Yesterday I rode my bike to work. On the way home, 3 blocks from my house, somebody's two dogs were laying on their front porch and as I passed one of them gave chase. I couldn't tell if he was in it for the chase or if he really wanted to bite me. It was kinda scary- I was yelling NO GO HOME at the dog while trying not to swerve around wildly and still stay away from his barking jaws. It took a whole block before he gave up. I was on the street for what its worth, not the sidewalk, and no where close to his yard.

I got really frustrated; what if it had been a small child? What if the dog had run out to chase me and a car turned the corner and hit him? So I called animal control, told them that the dog chased me for a block and asked if they would speak with the owner and ask them to keep their dogs contained. Before calling I drove by to verify the address and both dogs were back on their front porch, no tie out, no leash, no fence. I thought for about ten seconds about trying to talk to the owner myself and then realized with the dogs loose and obviously somewhat territorial how was I going to even get to the front door?

My BF said that they may collect and euthanize the dog... now that was not the point of my call. I hope that's not what happens- does anybody have experience with any animal control dept. and know how calls are handled etc? I'm feeling a little guilty for calling it in but honestly its just not safe.

Edited by Carolyn Pike Roman (11/08/2008 01:43 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

It depends on the AC ordinances where you live.

In most places, they will fine the owner and give them a warning on the first offense, since the dog didn't ACTUALLY bite anyone.

Now, if prior "dangerous animal" complaints have been made against this dog, then yes, it may be destroyed.

Thanks Alyssa. Its a no win situation then, huh?

The bottom line is, at some point, the dog will bite, and then it WILL be put down.
You are preventing someone, potentially a small child, from being bitten.

Carolyn,

FWIW, I think it's good that you reported them. In addition to the likelyhood that one of their dogs will hurt someone one day, or cause an accident, these are the kinds of dog owners who keep ruining things for responsible dog owners.

JMO
leih

 Quote: leih merigian

Carolyn,

FWIW, I think it's good that you reported them. In addition to the likelyhood that one of their dogs will hurt someone one day, or cause an accident, these are the kinds of dog owners who keep ruining things for responsible dog owners.

JMO
leih

I agree 100%.

IME, AC will make contact with the owner and make him/her aware of the local ordinances. There may be no fine for a first offense.

(I want to add that I would always make it clear that I was afraid for my personal well-being in any situation where I had to do something physical to a dog attacking me when I am walking my own dogs.)

Bottom line, though: I would never feel guilty about making a report like this one. I would consider it a favor to the dogs and the owner to afford this opportunity to correct a bad situation before someone is hurt and the dogs' lives are on the line.

Hi Carolyn. I used to work at an animal shelter not too long ago. I wasn't an animal control officer, but I got to see how things were being ran at the place. Many times, it will take them a while to respond to a complaint. Especially if it's a big city. They're always running back and forth to the shelter, dropping off stray dogs, processing/adding them to the database, and transporting our shelter dogs to other shelters. I'm sure that they were already behind on a few complaints before you called.

The owner will most likely be given a warning, and maybe even a fine(depends on the AC officer). If it bites someone, it will be euthanized after 10 days. If that owner has had numerous complaints in the past, he/she is in trouble Dogs are picked up usually for the following reasons: a stray, roaming the streets, confiscated by police, bit someone, owner surrender. I'm glad that you called it in because it sounds like a very bad accident waiting to happen.

Edited by Julio Martinez (11/08/2008 03:03 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

 Quote: Julio Martinez

The owner will most likely be given a warning, and maybe even a fine(depends on the AC officer). If it bites someone, it will be euthanized after 10 days.

It really depends on your local laws. Here in rural VA, if your dog bites someone, it is not automatically put down after ten days. Rather, it is quarantined for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, then what happens depends on that, and on the nature of the bite itself.

And, the dog may be quarantined at its own home. Depends on the situation.

It's always a good idea to check local laws<g>.

leih

Thanks all for the input. Hopefully the AC officer will be able to talk some sense into the owner and he/she will get the picture. Poor dogs~