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

 

[Charlene and Buster Dudley]

oh Heather, this stinks!!!  like everyone says keeping your family safe is THE most important thing.  but (if you have a decent relationship with your neighbor and you are able to have an age appropriate convo with your kids) I think before going down the path of no return I'd do a few things 1st talk to you neighbors showing them how concerned and sad you are. I'd provide them with information on trainers that specialize in aggression issuse and even offer to babysit during training class.  2nd I'd talk to my kids, letting them know we have to REALLY avoid/be careful about neighbor pit because another dog wasn't very nice to him and now he's always afraid.  and the way pit doggie tells people he is afraid is by being mean-this way we'll stay away from him.  I'd give the neighbors 2 WEEKS to show some type of initiative and go from there.  in the meantime document all negative dog behavior, when anyone goes out watch them like a hawk and maybe even have dog/bear pepper spray.  at the end of 2 weeks if they've done nothing call the authorties knowing whatever happens you did what you could.

Frances is soo right most dog owners are ignorant ; (  leaving the people who know better and the people who are able to do better to clean up the mess.