How do you confront a neighbor with an agressive dog?

Question

There is suppose to be a leash law in my town, but the town has a population of about 200 people and no police department. The next biggest town has an animal control officer, but they will not come to our town unless it is a rabid animal or someone has been attacked. My son came back from the bus stop this morning and was in tears saying that a dog was growling at him and trying to bite him. I stopped getting ready for work and walked with him down the road. It was a big Bulldog type dog and it was slowly circling us and growling the whole time. I just made sure that neither of us made any sudden moves. I am trying to find out who the dog belongs too, and when I do I want to confront them about this dog. Since there is a leash law they are not suppose to let their dog roam free, but with no animal control I feel like the dog would actually have to bite someone before the local sheriffs department would do anything. How do I confront the owner when I find them?

Here is the problem with our mayor and city councel: We have had issues in this small town with aggressive animals, and have contacted the mayor, who happens to go to our church. They say they can't do anything, because there is no animal control or police department in our town. The local sheriffs department won't do anything either, as they say the animal has to actually injure someone. Stupid, I know. They have told me that if a stray dog or a dog owned by a neighbor gets in my yard, then I have the right to defend myself, my family and property, but just not to get caught firing a gun in town. Ignorant in my opinion, but since I and other neighbors have talked to them in the past numerous times about different "vicious" dogs, we know this is their stand on this issue.

Answer 1

call your county sherrif department

Also document every run in you have with the dog. Take pictures.

Please be cautious.

Get some pepper spray. and carry it with you when outside.

It sounds like you need to have a conversation with your neighbor. Talk nicely and stick to the facts. Ask, that the dog be restrained because he is frightening you and your family.

Answer 2

Call the animal control, describe the dog and tell them you believe it's rabid, and it's behaving aggressively and almost bit you and your son. I mean you're not a vet, how would you know for sure if an aggressive dog is rabid or not... if he had been hot it could appear as though he was even foaming at the mouth, it's could be an honest mistake ;). I would think that if you say the dog is rabid they will have to come out and deal with it to make sure.

Answer 3

If you have a leash law in your town then the city council and the mayor someone in authority had to pass one which is who you need to see about a dangerous animal before someone gets hurt. I would not wait. Contact them asap. Even if you don't know who the dog belongs to. If it is that aggressive it is just a matter of time before someone is hurt.

Answer 4

Ask around It is such a small town someone is bound to know who the dog belongs to. Small town neighbors can usually stick together to confront this kind of issue.

It may be a stray. You might try calling a non profit animal shelter that isn't run by your local government if that is the case.

Answer 5

contact whatever law enforcement agency has jurisdiction in your area...this has repurcussions beyond animal conrol... first off there is the obvious of cruelty to animals.... there is also possible theft charges since he took your dog from you for some reason and put her into his basement... (theft is the taking of property with the intent to deprive... i would say that putting someone else's obviously safely restrained dog would be considered, theft, tho the county attorney for your area may not take that particular case)... there is the criminal trespass for coming onto your property, and possibly (tho again unlikely the CA would take it) assault by contact for the threat/pushing of your fiance... obviously anything you can get with picture evidence is best... the more corroborating statements the better as well, so check with your other neighbors and see what they have come up with... i've never heard of a restraining order being taken out against an individual because of animal abuse, but criminal trespass can easily be done.... you should also see about better fences if you need to leave your dog out without you being there, or make sure she is never outside unsupervised...

Answer 6

Alright, you did exactly the right thing. No sudden moves. The dog is lost, afraid and becoming very territorial. Dangerous. Don't WORRY about the owner - worry about the dog. Do you have a shed or garage to bait it into? Meat, Gravy, leftovers - anything to draw it in. This animal is feral and scared. If you can bait it in, just speak softly and calmly amd call animal control. I don't know what state you're in, but they have to respond (federal law). Get the dog and get on the phone. Feed and water it, as best you can and DO NOT STOP CALLING UNTIL YOU GET RESULTS.

Answer 7

Phone and briefly talk with a lawyer in the nearest sizeable city. Then threaten the dog owner with a suit if he continues to give this threatening animal freedom with which to endanger your child. The dog owner should build a fence or use the one he has and start keeping that animal in it. The danger a bulldog can do is perhaps the worst . It may be a pitbull. It can kill! Get acquainted with neighbors who have children, and get together on this issue. Go to the top. Get rerassured of all the protection possible.

Answer 8

Before jumping to conclusions that could get the dog put to sleep... just make sure that it didn't just escape or something some times dogs get loose... also the dog might have been afraid itself.... and just because it is a pitbull means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! its not a ravage beast just because people have trained their dogs to do that sort of thing!!! this is why dogs get bad names as being viscose just because of their breed history... but if you really are scared it will bite someone then just call the police or maybe get some neighbors to help you lead the dog into a fenced in area until animal control come.. just please do not put the dog to sleep!!!!!!

Answer 9

Call the animal control officer, and seriously, if you have to, threaten you'll sue them if they don't come out and take care of it. It may not be a rabid dog, but it's a dog with serious potential to injure your child and it needs their attention. if the AC person flat out refuses to take care of it, find out who their superior is and log a formal complaint.

Answer 10

tell them that the dog is going to bite someone if they leave it off the leash or roaming free and then they will take it from them and put it to sleep. ive had the same problem and i told them that and it woked.

good luck :)