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.
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner...
“Tell them you think your neighbor might have torn off those labels that you aren’t to remove under penalty of law or that they put their recyclables in the regular trash or that you think they are having an illegal Bible Study meetings. When the Cops raid your neighbor’s house the situation will quickly be taken care of”!
I laughed my a** off at this post - UNTIL...I suddenly realized it wasn’t funny...!!!
If you call animal control, keep in mind that if a loose dog is illegal, then loose cats probably are, too. You may be fined.
I suggest, for the time being, attempt to befriend both the dog & the new neighbors. After all, you may have to live by them for a very long time. No use starting out with a feud.
Cats are not stupid. I’ve seen cats completely intimidate dogs. It’s not likely ONE dog will terrorize the cats. That usually takes a pack of dogs.
Keep an eye on the situation, but be cool.
First, keep a record of your communication with your neighbor so “when” the PB does what he does naturally which is maim people, it will go on the official record that he was communicated with and asked to keep a leash on the dog.
It will later be presented in court. Just my 2 cents. I work in an industry where backstabbing is a sport.
“Get pepper spray right away.”
Better yet, get bear spray. That pit will try to turn itself inside out getting away
The best posture in dealing with the dog itself, is to get down on your knee to the dog’s level, and don’t act agressive or fearful. Call him.
I run into dogs like this constantly when doing lot surveys, and find that it is not too difficult to overcome the dog’s lack of training. Dogs are not unapproachable, but you have to be friendly toward them.
After you have made friendly contact, the dog is just an annoyance, not a hazard.
As for the owners, they need to be told to control their dog.
I tried that with my neighbors dog. The neighbor is a cop.
The dog tried to bite my face off.
They put up a fence so I didnt have to shoot it.
Thanks....we have our own pitbull problems in our neighborhood....and try to solve them with peace and love and unicorns.
Pit Bull's (IMO) are dangerous and have no business "running around" uncontrolled.
PRIORITY ONE is get your cats inside...as others have stated; this dog WILL kill them, given the opportunity. Check with local ordinances...if there is a leash law, and the neighbors don’t obey it; call the cops. Don’t let your cats out UNTIL these people learn to restrain the animal, preferably in a pen. Some towns even have outright BANS against pit bulls and other dangerous breeds. Talk to the police and find out what you can do within the letter of the law.
Tell animal control it geared it teeth, you slowly turned and walked away the when got close to your door you looked over your shoulder and saw it charging you, that you thank God the door was unlocked, you barely got inside and closed the door in time. Tell animal control the UPS driver witnessed it all but you did not get truck number but you are sure he saw it just as you told it. Tell them you want the dog picked up immediately and put down. Get a direct phone number for the animal control and call morning, noon and night. Plead, be enraged and afraid all at the same time when you talk to them. Each day tell them the dog is out. If they get the owner to chain it up, report they are leaving unattended for long periods of time without water. Be the biggest pain in the you know what they have ever dealt with. Get that dog out of your neighborhood. It will start killing neighbors dogs, cats and will maul a child. If you don’t succeed whatever that dog ends up doing will be the result of your inability to get that dog gone.
Call the owners insurance carrier and file a claim. If it is a rental, call the landlord morning, noon and night. Call the landlords insurance company and file a claim.
Do NOT talk to the owner of the dog. Don’t so much as say hello.
Point well taken but good neighbors don’t allow their dog to threaten people.
Pit bulls are a dangerous breed. They don’t get the benefit of a second chance.
this is exactly why George Zimmerman bought a gun.
this is exactly why George Zimmerman bought a gun.
What the hell happened in America when the first thing a new neighbor does is let their aggressive pit bull run around and threaten people?
There, fixed it for you.
BTW: I'd have shot the dog. Unapologetically, I'd have shot the dog.
It sounds like he already met the neighbors, but you’re right. Tell them your concerns first, then use other methods.
I’m more worried about RR’s mom, no?
The last thing I would do with an aggressive dog is get down on my hands and knees to be at its level. Making oneself completely vulnerable with a pit does not seem sensible. But, that is me. I would keep my cats inside too.
Trying to communicate with the neighbor should give an idea of how it will go.
Wrong answer. Do not talk to owner of dog.
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