So every morning I walk Stryker and London I always go early around 7-8 am before it gets to hot for them. Always on the way back about 4 houses up from mine is a lady with two smaller dogs (they look like chihuahuas) they're always out running around the yard without leashes. The first few times I just walked Stryker and London across the street and they just stayed in the yard and barked. It seems like they're getting bolder lately they ran out of the yard onto the sidewalk and were heading toward us barking. I yelled at the lady to please come get her dogs, she stands in her yard and yells at them to come back....which of course they don't but they do stop charging. I told her Stryker is male aggressive and doesn't like other dogs...to which she replies "neither do mine" . I have no doubt in my mind Stryker would kill these dogs if they charged us (thinking hes protecting London and I and because he doesn't like other dogs). I can't take another route because I live in a cul-de-sac and that's the only way out. What would you do? I honestly feel like typing up a letter releasing me from liability if her dogs being killed and bringing it to her house to sign as a wake up call. But I feel bad because it's not the dogs fault they think it's acceptable and also the woman is around my moms age and I just feel weird lecturing her. Also I don't want it to be a case of "pitbull killed my dog" for someone to slander. 

Can you call the police or animal control and file a report? It might be a pain to do it each time, but either she'll learn to not have her unleashed dogs out or if something should happen, at least you have the police reports to back you up. In my neighborhood, people let their dogs run around unleashed all the time. It's very frustrating. I don't hesitate to call the police if I feel it's necessary. Just this past Sunday I was walking Saber and ran into an unleashed small dog. It's owner just stood by their house calling for the dog. I tried several times to get rid of the dog and even warned the guy that Saber would bite. The guy totally ignored me. I might get some heat for this, but I just let Saber bite him and that took care of it. The dog took off in a different direction. But, let me stress that Saber does NOT draw blood when he bites, it's more of a warning.

I'm going to try animal control. I looked up the leash laws in my county and it says they have to be on a leash when not on your property when they leave the property then they are considered "at large" but they're always on her property until they see us. I've honestly just thought of looking at her and just saying I'm just gonna let him kill your dogs because I'm so tired of restraining my dog because her dogs can't behave. It just appalls me she said they don't like other dogs and is letting them run around without leashes. Maybe I'll bring my phone to and video tape the incidents so I have my bases covered in case something happens

Videotaping the incidents are a good idea. The more things you can do to cover you butt, the better! People just amaze me sometimes with their stupidity. Good luck!

SaberK wrote:

I might get some heat for this, but I just let Saber bite him and that took care of it. The dog took off in a different direction. But, let me stress that Saber does NOT draw blood when he bites, it's more of a warning.

No heat from me. Sometimes a little highway justice is the only thing that gets through to some dogs and some owners.

If there are leash laws then animal control can come out and give her a warning and potentially fine her, which money often gets people to open their eyes. If she chooses not to heed it then what happens to her dogs is on her. We don't have leash law where I live but most people leave their dogs on anyway and for good reason. Kenzi will eat them and we have told people that she will. You might start with some sort of pepper spray. If she won't take care of her dogs the best thing I can think of is to teach them a lesson yourself. The spray won't hurt them like your dogs will and hopefully it will deter them. If she complains, you were simply protecting yourself from her heel biters. My heels are sensitive, are yours? And if you've already filed a complaint with animal control you've made your position known to authorities and should undermine any counter complaint she might make on you. You might also take a video camera along and take pictures and/or tape her and her dogs behavior and that they are off leash. If she sees you doing this it might make her straighten up because she will see you are doing things to take action against her. I have a really nice car that punks in ricers are constantly trying to race and the instant I start filming their reckless behavior to potentially call the cops they scatter like flies. If she has any brain it will work on her too. As far as letting your dogs do the teaching I would do some research before letting your dog attach hers especially if it will do damage. It could end in a lawsuit over vet bills depending on the laws of your area.

Videotape with your phone and make a paper trail with animal control. In TX, a dog has to be on a leash at ALL times, even on your property (except when you have a fenced in backyard).

You will not believe how quick people's attitudes change when you start recording them. While driving around town, there was a blacked out Charger that was being a complete ass and trying to pretend to be a cop (even had a fake siren on the car). Once my boyfriend whipped out his phone to take pictures and video (I was driving), they totally backed off and immediately started going slower and slower til they were out of our sight lol. Completely unrelated, but it is an attitude adjustment for sure.

Tread carefully when you rat out your neighbors though. They might know where you live and possibly try to retaliate by putting nails in your driveway or something. Just keep an eye out. If you have to, you can keep some mace on you and spray them when they get too aggressive with your dogs.

You're doing this in the best interest of yourself and your huskies to keep them out of trouble and harms way.

TwisterII wrote:

No heat from me. Sometimes a little highway justice is the only thing that gets through to some dogs and some owners.

If there are leash laws then animal control can come out and give her a warning and potentially fine her, which money often gets people to open their eyes. If she chooses not to heed it then what happens to her dogs is on her. We don't have leash law where I live but most people leave their dogs on anyway and for good reason. Kenzi will eat them and we have told people that she will. You might start with some sort of pepper spray. If she won't take care of her dogs the best thing I can think of is to teach them a lesson yourself. The spray won't hurt them like your dogs will and hopefully it will deter them. If she complains, you were simply protecting yourself from her heel biters. My heels are sensitive, are yours? And if you've already filed a complaint with animal control you've made your position known to authorities and should undermine any counter complaint she might make on you. You might also take a video camera along and take pictures and/or tape her and her dogs behavior and that they are off leash. If she sees you doing this it might make her straighten up because she will see you are doing things to take action against her. I have a really nice car that punks in ricers are constantly trying to race and the instant I start filming their reckless behavior to potentially call the cops they scatter like flies. If she has any brain it will work on her too. As far as letting your dogs do the teaching I would do some research before letting your dog attach hers especially if it will do damage. It could end in a lawsuit over vet bills depending on the laws of your area.

lol! *Not trying to threadjack* You just described what my boyfriend and I have to deal with. We totally do the same thing. Further proof that recording really does make a difference with attitudes!

Thanks guys will the mace hurt my dogs too? I sprayed some once and I ended up coughing up a bit too but that was a few years back. Definitely going to record from now on and contacting animal control once I drive by and get her exact address. Strykers actually a pitbull which makes it 10x more complicated it seems I've had to break up a fight he was in last year and it was not pretty at all and it took about 5 grown adults to do it

This is my pet peeve! I hate when people don't leash their dogs, and then they come up to Dizzy. Sometimes its cool, but it makes me nervous with little dogs. He is not aggressive, but he's an obnoxiously playful puppy, and doesn't know the difference between a doberman and a dachshund and will play bite and shake, and paw them in the face and lay on top of them. Most dogs will correct him or run away, but if you have a 3 lb toy dog, don't let it approach strange dogs!

wpskier222 wrote:

This is my pet peeve! I hate when people don't leash their dogs, and then they come up to Dizzy. Sometimes its cool, but it makes me nervous with little dogs. He is not aggressive, but he's an obnoxiously playful puppy, and doesn't know the difference between a doberman and a dachshund and will play bite and shake, and paw them in the face and lay on top of them. Most dogs will correct him or run away, but if you have a 3 lb toy dog, don't let it approach strange dogs!

exactly especially not 100lb one with his bristles up alert and holding dangerously still.....small dogs have what I like to call "mighty mouse syndrome"

Also, I would suggest a muzzle for Stryker until you get it resolved. If that last fight you mentioned was reported, he could get in trouble even though you are in the right on this one. It seems animal control looks for excuses to put down pits, even though they can be amazingly awesome dogs. Maybe just muzzle him until you clear the cul de sac and then remove it.

No the fight was never reported because Stryker was the one leashed at it was actually another pitbull that came up and started the fight (don't think they wanted it reported)

That's good. I had a problem with a neighbor that has an aggressive Vizla and I just went over and talked to him about it. We figured out a solution that works for us and everything is cool now. I think recording is a good idea, but I think you should try just talking to her (if you feel safe doing so), then at least you can say you have tried to resolve it civilly before you call the police or animal control.

amora wrote:

Thanks guys will the mace hurt my dogs too? I sprayed some once and I ended up coughing up a bit too but that was a few years back. Definitely going to record from now on and contacting animal control once I drive by and get her exact address. Strykers actually a pitbull which makes it 10x more complicated it seems I've had to break up a fight he was in last year and it was not pretty at all and it took about 5 grown adults to do it

If it's windy some over spray might get your dogs. You will want to research different spray heads and see if you can find a really concentrated stream to cut down on over spray. I would also shoot the instant the little dogs got in range because the closer they get and the more your dogs pull at them the more likely you will be to get your dogs in the mix. If this really worries you you might want to start with a high powered water gun. Some will shoot really hard, over spray won't hurt your dogs at all, and it will get you used to aiming. If you can get a powerful enough water gun you might never have to get pepper spray. A couple times sprayed in the eyes really hard might do the trick well enough.

I agree with most everyones comments here. I, unfortunately have to deal with the same issue. It is always really frustrating when a little dog walks up to my dogs, and both of my dogs pull and are difficult to restrain and the owner just stares there at watches. What i would do, before reporting it to animal control, is writing a detailed but sincere and polite letter to the woman and make copies, incase you do report it so you can say you have tried to reason with her. I agree with the video recording idea as well. The more documentation, and the more you show you have done and tried without success, the better it will be. I don't know about orlando, but i know that animal control doesn't really do much in philly, they come to your house and if they see something wrong they mark it up, and if there is nothing going on at that exact time then they don't do anything and the case is over. If you show that you have repeatedly tried to reason, that you have videos, it might strengthen their inclination to do something about it. I do like the mace or pepperspray idea. But another idea might just be a plain waterbottle or squirt gun filled with water (or a mild pepper additive). It might not be as effective, but alot of dogs have significantly aversive reactions to water. That way its is alot more mild, and the owner has significantly less grounds to come after you for harming HER dogs.

I also agree with most of the suggestions, all I would add is maybe try having a conversation with this neighbor about your concerns, have a cheesecake summit, or what ever trips your trigger. A talk without the dogs around could be productive, sell the fact that you are concerned for the wellbeing of her dogs but be careful not to cross the line and insult her. If that doesn't work then hey you gave it your best shot call for a nuclear strike!

I wouldn't call AC right away - In my experience Animal Control officers very rarely care for animals and they can be down right rude. I wouldn't want to see them seize her dog for something minor.

I would write her a nice letter and drop it off in her mailbox with information about Siberian prey drive. Just explain you want her dogs to be safe. If that doesn't work, then call AC.

Don't le the dogs learn the hard way, because you don't want AC knocking on your door.

Just my two cents.

I'd also carry a big stick...I had to use an umbrella to keep a dog away from Karli when she was a pup once. Just something to keep the dogs at a distance. Definitely try to talk to her first, she might not know the kind of danger she's putting her own dogs in. Older people have these misconceptions that they have a hard time letting go of. My grandparents have a little mix dog (weiner/jack russell mix) and she does not come when they call, AT ALL. I'm not sure if they just weren't as consistent with her as they were with the dog before her or what, but the minute she's let out she takes off. My dad had to put in an electric fence for them. But it took him two years to convince them that they needed it. Good luck!

cinnamonbits wrote:

Definitely try to talk to her first, she might not know the kind of danger she's putting her own dogs in. Older people have these misconceptions that they have a hard time letting go of. My grandparents have a little mix dog (weiner/jack russell mix) and she does not come when they call, AT ALL.

That is a massive pet peeve of mine, and i think the heart of the problem alot of us have to deal with. People think that just because their dog is friendly and couldn't actually hurt anything, and that their dog will come back and not take off like ours will, that their dogs will be safe. Their response tends to be, but my dogs are friendly, if your dogs aren't you should keep them away and on a leash. The fail to see things from the point of other people. I do think that some people are willing to help, but just don't have the ability to see things from other peoples perspectives.

Update: 2 days and her dogs haven't been out hopefully she picked up on my walking routine and is keeping her dogs inside

 Now there's a loose rottweiler mix running around the neighborhood twice now it's tried walking up to us bristles up teeth showing. I called animal control and they said they'd send "someone out as soon as someone is available" he'll be long gone by then I've started carrying a knife with me I just feel awful if I'd have to kill someones dog.( I would if I had to) It does have a collar with tags but I can't get close enough because the dogs would fight.I made a Craigslist ad about the dog and how hes been aggressively approaching my dogs so hopefully someone steps up.

Maybe go out to get him specifically while leaving your dogs at home. He could be people friendly and if so, you may be able to get close enough to him to check his tags, which it seems like you can't do with your dogs with you. His tags should have a phone number you can call, his owners might be looking for him.

I thought of that I tried looking just now since I know animal control won't be here (last time it took 3 days) he was long gone Maybe I'll try again tomorrow Hopefully his owner see the ad too.