I have a dog problem... need some input from LEOs

[Tank.45]

First of all i want to say i do not have a phobia of dogs or specifically pitbulls. My girlfriend has a pitbull and i have had nothing but positive experiences in the past with that breed.

Last week, as i pulled in to my driveway, there was a pitbull on my lawn. I made sure not to startle the dog. I pulled into my car port which is on the side of the house. he came up to my car door sniffed the ground then went back around the corner to the front of the house. After i was sure he was not next to the car i opened the door and came around the corner of the house going to my front door. He was standing about 25-30ft away from me in front of my house. He then growled, barked, and charged me. at this point i booked it back around the corner and jumped the back fence. I'm not sure at what point he stopped chasing me but he didn't follow me over the fence which he could have easily since it isn't high. I waited a few minutes and cautiously went to the front to get into my house. Underneath my neighbors car i could see his legs and my neighbors were playing with him. So, at this point i knew were his owners were. About an hour later when they were in the house i went and talked to one of the neighbors (its 2 guys and a girl that rent the house). I felt the conversation went well and was positive overall i left with a sense of appeasement. Absolutely no threats or anything negative came out of that conversation. But he did say he would keep an eye on him.

Tonight as I'm leaving to the gym, my girlfriend and i walk out the front door and guys who is on the front lawn. we quickly get in the car and leave. The neighbors were home because the garage door was open about knee high with the lights on. So, i guess they let him out for a minute while they stayed in the garage not watching the dog they just got a complaint about?

At this point I'm not sure what to do. I am worried about my girlfriend coming over. I don't feel safe if i see that dog outside, considering how he aggressively chased me.

I'm just looking for a legal, safe, and civilized way to fix this problem. Any LEO input is appreciate as I'm sure this happens very often.

Thanks

[Heiko]

Personally, I think since the first conversation went well, I'd give it another try. Maybe not all three of the roommates got the message. (Don't know if you talked to all three.) I would stress to them that you want to avoid problems and that it is in their best interest since there are other neighbors who aren't as "cool" as you and some of them might have kids who could get scared and hurt by their dog, resulting in mucho problems for the lot of them.

If they don't change their ways, check your municipal codes and there are surely ordinances against unleashed, unlicensed, and unsupervised dogs. Code enforcement and/or animal control are a better bet than police because those departments live for stuff like you are describing and will have more time to address it and follow up than the cop in your beat that has many other kinds of problems to deal with, even if he/she does want to help you.

They might figure out that you dimed them off but if they don't get your friendly message then F them. You've got to worry about your and your girlfriend's safety, not to mention other neighbors.

[TRICKSTER]

Contact the owner of the home. The renters may be in violation of a no pets clause. Let him know that he will be sued if the dog, which you have now advised him is vicious and chased you, hurts anyone. It would be in homeowners best interest to take care of the problem.

[SFgiants105]

Contact the owner of the home. The renters may be in violation of a no pets clause. Let him know that he will be sued if the dog, which you have now advised him is vicious and chased you, hurts anyone. It would be in homeowners best interest to take care of the problem.

I would take this avenue as a second or last resort.

The fact that the dog didn't chase you meant that he was very territorial and you were on what he perceived to be his territory. My guess is that this happens a lot to dogs that are not adequately socially trained. I have many friends who have raised dogs from puppies and they are constantly around new people at a young age. Many people who are possessive of their little precious and who raise that dog on their own without exposing it to many people tend to raise a dog that is very defensive against strangers. It sounds like a combination of not disciplining the dog well from when it was young or maybe it was a rescue.

Either way, if the dog does stuff like that again, let your neighbors know that you feel threatened and that they should put him on a leash when he's outside. I wouldn't even bring up a threat during your next conversation, just make it seem as though they would be discourteous and inconsiderate for not obliging your request. If they fail to do so, threaten with a formal complaint; do it politely still, though, and not menacingly; make them feel like the a-holes.

If still no avail, rat to the po-po's on dem beesterds. I'm all for omerta and whatnot, but if you were to blap it with a shotty in CA, you would have a world of hurt raining down on you. Good luck.

[DirtyLaundry]

I'm not sure where you live but most everywhere in CA has unleashed/unrestrained/unsupervised dogs in public laws AFAIK.

As was said before I would have another talk with the tenants, this time more stern and let them know that if there are any more issues you'll have to take it to their landlord and/or local animal control. Make it clear that you're not trying to be an Ahole, love dogs, and would rather it not go that way but its up to them to make sure their dog is properly supervised and restrained and you'll do what you have to do to make sure you and yours aren't injured by the dog, especially since it's already demonstrated itself to be aggressive.

Things like this really tick me off. Pitbulls are great dogs in the right owners hands, but irresponsible dog owners like that give them a bad name. No dog, no matter the breed, should be out unsupervised like that unless we're talking about a rural area. The fact that the dog is aggressive and poorly trained just adds insult to injury and creates a bad situation for everyone. You're going out of your way and doing them a favor talking to them and giving them warnings. Most people would just call animal control at the first sight of an unrestrained pitbull near/on their property creating major issues for them and even putting their dogs life at risk.

[Just-in]

Have them tie the mutt up...

[Barbarossa]

Wish I knew... I spent 15 bucks on some "Mace" Pepper gel last night.

Hope it does more then make the next aggressive dog angry.
(Re: pitbull attacking my dog, and another incident this past Sunday with an off leash dog.)

Local PD officer told me "Your dog is your property, if you are in fear of it's, or your life you have a right to defend yourself."

[Steveo8]

How about this, when you talk to the owner next time try to make friends with the dog.

[Steelplate45]

And, put the pepper spray on your belt.

Get to know the owner and the dog. But let the owner know, if the dog gets aggressive the spray will be used.

You may get to know the dog, but what if a friend drops by and gets attacked?

The problem with Pits is, if there is an attack, the human may die. And most of the owners are clueless.

[IntoForever]

Definitely make friends with the dog in case (sounds like it will) you have another encounter with it. NEVER run from it, you will trigger it's prey drive and become a target. If it's being aggressive, do not look it in the eyes as this will be taken as aggression.
I'd start with talking to the neighbors again, let them know if someone panics and runs, they could be in a world of hurt and you don't want to see a beautiful (suck up to them, get them on your side) dog get put down.
If that fails, call the police, get the incident report and let the owner know of the situation and send him a copy of the report.

My background: I used to work with big cats, chimps and bears.

[philobeddoe]

give the dog some bacon and rub his belly, problem solved, don't be dramatic

this isn't rocket science

[Tank.45]

I would take this avenue as a second or last resort.

The fact that the dog didn't chase you meant that he was very territorial and you were on what he perceived to be his territory. My guess is that this happens a lot to dogs that are not adequately socially trained. I have many friends who have raised dogs from puppies and they are constantly around new people at a young age. Many people who are possessive of their little precious and who raise that dog on their own without exposing it to many people tend to raise a dog that is very defensive against strangers. It sounds like a combination of not disciplining the dog well from when it was young or maybe it was a rescue.

Either way, if the dog does stuff like that again, let your neighbors know that you feel threatened and that they should put him on a leash when he's outside. I wouldn't even bring up a threat during your next conversation, just make it seem as though they would be discourteous and inconsiderate for not obliging your request. If they fail to do so, threaten with a formal complaint; do it politely still, though, and not menacingly; make them feel like the a-holes.

If still no avail, rat to the po-po's on dem beesterds. I'm all for omerta and whatnot, but if you were to blap it with a shotty in CA, you would have a world of hurt raining down on you. Good luck.

I completely agree that as soon as a conversation degenerates into threats it is not going to be productive. These people seem nice just somewhat irresponsible.

Definitely make friends with the dog in case (sounds like it will) you have another encounter with it. NEVER run from it, you will trigger it's prey drive and become a target. If it's being aggressive, do not look it in the eyes as this will be taken as aggression.
I'd start with talking to the neighbors again, let them know if someone panics and runs, they could be in a world of hurt and you don't want to see a beautiful (suck up to them, get them on your side) dog get put down.
If that fails, call the police, get the incident report and let the owner know of the situation and send him a copy of the report.

My background: I used to work with big cats, chimps and bears.

At this point, without involving the police or animal control, my only option is too meet the dog and try to become acquainted with him. In any case if the dog is aggressive with me in front of his owners that should be a good indication to them that they should not let the dog out without a leash.

Also, after my initial run in i did some reading on dog attacks and read

NEVER run from it, you will trigger it's prey drive and become a target.

This has definitely been an eye opener for me.

[mark2203]

Get a bigger dog

[OldShooter32]

Things about dogs: Don't stare at a dog. Don't bend down over a dog. Don't try to hug them or kiss them; dogs do neither and will react defensively. When meeting a dog, squat down and let the dog come to you. If they charge, don't run, they are cursorily (chase things that move.) Most dogs will try to get behind you and bite, so stay facing them and keep something between you and the dog (ex wives work well for this.) Most dogs have heard "no" before, so try that too. Pepper spray works on them, "mace" (CN/CS) doesn't.

[IntoForever]

give the dog some bacon and rub his belly, problem solved, don't be dramatic

this isn't rocket science

^ It works on me!