I am 6’1” and 215 pounds (granted I am also 70 years old), The neighbor’s dogs have escaped from their yard numerous times. Each time I informed them that their dogs were loose. I was threatened by the dogs several times but fended them off with a walking stick or other handy implement. Each time, I was told they would fix the gate or fence but somehow they never got around to it.
Finally, the neighbor’s American XL Bully broke through the fence and latched onto my hand when I was in my yard. I could not choke out the dog with my free hand. I could not reach my handgun or knife as the dog had my dominant hand. If a neighbor had not been nearby, I do not know what would have happened. You can not do much when a 60-pound dog is attached to your hand and the dog is not touching the ground - just dangling off your hand. After emergency surgery, several rounds of antibiotics, and numerous trips to Physical Therapy, I still do not have full strength or function of my hand.
The incident was reported to animal control. Animal Control investigated but I am not privy to the results of the investigation.
And yes they still have the dog - even though the dog is known to be aggressive and violent.
However, I am grateful that I was the one attacked and not my wife or grandchildren. I and my family no longer feel safe on our property.
No, I am not anti-dog. We have a couple of Cairn terriers. But our dogs are either indoors, on a leash or enclosed in a large yard fenced with chainlink and a hotwire.