Question regarding dogs and ownership responsibility...?

Question

My relatives live in a neighborhood where houses are so close together they share the same tiny yard. The house across from theirs has a pit bull and the owners sometimes let it out without a leash. So far there has been no problem, as apparently they only let it out at night when no one else is out. But is still worries me as the neighborhood is filled with kids, including my relatives. Even though there has not yet been an incident, do I still have the right to call any kind of authorities or animal control and ask them to tell the dog's owners to make sure it is on a leash when outside? Especially since it is a state-owned housing project.

Answer 1

Of course you do. There are leash laws and animal control will pick up any animal that has been allowed to roam free, even if it has returned home. Call animal control and report it.

Answer 2

Why not approach your neighbor and ask them ? about the dog if you have not seen violence and if there in no history in the dogs back ground with (dogs parents & grand parent in the pedigree) there may not be a problem ask them and yes all dogs should always be on a leash no matter what training they have its for there safety as well as others. Let the owners no this don't make it about the breed but about the dogs safety. If the owner gives you problems then go to the authorities. Let them know that you are doing it. Try to settle it peacefully.

Katie M how do you know the dog is dangerous ? Just because the dog is a pit doesn't mean he is dangerous. If it was a bull dog would you think that? I have seen a bull dog break a persons arm.
The dog might not be mean get the facts before making judgment. I was attacked buy 3 German shepherds I don't hate the breed it was just though dogs that were not friendly. You show ANY animal fear it will take advantage of it .

Answer 3

A state owned housing project ? From my understanding state owned housing projects are not allowed to have dogs over 20 lbs which I am sure this particular dog is . This should not have been allowed period !!! I would be scared to death for my relatives and other children in their neighborhood . it is like an accident waiting to happen . yes you should call the authorities because that is an irresponsible owner letting a dangerous dog like that out without a leash. Absoloutley call . I mean how would you feel if something did happen and you did not call . I would feel terrible. Good luck to you and i hope something is done before it is too late.

Answer 4

You can call animal control. Dogs loose on the street regardless of the hour is against the law. Every time you see the dog loose call. If animal control does not do anything you can contact your local police station and have them call animal control.

You can also barrow a life trap from animal control that will catch the dog and animal control will come pick it up. My mom and a couple of my friends had to do it that way.

One thing I have done in the past is go out and get the dog and tied it to my fence, providing them with water. When the owner came looking for his dog he was really pissed at what I had done but the law was on my side. His dog was loose and I just tied it so that it would not get hurt or run away.

Now, especially, with all the issues with Pit Bulls animal control will do something about it especially if you keep calling.

Good luck

Answer 5

First thing first, go to you complex management, they probably don't allow vicious breeds there from the get go, then explain the situation. Your shelters (states laws) may b diffrent then mine, but there is a leash law, yet they will not pick up a dog unless it is doing harm, or outside or the owners residence, so it all depends on what the housing manager advises, if you ever feel at fear for your life, call animal control. If you get bit, call police, they will call animal control out... faster results then you calling would get, and you will need the report if you plan on getting he money back for medical bills.

Answer 6

I would talk to these people before reporting them. Would you feel differently if the dog was a lab or a dalmation? Probably. Not all pitbulls are bad. But you definately have a right to be worried for the children too, as there are many bad pet owners who raise bad dogs.

If these are the type of people you would not feel comfortable talking to on your own, by all means, contact the authorities.

Answer 7

Absolutely...call animal control or even the police (the non-emergency number). Leash and containment laws are applicable in every state in the union, and just the fact that this is a pit bull will almost ensure than they will come out or contact the owner at the very least.

Answer 8

I would call your local humane society/animal control. I had a neighbor that would tie his dog up with out any water, during the summer. I just couldn't watch this anymore, so I called.

They will send a letter (without your name) and list the concerns. If the problem doesn't rectify itself, after the notice, you call again and they send someone to the house.

It will be a matter of record, if in case something horrible happens. :( Hopefully, they will get a clue, before that happens.

Answer 9

You can check with your local officals and see if there is a leash law. In my town there is but in the next town over there is not. So there it is okay to let a dog run loose. It all depends on your local ordinances if the authorities will do anything.

Answer 10

if there is a leash law, make a complaint. otherwise, i worry that you are judging a breed by actions it has not taken. if the owners (the only reason the dog could be bad) worry you, make it clear to the authorities. if you have no concerns about the owners or how they raise the dog, stop being ignorant about a breed that has a bad reputation because and only because of bad owners.