I know I did the right thing/but did I?

[Sookie]

I'm totally in agreement with you and your writing the letter. I know there are a ton of people who say pit bulls get a bad rap, but I've seen absolutely hundreds of videos on youtube telling about those same "gentle" pit bulls mauling a child or turning on an owner and, more often, killing a small dog. Personally, I'm scared of them and I really don't trust them. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by saying this.

[Patti]

You did the right thing. You may have saved another dogs life or a child.

[pea496]

You absolutely did the right thing. I went to the park on Sunday, and a woman had two large dogs (not pits) that were unleashed. The rules specifically state when entering the park that all dogs must be leashed.

I was so mad. Everybody else was following the rules, and it was not fair to those who had their dogs leashed. I reported this to the maintenance people in the park, and then I did not see the people any more.

[MaxwellHouse]

You were right.

Remember that poor woman in her own yard with her little white dog? Both the woman and her little dog were killed by unleashed neighborhood (albeit in the country) Pit bulls!

[Duncansmom]

I know what its like when the dogs dont go back to their owners and do attack. We have these untrained neighbors, and they have 3 rescue pits, let me tell you, rescue pits can be very unpredictable bc of all the abuse they endured. These were "bait" dogs, poor babies. Anyway, they like to dig under the fence into our yard. I was terrified. One of them bit my husband and he let it go. But then......they were out running in the neighborhood one day when my hubby was leaving for work, and he shooed them home. Well the worst of the bunch circled round and attacked him from behind. Locked on his thigh and shook his head. Tearing my hubbys leg up. The police and dog catchers were called. The dog was in quarrintine for 10 days, then RELEASED TO THE FAMILY! They had 5 days in which to find the dog a home 100 miles or more away! I was shocked. But you know its not the dogs fault. Its the owners. Potentially Aggresive breeds need love and disciplined training. Not abuse. Such a huge problem here in FL. Very sad.

You did the right thing.A good lesson for some dumb owners.
Duncan and Pipers mom

[bettyeanne]

Hope all is still well with you and Buddy! I just can't understand people who let their pets [especially large ones] off their leash. You are just being a good Mom!

[Lexi Rae]

you did the right thing, no doubt about it... whether a pit bull or not,
they should be leashed at all times. it only takes a second..

[MeganS]

You were totally right to have done that.

In my old town, one of our council members had a dog, Riley -- a black lab or something. The town has a strict rule about leashing your dog, and this council member would give anyone he saw with an unleashed dog a hard time. He NEVER used a leash for Riley. I wish someone had reported him.


I love pits, but if you ever get an uneasy feeling around them -- or any dog for that matter -- its best to just leave. Because even if they aren't planning on doing anything, they sense that the person is stressed, so they'll get stressed -- and that can only lead to bad things. Yesterday at the dog park there were no dogs on the little dog side, and the dogs on the big dog side were all small-ish, so we took Tucker over there. When 2 pits showed up, I started getting uncomfortable. And I'm a pit-lover. One of them was very very sweet, the other seemed more...anxious or something. When I started getting nervous, we left, not because I thought the dog would just lash out, but I didn't feel comfortable. Better to be safe than sorry.

[ARCHIE]

I knew I could get encourgament from you guys. I'm feeling better today
about sending the letter. I know the board member's is a rescue and I have
to say is a beautiful looking dog. I see her walk down the street so proud
because he really seems to be obediant to her, however she has only
had him since last fall! Still no dog should be off leash let alone two of
them. If one takes off you know darn well the other will also, being pack
animals that they are. Hopefully they will learn their lesson and not do
it again.

[ARCHIE]

The guys want me and the girls to come over and 'play' - YEAH RIGHT lol - they said they're dog is lonely
__________________



Right! or hungary!

[patty58]

I totally think you did the right thing. I do have another problem with the whole situation though. I bothered me that the owners smacked the dog up side of the head. If she had her dog on a leash, she wouldln't have had to hit the dog. That makes the situation even more than unacceptable.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by patty58

I totally think you did the right thing. I do have another problem with the whole situation though. I bothered me that the owners smacked the dog up side of the head. If she had her dog on a leash, she wouldln't have had to hit the dog. That makes the situation even more than unacceptable.

That's what my first thought was reading the post, too. If I were her dog I would've taken my sweet time going over to her, too. Why would she hit her dog for doing what it was told? That's why pits can be more aggressive...people think because they're bigger they can smack them around without hurting them.

[kay6688]

You did the right thing! Remember my son's girlfriend's horse that got attacked!!!! That pitbull was unprovoked and came into the barn from across the highway, of course it had never done anything like this before! If you want to own a pit, then you must be a responsible owner. Kay!!!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by MeganS

That's what my first thought was reading the post, too. If I were her dog I would've taken my sweet time going over to her, too. Why would she hit her dog for doing what it was told? That's why pits can be more aggressive...people think because they're bigger they can smack them around without hurting them.

That is exactally what I thought as well. I really think she was, not only
nervous that I saw them but nervous because her dog did not respond
immediately which is what can happen in a instant to begin with if not leashed.
He could have charged at us from across the street and been infront
of us in less than 2sec and I really think that is what she thought.
I put that in my letter as well. "She was not only an irresponsible owner
but an abusive one as well. Both dangerous behavior in raising a pit bull!"
I believe they truly know how wrong they were but I wanted to be sure,'
hence the letter. My first complaint in 9yrs living there which is why I
felt nervous sending it but now glad I did.
Thanks everyone for telling me I did the right thing.

[Rae Rae]

I think you did the right thing. If it's against the rules you have every right to report it. I myself, probably only would've reported it if the dogs were running around bothering others, or pooping in lawns, etc, but that's just because I really don't get involved with my neighborhood.

One thing I really have a problem with though is the owner smacking the dog when he came! How is that supposed to teach the dog? "Come"=smack! I don't think so, and if she is abusive, then chances are her dog will be more aggressive. No wonder the poor dog took so long to come to her! I wouldn't want to go to her either!