Not sure I should be posting this here but didn't really know where to put this question, as it really doesn't pertain to a GSD.
I have a "problem" in the making, as I see it and need some advise.
We have a neighbor that is "fostering" a female pitbull for a friend that is in jail. =( The pit is about 11 months old and came to them with her 3 pups, another =( One pup died of parvo within the first week. Now the problem, the have chained the female in the back yard and leave the pups loose. One of the pups came up missing but there is one male pup left. From talking to the neighbor, they plan on keeping this pup and want to try to sell the female. The problem is they are doing NO socialazation with this pup. The mother is very freindly but I believe already starting to show signs of flustration at being tied out and getting really mouthy. Yes, I go over and see them both on a daily basis, I feel so bad for them. I've had my husband talk to them about getting the puppy socialized and some training as I know pits or any dog for that matter really need it, but it doesn't seem to be sinking in. The also have a large female black lab mix that they throw outside, unchained that runs the neighborhood. At this point there's no problem but I can see this puppy being left to run the neighbor hood and I cringe at the thought. We do have several kids in this nieghbor hood. I know not all pits are visious animals but I believe that without socialization, training and basic attention and affection any animal can and will become an aggressive monster.
Since talking doesn't seem to be doing any good, what if anything would you do? The puppy and mother are both sweet, and I feel it's criminal what they have done (letting her breed so young) and what they are doingn(tying her out with no or very little attention and letting the puppy run loose.
I should also mention, they have a small (about 6-7 years old) son who seems afraid of them but I noticed him aggitating the puppy yesterday. Shaking his leg at the pup for the puppy to jump at him and latch on with his mouth, which, at this point is one thing, but once he's a little older this could be a nightmare.
Any advice on what to do or should I just mind my own business and let it play out til one or both of these animals bite someone?
On a side note, the woman was terrified of Elea our GSD puppy when we got her cuz Elea ran to her with her tongue hanging out ready to lick her to death...lol but her lab dog will chase trucks, cars and charges our motorcycle every time we take it out and we are suppose to just ignore it!
Sorry for the rambling.

In my county it's not legal to have a dog off-leash outside of your property... call animal control, any home is better than that home. If they plan to destroy the dogs you could always temporarily adopt them from animal control and find your own home for them. Assuming they take the dogs away that is, they may just get a warning or slapped with a fine, it depends on alot of things as well as local laws and the individual "officer" that comes to see the dogs.

From what I've been told. If the animal control pick up a pit dog they are held for 5 days then destroyed. They are not offered for adoption. Also, I've contacted the animal control last summer 3 times about dogs running loose in the neighborhood (neighborhood dogs) and they do nothing. It's just making me sick to think of this nice momma and pup dying because people are so ignorant. I tried to bring the female into my yard with Elea but she looked way too nervous to put up with Elea's puppy antics (she's 15 months). I was trying to just give her time off that damn chain and room to run a little(with their permission). I've also already trimmed the puppy's nails as they were starting to curl but momma needs it done also but I just don't' want to get THAT involved..hehe I'm afraid I'll get attached to the damn things.

Find a buyer for both dogs and offer em money then sell em to the new owner.

I agree with Mikes first post. call animal control. If you are seriously worried about the dogs or what could possibly happen down the road contact the proper authorities in your area and let them deal with it.
You are in a tough spot and need to let animal control know about the situation.
Terry

Please call animal control, if this 11 mo old pit (which should have never been bred at that age) has not been bred properly this is an accident waiting to happen. Pits tend to "turn on" anywhere from as young as 4 mo to 2 years. Once they turn on they need to be separated, especially with NO TRAINING or supervision. Never trust a Bulldog NOT to fight. I have no problems with them chaining the dog, but it should be cycled off the chain and in the house everyday for the human interaction most Pits crave. If this dog becomes aggresive as most Pits do, without training, no human or animal socialization, this dog can become a dangerous dog, and then it will be destryed anyway. The pup is in the same boat. I would think of some solutions and go to animal control with some options, the importatnt thing is to get these dogs away from these irresponsible people before they create (if they have not already) a very dangerous situation. I hate to be hard, but if this is the life these dogs have to look forward to, I say this is no life at all.JMO.

just to add to what mike said, if you don't get a satisfactory response from animal control or the police, then absolutely do call your city council person and alert them to the situation. if they call animal control/police they have more clout. elected officials are working for your vote.

Hi Beverly. I have a different opinion than offered already. I was in a situation with a neighbor who has a 160 lb rottweiler x apbt mix. The dog would frequently get loose and attack whoever was around. The first two or three people didn't report the dog for attacking them. Finally the last person did and the dog was declared dangerous. Looking back on it, I wonder if I hadn't alienated the owners and called animal control at every corner (which got me nowhere btw), but instead attempted to educate them, if things would have worked out differently, and possibly the dog wouldn't have attacked so many people. It turned into a major battle between us, and out of spite they would allow the dog to slam the full glass front door every time we walked by. Once the dog even popped it open a crack but lucky for us didn't realize all he had to do was push and he'd be free. If I had it to do again, I would have befriended them and attempted to educate them on responsible ownership.

You're in a position now where you can have a positive impact on them. If you have the time, energy or desire, take advantage of that. Once you start calling animal control you have an instant enemy, and if you're area is like mine, animal control can't help. Legislators can't even help. Been there done that. They're supportive, but the laws have to be followed. Animal control needs to witness the dogs loose to do anything about it. By the time they arrive, the dog is usually back home or nowhere to be found. I was able to get the people fined once, but that's the extent of it. Reporting them started a whole slew of spiteful things. Be prepared if that's the road you take.

Maybe you can pass on this information to your neighbor:

http://www.pitbullattacks.com/index.html

http://www.sheltersource.org/article0828.htm

I would stress to them that owners of dogs that attack people are being charged with criminal acts and going to jail. Scaring her may be the only thing that snaps her out of her ignorance.

If you can keep visiting with the dogs, than do. It sounds like you can make a difference. I'm sorry I blew my opportunity. Good luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Barbara,
I mean this with respect, but do you really think that you can educate people like that?
I find that dog ownership is a common sense proposition, and most of the people that are bad dog owners are generally just ignorant and uncaring people in their dealings with others through life - if they cared about others, they wouldn't allow their dogs to run free or endanger people. Attitudes like that run through their entire lives, and I don't have he time or inclination to befriend people that don't care about other people.

Just my opinion...