I was going to post this on the pet forum, but feel more comfortable asking the "Texas Bunch." We live in a nice neighborhood with great neighbors. About a year ago, the college kid across the street came home for the summer with a pit bull. One morning the dog was in my courtyard when I walked out and charged at me, barking. I really wasn't afraid, just startled, so I waved my hand at it and told it to go on. The dog then starting snapping and I was screaming. The boy called the dog home and yelled over that she was a sweet dog. The kid and the dog went back to college in the fall. Fast forward to Jan., kid has graduated and brought dog home. Dog continually digs out and roams the neighborhood , but we all were hoping owner would get job soon and move out! The dog got out yesterday while no one was home and chased little 12 yr old girl from the bus stop. He had her pinned up against big rock mailbox. She had her bookpack protecting her and she was hysterical. When I ran out, the dog was distracted just long enough for her to run home. The mother of the dog owner doesn't consider the dog to be dangerous...and told the girl's parents as much. The little girl is now afraid to walk home the half block from the bus stop. I'm afraid to walk my grandson out front when he visits. What do you do about a situation that seems like a ticking bomb......? Has anyone had any experience dealing with a bad dog...or a bad owner?
Frightening Dog Experience
Yes on both counts. People like that are by their nature inconsiderate and don't give a rat's behind about your feelings or those of your neighbors...and if they did they'd take measures to make sure he didn't get loose and would be more apologetic. Whether the dog is dangerous or not, it shouldn't be allowed to dig out and roam the neighborhood. Call animal control and have it picked up.
I would not hesitate to call the authorities. Here it is the sheriff, but I live in a very small town. When my DH was threatened by three unsocialized Great Pyrs that came into our own yard to chase our cats a couple of years ago, the sheriff reminded us that our town has no ordinance against firing a weapon and that he would shoot any dog threatening him. Not allowed in Austin, I know. But you should not have to live in fear of a dog. Even an adult can be severely injured or killed by a strong dog. I hate to think what might happen to a child.
This message was edited Jan 26, 2007 10:32 PM
Call animal control, or even the Austin PD, and let them know about this situation. I love animals, have worked for vets over the years, and still work w/ animals, but that pit sounds very unpredictable, and they can be extremely dangerous. Pits can be good dogs (had one for yrs) but some people raise them the wrong way and they have a naturally aggressive attitude. If animal control or the APD come out enough times and give them tickets for a loose dog, the owners should get the hint quick enough (you'd hope) and keep the dog fenced in before it kills someone. Those kinds of deaths are too preventable. Good luck!...Debbie
Oh my, that is a horrible story!! GO WITH YOUR GUT INSTINCT and do something! Don't worry about hurting their feelings because you could be saving someone's life by doing something now. I've never heard anything but bad stories about these dogs and don't think that you should give the dog any more chances.
The neighbor whose daughter was chased came over tonight to ask if anyone else had problems with dog. Said this is their second incident with the dog. It got into their backyard over the Holidays and terrorized their dog. He plans to file some kind of report...just doesn't know what to do. We live in the county (about to be annexed by Austin), so would have to call sheriff dept, I guess.
We all try to get along up here on our little hill. Just hate to have any conflict, but we also feel it's just a matter of time before something awful happens and people wonder why no one ever did anything about the dog.
Thanks ya'll for input. I appreciate it. Didn't want to get "involved" until dog cornered the little girl. I'll let you know what happens. Hopefully college kid will stop sleepinglate, playing golf all day, and look for a job! Then dog....gone!
People that own dogs take everything personally. I own cats and have never understood this phenomenon. I can't imagine how they could justify defending the dog after something like that happened. They should be responsible enough to think of how everyone else feels. How in the world are they going to feel if that dog hurts someone the next time? Make the call.
A child was either bitten or charged by a dog a few blocks away from me on Halloween. The owner's had the dog put to sleep after the incident because they afraid of what it might do the next time.
If a dog had cornered my child like that, there would have been no problem. Dog gone. Please make the call for your sake and the sake of children in the neighborhood. A dog protecting his back yard is one thing. An aggressive dog loose in the neighborhood is something else.
Last summer a lady in her 70's was mowing her yard when her neighbor's pit cross dogs attacked and killed her near a small town in my area. Her husband was inside watching tv. Passerbys saw the dogs after they had pulled her off her mower and tried to stop them but could not. I realize that this was a pack and not just one animal but the concept is the same. The owner is now going on trial for her death. One can not be too careful. The owners of any animal should be responsible for not only protecting their animals but protecting others from the animals.
Patsy
CALL the authorities, someone, before a tragedy happens. In this area and Houston there are constant instances where dogs, mostly pit bulls, have attacked, children, adults, pets, and farm animals. That dog owner should be held accountable for training his dog to be like that. They are in denial to say he's a sweet dog, he may be to them but not to the rest of the world. How terrifying for you and that little girl.
I woke up early, early, and decided to talk to my neighbor about the dog situation. I don't know if she's aware of dog's previous encounter with me. Her son may have not told her. I'm further going to tell her that I don't plan to be held prisoner in my own yard this spring. I'm afraid the dog could possibly go thru my gate and trap me in my backyard. If there's the slightest inkling that she thinks we're all over-reacting, I'm going to suggest/insist that she come over, stand in my front courtyard, and observe....while someone opens her gate and lets that dog out. I'm certain the dog's behavior will convince her that she faces a potential lawsuit, at the very least, by letting the dog remain here. If she declines, I'm going to send her a registered letter detailing my experiences with the dog and also send one to the sheriff's ofc.
Sandi
I agree 100% with your plan. It definitely helps to document everything with dates and times.
Sandi, if the dog digs out, and they don't want to get rid of it, why don't they keep him chained in their backyard?
Just since Christmas we have had dogs get into a pasture that we keep small calves in . The dogs have killed two calves. We call the sherrif and he said protect your property. We moved the calves that were left. In the mean time my husband tried to talk to him but he is sort of a crack head and can't be talked to. His wife did say do what we needed to do in a whisper behind his back.
Since you aren't incorporated maybe you could just catch the dog out and do what you have to do. Dog or child? No contest in my book. IF the kid loved his dog he wouldn't have let it get in a position to harm anyone.
Just as I get my nerve up to go talk to her....her car pulls out of driveway....
As for doing what we have to do, we live in the county, but...not in the country. Too many houses, too many kids. One of our neighbors had already suggested that solution if the dog had threatened him. My husband was home when it happend, recovering from surgery. He had no qualms about taking care of the dog...just couldn't get up! I couldn't do that...I think the dog's owner is responsible for the dog's behavior. As for chaining the dog, I don't want to see that happen...I want him gone. Ironically, homeowner'd probably be more apt to get a visit from the sheriff for that (cruelty to animals) than letting dog run free (no leash law in county).
Just a few days ago a twelve year old girl was killed by a pit bull here. She was walking along the sidewalk when he broke a chain and went over a low fence. The dog was euthanized and the owner will be facing charges, but that is no consolation for her loved ones at her funeral. The breed is unpredictable, and some recent studies seem to indicate that chaining them just enrages them and increases their aggressiveness. We need to press our state legislators for an all-out ban on the breed. Yuska
Well, I for one would go have that problem taken care of soon as the girl was threaten..I was bitten in the face by a dog who came upon me at 3 years old and still can remember the attack..Most people will not think how this affect children's minds about animals...So please,whoever owns the dog..needs to be told to lock it up or put on chain....I do have dogs but with proper training I am not scared of them much..but uncontrolled dogs on my property-19 acres will be shot!
my 2 cents worth....
Wow, That is awful, I didn't know that they could break a chain, why would you want to have such an animal?
I think it's a male ego sort of thing. It makes them feel "macho" to have a "Pit". I think they should ban the breed too because it's the only one you ever hear of attacking people. We mamas have enough problem protecting our kids without having to worry about dogs coming over fences!
I was bitten on the face by a dog when I was 3 also. It was a Dachsund, not exactly large (lol) and apparently didn't like me picking it up. Luckily it didn't leave any physical scarring but it took me many years to not be afraid of dogs.
Get together with your neighbors and get a plan NOW! Don't wait for the injury or death of other pets or much worse, children or adults (I heard of one case where the pit bull killed its OWNER!). There are sprays everyone can carry and as long as it's legal, I'd be packing if a dangerous animal roamed the streets. Just think, the pit bull's jaws sometimes can't even be pried open by people trying to save someone who is is being bitten. Only a bullet can stop it in some cases. Sometimes by the time, a law officer would get there, the pet or person is dead or badly mutilated for life. Actually, if it was my area, it might take an hour before any law would appear. I'd say it's time for a neighborhood pit bull watch to be organized. If it's loose, shoot it and make sure it's dead. Sorry, I'm an animal lover, but that dog has to go!
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." Chains can rust, can sometimes be pulled loose from the bolt it is fastened to or broken from the dog's collar. In the recent case here, the owner was criticized for placing the animal in a corner of the front yard where he would see and react to activity along the street.
We go to Canton to the trade days alot. I can't believe how many pit bull breeders there are. It makes me want to go along and give them all some sort of "treat". Don't get me wrong, I love all animals but these scare me to death.
Any dog can turn out to be aggressive. Had a rat terrier that had to find a new home one time. He just didn't like kids.
Good luck and I think I would call the Sherif's office and have them send out an officer so he will know the situation before some thing really bad happens.
I hope you are able to resolve this issue soon.
I once heard the phrase on TV, "Never say your sweet lil' pooch DOESN'T BITE....rather, say they have not bitten YET." I stand by this phrase for my pets as well and am leery of any owner who says their animal "doesn't bite." Phooey!
So many times we have been asked "do your dogs bite?"
It is a dog with teeth ~ yes it can bite.
All pet owners need to accept the responsibilty for their dog and all parents need to accept the responsibility for their child.
Bubbles ~ in your neighbors case, the parents passed the ambivilent attitude on to the the son. Report it to the law as well as talk to the family. All the neighbors concerned should express their opinion so it is not you alone. It needs handling soon... best wishes. pod
I haven't seen the son's car across the street all day. Home owner's car hasn't been there since this morning. All must be laying low. House is dark. I still plan to talk to her tomorrow...at the latest. Maybe the dog is gone for good, but I have my doubts. Will post what happens tomorrow.
Maybe they read DG and saw this thread?
not likely I guess...
I had a bad experience as well....only with a lab. I have told this story before on the pet forum, but I'll tell it here too. I lived in a duplex with my neighbors being my landlord's daughter and her boyfriend. Now I realize I am not that old yet, but I'd classify them as the typical 20s college student. Ok neighbors, but a little loud and obnoxious. Her mother, my landlord, lived on the other side of them. And on my other side, I had wonderful neighbors that I still keep in touch with. At the time their children were 4, 6, and 7. The daughter got a lab puppy and it seemed fine for a while, typical puppy. But they never spent time with it, either left it in the backyard or locked it in the basement. The thing was starved for attention. I tried to play with it a couple times over the fence, but as it grew it became less friendly and more threatening. It got out of the yard several times, once chasing my little potbellied pig Cleo which scared me to death. It also had confronted other neighbors and their dogs. My neighbor with the little kids contacted the police, but they said until there was an incident there was nothing they could do. Can you believe that? Waiting for an incident? Well, it happened too. One day my neighbor's kids were outside playing in their own yard, and the dog got out and attacked the youngest girl, biting her in the side and pinning her to the ground. My neighbor was frantic, trying to get the dog off of her daughter. The dog's owner came over, grabbed the dog, said the girl's bite was only a scratch, and took the dog away so that the police couldn't take it. The owner and my landlord both claimed that the girl's parents were overreacting. The poor little girl had stitches and needed surgery to repair the soft tissue damage! Of course I was caught in the middle, became a legal battle for months. The owner was never required to put the dog down because of a lack of laws regarding this in the town. The owner had viscious dog insurance and that was it. One night I went into my greenhouse on the back porch to check on something, and the dog was in its own yard. It started growling like an animal ready to attack....scared me to death! I sat completely still for what seemed like forever until they brought the dog in before I went back in the house. Eventually they did get rid of the dog, but I couldn't believe how ignorant they were. And then they got another dog! Of course a little spaniel so no one was concerned, but these people had no business owning a dog of any kind. So it is true that any dog can become vicious, although the number of pits in this area scare me too. We have even had a couple bad experiences with people bringing pits to the dog park.
Kim
I have dogs and will always be a dog person but would not hesitate to put a bad or uncontrollable dog down! I too had a "pit" experience at work. I had a female charge at me. I knew not to run and stood my ground, emphatically and repeatedly yelling NO. She had a pack of males that circled me... chows, labs and mixes. Dh heard the ruckus and unknown to me came out with a gun. The pit was wary enough to keep me between us but got close enough I kicked at her twice. Shouldn't have but she finally backed off and I got indoors. DH got the police chief and the dog charged him also. He couldn't get a clear shot but told DH to do so. He did and the dog lay dead all day long circled by her pack. When they finally left, the chief got the garbage truck and he and DH loaded the dead dog to dispose of... We later heard that most of these dogs had belonged to a deceased person. No one was feeding and they had packed up roaming the area. After that, many neighbors when given a chance took them out and the pack was eventually disposed of. A pack in particular will select a child, an elderly person or one person alone for their victim. It is scary to wonder what would have happened had that been a child or had I turned and ran... Please do whatever it takes if you have a dog problem in the area where you live for everyones safety.
Call the police department and talk to the chief or one of the captains. Get his name and tell him about the instances. Each time you see the dog out report it to dispatch and then ask for the same captain. You may also call the post office and alert them that a pit bull is loose and they may not deliver mail to your street that day but they should send a supervisor out to see. If it is still loose, they should have contacts for animal control. Pit bulls by nature are not really meaner than other dogs. Years ago they were considered a good pet like peaty on the little rascals. The problem is that the jaw muscles of pit bulls reach their head and their bite is bone crushing strong and they can do a whole lot of harm, plus there are alot of pit owners who try to teach them to be aggresive. Unfortunately alot of dog owners say that their dog does not bite, but just because it does not bite them or bite their company inside their house means nothing to the dog outside of their comfort zone with strangers. I have seen a few news reports where a pit owner was going to get around to fixing a fence, but it took an encounter to motivate them to actually do it. Oh, you may want to keep some mace and a bat close by in case a child needs help. Take care, Mike
This is a tragedy in the making, for sure. Just like with cases of
wife beatings that I hear about, you need to leave a trail in writing
and calls to the police, as well as filed complaints. What do you
care about inconsiderate people like this ? When the dog finally
kills someone, they will just sell their house and move. They won't
change - you have to. You've got to stop worrying about hurting
the feelings of people who don't give a rat's patootie about
hurting not only your feelings, but your body as well.
Make a paper trail. Your lawyer will thank you one day.
UPDATE.....We just visited with the parents of the little girl who was chased by the dog. The dad spoke to the mother of the dog's owner again. She said they are going to get their son....and his dog...an apt. 'Said it was more important to make their daughter feel safe than to worry about son's dog. She said that she still wanted to talk to me, as she was unaware that the dog had confronted me also. Her son never told her. I'll wait till she comes over.....and I think she will.....
Tomorrow, girl's dad planned to file a report with sheriff's ofc about the incident. He asked me if I thought he should just drop it since they are getting the dog out of here. I told him I guess I'd make sure the dog would not come back for visits on Sunday afternoons...or whole weekends. 'That I'd want some assurance that the homeowner understood the dog wasn't to come back at all. And then I told both the parents about how many people responded to my inquiry on this forum about what to do about a bad dog...or owner. It was truly appreciated...by them as well as me. He's going to file the report. That means, we'll probably be contacted also and there will be a record of both incidents.
Guess that's about the end of it.....I hope.......thanks for encouragement....I didn't want to be the bad guy...and over react. Sandi
I hope the dog's new neighbors are not harmed either. Hopefully the sheriff's department will follow up. Good for the girl's parents in doing what needed to be done!
Amen! But document it, make a record of it with the law enforcement agency in case, Heaven forbid, something should happen... there or elsewhere with that dog!
I am a teacher. Just this past week, a child in my class was bitten on the face and on the arms by a pit. She has stitches all over. She was lucky. Animal Control now has that dog.
And that is only 1 of the many instances I personally know of about Pit Bulls. I hope that the people that live close to this dog now are safe.
Here is the article about the little girl that was killed by a pit bull in San Antonio:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA011407.01B.pit_bull_folo.305c019.html
A later article stated that the pit bull had never been turned in for any previous attacks or acts of agression. But, as one can see it can only take one to leave a family devastated or really more than one family devastated - the little girl's family, the dog's owner's family and the families of friends.
I would never allow another person's dog to continually jump my fence especially a pit bull. Although this article states that there are few fatal attacks by pit bulls in San Antonio, there have been many, many reports all year on the news about vicious attacks by pit bulls here. Most of them had to be put down. Unfortunately, my 21 year old neice owns one and I worry about the dog attacking someone. It will attack with the intent to kill any dog that comes within its reach. Around all of us it is sweet acting, but I never forget that it has a killer instinct.
My 65 year old brother was bitten in the face when he was 3 by an English bulldog who had seemed perfectly safe around children.. He was bitten as he leaned over to hand the dog a piece of his (my brother's) food as he sat at the diningroom table. He had to have 75 stitches. To this day, he does not like dogs and does not want to be around them. My father shot the dog which must have been painful for him because the dog had been such a loving pet and had never shown an aggressive disposition.
I own a 4 year old, 135 pound Great Pyrenes (a working dog used to herd and protect sheep, goats, etc.) and have never found him to be aggressive ... just a big baby most of the time. I also own a part Rhodesian Ridgeback part German sheperd (used to hunt lions in Africa) who is docile and quite friendly until he thinks someone is breaking into the house and is going to hurt one of us. This has happened 3 times when the front door has come open when someone is knocking on it. Then, I am always shocked by his "protection" mode which is usually aggressive barking. Both of these dogs have genes which incline them to provide protection. I never assume that they will not attack someone just because they have never shown uncalled for agression and keep them in a very controlled environment. As much as I love them both, any vicious behavior by either of them would cause me to put them down. Dogs are animals and have animal instincts.
podster, I have had some scary experiences with a dog pack which was compsed of 7 dogs of various breeds that assembled together in search of food. They would stalk me as I worked in the yard and would start manuevering to encircle me.. I had to pack a gun in order to feel safe after I saw them kill and eat 2 neighbors' dogs that had escaped from their fences and 5 cats in a 1 week period of time. The animal control people could not catch them. They started to reproduce (the 2 females had 13 pups). I was so afraid that they would kill a child or someone that was unaware of their presence and the danger that they posed. I convinced the owner of the property on which they stayed when they were not searching for food to take care of the problem. He did.
bigbubbles, I believe this dog is a ticking bomb. Unfortunately, until it maims or kills someone there is not that much that can be done "legally" except to report the dog's behavior. I pray t hat it does not do harm to anyone.
Htop ~ In the early '70's we lived in Az. There was a problem with roving dog packs that would attack (who knows why). Their choice of victim was always an elderly individual or a child. As it was a retirement community, the police quelled it quickly to prevent bad publicity.
I have talked to quite a few men who hunt or work in the woods here comment on encountering packs of dogs. The dogs will circle a lone person and these men (usually armed) will handle the problem. We have also heard that coyotes are crossing with some of the feral dogs and have lost their fear of man. Rural areas like this tend to be a dumping ground for troubled animals that people can't bring themselves to put down. It becomes a problem for all....
In our area of Southeast Texas/Louisiana....one of the biggest problems with Pit Bulls, ...besides their natural aggressive behavior (I know,....there's many who will adamantly challenge that claim).....
is the inclination of some of the simple-minded....usually not too educated...irresponsible people....that train and condition (mentally & physically) these dogs to FIGHT one another......it's a known fact among that "cult",.....that a Pit Bull that is injured, lost its will to fight or unable, for any reason, to fight.....is WORTHLESS to them.....any surprise?
It's also known,......that it's easier to dump such dogs in some other area of their nearest town/city....and then the outcasts become someone else's problem. These types of roaming predators (and that's what they become) have already become conditioned to extreme actions to survive.....and, usually,....won't hesitate to "engage" with
whatever may challenge them....OR stimulates that predatory inclination with a squeal,....a scream....or similar sound....or fearful behavior. (I'm still talking about these "dumped" fighting rejects)
I'm not claiming that all PB fighters dispose of their rejects that way,....but if only ONE does,....that's too many!
I have met & known individuals( fellow employees at a job I had in Houston) that engage in fighting Pit bulls,...and, years ago, ...witnessed such a fight....I didn't realize what I was going to witness....and have been AGAINST the breeding and proliferation of them since.....
I KNOW,...for a fact,....that even Pit Bulls that have never known the fighting ring, or such harsh conditions,....can be unpredictable when they are "stimulated" by high pitched sounds....like a calf's bawl,... a baby's squeal,...another dog that is in pain and crying/yelping,...etc.
While working at the aforementioned job, one time......one of the dummies brought a young (5-6 months old) Pit Bull to proudly show off his latest future fighter....to the machine shop area of where we worked. The little one was like any other young'n pup...cute and loveable......until one of the machinists started machining a piece that created a high pitched ring or squeal,..as metal was removed. That cute pup whirled around and chomped down on his OWNER's ankle/leg
and wouldn't let go. We used a large screwdriver to pry open her jaws.
The owner claimed that that wasn't unusual - (the dog's reaction).
Another job later,....one of my co-worker/friends' son had a PB....never fought,...only a house pet with two toddlers in the house,....that PB was in the pickup truck as the son drove up to his Dad's farm (my co-worker, Allen)...as Al was testing/treating some of his calves. The calf being treated,....started bawling and the previously docile..."gentle as a lamb", loving PB leaped from the truck and attacked the high-dollar calf.....as Al tried to stop the mauling underway,...HE was attacked and received two large puncture wounds completely through the forearm...by the PB's canines. This was by the same PB that HE had been with many times,...petted etc.
I could tell another story but I think I've made my point!
I'm a dog lover/animal lover....but I, personally,...think that PB's should NOT be allowed to be kept as pets. I'm well aware that for every voice/opinion such as mine....there will be hundreds of PB owners opinions that THEIR PB would NEVER do such things......yeah right! They just haven't encountered the right scenario,...that regretfully,...would convince them otherwise.....yet.
BTW - I was a sentry dog handler...as a Military Policeman...during the Viet Nam era...and have participated in the training of attack dogs,...so I feel I know a little about aggressive dogs. I'm not what I consider an alarmist.....I'm just putting my obsevations, experiences and knowledge - my two cents worth....into the discussion!
Don't hesitate to file a report on any PB that is loose in the neighborhood - for the sake of any other man or animal's safety...and , ironically,...for the sake of the irresponsible owner (if it's determined)
who may be sued or have criminal charges brought against them.
It would be a RESPONSIBLE thing to do!
I'll get off my soapbox now! Lee
I had my first encounter with a roaming pit bull "puppie" several weeks ago. This animal reached up to my hip. I stay prayed up, so if that was my day to be killed, I was prepared die. I've had several dogs over the years, however I've read enough about pit bulls to know they are loaded pistols waiting to go off. I kept my cool, and kept doing what I was doing. But then, the "puppy" got frisky with me, and I quickly realized the playful behavior of jumping up on me was turning agressive. In my last attempt to reach my door, I distracted the animal enough by throwing an empty soda can for him to go fetch, which he did. I believe had I not gotten inside, it would've turned ugly for me.
My opinion? As much as I have loved dogs all my life, I advocate shooting dead, without hesitation, any stray pit bull you can, for the safety of everyone who may encounter that animal. To NOT do so, is akin to handing a loaded gun to a toddler...
I've attended a funeral of a child mauled by a pit bull. The dog was chained (which I understand just makes them even meaner) in a front yard, and my daughter's little friend wandered a little too close, and the dog got her. I'm a pet lover, but just think this breed isn't to be trusted. Please call the authorities. Maybe they can keep a record of this animal because just moving it probably won't change it's behavior.
I've had some experience with this situation. BB, whatever you do, make sure the incidents are documented with your sheriff's office. Every dog gets one bite -- and if it's never documented, it's not a bite. The dog you described can't yet be classified as vicious under Texas law -- yes, you do have to have an "incident" before the cops can do anything. But this will put them on alert. At least this way they can seize the dog at its first bite, rather than just labelling it vicious and fining the owner if s/he doesn't get insurance.
I grew up with a pit bull (Ichabod) and he was a good dog. However, pit bulls have had their most aggressive tendencies bred into them BY PEOPLE for several centuries now. When they bite, they CANNOT let go -- dog "trainers" have to keep a pry stick to pry their jaws open. They can turn against anything or anyone at the drop of a hat -- or the cry of a baby. Frankly, so can chows, german shepherds, and rottweilers. They don't do it often, but I wouldn't have any of them, or a mix of any of them, around children or other animals. I nearly lost a pug to a chow mix, who up until that moment actually had been the sweetest dog ever to pee on grass.
Which brings up another subject. PLEASE don't give puppies away on the roadside. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't do it. About 85% of puppies given away like this turn out to be bait for fighting dogs. The "trainers" hang them from a springpole to make the PB try and get it -- to strengthen and frustrate the PB and make it more vicious. Same with kittens -- all the PB trainers see is bait. So this turns into a plea for everyone to spay and neuter their pets.
I'll stop babbling, but I AM PASSIONATE about this. Antoine de St. Exupery: WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER WE TAME.