Another run in with a pitbull, and info on the first one

[Jacqueline]

I have really had it with irresponsible dog owners who think it is okay to own pitbulls and let them run free.  I was in my own driveway, had Taffy on her leash, and was waiting for my husband to pull in.  I had already been inside and had unlocked and openned the door, which is really fortunate for us.  When we arrived, we stood talking for a few minutes about the ducks down the street, when a pit bull comes charging up the street at us.  My husband yelled about the same time the owners did.  I grabbed Taffy and ran for the door, got inside and slammed it.

This time, instead of standing there shaking in fear, I put her in her crate.  Then I got my wallet and my gun and went up the street to have a little chat with those people.  The gun was for self protection from the dog.  They still didn't have it on the leash, but were attempting to drag it off by the collar.  I told them that the dog was supposed to be on a leash, as mine had been.  Then I quietly, without raising my voice or even showing any emotion told them, "Animal control and the police have given me permission to shoot any dog that comes on my property and attempts to attack me or my dog."  The girl half of the couple screamed, "You can't shoot my dog."  I pointed out the dog has been running loose.  I have photos, with dates.  And then I repeated the sentence.  The guy said the dog would be on a leash from now on, and she was still going balistic, but at least dragging the dog away.

I talked to another neighbor who was out there in her truck, and she told me that their dog had been running loose and went after her chihauhaua.  They claimed the dog was not out.  I told her about the photos.  She told me she has a dog that is an escape artist and gave me her phone number to call if I see it out.  She will immediately come get it.  Not a pit bull. 

And then.....she knows the family across the street....the one with the vicious pit that came after me recently.  That dog has turned on the owner, and she told them it would go after the two year olds.  They shrugged it off.  The dog's parents were both breed to fight.  It has caused problems for other people besides me.   I also found out that his sister owns the house, not him.....and this neighbor knows her.  I asked that she inform the sister that I will sue her if the dog attacks again.  That may be the way to get rid of it.  She lets them live there rent free.

I hope telling my neighbors up the street exactly where I stand.....armed and not fooling around....on loose, untrained, attacking dogs....that this will make them at least keep them at home and under control.  I love animals...but refuse to be a victim.

[My Hounds]

I agree with you totally that people should always have their dog on a lease and have control of their dog.  Just because Pitbulls are in the news all the time makes people affraid of the breed when infact it isn't the breed but the owner.  You can take any breed of dog and make it mean.  I have seen a mean Dachie before and he wasn't pretty, let me tell you.   The owner should be held responsible for the dog no matter what the breed.  If I was you I would keep on them until they get rid of the dog which they obviously can't handle.  Unfortunately the dog is usually the one to suffer when the owner should be the one.  Has animal control talked with them or have you just talked with animal control?  I would hate for your dog or anyone elses for that matter to get hurt.

[Jacqueline]

The people across the street have received two tickets, and both the police and animal control have been over there.  The one down the street is a new problem.  I started seeing him running loose about a week and a half ago.  I don't even let Taffy off leash in our fenced in backyard, and we were out there when I spotted the dog running loose.  I got my camera and took photos.  Then, a couple days later, the dog came running by, chasing one of the muscovi ducks.  This is right behind my house.

I lived next door to a pitbull for years, and she and Gretch, my GShep were best of friends.  GSs don't have to be vicious either, and she was one of the best pets, friends and support dogs you would ever want to meet.  Lady was just exactly that....a lady....but you did NOT want to come univited into either one of their yards.

I do not trust pitbulls.  The shelters are full of them.  Happily, not one of them leaves without  being s/n'ed.  But it doesn't stop the irresponsible idiots from getting them. 

I have no intention of letting up on any of these people now.  I own this house, plan to live here until I die or misjudge on of these hurricanes,....and I am not going any time soon, lol.  If they think they can intimidate me.....they haven't seem my imitation of a mangy mad pitbull.

Both the police and animal control have told me to shoot the dog from across the street if it comes on my property...period.  Animal control NEVER tells you to shoot any animal....so you get an idea of how bad this dog is.  They said it doesn't have to attack again, just come on the property. 

[Rich]

You are entirely justified in your stance.  I have vicious springer spaniels across from my house and though I was not told I could shoot them if they attacked, when the police came to talk to the owners after their third attempt to attack my dogs they told me I should carry something "more effective" than the ax handle I belted a couple of them with. And unfortunately these situations are not the fault of the dogs, they are the fault of the owners.  The dogs are only doing what they have either been bred to do or allowed to do because of lack of training/discipline.

These people will raise a big stink when you shoot their dog (and although the owners of the new dog may shape up it sounds like the ones across the street probably won't and you may actually have to resort to this to protect yourself or Taffy).  Then they'll go out and get another. To people like this dogs are just like inanimate objects, you lose one, you just go get another.

It would be really nice if the sister of the people across the street would see the light and run them out.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I agree, it is awful to have to live next to dogs like that, especially when the owner is so irresponsible. The worst thing is if you did shoot one of their dogs, you can almost bet they will retaliate and throw poison over your fence or something for Taffy. That would scare me more than the dogs themselves, which is why I always try to keep peace with the neighbors if possible. The pit bull thing is close to home for me since I have a good friend who rescues and trains pit bulls, she is considered an expert on them and has done workshops in the US and other countries on dog aggression and has been on Oprah and several other national shows. She is on a mission to help the breed, and it really is an owner problem...if the repercussions of letting your aggressive dog run around and cause problems were a LOT stiffer...there wouldn't be nearly as many tragedies as we have. Although it is true that a dog can be molded into an agressive dog, it is also true that pit bulls by their nature are often going to be aggressive with other dogs. That is what they were bred for, to hold bulls for the butcher, to fight each other in the barbaric sport, etc. Just like dachshunds were bred to hunt so most of them have that instinct in their makeup. It doesn't always mean someone has trained their pit bull to be aggressive, most just are going to follow their genetic makeup and have that drive. It takes very responsible people to handle dogs like this and not many are responsible enough. It is pretty much impossible to "train" agression out of a pit bull that is bred to be that way. (and not all are!)

I feel for you, I never let Hallie outside of our fence here even in my neighborhood, there are too many big dogs running around loose and you never know what is out there. I get so tired of irresponsible owners who don't care enough about their dogs to keep them home!

[Jacqueline]

I have thought about the poisoning thing....one of the reasons Taffy has to stay where the light shines at night when we take her out.  She is carefully supervised when she is out in the yard, and I don't let her have anything close to the fence.

Fortunately, I have dog like hearing, and anyone fooling around out back would find themselves in a heap of problems.  The front of the house has motion detector lights.  And if they did such a stupid thing, I would find a way to see to it that it was the last stupid act they did on their way to jail.

I know there are nice pits out there, but frankly, I wish they would stop breeding them at all, because too many stupid people get them.....and for some reason, we don't seem to be slowing up in the breeding of stupid people.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

and for some reason, we don't seem to be slowing up in the breeding of stupid people.

LOL those are my sentiments exactly. My friend makes shirts and bumper stickers that has a picture of a pit bull on them and says "Ban Stupid People, Not Dogs."

It really is a big problem, I too am more afraid when I see a pit bull coming toward us than most other breeds I have to admit. One tried to attack Hallie in the park one day, good thing I had her on a leash and her harness so I could swing her up in the air out of his reach but I don't think I'd ever been that mad in my life! Good luck dealing with these jerks, I hope the dogs get out of your neighborhood.