Your Thoughts

[NeoWeird]

The obvious answer is put up an anchored sheet of ply wood against your fence to raise the height in a cheap way. Then you paint it an obnoxious color, assuming community laws and regulations don't prohibit it. The dog won't get (as) pissed off at something it can't see and the neighbors will want it taken down. Once they understand it's control their pet or have an eyesore in their back yard, they may get to a be a little more open minded to working with you.

Plywood is a couple bucks, can of neon green spray paint is another couple bucks. An hour or two and $10 and you're on your way to fixing the problem. Sure you have to see a piece of plywood in your back yard for a short while; but it's all a means to an end.

[Spearo]

Plugging a neighbor's annoying dog isn't the answer, unless it causes you or one of your kids/family serious bodily harm...then blast away. Think about your kids witnessing you shooting a dog to death. There will be some repercussions, my friend. Think about that.

Here's a suggestion, get your neighbor a short leash for the dog.

They need to learn about death sooner or later buddy.
This type of education is what breeds cowardly individuals.

You must be one of those Bubble-Blowers who only looks at fish and takes pictures eh?

I will be sure to spear many Calicos, Yellowtail and White Sea bass for you this Spring/Summer.
P.S. If you see a guy swimming around at 60ft, without a tank on my back... that will be me.

Get a bigger dog to combat his puny dog.

[USN CHIEF]

I would talk to the Neighbor first, then if the problem is not solved contact your local LE and comence a paper trail just incase you have to use your Pistola cause the dog bit one your family members or you..

[Gshock]

Call the humane society and tell them the situation and that the dog barks all the time. I did this when a neighbor had a dog that barked constantly all day, they will send a "barking dog notice" to the homeowners which will be followed by a visit if they still recieve complaints, It can be done anonymously.

[redcliff]

Long ago, I knew someone that had a neighbor with an annoying barking dog, and the dog owners were obnoxious as hell. So my friend took a low powerred bb gun, and would go in his own backyard when the neighbors were not home. The dog would run to the fence and bark and bark and my friend would yell "No barks!" and shoot the dog in the butt with the bb gun.

After abour 4 times of this "dog training" the neighbor dog would hide in his own garage every time my friend went into his back yard.

I"m certiainly not advocating cruelty to animals, but the bb gun was a single pump cheapo (think Red Ryder type power) that wouldnt break the dog's skin or cause serious damage, just sting. Hell, it couldnt of been that bad, my buddy's and I used to have bb gun wars in the woods when I was a kid.

[The SoCal Gunner]

I was told by a dog breeder once, if I am the owner of a dog by law I am responsible for any damages that dog create. Pure and simple.

Funny, I just watched an episode of Jude Milian (or however you spell it) where a girl brought her grandfather's Dachshund over to a friend's house unannounced which resulted with the friend's Pitt Bull attacking it. The judge ruled for the defendant, the Pitt Bull owner, because they did not do anything negligent which caused the attack.

Either way I like Pitt Bulls. Sure they have more energy and are stronger many other dogs but they behave just like many other dogs if they aren't raised properly or aren't neutered. Used to own a few myself as well as a German Shepherd.

[mymonkeyman]

Funny, I just watched an episode of Jude Milian (or however you spell it) where a girl brought her grandfather's Dachshund over to a friend's house unannounced which resulted with the friend's Pitt Bull attacking it. The judge ruled for the defendant, the Pitt Bull owner, because they did not do anything negligent which caused the attack.

Either way I like Pitt Bulls. Sure they have more energy and are stronger many other dogs but they behave just like many other dogs if they aren't raised properly or aren't neutered. Used to own a few myself as well as a German Shepherd.

Surprisingly enough TV judges are not an accurate depiction of the law.

[Smitty]

Make sure your videos depict the potential danger the pit represents. Then video your back yard and include your kids to show the potential lethality to them. Video the pit up close and personal to demonstrate the danger.
Then call animal control and show them the video.
Call the police and show them the video.
Talk to the dog's owner in the presence of animal control or the police. Video or record that conversation if you can get away with it. Don't talk about guns to anyone. It will make the cops worry more about you than what the pit can potentially do to your family.
Keep a detailed record of times and places this dog presents a threat to your family and any discussions with the police, dog owner, or animal control. Make this documentation concise and well enough organized that you could hand it to a judge and the judge would be able to see the picture from your point of view.
Then get an estimate from a reliable construction company on how much it would cost to build a wall 8 feet high that would afford protection for you and your children.
Then file in small claims court against your neighbor for the cost of the wall's construction. Base your claim on the fact that no one has taken any action to insure your family's safety and that you have the right to safety in your own back yard.
Take all the videos, recordings, written documentation, and construction estimates to court with you. Get the judge on your side and sue your idiot neighbor for the cost of the wall and make sure the pit is removed from your neighbor's premises during the wall's construction.
I am not giving legal advise. This is just what I would do in your situation.
Too bad you can't give the pit a #4 buckshot shampoo.
Good luck and keep those kids safe.

[Astig Boy]

I have a dilemma with a neighbor with his backyard adjacent to mine. We have a fence separating our property that is only about 4.5' tall, the problem is a full grown American Stafforshire Terrier also known as one of the pitbull breeds. Looks just like this except for the ears not cropped.


Well, he thinks my backyard is his backyard so everytime me or any of my family, including 3 small children goes out to the yard this dog charges the fence (standard wood) with full force, sticks his head up, growls and barks at us. I usually carry my 4" 38 special revolver, but today this dog is just very ornery, barking and growling at me while jumping up a bit more than usual. I had my 38 revolver with me stoked with 125 gr JHP and I started thinking this may not be enough for a full grown 70 lb pissed off pitbull. I do have shotguns, but my other neigbors might get worried and call the cops if they see a pump shotgun being carried around the backyard. Your thoughts and opinions on what I should pack in my backyard?

josh

DUDE! 4.5 ft high fence!!! That is just crazy. A staff or a pitbull can easily jump that fence. Here is my recommendation. I am not sure which county you live in, but being you are in the Bay Area where laws are more strict, you may be in luck. Check with your county or city laws in regards to fence height requirements for dogs. I already know it is illegal to have a fence short enough where a dogs head can peak over. I know in many states people are fighting for stricter laws on specific breeds. Some states want a 8ft high fence for pitbulls. In Canada, if you own a Pit or Staff law requires the owner to have a 6.5ft fence around your property.

[Knauga]

To tell you the truth, it's not alway the dog that's a problem.

Absolutely, it isn't a "dog" problem its a "people" problem.

BTW, you do not need to wait until the dog actually bites somebody to take it out, once it crosses into your yard it is a danger.

[JTROKS]

once it crosses into your yard it is a danger

Yup! I have videos of this dog barking and growling at me just standing in my yard. I told the owners that too, that as soon as their dog touches my side of the fence, it will die. If a video worked for R. King, then why not a bunch of videos for me.

[bbguns44]

Just call 911 & tell them a pit bull is threatening your kids.
There's been enough incidents of pit bulls attacking kids
that the cops will take this seriously & tell the dog's owner
to get it under control. No need for you to do more than
call.

[Paradiddle]

A focused dog will not even notice the spray. I've used it in the past more than once. One time I dumped about half a can of that stuff into the eyes and nose of a Golden Retriever (one of the nastiest dogs IMHO) charging me as I was backpedaling up the street.

You ran from a Golden? If they aren't the nicest most friendly dogs on the planet I don't know what is - was it rabid?

[caldude]

You ran from a Golden? If they aren't the nicest most friendly dogs on the planet I don't know what is - was it rabid?

Some puppy mill Goldens are the most psychotic dogs I've seen. I had one for awhile but I had to put it down after it bit my daughter. Any time a snarling, barking dog comes after me, if I can't kick it away (works only on small dogs), you can be sure I'm running away.

[MudCamper]

I've talked with the dog's owner and they said he's harmless

This sounds like the crux of the problem. There are a lot of dumb people in this world that do not understand dog pack behavior. Yeah. The dog is nice to it's owner, because he's higher in the pack order. Sheesh.

You could try befriending the dog. Every time you go outside, throw the dog a biscuit. Eventually, the dog will look forward to seeing you.