A fellow pit owner took her dogs to the feed store to replenish his supply of dog food. Upon returning she found this letter posted to his door:



To whom it may concern,
I am a new member of this community. I purchased my house after hearing wonderful things about this so called 'family oriented' neighborhood. I have children of my own, ages 3 and 9, and I was interested in a quiet, peaceful area to live. However, some things are concerning me. I have noticed that at your house, you have 2 pit bulls there. Are they yours? Or are you holding them for a friend? If it's the latter, I must say that you should take them back to their owner, as they don't belong in an area where children play outdoors! I've also noticed that you seem to be training the dogs to attack, I often witness the brown one hanging on a rope in your yard. You seem to encourage the practice. I've also spotted the white and brown pit bull wrestling with a tire. My husbaned informed me that this is a way of training a dog to fight, something which I do not condone. If I see it again, I am calling the cops!

I urge you to rehome or euthanize these dogs. I worked in a hospital for more than 10 years, I know the damage they can do. My children cannot play in our yard, for I fear that the dogs may find a way to get at them. Please, consider the other members of this community before these animals.


-A concerned citizen




The woman that owns the pits has a 6 ft high privacy fence with gates that lock from the inside. The dogs live indoors. The rope and tire the dogs play with were both taken. Is having a rope illegal? Or a hanging tire? This woman has lived here for several years and both her dogs have been trained. Please advise on the legality of the two objects that were taken, the area where this woman resides is Tampa Bay, what actions would be reccomended that are constructive and provide legal protection as well as for the well being of her dogs.

Another statement this woman made in the information she posted was:


Nobody else in the neighborhood seems to be afraid of my dogs, just the opposite. Since Pixie is working on her TT and CGC, I have her out daily playing with kids in the neighborhood. Howie even pulls them in a wagon. All the parents trust my dogs with their kids.



I am not sure what the letters signify but some of you might, but is does give insight to the dogs temperment and interaction with the rest of the neighborhood. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

does she have any clue as to who wrote the note? the author gives herself away by saying she's a new homeowner there and her kids are 3 and 9. if she can figure out who wrote it, she should begin by writing a nice letter back to the woman, saying she understands her fears, but in this case they are not justified, and explain why. also ask for her rope and tire to please be returned.

whatever her legal rights are, the smart thing to do always when there is a conflict between neighbors is to try first to be friendly and settle things down and make friends. if that isn't possible, or she doesn't know who wrote the letter, she should report the thefts to the police and give them a copy of the letter. and if she lets her dogs hang out in the yard unsupervised, she should not do that any more. they could wind up poisoned.

she might also contact her city council person and tell them what is going on and ask for help in getting police protection.

Legalities I'm not sure of, but how about they organize a sort of welcoming party for the neighborhood or something that demonstrates that the rest of the neighborhood sees these dogs as welcome residents rather than pit fighters to the new neighbors? I would say in this case the best bet is to approach the new neighbors kindly with offers to educate. If the other neighbors are willing, perhaps they could testify to the newcomers that the pits are friendly. If the new people hear it from the mouths of others with kids, maybe they can be assuaged of their fears? Perhaps the newcomers can be invited to watch the dogs play with the other parents and children through the safety of their living room window?

Who took the rope and tire toys? Be warned too that some people are so set in their fears that they'll never change. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The tone of the letter makes it fairly obvious the "new" neighbor wrote it, or . . . it's another person who doesn't like the dogs and is trying to put the focus on the new neighbor. There are all sorts of possibilities. While you may want to be pro-active with a "these are nice dogs" campaign, I would rather assume the writer will just become a bigger PITA later on down the road and act accordingly.

I would definitely think CYA and start to document the friendly nature of the dogs, especially with the neighborhood kids.

Take some good photos of the property showing the fences, gate locks, etc. and videos on a regular basis of them playing with the kids, pulling the wagon, etc. Have some casual conversations with the neighbors/parents you believe have no problem with the dogs playing with kids and then as soon as you're back in the house, write down in detail who was present, who said what, dates, etc.

If the writer, whoever it is, escalates the situation over the next few months, six months, year, whatever, a documented chronology of the dogs' good nature will be invaluable. If you eventually have to deal with animal control, the police or the courts, nothing will shift a "your-word-against-mine" dispute in your favor like some good evidence that covers an extended time period.

Call the police and report the theft ( and the note ), noting that the items were behind a gate when stolen. Make sure that a report is on file regarding this, and get a copy of the police report. That will help establish a probable link between the note and the theft, which will be to your advantage down the line.

I can't speak for anyone else, but i would make it my number one priority to find out who wrote the letter, then discuss the predjudices the letter writer has, and take it from there, the town hall has all home purchases, it's public record, i'd take it as a serious threat to my homelife, AL

Try to make nice with the new neighbor. Try to show them that the dogs are nice, well mannered, and well trained. And try to get the "stolen" property back. If that doesn't work, obviously, you want to start building your case... police report for the theft... start building evidence that the dogs are well behaved and sufficiently SECURED. It's essential that you not give them a single opportunity to call animal control to come pick up "stray pitbulls".

Also... one thing that sounds odd is that the person who wrote the letter said:

>>>I've also noticed that you seem to be training the dogs
>>>to attack, I often witness the brown one hanging on a
>>>rope in your yard. You seem to encourage the practice.
>>>I've also spotted the white and brown pit bull wrestling
>>>with a tire.

Hmm... with pittbulls, public perception is already a major problem. Please tell me your fellow pit owner knows better than to be "attack training" a pittbull in his front yard. I don't have a problem with pitbulls or protection training, but putting the two together in your front yard is just asking for a problem. Some people are still uncomfortable with watching a GSD pull on a tug. God forbid your own a pitbull that likes to play rough.

 Quote:

Try to make nice with the new neighbor. Try to show them that the dogs are nice, well mannered, and well trained. And try to get the "stolen" property back. If that doesn't work, obviously, you want to start building your case... police report for the theft... start building evidence that the dogs are well behaved and sufficiently SECURED. It's essential that you not give them a single opportunity to call animal control to come pick up "stray pitbulls".

Also... one thing that sounds odd is that the person who wrote the letter said:

>>>I've also noticed that you seem to be training the dogs
>>>to attack, I often witness the brown one hanging on a
>>>rope in your yard. You seem to encourage the practice.
>>>I've also spotted the white and brown pit bull wrestling
>>>with a tire.

Hmm... with pittbulls, public perception is already a major problem. Please tell me your fellow pit owner knows better than to be "attack training" a pittbull in his front yard. I don't have a problem with pitbulls or protection training, but putting the two together in your front yard is just asking for a problem. Some people are still uncomfortable with watching a GSD pull on a tug. God forbid your own a pitbull that likes to play rough.

The items mentioned, the rope and tire are in the back yard behind the privacy fence. They are used to excersize the dogs. Point well taken about perceptions however.

Since the stolen items were behind a fence, have your friend call the police and report the items, have them come out and see where they were taken from and give them a copy of the note. I would also encourage your friend to contact the local animal control and ask about their rules regarding sport dogs so that she/he can know and follow the rules. The call can be made anonymously so no troubles there. It is perfectly legal to completely oppose what someone is doing, but its completely illegal to enter their property and steal their things.

I'd first report this theft to the police and the note to animal control. Document with both the police and animal control your dog's GCG aand TT. Volunteer to have the dogs evaluated by a local dog trainer (assuming there is a credible one). If possible, test the dogs for TDI (Therapy Dog International).

Read the book Fatal Dog Attacks by Karen Delise (available from Leerburg). I invite you to crunch the number on attacks from only pit-type dogs. You will find overwhelmingly that they are caused by a "child wandered to chained dog," followed closely by situations caused by gross irresponsiblity/neglect of the parents or dog owner.

Then I would write a formal, polite letter to mail to EVERYONE in the neighborhood, explaining that it has come to your attention that there is at least one family that is experiencing discomfort over the breed of dog you own. Explain the safety of the fence, explain the situations in which dog bites occur and how it is absolutely impossible with your dogs. Explain how the spring and tire are used in training and exercise. Show proof of license, vaccines, current health exam. Show evidence of CGC, TT and TDI. Invite the neighbors over for dinner or desert.

This person should prove himself to be hands-down the best dog owner in the neighborhood, with the safest, most obedient dogs on the block.

It is hard work, but well worth it. Good Luck.