Aggressive Dogs
My neighbor has several dogs which are often roaming free on our block. Last Friday night one of the dogs attacked my dog (who was leashed) without any provocation. The neighbor did not come outside (they may not have even been home), and another neighbor helped me so my dog and I could get away….
My neighbor has several dogs which are often roaming free on our block.
Last Friday night one of the dogs attacked my dog (who was leashed) without any provocation. The neighbor did not come outside (they may not have even been home), and another neighbor helped me so my dog and I could get away. I have called animal control a few times, and this last time called 911. No one has EVER responded to my complaints.
Is there another (civil) way to get my neighbor to tie up/lock up their dogs?
A trainer who’s experienced at handling large, red-zone dogs will know the body language and techniques to assert himself over a dog in the early stages of aggression. But I’ve had large dogs for years and I wouldn’t try them. Attempting and failing to assert your dominance over a big, pissed off dog is a good way to wind up in the hospital.
Addendum to my previous post:
Why don’t you just call some trainers, explain the situation and ask them if it’s something they can help you with?
In response to Steve’s post, a clarification:
I am not suggesting that you bring a trainer to train the OTHER dogs. However, a good trainer can advise you on things you can do to keep those other dogs away from you and your dog. Since I have seen my own trainer do this I know that it’s possible.
NY’s dog bite law applies to an “attack upon a person, companion animal, farm animal or domestic animal”.
A trainer isn’t going to help you fix someone else’s dangerous dogs. Most owners of dangerous dogs are like parents of obnoxious, aggressive brats. They think their pooches are sweet and harmless animals, even if they’ve killed a half dozen cats and bitten the UPS man.
In my experience, the only way you’ll get any useful results is by persuading the owner to take the necessary steps to reduce the threat of his dogs to others. Some people can be reasoned with directly. Others need to be put on official notice. Still others never get it and need to have their dogs removed.
A dog which attacks other dogs unprovoked is a dog which will, sooner or later, also attack a human.
I think you should hire a trainer who can go with you and see the dogs him/herself. An experienced trainer can give you advice that can really be effective.
Although the advice from the other posters might eventually work you need to deal with this situation NOW. The longer you go on like this the longer those dogs learn that you are vulnerable and ineffective. You MUST learn how to protect yourself and you dog. Since the dogs are not attacking everybody on the street it sounds like there are things you can do that will dissuade them.
The thing about the one bite law is that I do not believe that it pertains to dog on dog bites, just dog on human bites. If those dogs had attacked and bitten you, believe me, you would have had immediate response to your 911 call.
I have used a trainer that I can highly recommend. The website is:
http://www.tailwaggerny.com/
There are many trainers of course, but I can really vouch for this couple. I have two rescue pit bulls that needed extensive training and I have been very happy with them.
Good luck.
I just went through this with my Newfoundland. It was the fourth attack on him by the same two vicious dogs, which have also attacked three other dogs on this block. The 70 year-old woman who “walks” these beasts is completely clueless.
See: http://www.bayridgebarks.org/node/133
I’ve been around the block with this. 311 is useless. ACC will tell you to call the cops. The cops will respond but all they’ll do is write a report (and only if you insist on one). NYPD has no authority over animals. They’ll tell you to call ASPCA but ASPCA will only respond to animal cruelty complaints.
I finally went through State Senator Marty Golden’s office and found the agency to call:
NYC Dept of Health
Dangerous Dog Unit
Despite the bureaucratic apathy, NY State has some strict dangerous dog laws. New York is a “one bite” state. The dog gets one bite “for free”. After that, the dog can be taken and the owner can be sued for negligence.
out of curiosity, what did 911 say?
They’re out on the street? That’s messed up!
If they’re approachable and you have a car, you can take the dogs to animal control or a shelter yourself. The only problem is that your neighbor might see you doing this and get really really upset with you.
I would use the Consistent Calling approach. Call 311 every single time you see the dogs and get a report number.
Then call Animal control directly to follow up on every single report number you get.
Be polite and try to create relationships with people–don’t rant or bitch people out.
Your goal is to befriend someone with enough power to get a car out to investigate your neighbor. Be squeaky–call all the time–but don’t be a pain in the ass.
Good luck!!!
http://www.ruger.com/