People & their friggin' dogs!

[peejay 327]

My next door neighbor has a black and white short haired pointer. We just have a 4 foot high chain link fence that divides our property line. Since they moved in about 6 months ago the beast goes into a frenzy whenever we are in our back yard and goes ballistic whenever we have to get close to the fence to do yard work. I've never done anything to antagonize the animal. I haven't complained about it because they put the dog inside at night, so we at least get some sleep without the dog barking all night.

Anyway, that is not my gripe.

About a month ago I was taking a stroll around the neighborhood to enjoy the nice weather and the lady next door happened to be walking the beast on a retractable leash. I was completely on the other side of the street. The animal charged at me so aggressively that it literally yanked the leash out of my neighbor's hand and this frigging mutt ran full speed across the street. He stopped less than a foot from me and began snarling and snapping at me. The #######'s hair was standing up on his back. Not good! He threw saliva from his teeth on my legs...he got that close in his rage at me. I knew better than to run and stood my ground. My neighbor finally got her mutt under control and apologized profusely. I was not amused, but I let it slide.

This morning I was working in my driveway and guess who I see rounding the corner of my house? The beast himself! This time he not on a leash and my neighbor is nowhere in sight. I found out later the dog managed to get out of his fence through an unsecured gate in its yard. The SoB charged me from across my yard and I got a dose of the same routine I got a month ago...only this incident lasted several minutes. I finally managed to back up the 30 feet to my back door and managed to open it while facing down this mentally ill mutt. I slammed the door in his face. He was on my azz the entire 30 feet!

Several minutes later the dog left my yard and took off down the street out of sight. So I went next door to tell these people to come get their damned dog and lock him up. They weren't at home. While walking back to my house I noticed my neighbor across the street came outside to do some work in his front yard. I walked over to warn him of the situation and advised him to do yard work later. Too late! The beast returned and charged both of us. My neighbor freaked out at this crazy mutt going ballistic at us. I had to tell him a couple of times to hold his ground and not to run. The dog finally disengaged and ran down the street, but was still in sight. I then decided to go back inside my house, but this time I was more than 100 feet from my door. Before I even got into my yard the beast charged me again and kept me from moving while lunging and snapping at me. In the mean time my neighbor guy got a shovel and was coming to my rescue, but the mutt ran away again.

When I got inside I was debating about whether to call the cops or animal control when the owners of the animal drove into their driveway. I went outside to confront them and their dog ran up to greet them. I was pissed and lit into them verbally while staying my distance. They disappeared into their house with their dog in tow by his collar. I'm still pissed and there is a hell of lot lot more I want to say to them, but I will wait for a more opportune time.

Thank God it was me the dog went after instead of a child, one of the little old ladies in our neighborhood, or my wife. I am quite sure this animal would maul anyone that ran from it. Mad dogs smell fear and have no mercy for the weak. Not a month goes by when I read about someone in Houston being severely mauled or killed by vicious dogs that get loose from their irresponsible owner's control and attack innocents.

I like dogs and had them as pets as a kid, but if I had a mutt like this I would have it euthanized. My neighbors are criminally and civilly liable under the laws in the state of Texas if this animal attacks someone. You can be sure I will take this matter up with my neighbors again. This is unacceptable in a densely populated urban neighborhood.

[Peggy 1]

I would call Animal Control or the Cops.

That dog may maul someone to death if it is that crazy.

I hate big dogs they scare me.

[natty bumppo 297]

Report the beast ...

Unless you want the beast to charge you again in your own yard .... and ... how were you to know the dog wasn't attacking or rabid ...

[MrsCat 6]

wow . . . . sorry you had to deal with that mutant dog.

You're right about everything. I think your neighbors are lucky you're not a gun owner, cause that is shootin' territory in my books.

I think you should write them a sternly worded letter, explain your concerns and what your expectations are of them as a dog owner/neighbor. Leave it in their mailbox. It seems like you're been more than reasonable at this point. They're lucky that their dog hasn't physically hurt anyone. I hope for you that they apologize profusely first and save you the time of having to approach the subject. But I doubt it.

Once you've given them a chance to address the issue, if it happens again, I would punt the dog across the neighborhood, and call animal control. Call the police for a noise disturbance next time you're in the backyard and its yapping its head off.

We had an noisy-aggressive dog next door. I found that a super-soaker in the eye a few times has calmed his demeanor. I tried addressing the situation with the neighbors 3-4 times. The last time I explained that if I have to feel annoyed in my backyard because they cannot afford dog training classes, I will start my own class. Super-soaker it was. He doesn't bark at me or the cats anymore.

[Leafgal 3]

I agree with those above me. If the dog gets out again it might be someone less able to deal with the situation.

[Ban Hammer 14,301]

that dog must be thirsty after all that exercise and yapping. give it a nice bowl of anitfreeze

[Nagishkaw 510]

that dog must be thirsty after all that exercise and yapping. give it a nice bowl of anitfreeze

Charles, you can't possibly mean that.

Edited March 30, 2008 by Nagishkaw

[JenT 0]

I have three dogs and they are always under control at all times.... there's no excuse for this lack of responsibility. I would no hesitate to report them immediately.

Jen

[eau_xplain 2]

Wow, that is scary and very strange behavior for a pointer breed. My sister-in-law and her husband has a passel of them which they take to dog shows and they are all very sweet and affectionate.

I hope your neighbors take your discussion with them seriously and do something about their dog.

[Jamie76 0]

And please explain to me how dog owners are somehow immune to the incessant barking of their own dogs? It drives me crazy. Had two neighbors like that whom I had to continue to call the authorities about.

[Leafgal 3]

And please explain to me how dog owners are somehow immune to the incessant barking of their own dogs? It drives me crazy. Had two neighbors like that whom I had to continue to call the authorities about.

We have 1 dog next door and same thing barking a lot especially at night, grrr. I want to call on them but don't want trouble between neighbors (not like we are great friends but would like to keep it civil like it is). But if it keeps up we are going to call on them and then let the games begin with the pissy neighbours lol.

[Mags 112]

And please explain to me how dog owners are somehow immune to the incessant barking of their own dogs? It drives me crazy. Had two neighbors like that whom I had to continue to call the authorities about.

Yup, I have to agree there. And this keeping them in cages thing. I also don't understand that either.

[Ban Hammer 14,301]

that dog must be thirsty after all that exercise and yapping. give it a nice bowl of anitfreeze

Charles, you can't possibly mean that.

And please explain to me how dog owners are somehow immune to the incessant barking of their own dogs? It drives me crazy. Had two neighbors like that whom I had to continue to call the authorities about.

i've never figured that out either.

[~krakatoa~ 27]

I would call Animal Control or the Cops.

That dog may maul someone to death if it is that crazy.

I hate big dogs they scare me.

I agree. I wouldn't have your patience. Report that mad dog!!

[Not Available 0]

When I start to hear my dogs barking outside I let them in the house out of respect for my neighbors.

If the dog got out, ran up to you with tail wagging and smothering you with kisses thats one thing, but this behavior could show there may be some mistreatment at home. I would definitely call animal control because just like above people said, it could be a child next.