Irresponsible dog owners BEWARE!
 

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 think you moved into an irresponsible area and should carry a cell phone with you always and call 311 as soon as needed ... also carry a stick or something to ward off any future attacks.

My heart goes out to you.

I think you should definetly call. Something definetly has to be done before your baby gets hurt badly.

Wow - 5 times!!! :eek: That's terrible! I would DEFINITELY do something about it. Even if it's not the same dogs, those owners need to be taught a lesson. I live in a townhouse complex and just today I saw two dogs off leash with there owners. It's so dangerous! A ton of college students speeding through the parking lots...I'm surprised one hasn't been ran over yet. I NEVER take Lacy out without a leash. I've had a lot of dogs run up to her and thank god she hasn't been attacked yet. But it is something that worries me. I wish people would understand that there are leash laws! Even the most well-behaved dogs can take off all of a sudden for some reason...if your dog gets run over and killed..that's it..it's dead. And having an off-leash dog is such a liablility..if your dog attacks another dog or person, you and the dog are in a lot of trouble. I'm sorry your baby has been attacked so many times. She's lucky to not have been hurt other than the bruise. Keep that cell phone on you and use that number!

I'm sorry you had to go for that. You should have asked me about the dogs and leash situations... I carry my mother babies in my hand when I see a dog down the street. Where I live, dogs are out everynight so I don't allow my mother dogs out at night even on a leash because you never know where a dog is coming at and You don't even know the owners of the dogs... One time my mother went to her car (around 1am) and when she made it to the car 2 dogs (german sherperd and pitt bull) came running to her so she jumped on the car... she was yelling something but I thought she was just yelling for me to help her out so I let out cody (moms peke in my avatar) to go with me but when I got around the bushes they started coming toward me and that is when I picked up cody fast and ran back into the house (locking the door).. she started yelling again and I peeked out the window laughing because they were trying to get to her.. I've seen them around before so I know they are friendly but since I don't really, REALLY know them I wanted to be on the safe side... Even when I go down the street there are dogs off leashes by their owner and cops just drive by, not making them use a leash.... Austin is really crazy about dogs on leashes.... But I love it here and When I go to the car Cody isn't on the leash (but is by me) so I shouldn't talk.

Sorry this happened to your baby.. Your not at all wrong for wanting to protect your baby... the other dog owners should be more responsible.. and definitely call the number!! i hope your babys ribs are feeling better..

A dog down the street somehow escaped the fenced enclosure or bolted out the door and started show aggressive behavior to my 80 year neighbor. Since then she carries pepper spray for dogs. If you see dogs off leash pick up your dog immediately, and if you see them coming tell the owner to leash their dog or you will call animal control services.

I totally agree. This is one of my pet peeves. Why do people think that the law applies to everyone but them? I have had my dog nearly attacked in the same manner. Thankfully she was on a harness, and I pulled her up, hanging in the air while the other dog was below, and the owner just saying sorry!!! SORRY DOES NOT CUT IT IDIOT!!! Use the brain that you were given and FOLLOW THE LAW. YES, THAT MEANS IT APPLIES TO YOU. Sorry, but you just pushed my hot button. I am so sorry this happend to you. I hope that you can get this under control.

When my chihauhua was about 9 months old he was attacked by a big dog (part lab) who according to the owner mistook him for a rabbit.... The big dog picked him up twice and shook him. This resulted in a collapsed lung and punctured spleen. On our way to the emergency room we could hear the air letting out of his lung. He stayed at our vets for 9 days!! This was about 7 years ago and he is fine and we were lucky so please be careful with your little ones! The owners of the other dog did find a new home for their dog after they witnessed this because they just had a baby!!! They called our vet often to check on our dog with our permission to the vet but never offered to help pay the expense!! We were to new to the neighborhood and just didnt want to start a fued ......

I would of made them pay, it sounded very expensive. By them being irresponsible, they started the fued not you.

I know now the owner of the offleash dog would be responsible for your dog's vet bills. You're so lucky your dog made it through okay. I hate that excuse "Oh, my dog thought yours was a rabbit.." If you have a large dog with a prey drive, keep it on a leash! Not only will it attack small dogs and cats but it will take off if it does see a rabbit and you may never see the dog again.

Our babies are of the least threat to a dog. WE HAVE THE COMMON SENCE AND LOVE FOR OUR DOGS TO WALK THEM ON A LEASE WHY DONT OTHER DOG OWNERS GET IT!!!. This topic really gets to me. I live in a big city and people always walk their animals off the leash. Why do they always think it is ok. It's not ok. I know I am crazy but I really wish they had doggy police to stop people walking dog off the leash or they have to carry a doggy licence to report them. I know here in Philly if you have a dog you now have to pay to register it in the city.

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!

This is probabaly my biggest pet peeve too. Don't people realize that they are putting their own dog in jeopardy??? I know a lot of people don't think of other people's dogs, but think about your own!!! There is no control if you don't have a leash on!! It is SO bad in my apartment complex. I have only seen two other dog owners use leashes on their dogs. I am FED UP!!! Thanks to all for your support! I don't care about starting neighbor feuds, I want people to know that it isn't ok to be irresponsible with your dogs in this apartment complex! I bet my dogs cost more than all these other off leash dogs combined, and I am SURE that I love and care for my dogs more than these people do. I can tell by the way they behave!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

You go for it, girl! Dial 311! Thank goodness your dog was not killed in one of these attacks! So many are once the other dog gets them in their mouth! I hope that soon all people in your area will use a leash, though, even if that happens, never let your guard down!