Pit Bull Advice.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I as a person am not against pit bulls in general. I think some can be very sweet. IN fact I picked one up that was wondering the street once.. I didn't recognize it as a pit bull because his tail was not docked and he was a mix.

Anyway, my neighborhood has several pit bulls in it. Mostly I never see any of them unless they are on a walk with their owner.. or they escaped.

My friend has a pit bull however that is scaring the crap out of me. The back round on this dog is intense and scary to say the least, First he was rescued because he was used as "fighting dog"  So the people "rescued him" and they were using him as a hunting dog.. Literally to go after pigs and hunt it to it's death.. Yuck and I can't even think about it.

This dog was being kept in a kennel with a bunch of other pit bulls and fighting/hunting dogs but he got in a very bad fight and had his ear ripped off because he was fighting for alpha spot and lost.

Now my friend who really is just an acquaintance brought this dog home, It was supposed to be just to heal.. He has been here for about six months. He is only on an e collar... He used to be very timid and shy but now that he has been around.. He is getting really ballsy.

I used to be able to walk Jack by him without any problem, Jack is afraid of him and doesn't even look at him.... The dogs name is Tig... He now barks non stop when we walk by almost always but sometimes not.

It is getting bad because he is not listening to me when I tell him quiet.. so obviously to him, he is dominate over me.

I have no other way to walk around him I live on a cul-de-sac so I have to pass his house. I have tried talking to him etc.. He admits if the dog wants to he can kill and attack and said "that is what he is trained to do"

THe dog is great with kids because he has kids over all the time.. THe dog acts like a puppy with the kids just wanting to play too.

With Jack and with other dogs he is fiercely protective of his property.. Today he broke though his e collar.. THank God Jack and I were not out.... but really an e collar isn't going to stop him.

I have to stop walking Jack. I was considering getting a tazer gun but I don't have the money and i don't think that would even stop him, This dogs whole history is to seek and kill either with pit fighting and now with pig hunting.

I have tried to talk to this guy so many times, he is a young kid with no money... I believe this dog fits the "dangerous dog" law in our county and I can report him ...but I have to sign the report and since I have been talking to the guy he is going to know it is me.

WHat do I do? I can't walk Jack or Molly... I don't want to start a war with my neighbor and I want to protect Jack as the guy  admits if Jack growls at him which Jack AlWAYS growls at big dogs when he is scared but if he growls at Tig this guy thinks Tig can attack Jack...

I asked him about sending the dog back to the hunting kennel now that he is healed but just last night the alpha dog there killed another dog so now he doesn't want his dog to go back there until they get rid of the alpha.... I can't imagine what the kennel looks like and the fighting that must go on there.. It scares me.  

Given all these circumstances what would you do? How would you handle this? I owe it to Jack to keep him safe 

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

 

Well said.  Another option is to work out a schedule with this neighbor so that his dog is inside during specific times so that you and other neighbors can be outside walking their dogs or even exercising for health reasons without the fear of being attacked by this dog.  If your neighbor isn't interested in working out a schedule that suits everyone, tell him that you've checked your local laws and ordinances relating to pets and inform him what (if anything) he is not adhering to.  Remind him of your fears and hesitations; hopefully he's a good neighbor and takes that responsibility seriously to ensure your peace of mind.  If not - report!

 

As for going somewhere else to walk your dog?  What fun for both you AND Jack!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Jennifer

Have you talked with any of your other neighbors that perhaps have dogs and even ones that do not have them?  If you are scared of this dog don't you think others would be too??  I have my own "dog situation" across the street from me but it's mostly a neglect one.  I used to be afraid of calling animal control because I didn't want the family to think it was me.....but, I've gotten over it.  It is more important that you and Jake are safe along with all the other dog owners and children.  This is a very scarey situation and one that could easily have a tragic ending.

In addition, I would follow the advice of others and drive away from the neighborhood before you start your walk.  Please let us know how this turns out.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Check your local laws. Many towns have BSL. In my town, pit bulls and a few other breeds must be on a fixed leash no longer than 6 feet any time they are outside of the house or a fenced yard. Fences must be 6 feet high and have self-locking gates. No e-fences, e-collars, retractable leashes, etc. And you can also check to see if the dog is registered, most towns have laws about that too. They will not give out your name if you call to inquire or to report the dog.

I wouldn't stop walking Jack, but I would carry him if you have to go past this dog until you get to a safer area.

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks I checked the laws and he is breaking them.  I actually considered getting a stun gun or tazer gun but I can't afford it and since this dog is trained to kill I have a feeling he would not be stopped by me and I would probably just tick him off...

If he is considered a dangerous dog, he is never allowed outside unless he is in a gated area that has no more then two inch slots. and or in a crate that is pad locked and marked dangerous animal

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I really would notify the authorities that he is in violation of the laws. They will not give him your name if you ask them not to. If you just alert them to the situation, they will go and investigate it themselves, and if they find a violation, they will be the ones citing him for breaking the law, not you.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks, I just copied a copy of the dangerous dog laws for Lexington County and I put it in his mailbox.  No one saw me do it... I heard today that other people were complaining about his barking. So I will make the call tomorrow and ask them not to say my name.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

It totally sucks that you can't walk out of your house with your dog and take a stroll = sad.  I love walking my doodles around the neighborhood on a daily basis (weather permitting).  I could not imagine not being able to do this becaue of a possible bully dog.  As someone posted above, I would tell your neighbor that his dog scares you and your dog and you are unable to comfortably walk your dog which it not fair to you at all.  I would give him ample warning to correct the situation (1 or 2 wks) then if he does not correct it I would proceed with what ever means you have to feel safe in your neighborhood.

 

Some owners have blinders on and cannot see or even think their dog(s) are a threat to other people - sad.  I the mean time I would take Jack in your car and walk some please else - at least you will be safe.

[Jennifer and Jack]

THanks i am going to try to talk to him tonight and I printed a copy of the laws for him to read

[Adina P]

Whether a breed or a specific dog CAN be sweet as pie is not the issue.  Most all breeds have their purpose and can and do make great pets.  I don't like BSL because it doesn't address crappy owners and good dogs and owners get screwed by BSL. 

The issue is if THIS dog is posing a threat and is under proper management/containment/control.  By 'ecollar' I'm assuming you mean efence collar..not that his owner is sitting on the couch with a remote and zapping him randomly when he approaches people.  If the owner is not properly controlling or managing the dog and that dog is putting yourself or your dog in danger and you can't 'go a different path' on your walks, then it is worth reporting. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

He has a collar around his neck ( that he busted out of yesterday and then the front of the yard has an electric fence that will zap him if he crosses it... I am thinking a dog that is trained to fight to the death... a little zap isn't going to stop him from something he really wants.

When he first came here he was as timid and scared as can be, no real human contact living in a kennel with a bunch of other pit bulls trained to kill wild pig...but now that he has been here a while.... he is getting more and more comfortable more protective and more ballsy... He seems to be protective of the kids in our neighborhood for now but who knows what will happen if one falls on him or he gets that killer drive thing motivated.

I am not debating pit bulls I think there are good ones and bad ones based on the way they were raised. This dog was never socialized, never lived in a home and was raised to fight other pit bulls and now kill pigs... It seems insane to me that anyone would consider bringing this dog into a development filled with other dogs and small children...

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have read all the comments and it seems like you are going to go ahead with a report--good! It is better to be uncomfortable with the guy as a result of this than to wait until something bad happens! I was just going to suggest that you get a can of mace--my DH uses HALT when he is on his bike and sprays it at the dog if is comes after him. (He got bitten on the butt once!!) You can spray the dog if he happens to get too near to you and some of the sprays leave a bright orange paint mark so the owner knows the dog got sprayed. 

I think you should NOT walk your dogs around the neighborhood until this dog is fenced or gone, but have the mace on hand if the situation gets any worse and you find him in your front yard someday---and need to protect yourself. It is not expensive and you can get it in a bike shop or even on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Halt-91427/dp/B001AZMH46

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks, I think I would rather live with myself knowing I ticked a neighbor off then knowing I knew the potentially dangerous situation for other dogs and kids and did nothing. I won't lie Jack is my life and he really is clueless about anything dangerous, he would walk in front of a car because he would want to get in it. He loves people.... but he is not good with big dogs and I know if he got scared he would growl at the dog, not bite but that is enough to bait this dog

I would never forgive myself if something happen to Jack, he depends on me to keep him safe.