Step One - Complain to Animal Control, make sure there is a paper trail that this dog is aggressive
Go talk to the neighbor and ask him to kindly keep his dog secured. Only escalate if that approach fails.
Call the police and report it.
Find something for self defense.
Let you neighbors know (by registered mail) that you felt threatened and how letting their dog run loose is a violation of city ordinances
Get some photos
It is all about documentation to CYA if something bad happens...
SO when you have to shoot it, there is a record
Do you have something that can videograph the dog’s behavior?
Arm yourself.
“Welcome to to the neighborhood. Nice house you have there. If your dog bites me, it’ll be my house.”
Explain it to the neighbor on his property one time.
Then your conscience is clear to do what you have to.
Hi, MY 2 cent.. I have Danes, And they are protective yet not easily illed...I would suggest since this will be a long term thing. HAve the owner introduce you to the dog...talk to him about it to set it up. You and the owner and the dog hang out in their front yard...good way to get to know all the new neighbors. Then the dog will know your scent and body outline and swagger.
Next time you see the neighbors, ask them where they prefer the body of the dog be placed after you shoot it...front door? Back patio?
And sound like a genuinely accomodating neighbor.
This is one for the Doggie Ping List.
Pit bulls used to be a terrific breed...bad owners past 30 yrs have caused a lot of damage...
There is a true story of a pit bull who was a genuine war hero who ‘served’ with troops in WWI, receiving citations from Pershing and even captured a German soldier by himself.
Sgt. Stubby the dog
If black, MOVE. Their dog will eventually kill you.
If white, and if you felt threatened by their dog, it needs to be reported (Animal control or police; not sure which). Think of it this way: Your actions now could end up saving a child's life LATER. This owner needs to learn leash laws and that their dog is cocked firearm.
Establish a paper trail. There’s probably a leash law. Call the cops routinely. If the dog menaces/charges kill it or it will kill you.
You know what has to be done. just go ahead and do it. Where I live long, long ago in a case like yours, you would explain the problem to the dog’s owner and the problem would be taken care of. But those days have went the way of the dodo bird.
Get pepper spray right away.
Keep them kitties indoors until this is resolved!
If the dog is young but aggressive you have an owner problem. So sad for the dog that he ended up where he did, but I would not want to be in a position to not defend myself.
Know the leash laws and aggressive dog laws where you live. Document, document, document. If the owner wouldn't even call the dog they trained to be aggressive, they are scum and the dog will pay the ultimate price for their idiocy.
Tell the born-again former-drug dealer who got a free house that if you ever again see his dog a half-inch out of his property unleashed, you will call Animal Control. Be cleaning a shotgun when you tell him this.