Posted on 08/07/2013 6:37:18 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
I retired 10 years ago to take of elderly parents. Dad died peacefully last year and Mom is still kicking.
After spending the afternoon in the eye doc's office with Mom, came home and, after settling her down, went for the mail.
New neighbor has a Pit-Bull and today this dog was loose. As I went to the mail box, the dog ran over to the middle of the street (perhaps 15 feet away) and bared his teeth.
His owners were in the yard but did not call the dog. At the same time a UPS truck stop in front of their house, but the driver refused to get out of his truck.
Question is "what steps do I take as a good citizen?"
The next door neighbors inherited the house from the girl's grandmother. The girl's husband is a born again Christian...but he was previously in prison for drugs.
Pit Bull is young but large and aggressive.
Freeper opinions appreciated.
BTW, I have cats who lounge around in the front yard. If this dog kills my cats...I am apt to become upset. And an upset Freeper (armed to the teeth) is not a nice thing to behold.
My cats never leave my yard.
But if you don't point out to the neighbor they are being idiots about the dog, they might never know (some can't figure it out on their own). This isn't some renter, it's the new owner.
If you can't get along with the dog, and can't get along with the neighbor, call the police. If they won't do anything, be ready to take whatever defensive measures you deem prudent.
Your actions might make a new friend or might start a lifelong feud with the new owner--it is up to you.
Good answer!
Most prior to yours are from DU.
I tried introducing myself to the neighbor when I realized their dog was aggressive. The dog tried to take my face off.
Well, there’s the live trap option, if you’re squeamish about killing a dangerous animal.
I’m curious. Just how do you refer to people who acquire naturally aggressive dogs and then don’t restrain them and allow them to terrorize their neighbors? Irresponsible high-brows? Thoughtless elites?
+1
If my pit actually tried to take your face off you wouldn’t have a face. You would have also done something aggressive to deserve it. If you knew anything about dogs you would know the don’t go for the face anyway.
It is this kind of hyperbole that makes actual dog owners discount everything people say when a huge bit of bull shit is interjected it dilutes your post.
I hope a kid you care about samples this mixture and dies. That would be great wouldn't it boy? You are clearly too much of a pussy to actually talk to the dog owner so you use poison like a nutless homo.
It would be great if you killed yourself once you realized just how big of a coward you really are too.
one it wasn’t a pit. Two I’ve had dogs my whole life.
I know when a dogs teeth are snapping 2 inches from my face and my hands on its collar are the only thing holding it back.
Your lame excuses and refusal to acknowledge the truth lead to the deaths of many dogs.
so take your bullshit excuses elsewhere, up your dogs rear end is the recommended place
I concur about the issue being a pet at large.
It’s just the irrational, visceral hatred evident in so many replies that causes me dismay.
Odd thing, though: I remember there being “neighbourhood dogs” that were everywhere when I was a wee lad. There were dogs loose in every area of town. This was a city of 500k.
What changed, that suddenly folks are getting bit? Perhaps not knowing how to act around a dog is a factor in this?
“Its just the irrational, visceral hatred evident in so many replies that causes me dismay.”
I have Dobermanns, a Harley and snakes.
I’m used to knee-jerk, categorical vitriol.
:)
“Perhaps not knowing how to act around a dog is a factor in this?”
That’s my theory, too...and the MSM’s fear mongering.
I grew up with dogs running around everywhere, too.
From porch dogs to packs of hunting hounds to junkyard dogs, they were just a part of normal life if you wanted to visit somebody.
From a very young age, I was taught how to act around strange dogs and if something bad had happened, I know I would have been held responsible, not the dog.
[or any other kind of animal]
I’ve never known anyone who was bitten by a dog.
It’s not even something that happens locally, despite every ‘yute and his brother leading a Pit wherever they go.
Hi, RR! I first want to say that I love dogs. There are freepers who know that I cried for weeks when I lost my Cairn and GSD. That being said, I have also had an incident where two dogs (mixed breed Shepherd/lab/something else but not pit went after and chased my daughter. The fear in me was so intense that I threw up the rest of the night and couldn’t stop shaking.
If I was in the same position: I would contact Animal Control and report the situation. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU TALK TO. Write down the date/time that you made the call and take notes about what you discussed. (just in case they don’t make a report... you now have info that you did indeed call and report the situation). Secondly, contact your neighbor in a nice manner. “Welcome to the neighborhood, my name is Mike.... listen, I had an incident with your dog and I’d like to discuss it with you”. Play it by ear. If he or she is agitated or snotty, then smile and leave. If they are apologetic... then fine. Thirdly, you have to decide about the cats. Can they become inside cats? Your Mom is elderly... how is she going to handle one or more deaths of her cats? You know her better than me... if this is something that will completely cripple her or cause more health issues.. bring the cats inside. And last.... I write this in all honesty and prior experience. DON’T let your Mom outside alone. When you are doing yard work or going to the mailbox.. carry. (and I don’t mean a big stick). If push comes to shove, protect yourself. When all is said and done, only one human will have to talk to the police.
Please stay safe and prayers for you and your Mom. Listen, YOU are needed by her right now probably more than any other time in her life. NOTHING bad can happen to you (not only for your sake but hers). Hugs, Mom
I just spoke to the folks at the local human society and asked their opinion
They said that I should absolutely call animal control. In fact, she said that the fact that the neighbors didn't rush to retrieve their pit bull when he threatened me at my mail box was a sign that they might not be the kind of people who would understand the danger their dog represents.
She said that the animal control people were becoming increasingly aware of the danger of pit bulls locally and would pay a polite visit to advise my neighbors of the leash laws and the need to keep their dog either in the house or in a fenced yard AT ALL TIMES.
Another neighbor on my side of the street has young children who play in the front yard...and I would hate to think what a pit bull might do to them if it became aggressive.
This point, that you originally made, seems to keep being forgotten about. Talk about an indictator of an owner who has no business with an aggressive breed!
So glad you talked to AC and please let us know they follow through. I hope everyone in your neighborhood is paying attention, esp. the parents.
MAKE SURE you follow up with animal control. It sounds like you have a leash law in your area...if they want to own a pit; they NEED to keep it inside OR penned at ALL TIMES. If they don't; report them...keep animal control on speed dial. All it takes it ONE mistake, and tragedy will strike.
Does dumbass hurt as bad as it should?
I know when a dogs teeth are snapping 2 inches from my face and my hands on its collar are the only thing holding it back.
Please reference the movie or TV show you are describing so I can watch it as this never happened unless it was a Chihuahua.
Have they been made aware that there is a pit in the neighborhood?
Thx! Will do.
I would make it a point to inform that neighbor of what you experienced with this other neighbor’s dog.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.