If your dachshund was attacked twice in a month by the same German Shephard, would you report the owner?

Question

I always have my dog on a leash. This is in a residential neighborhood (single family homes). Owner is very nice. She has 3 large rescue dogs. Last incident, she reimbursed me for the $340 vet bill. This time the dog again charged out of their yard,
as she had workers at the house. This time I picked up my dog as I knew what was coming next. As least it was just a one-tooth puncture type wound and I am treating it. I am fearful for what else this dog will do. We were very much minding our own busines, not in their yard. Do dogs distinguish between attacking dogs (out of the blue) and attacking people? There are lots of very young children on this street. I should be able to walk down the street with my dog and not worry, right?

Answer 1

This is a serious problem and I would talk to her and tell her you have to report it. If she cannot control the dog she has to find a way or get rid of the dog. Then call and report it. Don't fret if she gets angry because her anger is nothing compared to the grief you will feel if you lose your dog.

You say these are "rescue dogs." Did she take them in herself? Is she fostering for a group? Did she get them from a rescue group?

If these does came from a rescue group or are being fostered for one then the group MUST be told about this situation. If they are adopting to someone who cannot care for them they need to know. If she is fostering for them, they need to know.

On the bright side, if they came from a rescue group, most (if not all) groups retain the right to take the dogs back if they are not being cared for properly---and attacking other dogs fits in this category.

If the group seizes the dog it will be better than the dog attacking someone, being declared vicious and put down.

I sympathize with you and wish you the best.

Answer 2

dogs can destinguish between other dogs and people. There are some dogs out there that are dog aggressive and some that are people aggressive. there is a chance he could think your small dog is prey. Not sure but aren't G.S. prey animals. The only concern is w. sm children playingon in the neighborhood is the size will sometimes cause them to mistake them for other dogs. Has he attacked any other dogs or just yours? There could be something about your dog. You should be able to walk your dog w/o a problem yes. And w. rescue dogs she should know that they cannot be let out w/o a lease. Make sure she know that the workers are letting her dog out and that the dog attact again. Are these dogs she has adopted or are they fosters? When you say rescue dogs are they search and rescue. or have they been rescued? If she is fostering these dogs she needs to know that he is small dog aggressive so he is not placed in a family w/ small dogs.
Hate tos ay it b/c i do foster and it is hard when neighbors are not understanding. You let it go the first time but if this continues perhaps she should be reported. Knowing my dogs could potentially run, i don't think I would ever leave my dogs unattended w/ workers. Either they would be in a kennel or I would schedule a time when I could be there or depending on the workers that I could take the dogs somewhere else.

Answer 3

Your neighbor sounds like she is genuinely trying to be responsible, as she willingly paid the vet bill before-she just doesn't know how to control the dog. But the fact remains that she owns an aggressive dog that should not be out, and that it has already happened twice. I would speak with her first, and be totally honest about your concern for not only your dogs, but for others and children as well. Tell her that for this reason she must find a way to make sure that the dog will not be let loose again, like having another individual gated area inside her yard, and implement it immediately, or you will have no choice to report her. I know it's tough to handle conflicts with neighbors because you will still have to live next to her, and she will probably know it was you that reported it. She will probably be miffed if you do it behind her back, but if you are straightforward about it, as a dog owner she is responsible to the community for it's actions, and owes it to you and everyone else to do what it takes to ensure that it does not happen again. If she does not make the effort and do something immediately to remedy it, you will already have warned her and she will have to understand when you report the animal.

Answer 4

Any dog that is aggressive enough to attack a smaller dog that is walking by minding its own business (twice) will also attack a child or even an adult. Absolutely, this should be reported. Any dog will bite if sufficiently provoked and fearful for its own safety, but this dog is vicious and unpredictable. Because it is also large, it is a danger to everyone.

You cut the owner a lot of slack in not reporting the first incident. She was put on notice by that event that she needed to keep her dog restrained and under control at all times. You will not be able to live with yourself if next time the dog attacks a child, maybe even kills it, and you could have prevented it.

You are not being unkind to the dog's owner by reporting the bite incidents. You are being kind to the rest of your neighbors by trying to help keep them safe, and to the dog's owner by ultimately saving her from potential civil suits and criminal charges.

Please, immediately report the incidents.

Answer 5

OMG. I am freaking out for you. I have three dachshunds and I cannot imagine. Incidentally, my neighbor has 2 dogs, 1 of them a german shepard and the latter is violent. Never an incident, but I am mindful. You need to tell them that if you even see that dog so much as a foot outside their house without a leash and them on the other end of it, you will call Animal Control. I would have no compunction to taking a bat to the dog that is attacking your dog. Your poor dog must be traumatized.

Good luck sweetie.

Answer 6

I think your concern is appropriate. I believe the owners should be reported.
Some dogs are not socialized. They may go after other dogs, but not children. I wouldn't want to take that chance. Your dog has been attacked twice in a month by this dog. The owners have to take responsibility.

Answer 7

since she knows of the issue of her dog attacking other dogs, you should report her to the animal control officer.
She will be forced to confine the dog and charged fines if it continues to run loose causing harm to other peoples animals. after a time if the behavior is still not corrected the dog may be removed.

As far as attacking humanes it's unlikely that will happen, i had a simular problem with my neighbors dog a few years ago, kept coming into my yard and attacking my dog. Never was aggressive towards us and ran when we came running cause it knew we would drag it back home.

Answer 8

I would definitely tell the owner that she needs to get better control over her dogs. I don't care if they're rescue dogs or not; they shouldn't be in your yard, attacking your dog. Talk to your neighbor and see if you guys can come up with a plan to prevent this in the future. Tell her you're reluctant to report her but that you have genuine concern about this situation, and something needs to be done.

Answer 9

Yes report her! 2nd offense! She's not truly taking care of the dog or dogs. Allowing them out of eyesight. That dog could not be a rescue dog if its attacking smaller dogs.

Shouldn't both your houses have good enough fences to hold back the dogs, like 6' tall?

Answer 10

Yes, the owner knows her dogs may attack others, may even attack people. She is bound by law to contain her animals in such a manner that they don't pose a threat to people or their property. An animal you own has been attacked at least twice according to what you tell us here. She needs to be reported and held accountable.