

I would call the 311 number EVERY TIME I saw a dog off leash and also carry pepper spray. Any time a dog rushes up, I'd warn the owner that I have pepper spray and intend to use it and I would!! The laws apply to everyone and no one can complain about the laws being enforced.

[ladybugg74]

I don't blame you for calling. I would too. Our babies are only 4lbs and I am very cautious about taking them out. The don't go out much. We have recently purchased a pet stroller and they love it. I feel much safer having it around that I can put them in.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by ladyj

I would call the 311 number EVERY TIME I saw a dog off leash and also carry pepper spray. Any time a dog rushes up, I'd warn the owner that I have pepper spray and intend to use it and I would!! The laws apply to everyone and no one can complain about the laws being enforced.

Exactly what I do. 911 just couldn't get there fast enough. Muzzle (pepper spray for dogs) stings like crazy, but doesn't hurt them. It will stop an attack, though.

I carry Muzzle and have never had to use it, but I have let owners know I have it a couple of times. I'm sure they think I'm a nut case, but I don't care. We have a leash law here in town so they are breaking the law by having their dogs off leash.

[love_me_cody]

I would think a spray to my eyes would make me madder or mad if I wasn't before and attack whatever is near by... Guess it depends on the dog

[La Princesa]

Every since my Ryo was attacked by a dog on a leash My son and I have a routine that when we see an unleashed dog, no matter how far away it is, we pick up both our boys and carry them until the threat is out of site. The owner saw that we were apprehensive when we approached the park and very careful and picked up his leash. I though we were seeing eye to eye when 15 minutes into playing with Ryo i see a big black dog coming at us from the corner of my eye. There were actually three owners of that dog present and none of them tried to get the dog away from Ryo. IF it wasn't for my son dropping to the ground and going to Ryo's aid, Ryoko would have been stuck in that dogs mouth. Because of the quick thinking of my son, Ryoko only had one very very small puncture mark and a scrape from when Aaron grabbed Ryo from the other dogs mouth. They had the audacity to say their dog was trying to play and that I was overreacting. I was like "I aint never seen a dog put another dog in its mouth and pick them up from the ground". MANNNNN I KNEW THAT DAY HOW MUCH I LOVED MY DOG and I only had him for a month then.

I know just how you feel and will back u up every time u have to make the call. I just hope you don't have any more encounters.

[Rockster's Mom]

I would diffently call 311 if you see the dogs off leash. We do have a leash law in Texas, and I pretty sure your appartments have a rule that all animals are the be on a leash while outside your appartment. Have you complained to your management about the problem because ultimatley they are responsible for what happens on their property?

[labrown]

The worst thing about this situation is how agressive Tina is becoming. She is even getting snippy and rude with our other dog, and she has growled and bit me! But now I don't really know what to do about it. She guards her food and gets pretty agressive about it, and I stop her when I catch her. I just don't know how to keep her from turning into a bloodthirsty 3 lb dog! AND, I feel so bad about this: last night I fell asleep with her in our bed (she is usually crated at night), and I closed my legs together in my sleep and squished her little head and neck between my knees! I felt so horrible I couldn't go back to sleep. I feel like I'm ruining my little dog! I don't want to coddle her, because it makes her think her mean behavior is ok, but I don't really know what to do! Tina, I feel so bad!!!