What can I do about my neighbor's aggressive dog?

[ShowGirlLola]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

My across the street neighbor has a pit bull and he's people and animal aggressive. I know he's gone after at least 2 of my adult neighbors and 1 dog that was being walked on my street. I don't know what damage was done and I don't know if they reported it.

One of the people he went after was my next door neighbor, who lets him out during the day. He used to bring the dpg over to hang out at his house, but not since he went after him. The neighbors have been friends for a long time.

The dog's owner never has him on a leash, my next door neighbor always does (but I don't think he could hold the dog back).

The worst part is I can't tell when the dog is out or when the owner is home. His driveway and yard is in an upside down L shape, and he has no fence. He parks and brings the dog out behind his house, but the dog doesn't always stay there. My mom sees the dog walking around unleashed on the property every night around 9pm.

The owner isn't a bad guy, but I don't think talking to him will do any good considering the attacks didn't get him to change his ways. I just want the dog on a leash & under control at all times.

The only time Lola is outside is when we walk from my house to my car, and I carry her because of that dog. I'd like to be able to walk to my own car with her without fear, walk her on my own street and play with her in my own front yard.

Any idea if the police would do anything if I called? I don't have any proof about the attacks and I know the people won't come forward if they haven't already. I can try to video tape the dog without the leash at night.
I also don't want the neighbors to know it was me.

[Sandysbabies]

I would put up a privacy fence in the back yard and never let your baby out alone. Its a shame it has to be like that, but, if you wanted to walk her, take her to a little park somewhere. I would not want to chance anything. I had a friend that a dog (pit bull) went after her to get to her little toy poodle. She was trying to hold her above her head and still like to have not made it to safety. Hope everything works out. It wouldn't hurt to try to talk to the dog's owner and then at least if anything did happen (God forbid) that you could tell the police you had even tryed talking to him. Good luck. Be careful with that little one.

[kjc]

You could report the unleashed dog to animal control. Take some pics or video for proof. As for the attacks, did the victims go to the hospital for treatment? If you know what days and the neighbors name, I would think they could look it up for documentation. Also look up dog laws in your state, you may have more violations to report. I'd ask a lawyer about the owner's neglect infringing on your freedom.

[ShowGirlLola]

Originally Posted by Sandysbabies

I would put up a privacy fence in the back yard and never let your baby out alone. Its a shame it has to be like that, but, if you wanted to walk her, take her to a little park somewhere. I would not want to chance anything. I had a friend that a dog (pit bull) went after her to get to her little toy poodle. She was trying to hold her above her head and still like to have not made it to safety. Hope everything works out. It wouldn't hurt to try to talk to the dog's owner and then at least if anything did happen (God forbid) that you could tell the police you had even tryed talking to him. Good luck. Be careful with that little one.

I do have a privacy fence, but that doesn't help when I'm going from my house to my car.
I'm going to have to get a carrier, but it's extremely unfair that I can't walk 10 feet without going through that hassle.

It's going to be hard talking to him because I never see him.

Originally Posted by kjc

You could report the unleashed dog to animal control. Take some pics or video for proof. As for the attacks, did the victims go to the hospital for treatment? If you know what days and the neighbors name, I would think they could look it up for documentation. Also look up dog laws in your state, you may have more violations to report. I'd ask a lawyer about the owner's neglect infringing on your freedom.

I only know about the dog's aggressive behavior because of what my next door neighbor told me (he was there when it went after the other person too).

I plan on asking for more details and asking if he'll talk to the owner next time I see him.

My family has known this neighbor over 30 years and I trust him, he used to love this dog. The dog was with him all day, until it went after him, now he does the bare minimum for it.
He has had 1 pit bull and 2 rotties, so he's familiar with "bully breeds" all 3 of his dogs were nice.

I can get the pictures and video and contact animal control. I can also look up laws and see if he's violating anything else.

Even without knowing about his aggressive behavior, I don't like that there's an unleashed dog on my street.


Thanks, both of you.

[SophieKatesMom]

I would research the laws and then speak with the dog's owner and explain to him that he is in violation (if he is) and ask him to take steps to control his dog and not let it off leash.

I am a very open person and would always give the person a chance to correct his ways before reporting the dog. However with that said if he does not report him, you cannot risk him getting to your dog.

[DBlain]

for now always carry and try to hide you dog whenever you go out front, and if you walk your dog, drive down the block to start your walk. In the meantime talk KJC's advice and try to get pictures, which I know is not the easiest to do. I would also try to talk to other neighbors especially one's with dogs and see how they feel or if they have had run in's with the dog. Often one person making a complaint does not achieve much but if you have a group it helps make your point. Does your neighbor have a fence around any of his yard. My town does not allow pit bulls and I for one am glad. I know lots of people on YTdon't feel that way, but I am so glad I don't have to worry about it. At the least towns should make it mandatory to have some type of fence if you own a strong prey driven dog.

[CouversMom]

I would definitely still continue to carry your pup. My female was almost attacked when a dog across the street came running after her and chased her back into the house. We were lucky she was fast enough to outrun the dog, or she would not be here today

I reported the dogs that came after her and animal control came out and talked to the owner. They could have fined him, but because he was apologetic, they gave him him a chance. If anyone sees those dogs out again, all they have to do is take a picture and he will receive huge fines.

I would definitely suggest taking pictures of the loose dog and reporting it to AC. It's not fair for you to have to worry about being attacked.

[jeane]

I would definitely call animal control and report it//that is a disaster waiting to happen

[ShowGirlLola]

Well he's not breaking any laws as long as the dog stays on his property.

He doesn't have any kind of fence.
If the state were to find the dog potentially dangerous he'd have to build a fence and keep the dog contained.

The only law he might be breaking is if the dog isn't registered with the township, but I don't think they do much about that anyway.

I guess the only thing I can do is talk to him and take pictures of the dog without a leash, just to have some basis if he does something again.

[Verbena]

Since you are in NJ. Check out this site. This might help you out. Also call up you town and county. Every area has different laws

New Jersey Consolidated Dog Laws

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ShowGirlLola

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

My across the street neighbor has a pit bull and he's people and animal aggressive. I know he's gone after at least 2 of my adult neighbors and 1 dog that was being walked on my street. I don't know what damage was done and I don't know if they reported it.

One of the people he went after was my next door neighbor, who lets him out during the day. He used to bring the dpg over to hang out at his house, but not since he went after him. The neighbors have been friends for a long time.

The dog's owner never has him on a leash, my next door neighbor always does (but I don't think he could hold the dog back).

The worst part is I can't tell when the dog is out or when the owner is home. His driveway and yard is in an upside down L shape, and he has no fence. He parks and brings the dog out behind his house, but the dog doesn't always stay there. My mom sees the dog walking around unleashed on the property every night around 9pm.

The owner isn't a bad guy, but I don't think talking to him will do any good considering the attacks didn't get him to change his ways. I just want the dog on a leash & under control at all times.

The only time Lola is outside is when we walk from my house to my car, and I carry her because of that dog. I'd like to be able to walk to my own car with her without fear, walk her on my own street and play with her in my own front yard.

Any idea if the police would do anything if I called? I don't have any proof about the attacks and I know the people won't come forward if they haven't already. I can try to video tape the dog without the leash at night.
I also don't want the neighbors to know it was me.

You can anonymously report it to animal control and every time he is out with out a leash take a picture and call and report it again and I would keep calling until they do something. Let them know YOU fear for your safety more then your dogs and they might take it more seriously.

[Lovetodream88]

I would not advise talking to the neighbor because if you do and then you call and report him he will know it is you.

[ShowGirlLola]

jeane- I agree, that's why I want to do something about it now.

Verbena- That's the site I looked at, thanks.

Lovetodream88- I can try, but I don't think they'll take it seriously since the dog is on his own property.
There was a bear in the area and animal control wouldn't do anything about it unless it went after someone.
I guess the best way to do it is stress the concern for my own safety, and have Lola as something that increases my chance of this dog going after me.


Thanks again everyone.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ShowGirlLola

jeane- I agree, that's why I want to do something about it now.

Verbena- That's the site I looked at, thanks.

Lovetodream88- I can try, but I don't think they'll take it seriously since the dog is on his own property.
There was a bear in the area and animal control wouldn't do anything about it unless it went after someone.
I guess the best way to do it is stress the concern for my own safety, and have Lola as something that increases my chance of this dog going after me.


Thanks again everyone.

Its a shame they are gonna wait until someone could end up dead or really really hurt.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by ShowGirlLola

jeane- I agree, that's why I want to do something about it now.

Verbena- That's the site I looked at, thanks.

Lovetodream88- I can try, but I don't think they'll take it seriously since the dog is on his own property.
There was a bear in the area and animal control wouldn't do anything about it unless it went after someone.
I guess the best way to do it is stress the concern for my own safety, and have Lola as something that increases my chance of this dog going after me.


Thanks again everyone.

Is there a leash law in your city ? If yes, IF the dog is not confined to its house or yard safely, even in it's own front yard if it's NOT leashed/tied or behind a fence, it's considered to be breaking the leash law in MOST cities. You can go talk to someone at the Police Dept about what the law is, make them look it up for you & print it out.