Pit Bull Attack - what can we do?

Question

We live in a suburban area of Idaho and most homes here have horses, cattle, various livestock. One of our neighbors has a 7 yr. old pit bull that her son couldn't keep and she now has. He got away from the house the other day and attacked the neighbours mule, ripping the face severly and having extensive stitches, etc. It took 3 people to take the dog off the animal and after he was removed he attacked again (same incidence). The dog owner paid vet bills but the mule owner wants the dog out of the neighbourhood. The animal control came but did not remove the dog and the police came and told the 'mule owner' that the dog owner had put a restraining order on her not to contact the dog owner!! This seems unfair and now the whole neighbourhood is concerned about this pit bull. She says she will restrain him but no one believes her as she has other dogs that are a nuisance and owns 6 horses that she keeps on 1/2 acre and are poorly maintained. Any comments/experience/suggestions??

Answer 1

It's owners like her that cause the rest of Pitbull owners to have problems. Punish the deed not the breed. I don't know what to tell you as the mule owner can't even set foot on her property. If animal control has made this decision you really can't go against it You may try printing out a petition and having the whole neighborhood sign it saying something about wanting the dog removed. You could contact your local breed rescue and see if they would be willing to take the dog and then let the women know that you hav
e a good home for her dog. Sorry I can't give you better advice. I also live in Idaho and have been looking for property like you describe but haven't found even a hint of it. I live in Coeur d'Alene. Would you e-mail me and tell where you are near?

Answer 2

The dog owner can file a "restraining" order against anyone she wishes.. so can the mule owner...

Usually, the law doesn't allow Animal Control to confiscate or put down a biting dog until AFTER the SECOND attack. However, you and your neighbors can try to "force" law enforcement's hand by putting together a signed petition to have the offending dog removed. Send the petition to your local district attorney's office.

If you believe the other animals on the property are being neglected, you may also be able to file complaints at the state level (rather than the local level); e.g., your state's attorney general. When state officials call the local officials about a citizen's complaint, local officials often make more effort to get the situation resolved.

Answer 3

OK. . .I have 26 horses along with cattle, pigs, chickens, peacocks, dogs and a pond full of catfish. . .Let me just say that I have 2 Blue Heelers and 1 Pitbull. The Pit is as loving as the other 2 dogs that we have. But do note that she was raised right. . .when she growled or took off after the horses, even as a pup, we spanked her and put her in a stall for 30 minutes. . .But ANY dog not raised right can turn aggresive and if this pitbull can take down a Mule then I would definately do something. . .This dog can get ahold of a child or even an adult and hurt them severely. And I love my animals. . .If the dog was on my property and attacked one of my horses I would get a shot gun and shot it especially if I noticed the dog didnt let go when commanded to or even if this dog was taking down an animal much larger than it. Legally nothing can be done to you. It is on your land. . .And with the woman having 6 horses on 1/2 acre of land is cruel. If I knew where this was I would go and buy every horse she had if she would sell them and bring them to our 160 acre farm.

Answer 4

First of all not all pit bulls are vicious, and it is not the dog but the owner. If the condition of her animals and their living conditions are poor did you try calling the Humane Society or the SPCA. Alot of times local animal control or the police do not care about that only that all laws are abided by. You can check your local ordinances, they all vary. Where I live you are allowed so many animals, and so many large animals per acre of land. There are also strict leash laws that the police do enforce. If you do not have such laws that dictate such things try contacting your local law makers and help propose such laws. Without them there is not much you can do, at least legally. The SPCA or Humane Society maybe able to step in and force better conditions or convince her to give up some of the animals.

Answer 5

She sounds like the kind of owner pit bull owners hate. You need to find away to stop the dog. Pits who start acting this way are troble. They are stonger and smater than most breeds and needs good owners who train and keep them up. Before people say i'm hating pit bulls I own one and know. what a greta breed they are but a $$ like this woman are why they are being banned.
call the spca they can do more than any other group.

Answer 6

Not really sure what the "proper" thing to do is, but in my experience law enforcement (animal control, as well as the local police dept) have been very unreliable and very good at not doing their job correctly, or half *** where I am at. My suggestion is that if your concerns are not recognized, then you need to go to a higher authority, talk to the chief of police and tell him/her that this dog has physically hurt someone, and that the precinct that you talked to was not taking your concern seriously, if that doesn't work, you might want to consider talking to the mayor.

Sounds its like its time to go up the ladder, remember to write the names of the officers you talk to (get badge numbers as well), and mention them whenever you get the chance.

Answer 7

I would be persistent with your calls to the animal control. Maybe see if there is a way via neighborhood petition to get her to comply. Pitbulls are wonderful dogs, but it would appear this one was not raised well and has aggressive tendancies.

I would also keep logs, and possibly video tape, any time this woman has this dog, or any other running loose and then continue with complaints.

Answer 8

If the dog trespasses again and harasses livestock, the livestock/property owner has the right to shoot and kill the dog.

http://glennsferryidaho.org/idaho__dog_statues.htm

Idaho Statutes

TITLE 25

ANIMALS

CHAPTER 28

DOGS

25-2806. LIABILITY FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY KILLED BY DOGS. The owner, possessor, or harborer of any dog or animal that kills, worries, or wounds any livestock and poultry which are raised and kept in captivity for domestic or commercial purposes, is liable to the owner of the same for the damages and costs of suit, to be recovered before any court of competent jurisdiction:

1. In the prosecution of actions under the provisions of this section it is not necessary for the plaintiff to show that the owner, possessor, or harborer of such dog or other animal had knowledge of the fact that such dog or other animal would kill or wound livestock or poultry which are raised and kept in captivity for domestic or commercial purposes.

2. Any person, on finding any dog, not on the premises of its owner or possessor, worrying, wounding, or killing any livestock or poultry which are raised and kept in captivity for domestic or commercial purposes, may, at the time of so finding said dog, kill the same, and the owners thereof can sustain no action for damages against any person so killing such dog

Answer 9

The next time could be a child. I would do whatever it takes to rid of this dog!!!!Pool your money in the neighborhood and contact a lawyer. Many places have passed laws against having these dogs as pets I think Denver , Co. has this law find out how they did it. If the dog came on your property could you shoot it legally?Find these things out and take action it is only a matter of time be for something else happens!

Answer 10

You all need to be consistent in your complaints to animal control.
Photos or video (with time & date stamp) will help support your concerns. Make sure to capture the animal with distinguishing landmarks in the photo/video to ensure you can prove the animal is not on the owner's property.