Dog owner was moving out of parents' house today. Didn't see the dog anywhere. I'm waiting to hear from the parents of the little girl who was chased before doing anything else. We've all been busy this week. Since they live next door to problem and have already had two instances, they have more of a stake in this than I. I am concerned that by moving, the dog may become someone else's problem. I don't see how I could "alert" the dog's new neighbors, though, without bordering on harassment. I saw on the news tonight that someone is trying to pass a bill to make owners criminally responsible for their dangerous dogs. We'll see.....
Frightening Dog Experience
Oh, these are all such horrible stories.
My own dog, who adopted us, used to be a barn dog at the pasture next to my house. We had a pony over there and the dog followed my daughter home one day and wouldn't leave. I'd drive her back over there and she would be in my front yard before I could get back. Well, she also belonged to the pack of dogs at that barn that, only a few months earlier, attacked a baby kitten in my own backyard. By the time I got out there with a broom, the kitten was almost dead. I rushed her to an animal emergency clinic but she passed away during the drive. She was just a little stray that had wandered over here.
I found it very difficult to warm to the dog at first. She became very protective of my daughter, which I did kind of like. After visiting with her owner, I received her horrible history. Someone had dumped her at the barn severral years ago and she was near death, she had been used to fight other dogs. She has scars all over her head and neck still. The owner nursed her back to health and she became a great barn dog. But, she is a dog and when they get together they have a pack mentality.
One thing led to another and for months she kept coming to our house. My neighbor across the street didn't like that she was loose, he and his family are scared of dogs and he asked me to do something about it. I completely respect how he felt. Well, I couldn't keep her from coming over here and the owner of the barn was not willing to fence them in. So, I asked her owner if she could just become our dog since she had already adopted us. She's been with us ever since (inside) and she's loving and loyal. But I don't lose sight of the fact that she was once an aggressive dog and I take every precaution. Since she's been with us, she has become very territorial and will not allow other dogs near....she will hurt them. I have to walk her late at night, when everyone else has already gone in, on a leash. I have to keep her away from other dogs at all times. She's fine with cats and people. She's extremely protective and I use her to let me know who's good and who's bad. When I have contractors come over to give me quotes for various things, if she barks and seems angry, I lock her in a room until they're gone but then I know not to use that person. She lets me know they aren't good people to have in my home. If they're good people, she'll go right up and beg for love. But if she ever hurt anyone, (which she's never tried to do) I would have to take the necessary actions. That's what being a responsible dog owner is about.
This message was edited Jan 31, 2007 11:09 PM
Kristi Hi! Where have you been? I have missed seeing you in the forums. I am chuckling at your dogs' judgement. My MIL always said a dog is a good judge of character. If the dog doesn't like someone, you shouldn't either. Since then, I have read (and it makes lots of sense) that your dog is not making that snap judgement about that person. Instead, she is tuning in to you. Something about that person is irritating you and she senses it... Just watch and see if that is correct. I know after I read that, I can see it in our Lab. He is quick to tune into us. Glad to see you back! Kristi ~ pod
Hi Pod! It's good to be back. I was caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and didn't do a very good job of organizing time for me and the things I love...like be here! But, here I am!
I truly believe that dogs are great judges. Mine has such a great personality. She's a mixed breed, mutt. She looks like she has some pointer, some lab, some boxer and who knows what else. We love her dearly! I have family members jokingly threaten to kidnap her because she's so good.
HTop - I also used to have a Rhodesian Ridgeback and she was an absolutely wonderful dog! Scared of baths and thunder, but great! When my daughter was a toddler, I'd hook a homemade sleigh on her and she'd drag her all over the house. It was so cute. I miss her so.
Dogs are wonderful, aren't they? We're the ones who have bred the aggression into them.
bubbles, I understand your concern about alerting the new potential victims. However, if you know where he has moved, you could alert the sheriff just so they'll know.
And anyone who wants to have an impact on the laws (they need SO badly to be strengthened) can find out more at the Texas Humane Legislation Network -- I THINK the address is www.thln.org. You might want to google it instead.
Ann
knolan, my ridgeback is afraid of thunder and hates baths too. He is the smartest dog I have ever owned. My daughter wants to clone him. :o)
bigbubbles
Proud that you followed up with the little girl's parents and that a report will be filed. If their insurance company finds out they have or had a pit, the company will probably cancel their home owners insurance.
Judy
judycooksey, good point. My homeowner's insurance company had me fill out a questionnaire a few months back and there was a section about how many and what kind of dogs I owned that lived on the premises. If their homeowner's insurance is not cancelled, the premiums will be increased which at least may encourage them to get rid of the dog.
I had to fill out a questionnaire as well when I switched carriers. Very good point.
Yes ma'am ~ Some insurance companies charge more for certain breeds most commonly known to bite...
Our local humane society has gotten to the point that it won't adopt out a pit or pit mix, and it won't adopt out a dog at all if the owner doesn't have a fenced yard. This is horrible, as a lot of people can control dogs without having to put up a fence, but the litigation aspect has beaten them down. Between lawyers and insurance companies, it's hard to do anything anymore.
Sorry to hear of the problems with dogs. I once took a class in sheep husbandry and the professor told the class that if we ever raised sheep we would eventually have problems with dogs. His advice was take care of the dog(s) if possible before it gets a chance to damage the flock. He said don't worry about complaining to the dog's owner because (1) they probably won't keep the dog (s) up (2) if you make a complaint to them and the dog ever gets killed or disappears then you will be a suspect in the animal's demise or disappearance and (3) there have actually been people killed because of diagreements over dogs. A well placed shot or a lick between the eyes with a stout club will solve many a dog problem. Just haul 'em off and don't say anything to anyone, even if the owner comes around looking for their 'poor lost dog'.
The country road grader was trying to get close to my fence line and hung the blade in the net fence and opened a small hole that I didn't know was there (drivers never contact you to let you know they ran into your fence). I went out to the place one morning and there were dead sheep laying everywhere (7 ewes and 4 lambs). Found out from the postman that he had seen 3 dogs inside my fence chasing the sheep. Well to make a long story short, I penned the rest of the sheep in a safe place, left the holes as the grader had left them and two of the dogs came back in on another day and got a one way ticket to that great kennel in the sky. Sad to say the 3rd dog never came back and as is usually the case in a situation like this I had no idea who owned the lousy mutts. Also I have had a large dog litterly tear the door off of an enclosure where I had chickens, to get a quick easy snack. That dog also made the mistake of coming back for another snack and.................................adios pooch!!!!!!!!!!!
Simply varmint control,Txwillie.
Quite often,....there's a great big gap between " urban" perception/perspective and "rural" perception/perspective.....when it comes to animal husbandry and varmints. I consider your perspective crystal clear....eliminating a varmint/unwanted pest....no cruelty or vendetta against a particular species of animal. It's no different than a person eliminating roaches/silverfish,... rats/mice in an urban environment....in my opinion, that is! :~)
Many people would let their "perception" of dogs as being "man's best friend"....influence their opinion about such control of "out of control" dogs (domesticated pets or feral)...and object.
Such opinions usually change though,...when humans are attacked or ..God forbid,...killed....by "out of control" animal(s).
We live out in the country and you would not believe the number of dogs that are dropped off. These people have convinced themselves that the animals will survive by hunting wild animals .... but they go after the easy prey, domestic chickens, ducks, goats etc.
Judy
Or putting them out to starve to death. A friend in law enforcement told us this week that he found a starving dog tied to a bridge in the country. A bullet would have been far more humane. A few months back, I found a starving one dumped on a logging road and brought him home. Doctored him, fed him up and found him a good home. The dumpers make me most angry!
We had a similar experience in our previous neighborhood. I couldn't get the police to do anything (Houston). I called animal control and they told me unless someone was bitten, they could put me "on the list" to check the neighborhood. At that time there were only two full time animal control trucks in the entire city! I then called the city attorney. I asked if the dog had dug into my fenced yard, threatening my family, could I shoot it. He said I could be sued by the owners of the dog if I did so, it was also illegal to fire a gun inside city limits, and if the dog was inside my fenced yard then it wasn't running loose and animal control couldn't pick it up. I then told him I was tapeing the conversation and did he suggest that I put this obviously viscious dog out of my yard to run loose on the street where many small children played in order for animal control to be allowed to pick it up and could he please state his name for the record and for the article I was contacting the Houston Chronicle about. He said an animal control officer would be out that day! End of problem. I've found the best way to get them to do something is to attract as much attention to it as you can. Contact the local papers and radio, if you have a call in problem solving type show. It works. Good luck.
Crowellli, I like your style ! Git 'er done, for sure, LOL.
Reminds me of the time years ago when I had bought a used
car from a dealer that conked out on me 2 hours later. When I
called them, they told me it was MY problem. OK. I waited about
a week for the Auto Show in Chicago to open.
Took a new T-shirt, drew a BIG yellow lemon on the front, and wrote
on the lemon "I GOT MINE AT ..............", and I went and stood in front
of their revolving car display at McCormick Place, where the auto
show was that year. Lots of laughs from people going by, much to
the chagrin of the dealer. Lots of comments to the dealer too.
Finally, that particular car maker's representative came over and
asked me what they had to do to get me to take that shirt off.
I told him what, and said I'm not leaving here and I'll be back every
day of the show, unless I get my money back. He was quite nervous
because we spotted someone from the local TV station looking over
and smiling. The rep talked to the dealer on the phone, came over
and gave me a check for the exact amount I had paid, plus I made
him give me $200 extra for my time and trouble, and I went straight
to the bank downtown that the check was drawn on and cashed it,
just in case they decided to cancel it later that day. :o)
You're so right, Crowellli, nothing like the light of day cast on
their little dark corners to make them nervous.
I love people who take action instead of just talking about it.
By the way, Crow, that attorney was dead wrong about whether you could shoot the dog, at least in my opinion. Had you shot a dog on your own property under those circumstances, you are simply protecting your property and the welfare of humans. Besides, had the owner sued you, can you imagine a jury finding against you? Yes, stranger verdicts than that have happened, but you're always justified in protecting your home against intruders. Houston may have some municipal ordinances about dogs and guns that I have no idea about, but they can't trump state law. Plus, doesn't H have some pretty stiff ordinances about letting dogs run loose?
I'm very proud of you for calling his bluff.
That's our Mahnot! You go!!!!
i love you people......
You're one of us, Gymgirl! Ooh.. it gave me a nice warm feeling to think I'm one of us, too!
Give me a D!
Give me a G!
What's that spell?!?!
"DOG GONE?"
LOL
i LOVE making people laugh, and spending time with people who enjoy the much, much lighter side of life. I also enjoy laughing AT myself, tremendously. It keeps me grounded, to be able to see the humor in the quirky things I actually do!
Here's what I hope will be the end of my story about the Bad Dog. The home owner, whose son owned the dog, was out yesterday. I had to walk over to let her know a dear neighbor of ours had passed away suddenly. We eventually got to the dog issue. She said she really wanted to talk to me about it, but was afraid the little girl's parents would then think that she didn't believe them. 'Said her son had moved to a friend's house in a neighboring town. Still couldn't believe the dog would be aggressive, but was sorry it had frightened neighbor girl. I told her that if she ever wanted to test that, she was welcomed to stand in our courtyard while someone let that dog out of her backyard. She would see how it stalked and barked. Told her we didn't need to be home, to feel free to come on over and see for herself. I told her I was afraid to go out to check the mail or get the paper, knowing the dog might be out. I think we cleared the air and will remain good neighbors. She wasn't aware that I had encountered the dog in the courtyard this past summer. Her son hadn't mentioned it, of course. Hope this is the end of the story now. BUT....I'm marking this thread, and if it ever happens again....I have a plan!!!! Thanks all for such good info......Sandi
Glad you finally have some peace of mind, Bigbubbles.
I just read this thread and am glad to know that so many of you agree with the action that needs to be taken. I see people selling pit bull puppies at a WalMart north of Houston and I get so mad after reading about maulings and so sadly the many deaths. Pit bull puppies are cute, (as all puppies are) so these new owners don't have a clue how ugly and mean they can grow up to be. My son was in an FFA program in HISD a few years back and a pack of dogs killed goats and hogs the year after he graduated. Then this past year it happened again - so many students lost their priceless FFA projects and could not start over again. As sad as I am for the animals and their student owners, I am thankful a child wasn't the target of the attacks. Banning pit bull puppy sales at Walmart and Canton might be the best idea yet . Glad to know about the legislation - I'll write for sure.
The city of Beaumont has FINALLY banned selling or giving away dogs on the roadside or in parking lots. I wish the whole state would.
Sandi, I hope you can have a wonderful Birthday now that this is hopefully over for you :)
Susan
Yes, happy birthday!!! Where is everybody!!!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/p.php?pid=3324821
check this out, all of you!!!!
This message was edited Mar 27, 2007 1:39 PM
THAT'S COOL, JOSEPHINE!
There is so much hype about "pit bulls" when most of the bites in the United States come from other breeds. Go to:
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
See if you can correctly even identify a "pit bull"
Well how self serving to picture a cute young puppy for the pit bull.
Where there's smoke there's fire. Bites maybe.. Deaths and maulings? I'll keep my fear of Pit Bulls a healthy one. There is a reason many city's don't allow them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull
"a CDC study detailing dog bite related fatalities in the US between 1979 and 1998 reveals that roughly one-thirds were caused by Pit Bull type dogs. The highest number of attacks (118) were by Pit-bull type dogs"
"Many homeowner's insurance companies in the United States are reluctant to insure owners of dogs that are considered to be a dangerous breed, like Allstate, which will not insure homes with pit bulls"
Susan
I thought the same thing, Soul. There is nothing that will convince me these animals are safe.
A lot of it depends on how it's raised. The big problem is that WE have bred them specifically for their aggressive tendencies. It wasn't so long ago that dogfighting was considered a "gentleman's" sport. The more aggressive the dog, the better it was. A dog who wouldn't fight was labelled a "cur" and that was a quality they tried hard to breed out. It's our own fault, but it IS a breed that can turn. I wouldn't trust one around kids no matter what.
Not trying to be argumentative, but I have a problem with the quote from Wikipedia (which is not the first time). I wonder what a "Pit-bull type" dog is? Is it mutts that have pit bull in them or does it include dogs like the Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, American Bull Dog which are related? If so, I wonder out of all dogs that weigh more than say 50 pounds in the US, what percentage of them are considered "Pit bull type dogs". I looked at the CDC report and they don't seem to explain it. http://www.dogbitelaw.com/breeds-causing-DBRFs.pdf
Arguments welcome, sweezel! That's what makes it fun. I don't mean to come across as frightened of pit bulls, either -- I grew up with one and he was the sweetest dog ever. Good old Ichabod. But I've also been to an animal shelter where a pit in a kennel just stood and shook and growled and NO ONE would go near it. There was nothing that would have kept it from attacking anything in its path. There is a whole spectrum, as any fair assessment will admit.
My understanding of the "pit bull TYPE" is both of the possibilities you've stated. You can have pit mutts which can have the aggressive characteristics and other "bull" type dogs. These were bred historically to be strong and mean enough to take down a bull -- hence the name. The "pit" refers to the area, or pit, where the fights were held. It's the ability to fight and the terrier quality of not letting go that makes a good fighting dog, and those characteristics are particularly keen in the pit bull -- and any bull terrier. We've (and by WE I mean the human race) encouraged the characteristics that have resulted in dogs that virtually cannot let go once they have gotten their jaws around their prey (be that a bait dog, a cat, a child) and that is what makes them dangerous.
If it makes you money, it's a good dog -- that's the reasoning of the people who keep them for fighting, and there are LOTS of people who keep them specifically for fighting. It's shameful, but it's mankind's fault.
I just moved to an unicorporated area of Travis County, just outside of Lakeway.
I'm on the phone with the Sherrif's department and Lakeway police animal
control on a regular basis.
This area is growing and the uninformed let their dogs roam free.
I hate it, I can't walk to my mailbox either.
But I plan on calling everytime I get run up on by a loose dog.
Ima
Keep your camera with you and take pictures..
Well,
Once again I found myself face to face with pit bulls. I was in the back corner of the yard yesterday evening and heard rustling in the leaves behind me. I expected the darned cats, but turned to face a full-grown, white pit bull. I saw him first, but he didn't seem to notice me. I was wearing a red sweatshirt, so I guess they're color-blind. I stood stock still, barely breathing. There was nowhere for me to take cover, either. After a while, he turned and ran off down the back line. (Our property has no back fence along the bayou dropoff, so you can run along the bayou, like in a canal.) I ran for the house and told DH, who proceeded (after MUCH protesting from me) to walk back there with a crowbar. DUH! He didn't see anything, and concluded the stray was not coming back.
So, I went back to my work, only this time I took the .22 pistol with me, just in case. I'd been out there about another 10 minutes when out of the brush comes TWO white pit bulls. One was a pregnant female, with the first pit. She turned and looked directly at me. I was totally terrified , wondering what my move oughta be. Nowhere to run or hide. Can't yell for the DH. I'm standing there considering that I'd have to shoot the .22 point blank to even wound a charging pit bull, and, it would have to be a dead aim. I'm good, but I don't think I would've hit her at all...
God, in His infinite grace and mercy, decided I should live to tell this story. The pair turned and ran off. And I went inside for good... Not sure when I'll go into my back yard again....
I've called the humane society to report the stray pair. But, I feel so guilty, because even while I was standing there in terror, I was considering that I shouldn't try to shoot them if they weren't going to bother me. But, I have had all morning to reconsider the next person they come upon may not be spared. I told the DH they should be shot and killed. He said all pits aren't vicious. I have resolved with myself that, if they appear in my yard again, I will have the hunting rifles and will do my best to take them both down. We have children and people who walk to bus stops in our neighborhood...
Join me in my prayer of thanksgiving!