Quote: Jenni Williams

 Quote: Mike Arnold

Have you contacted your 'neighbor?' You really do not have to contact your neighbor. And you really do not have to put up with the dog.

Of course you do not have to contact your neighbor, but why wouldn't you try? Might or might not help. What's to lose?

I have a rule in every neighborhood that I have ever lived in...and I tell my neighbors this...

If the dogs bark too loud, if the kids irritate, if the sprinkler is spraying your car, PLEAAAAAAASE, come talk to me and we will work it out. Call the cops or the HOA w/o giving me a chance to deal w/the issue and that's just plain going to piss me off!

Well, that's part of it. Also, I don't trust people who "take care" of their dogs that way. I would worry about repurcussions if I went straight to the police without even telling them their dog bothered me. Having had a neighbor try to poison my dog, I try to play nicey-nice with the neighbors, no matter how it pains me.

Now, they must know that the dog is loose all the time, so there's not much hope for them, BUT they may not know how she behaves when loose. I just think it doesn't hurt to cover ALL the bases.

Don't know about all that lets' give the neighbors a chance stuff. Seems everytime one turns around these days, some revenge is taking place over some minor slight or petty difference. I'd say for me it would depend on the neighborhood I lived in and how well I knew the people therein. I think there is alot to say for the anonymity of a city department intervention. The police or Canine officer should not nor needs to give any names for the primary actions. Only if the thing goes as far as the courts do names need to be entered.
That being said, the first time I felt threatened by any dog either personally or to my animals. It wouldn't happen again. Measures would be taken to force advoidance by the dog, if that didn't work the dog would probably just quietly disappear. And some shelter or rescue would have a new PB to find a good home for, probably about two towns away.

pepper spray is great for teaching avoidence.
Randy

 Quote: eric dziedzic

If you should use force remember, you cannot use deadly force to protect property, only if you believe your life is in imminent danger. I'm not 100% positive but I think you cannot use deadly force to protect your dog either. You have to "Believe your life was in imminent danger."

Careful! Each state has different rules. I notice you live in MI - they are probably one of the more screwy states in regards to gun laws and protection. In WA you are allowed to protect yourself or livestock (animals) under your control. It would pay to research the laws in the particular state in which you reside BEFORE you have to face that possibility.

**haha just noticed someone else brought this up! FYI my personal favorite is a telescopic nightstick. Strays around here seem to know what it is so I never have to ACTUALLY use it, just pop it out and they flee.

Edited by Julie Wilson (01/03/2008 06:12 AM)
Edit reason: oops!

 Quote: Mike Arnold

Cops and animal control can offer an anonymous initial approach. In most places they do not share the complaintant's name at an informal first visit.

That’s what I thought, however it depends on the officer that responds. I reported a new neighbor for fighting roosters after watching them and a bunch of their friends fighting a couple of the birds on several occasions.

On my initial call the operator asked me if I wanted to be notified once the officer made his visit and I said yes and gave my phone number. WELL, I saw the office do an inspection of the property and speak with owners and just about that time I got an unrelated call. To my shock! The officer left my neighbors property and drove right up to my house to let me know what he saw. This was done right in front of all the guys that had been involved in fighting those birds.

Lesson, if asked if you want to be notified of officers visit, be sure to request that it be done by PHONE CALL Only -

 Quote: Benjamin Colbert

Jenni,

While I understand the difference in aggression I believe I could make the point well enough to avoid charges.

...and add more fuel to the fire against the breed while you're at it...

being relatively new to living in the country, where there are no leash laws of any kind, i have had to have more than one awkward conversation with neighbors letting them know that if their loose dog gets into my yard, it may not get out - because while my dogs are contained, they don't take kindly to other dogs, and are happy to back up their opinions.
while you can never eliminate all the strays, if these people care at all about their dog, talking to them is surely a good first step. just let them know what she's doing and let them know you & your dogs don't like it!

 Quote: Kristin Tresidder

 Quote: Benjamin Colbert

Jenni,

While I understand the difference in aggression I believe I could make the point well enough to avoid charges.

...and add more fuel to the fire against the breed while you're at it...

Im sure Ben would say the same thing about any dog that was doing what this dog was doing. Be it a german shepherd, poodle, doberman or yorkie (now i know you wouldn't be in imminent danger from a poodle or yorkie but im trying to make a point here)so he's not adding any fuel to any fire just because the dog at hand is a pit-bull.

I believe they are given a bad rap too, but call a spade a spade.
if the dog is aggressive its aggressive, it being a pit bull is not the issue.

I agree. Pit Bulls have a horrible image which they don't deserve. Most of them are very non-aggressive towards humans. The problem is, idiots often obtain these dogs.

As far as being stable, I am sure most of here are familiar with the recent temperament study that was done. I am referring to the one where Pit Bulls were found to be as stable as breeds like Golden Retrievers.

To make matters even worse, the average person doesn't even know what a Pit Bull is. I don't know how many times I have been asked if my South African Boerboel is a Pit Bull. Yep...yep.....a 135 lb Pit Bull. That makes a lot of sense. You are very educated indeed!

My question is, how many on here would have refrained from talking about guns if the dog was labeled anything other than a Pit Bull?

Just wait until all of you out there have BSL laws persecuting your beloved German Shepherds because some idiot politician has decided that they are a dangerous breed.

Incidentally, I don't own a Pit Bull but I am VERY TIRED of the horrible things that are done to this breed. The trash talk I continuously hear about them angers me.
--Dan

http://www.reliabledog.com

i honestly don't think the dog being a pit bull factored at all for most people on here.

i do think most people on here will very strongly protect their dogs against ANY strange dog. and i think that's all that's been meant. nothing more. i've also found pretty well all of the posters on here acknowledge that owners are responsible for their dog's behaviour, again, regardless of breed.

not to speak for anyone, or put words into their mouths.

i also think BSL is generally acknowledged to be a slippery slope at best. my new landlord told me dogs were okay as long as i didn't have a 'pit bull or german shepherds....no police dogs!'. i had to spend some time explaining to him.