Pit bull next door

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hey There,

 

Our next door neighbors have two dogs:  A 6 month old husky and a 2 year old pit.  Three months ago they gave the pit to "friends" because they heard one three second low growl and didn't want to risk anything with their 6 month old in the house... I never saw any bad behavior from him but I wasn't around him all that much.  Prior to that, Brinkley, the pit and the husky always played and played well. Honestly, Brinkley was the roughest of the bunch.

Well the pit is back. I talked to the neighbors and found out that they had gone to visit the pit and when they did they found that the pit had large open infected wounds on his neck.  I saw the scars yesterday-- they were bad. When she asked their "friend" about it, she was told the other dog attacked the pit a few times and that the pit just laid there and took it... but that he didn't have the money to get it taken care of (just horrible!).  Well, she immediately took the pit back so he's returned.  Two days in a row the pit has gotten out of the fence.  Prior to him leaving, he always would come up to us and let us pet him and lead him back to his yard.  Well now, both times he started guarding his territory.  He wouldn't let us approach him.  He was barking and growling.  My husband noticed the same thing... and he said to me "that pit wasn't going to back down.  I think he would have attacked if I got close enough."  

This concerens me for a few reason:

1)  We live on a very busy street-- and that dog has gotten out a few times in a couple of days. I can't even get to his door now to tell his owners that he got out (I think I'll ask them for their phone # so I can call them)

2)  He seems like he's changed a bit since his bad experience.  What if he's out and just comes around the corner and goes after us or Brinkley if he thinks we are too close to his territory (we are getting a fence soon and that should help).  His fence door and our backdoor are fairly close.  

3)  What about their kids.  I should probably tell them about this newfound behavior.  I'm sure being attacked by another dog repeatedly has now taught him that he has to fight, right?

4) He's not neutered. 

 

I'm not exactly sure what to do with this situation.  Thoughts?

Heather

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

that's really scary heather. I don't know what to do, but can certainly sympathise. I hope you find a solution soon.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Oh Heather, This makes me so sad on so many levels. Of course, he has changed and I don't blame him one bit. No dog deserves to be passed around and treated like this and now what a mess two bad owners have created. This dog deserves better after being so mistreated. If I were you, I would look for a Pitbull rescue in your area and see if they are willing to take him and help him. This is an accident waiting to happen and that dog will get blamed, when in actuality, it is the owner that created this situation. I wish I could help, but that is all I can suggest right now. I hope someone helps this dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You have said it so well.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I agree.  I almost think that the owners might be relieved to have a solution.  Obviously they were trying to do a good thing when they gave the dog to the other people because they didn't want to risk it at their home with their 6 month old.  Then, when found it abused they took it right back (yes, maybe they didn't do their homework and give it to a responsible person).  However, they have to be feeling the stress of having this dog back in their home around the baby but don't know what to do.  Sounds like they might be in over their heads and would possibly welcome the assistance of a rescue. 

[Adina P]

I would find out what the dog laws are in your area.  Then you have something to report to authorities.  Very likely there's a rule against allowing a dog to run free and if it happens again you might have something to complain about.  Otherwise I'm not sure there is anything you can do because unless the owners decide they need to DO something about this dog (train it, manage it better, give it up, etc) it will just continue to be a problem.

[Heather & Brinkley]

I was afraid of that.  He was such a lovely dog prior to this.  He was one of the pit bulls that went against their normal stereotype.  It makes me sad to see him like this.  Crud.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Oh gosh....this sort of thing makes me sick to my stomach. I feel soooooooo bad that you are living next door to it and obviously cannot close your eyes to what is happening. I feel in my heart there is going to be a very sad outcome for that poor dog. Truly, most dog owners are so very ignorant when it comes to owning a pet. That is truly why I love and adore this site so very much. We are all pretty fanatical about our four-legged friends, but surely it is better to be our way than their way. I do know that pit bulls have such a bad reputation and many of them are as sweet as can be, but the shelters are just filled to the brim with abandoned or abused pits bulls and apparently, I heard unless they are amazingly special when they come in, they are destroyed immediately as they are so hard to place. Poor you and even more, poor dog. I would call animal control though and either way, the poor dog does not have to suffer too much anymore. Stupid people...makes me so mad. Laurie's suggestion regarding pit bull rescue was good, but I feel there is not much you can do if the dog still has a home. Good luck and thank you for being "one of us" and caring so much xx

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't have any advice but like everyone else I'm very sorry that you are in this situation. The level of irresponsibility shown by some owners shocks and angers me.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Do what you have to do - which is anything that insures the safety of your family and your pet.  While I can feel very sorry for the mistreatment this poor dog has endured - the fact that he is now a safety risk needs to be the MAIN issue for you.  Before getting Rooney I had gone to the Humane Society to look for a rescue and the place here in FL was FULL to the rafters with pit bulls and pit mixes.  Yes there are so sweet dogs in this breed but so many are not and they end up in an awful situation.  Why oh why do people continue to breed and buy these dogs?  Very sad but protect your family and your pet! 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

What a situation to be in-keep all eyes open. If you can get to your neighbor I would voice the concerns although I'm sure they are aware of the changes in him but they can't keep in safely in the yard then it's a risk for all people and dogs around. Yes it's been abused and probably don't trust anyone or any dogs now. What a sad thing to come out of trying to do the right thing. They need a behaviorist fast to do some training and get advice. Good luck to you and stay safe! If it gets out I would immediately call the police in your area and/or animal control too many sad stories out there on atttacks.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I have to go with Jane on this one.  Your priority has to be the safety of YOUR family and YOUR dog.  Although as dog lovers, we are sad for the pit, you didn't cause this problem and it is not your responsibility to fix the situation for that pit.  If I saw the dog loose, I would not call the owners; I would call animal control & tell them you fear for your safety.  Rather than thinking of trying to save the pit - just think - you might be saving someone's child or dog (maybe even your own).  If you call the owners, I think that is enabling them to continue being irresponsible.

[Heather & Brinkley]

True- I never thought of it that way.  What a mess! Ugh. Thanks everyone!