I've always loved large dogs and have owned them most of my life. This said, I have a bit of a problem with my neighbor's dog and I thought I'd ask the advice of those of you here who own pits.

My neighbor two doors down has a large, well-muscled, male pit bull dog. He lives mostly in her house, but is allowed out, unleashed, when his owner or her mother are in the yard. The yard is unfenced. Cain has charged me at night in my yard.
(I froze and started talking gently to him.) Recently he charged another neighbor in broad daylight in her own yard, stopping just a few feet short of her, growling. She was terrified. This dog has killed two dogs. His owner tells us just to call his name, and we'll be fine. And yes, so far that's worked, but we do feel in danger.

I should point out that the neighborhood has woods nearby and several of the homeowners just let their dogs in and out, unleashed and unfenced, but this is the only dog that challenges me on my property. The others are more interested in the squirrels than me.

What do you think?

Was the owner around when this happened? What was their response.

I personally would be concerned with any dog that approached me aggressively, especially in my own yard.

Do you have leash laws in your area?

I suppose your best bet at this point is to speak to the owner and let him/her know about your concerns. If they do not do anything and there is another occurrence of the dog being aggressive I would probably report it to whatever you have in your area that deals with animal control. Maybe even call them and ask for advice without reporting first to see what your options are.

You should not have to be concerned about a dog attacking you in your own yard.

We have leash laws in this area so my pitbull is always on a leash or runner, but I am familiar with Georgia and how everyone lets their dogs roam in rural areas. I am not a fan of dogs being off leash in an unfenced area for the safety of the dog and for others.

Ditto what wss4 said about talking to animal control for advice and in regards to talking to your neighbor.

I'm also interested in more information about the two dogs that this dog killed as well and how the neighbor can justify letting this dog roam around where it might kill other dogs.

OMG!! After reading this I had to sit and count to 10 because I was seeing red there for a moment. And not at you rannie! It's because of idiots like your neighbor that people like me are having to fight tooth and nail to keep breed specific laws from being passed. It's people like them that have caused insurance companies to refuse coverage to people who own specific breeds of dogs. They're called irresponsible owners.

Their behavior and their dog's is NOT acceptable. People should not have to be afraid to walk out into their own yard. Are they just going to shrug it off when this dog charges a child? What do they think is going to happen then? I can tell you what will happen. The child's instinct will be to scream and run away. The dog's natural instinct is going to kick in and he's going to pursue...and not in a good way. I guarantee if their home owners insurance knew about this, especially if the dog has already killed other dogs, they would be canceled in a heartbeat. They're a major lawsuit just waiting to happen.

I myself had to give up walking my dogs in my neighborhood because so many people moved in and decided it was just fine to let their dogs run loose and they kept attacking us. My Rotties never once initiated a fight, but they weren't just going to roll over either. Especially if they thought I was in danger. When I tried to talk to the owners of the other dogs but they just laughed it off....didn't care that our county has leash laws. I'm too much of animal lover to call animal control so I just quit walking my dogs. Thankfully I have 3 acres fenced for them to get their exercise.

I would definitely take wss4's advice and try to talk to them first. If that doesn't help then after some time has passed, I would probably making some calls to the authorities to have a talk with them. I would see if appa has any words of wisdom first though. She knows more about pitts than I do.

The owner's elderly mother had the dog out while walking to the mailbox and was unaware that the dog had run to the neighbors.

This happened at our weekend place, which is pretty rural - dairy farms, tree farms - pulpwood country - and a lake community. I'm not sure if there are leash laws on the books, but if so, they aren't actively enforced. Since I can no longer
own a dog (lousy lungs), we actually chose a community that had several
friendly dogs running around that I could pet and send on their way home.

I hate to be the one who calls the pound on someone's pet. I'd like her to do the smart thing and build a fence around her property, but I have no idea what kind
of funds she has.

I know that one of the dogs Cain killed belonged to the owner's boyfriend, and was
on Cain's territory. I suspect, in fact, that territoriality might be a part of the problem. Because she used to let him out at night, I think he came to think of the
neighboring yards as belonging to him as well, and thus is challenging anyone he finds there.

Hi Rannie :hug:

It's nice to see you here again!

Wow. I have two pit bull mixes, and from your story, I would be terrified of Cain as well. He's charging at least two people, growling, in their yards, and has killed two dogs.

I wouldn't feel bad or reluctant if I were you! I'd call Animal Control immediately and ask that the neighbors be given notification that Cain MUST be on leash and under control any time he is outside!! Or maybe the authorities can work with Cain's owner to put up a secure fence.

If your rural area has no leash laws or Animal Control, I'd call the police. Cain's behaviour is very aggressive!!!!! I would be scared to go out my front door!!

If that didn't get Cain secured, I'd call an attorney, or call the D.A.'s office. Maybe they can help free of charge, or refer you to free Legal Aid to contact Cain's owners.

And I'd rush out and buy myself some pepper spray or stronger and carry that with me at all times till this is resolved. And I'd use the pepper spray generously if Cain approached me!!!

No one wants to report a dog, but Cain sounds downright dangerous. I wouldn't hesitate for a second, and I love dogs and well behaved pits,rotts, and big dogs.

Let us know what happens, OK? Good luck!

Even if he was the most friendly dog in the world, if people are worried and scared by him, then the owners should care enough to stop it. People have the right to feel safe on their own property.
If they couldn't afford to fence, maybe a running leash would do the trick? So he can still run around when they're not supervising him, but can't get onto your property.
Good luck. :hug:

Thanks, Ladiibug. His behavior seems overly aggressive and escalating to me
also. I think his owner is in denial. Since I'm just there on the weekends, I
was willing to believe he thought I was a stranger, but the woman he charged
recently lives next door to him year-round. He's known her since he was a puppy.

The law around here is more likely to shoot the dog and ask questions later -
again, not the outcome I want. I think a group of neighbors should probably meet with her and tell her fence him or find him a new home.

Vegan, thanks for your suggestion, but I think those may be illegal here. Stupid people kept the dogs chained day and night to be pestered by whoever or whatever came by. The chains became seen as the abuse, instead of the pest.

Oh, and Vegan, I have nearly the same picture as your avatar of my son wearing
his baby sister's ruffled pants on his head as a hat. I'd post it, but he'd never speak to me again. He still can't see that it's adorable - I guess I'll have to wait until he has kids of his own for him to get that aahhhh... response that we Moms and Dads have.

I'd call Animal Control. They at least need an admonishment to keep the dog on a leash when he's out. He's killed before, imo, he's a threat.

Hate to say it, but some places who receive complaints about dogs who have killed and are threatening again will insist that the dog be put down.

It'd just be better if that woman would either fence or leash the dog. No one wants to see a pet be put down. In the same vein, no one wants to see a good dog go bad.

Tough situation. Good luck!

This dog is a ticking time bomb. While it may seem mean or unfair to complain about this dog to the authorities, not doing so is irresponsible and if/when this dog harms or kills a small child or another animal, those neighbors who sat back and did nothing will feel so bad about not having reported him to the authorities. :unsure: While aggression to dogs does not predict aggression to humans, this dog has already reacted aggressively to people and is telling you that he will bite. You need to report this dog to the authorities immediately. This dog should be declared a "dangerous dog" in the community due to his history of killing other dogs, which will place restrictions on the owners (typically the dog will need to be on leash or confined in a securely fenced yard at all times when outside, and in some communities will need to be muzzled when off the owner's property). The dog is also likely violating leash laws, and while it may seem unfair for him to get in trouble when other dogs/owners also violate this law, the other dogs have not shown themselves to be dangerous.

Daelith is absolutely right - this dog is hurting other dogs of his breed and his irresponsible owners are hurting responsible Pit, Rottie, and Shepherd owners everywhere. :rant2: I'm seeing red too. I could slap this dog's owners right now.

If the dog's owner seem receptive, here are some websites with helpful information for you to pass on:
Animal Farm Foundation http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org
BAD RAP: http://www.badrap.org
PBRC: http://www.pbrc.net

As far as protecting yourself, I would suggest that you always have a cell phone with you when you are outside. Not knowing the dog, I don't feel safe suggesting other tools because I don't know whether using something to stop him would actually stop him or would make him respond more aggressively. There are products on the market such as Direct Stop (a humane citronella-based spray that is safer for the user than pepper spray) that will stop MOST attacks, but there are a few dogs which would become more aggressive if these products were used. Just don't go outside alone or without a cell phone. If the authorities don't seem to be doing anything (some are really bad about not taking action until something truly hideous, such as the death of a small child, happens - ask me how I know :cry: :rant:), you and the other neighbors need to make pests of yourselves. Every time the dog is outside call the police/911 and report an aggressive dog wandering around the neighborhood. While it may not feel "nice", your safety and the safety of the other animals and people needs to come first.

Well put Appa! I agree with appa-if you don't feel safe, you should do something about it and not worry about "hurting" your neighbor's feelings. If he is already killing small animals, what is going to stop him from harming (gods forbid) or killing a small child!

Thanks everyone. My husband told me I was overreacting - which I confess I sometimes do - so I felt I better get some advice before I spoke to the owner.

Appa, I especially wanted to hear from you as I know you love pits. Do you mind if I cross out your name on your post and show it to the owner? I don't think she's
one of these people who wants a killer dog. I think she's just in denial that her sweet puppy is growing into a danger.

Since I first posted, she's discussed with another neighbor installing an invisible fence. She already has it on the water side of her property, and the dog doesn't cross it. Should I support this idea, or insist on a full fence?
Nor have I seen him out without her - though he wasn't leashed when he was with her in their unfenced yard.

Hi Rannie,

My concern about you giving the dog's owner my post is that it will cause a knee-jerk reaction and may make her less likely to take action. But I would be happy to write something up for you to give her if you would like.

Invisible fences can increase or even cause aggression, so I would strongly discourage their use for this dog. Some dogs will also just take the shock and break through the fence when fired up about something, so invisible fences promote a false sense of security. A real fence or leash are necessary in this case. The problem with invisible fences (and you're welcome to share this) is that oftentimes the dog when learning about the fence will get shocked when he tries to go greet other dogs or people. He soon learns to associate the presence of other people or dogs walking past the property with being shocked, and becomes fearful and/or aggressive to dogs or people near his property or even to all new/strange dogs and/or people even when he's off his property or in his house. Oftentimes the dog doesn't realize that passing a certain line is getting him shocked in this circumstance, because he is so interested in what is happening outside the yard. So he thinks that the shock is coming from the person or dog who is walking past his property. I will not agree to work with a client who has an aggressive dog on an invisible fence until they get rid of the invisible fence and replace it with a leash or actual fence.

Hi Appa,

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate you writing something for me to pass on to her. I
think hearing from someone who is experienced with the dogs and cares for them
will have more impact than "that bitchy neighbor is complaining again." I want
the best outcome - she gets to keep her dog, and we get to be safe. Next question is, what kind of fence and how high? For our digging dogs, we had to run the fence 6 inches in the ground. Are pits diggers? I'm asking all these questions because nothing is more frustrating than thinking you've fixed the problem only to have the dog fly over or crawl under the expensive fence you've installed. :rolleyes:

thanks again for your advice!

re: invisible fences.

My sister has greyhounds. She says that they won't care if they get shocked by running through the fence. They see freedom and off they go.

I think they are neat for a lot of dogs, but I was outside once with #2 and a neighbor's dog came running out from around the house, barking. I knew they had an invisible fence, but #2 didn't. She freaked and quaked for an hour after we got home. Clung to me that entire time.

Needless to say, the fear of dogs we'd been conquering returned. It's at least a year later and she's not over it yet.

Rannie, I haven't forgotten about you, just super busy. It might take me a few days to get something decent and helpful put together. :flower:

And WoM, good to see you and I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a problem with invisible fences. After all the problems I've seen with them (ranging from severe fear to aggression involving bites that broke the skin to stray dogs at animal control with invisible fence collars arond their necks) I would never get one for my dogs. :unsure:

Thanks Ap, I'll be patient :D I agree about the invisible fence. That wouldn't have stopped my dogs from chasing a squirrel, much less a perceived threat. I looked at the adoption test at one of the sites you named and realized why my lovable goofball dogs were so hard to train to heal - every one of them would have grabbed that toy and run for the hills. :lol: