Our neighbor has a pit bull that has run loose. Should I file a police report?

Dear Ed,

Thank you for your very informative web site. I started looking for information due to a situation here yesterday. I need some advice.

I live alone in rural Oregon. I am 58, female. I am caring for a small nine-year-old Boston Bull Terrier for a friend of mine who is currently unable to take care of him. Next door to me are some people who rent a mobile home, and they have two red dogs chained in the back yard. Last summer, shortly after they moved in, I got very familiar with the man's voice that lives there because when the dogs would bark he would come to the back door and scream, "Shut up!" and later if they didn't stop, he would add various comments, such as "Shut up before I blow your f***ing head off!" Last fall they came over and asked if I was using the baby gate that I had out on the side of the house, and I gave it to them because they were raising puppies. I didn't pay any attention to what kind of dogs they were.

There is an older lady up the road, who walks her German Shepherd down here every day. She carries a cane with a pointed head, and I always thought, how quaint but sensible. Yesterday, I was headed out with Roddy on the leash, and my little newspaper and plastic bag, when I heard dogs barking and a woman's voice yelling, "Stop that! Get away!" and such, and I walked out from behind my big hedge to see the lady and shepherd coming my way down the street, on the other side of the street, and one of the red dogs from next door heading back to his own place.

I said, "What happened?" and she said he had jumped the fence and attacked her and her dog. I asked her did the dog bite her or her dog, and she said no. We had a short conversation and she went on. I had already decided to go the other way. I stepped into my neighbor's yard about 20 feet to say hello to a friend who was just leaving, and we were chatting, and here comes this red dog, now two doors down from his own house, and runs right up to Roddy, snarling, showing teeth, the whole dominant stance. I was dragging Roddy back to me, he was ready to fight. I was screaming and the red dog, which now I see is a pit bull, is advancing and paying no attention to me with his eyes fixed on Roddy. Finally I made to pick up some gravel and he retreated.

I was frightened and told my friend I needed to get Roddy in the house and call the sheriff. I went back into my own yard, behind my hedge, and here comes that red dog again, only this time he's on MY land, attacking my dog again. I picked up a handful of gravel and threw it and he went away.

I called the sheriff, and when they came out they asked me what I wanted to have happen. I told them I wanted the neighbor to control their dog, and that if it happens again I will file a complaint. He was surprised and said, "Is that all you want?" and I said I didn't have a problem with them having a dog as long as they can control it. He went next door to talk to the man, who in the meantime had taken the dog in the house or yard. Now I wonder if I went far enough.

I plan to go up and see the other lady and encourage her to call the sheriff also and report what happened.

I find myself fearful now. I realize I had seen that red dog early yesterday morning, in my front yard and I wonder if these people let him out for " exercise". I didn't think anything about it because there are a few dogs that make their rounds and do what my late mother used to call, "reading their newspaper". But this dog scares me. I have never seen anything like that before. Most dogs who approach me and Roddy can be scared off if I say something, but in Red Dog's pack order I must be placed somewhere lower than snake sh*t.

I am writing a letter to the people next door and I will send a copy to the sheriff and to the owner of the property, detailing exactly what happened and asking them to be sure that they NEVER let their dog out, and that if I even see the dog outside their fence I will ask for it to be removed. I am afraid to go to their house so I will mail it.

My Question is, did I do the right thing? I already know that these dogs have not had any socialization other than being yelled at by their owner. This to me means that the owner is irresponsible to begin with, although the dogs are beautiful and have obviously been well fed. I am pretty sure they will not pay any more attention to me than their dog did. I am afraid a child is next. Should I do something more?

Thank you,
Nancy