My dog attacked by 2 neighbor dogs

[dcarver]

Background info - I live in the country, not the city.

Yesterday, I'm in the shop working on my 1987 ATK restoration project. Stereo on, happily re-routing the wire loom when I hear my dear life partner, my wonderful MsdCarver, yelling, primaly screaming at the top of her lungs -

"Stop, go home oh #$# and #@$# $ dogs"

It pains me to even think of it again.

Two neighbor dogs, one a border collie (resident dog) and visiting pit bull, both young, maybe 1.5 years old each, came up our dirt driveway. MsD yelled at them, 4 times, 'Go home, get #$#$ out of here".

The dogs completely dissed MsD and ran past her.

..right up to my sleeping, 11 year old black lab.

..and attacked.

Viciously attacked.

the border collie went first, then the Pit jumped in.

Fortunately for Harley, my dog, his two other best buds were with him - one an Aussie Shepard (sp?) the other a very old and arthritic yet heart of gold BIG black lab.

Harley was pinned, Pit on his neck, BC going for the gut.

Jasper, my new dog hero, the Aussie, went full on after the Pit.

Bear, the big old black lab, went after the BC.

..that allowed Harley to get up and live, join the fight.

Imagine your woman, your wife or girlfriend or gal..

..in the middle of a 5 dog full-on fight.

....this ain't playing - it's real.

By the time I got there, MsD had the fight pretty much over - the two attackers realized they had been 'ambushed' and out-numbered.

MsD chased the attacking dogs down the 200 foot or so driveway back home while I attended to Harley. He's ok, just bruised, and confused.

Pass on some time, about an hour. MsD has Harley-D-Dawg in the house, tending to both...

..and here they come again, ready to pick it up.

I stared them down, shouted at them - and they could care less.

..pissed me right off

So off to the neighbors house I go

..and now the rodeo starts

In the country, the unwritten rule is this -

..one time your dog attacks my sheep, chickens, cows - you get a warning to control you dogs.

.........the next time, it's a justified killing.

but I can't tolerate killing dogs due to bad owners -

...and that is my dilemma

So I'm going to load up some buckshot

...it will sting really bad, and most likely cause a vet bill - but not kill.

I guess I've answered my own question -

comments? suggestions?

I'm open for rational discussion..

but my old black lab will *not* be attacked again.

 

[Bearly Flying]

Agreed, had the same problem several years ago, nice enough dog, just piss poor owners. I just used a BB gun.

 

[McRide]

What a sad tale... hope he mends soon.

A note in their mailbox tonight would give them due warning of what happens if their mutts show up a third time.

 

[dcarver]

Agreed, had the same problem several years ago, nice enough dog, just piss poor owners. I just used a BB gun.

Appreciate the kindness to dogs, Don.. but a bb gun on a pit bull? :huh:

 

[madmike2]

Load the "00" (or a slug), keep extras by the door where the shotgun is leaning at the ready within arms reach for quick response.

Country-law....they've gotten their warning. Their dogs come on your property, they learn S[anish: "Adios!"

How would you feel had they gone after the lovely and gracefu msdcarver? Would this discussion be different? Or would you be looking for a good attorney? The strange dogs might have turned on her....ungood X 10!

You might check with your county aniumal control folks to see what they recommend? Or maybe they can talk with your neighbors? But if you've already gotten a less-than-satisfactory answer....

My personal view of the strange dog's behavior: Once they've tasted blood and know their victim is still around... :dntknw:

 

[dcarver]

I want to add that my neighbor was duly horrifically surprised.

Offered up vet bill costs, and genuinely seemed dismayed.

He's a good man.

He has a rental on the property and the dogs are associated with rental and the pit is a 'visitor'.

I could tell, instantly, that the 'renters' were about to get an ear full.

Still.. it just doesn't seem right.

..and up to this point, Harley and the BC have been friends?

what changed the dynamic?

Folks, trust me when I say this was a 'full-on dog fight'.

 

[Carl Stark]

If you are planing on a vet bill I would recomend bird shot not buck shot. Buck shot will proably get you a dead dog or two. Even #9 shot (very small) will put a dog down permanantly depending on gauge, choke and distance.

In Wyoming it is legal to kill dogs harassing game or livestock. Just remember that people are a little touchy about there pets. My rule is do not shoot the pet unless you are also willing to shoot the owner.

Carl Stark

Background info - I live in the country, not the city.

Yesterday, I'm in the shop working on my 1987 ATK restoration project. Stereo on, happily re-routing the wire loom when I hear my dear life partner, my wonderful MsdCarver, yelling, primaly screaming at the top of her lungs -

"Stop, go home oh #$# and #@$# $ dogs"

It pains me to even think of it again.

Two neighbor dogs, one a border collie (resident dog) and visiting pit bull, both young, maybe 1.5 years old each, came up our dirt driveway. MsD yelled at them, 4 times, 'Go home, get #$#$ out of here".

The dogs completely dissed MsD and ran past her.

..right up to my sleeping, 11 year old black lab.

..and attacked.

Viciously attacked.

the border collie went first, then the Pit jumped in.

Fortunately for Harley, my dog, his two other best buds were with him - one an Aussie Shepard (sp?) the other a very old and arthritic yet heart of gold BIG black lab.

Harley was pinned, Pit on his neck, BC going for the gut.

Jasper, my new dog hero, the Aussie, went full on after the Pit.

Bear, the big old black lab, went after the BC.

..that allowed Harley to get up and live, join the fight.

Imagine your woman, your wife or girlfriend or gal..

..in the middle of a 5 dog full-on fight.

....this ain't playing - it's real.

By the time I got there, MsD had the fight pretty much over - the two attackers realized they had been 'ambushed' and out-numbered.

MsD chased the attacking dogs down the 200 foot or so driveway back home while I attended to Harley. He's ok, just bruised, and confused.

Pass on some time, about an hour. MsD has Harley-D-Dawg in the house, tending to both...

..and here they come again, ready to pick it up.

I stared them down, shouted at them - and they could care less.

..pissed me right off

So off to the neighbors house I go

..and now the rodeo starts

In the country, the unwritten rule is this -

..one time your dog attacks my sheep, chickens, cows - you get a warning to control you dogs.

.........the next time, it's a justified killing.

but I can't tolerate killing dogs due to bad owners -

...and that is my dilemma

So I'm going to load up some buckshot

...it will sting really bad, and most likely cause a vet bill - but not kill.

I guess I've answered my own question -

comments? suggestions?

I'm open for rational discussion..

but my old black lab will *not* be attacked again.

 

[MEM]

Agreed, had the same problem several years ago, nice enough dog, just piss poor owners. I just used a BB gun.

Appreciate the kindness to dogs, Don.. but a bb gun on a pit bull? :huh:

All things being equal, a pit bull is a dog like any other.

It's the owner who's the fighter AND !@#$ asshole "trainer" who turns the "pit bull" into a menace.

THIS is worth a look

PM sent

 

[user 6393]

Check your county's laws before using any force on an animal. You could end up in real legal hot water.

But..........................if the offenders are unlicenced, just keep taking them for a ride to the local shelter. You cannot be held to task for picking up strays. The fines to spring them will maybe be a financial deterrant to the deadbeat owners.

Worked in my neighbourhood after hanging bags of her own dogs poop off her front door handle didn't work (crack-ho mastiff owner down the road from me)

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Poor ol' Harley dog !

What would your reaction have been if MrsDC had gotten nipped or bit in the scuffle ? You know what you'd do then, so my view is Ol' Harley is family too and was attacked without provocation on his own porch.

I believe the switch has been thrown in the attacking dogs brain and it won't turn off easily now, you need to load double ought and take care of buisness before someone get really hurt.

 

[Shatho]

The next time the dogs step on your property, put them down.

 

[FJRay]

When I still lived in Wash. the neighbors son had a Pit that kept trying to get the wifes pet goats. I warned him a couple times but he didn't get it. The last time around the dog killed one of the goats and I killed the dog. I had the dumb ass kid bury the dog and replace the goat. He found out I was serious. It shouldn't be that way but people have to be responsible for their animals and themselves.

 

[dcarver]

The neighbors, not the renters, had a full on Pit named Daisy.

She was the greatest dog EVER and she and Harley had a love affair of friendship that was undeniable.

The Pit, Daisy, instructed the loving black lab (Harley) how to defend himself via hours and hours of wonderful play fighting. Never got serious, just real good fun between two canines.

And Harley, the lab, taught the Pit how to play - pull a rope, chew a bone, dig a hole.

Them two were most unlikely of best friends - and truly wonderful to watch.

I'm trying to say here I have no prejudices against Pits - and in this case, the BC went first, followed by the more athletic and well-armed Pit.

Sigh. I hate it when crap like this shows up on my door step.

BTW - the two 'hero' dogs are also neighbor dogs. They are allowed to run 'free'. I'm so grateful they were around to defend Harley.

 

[FJRay]

I didn't intend to bash Pit Bulls. In my case it happened to be one.

Irresponsible owners are the problem most of the time. I read somewhere that more people are bitten by Cocker Spaniels than anything else.

Wher I live now the cyotes are the problem.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I'm the Will Rogers of the dog world. Never met a dog I didn't like. But those damn Pits. . . They're just scary. And any new dog in the mix can change the whole dynamic with other dogs that have always been fine around each other. If the visiting Pit leaves the picture, chances are your guys and the Border Collie can be fine again. But I'd be for shooting the Pit if he comes in hot again and starts trouble. And I'd use a .22--just to make sure I shot the dog I was aiming at.

And DAMN GOOD on Mrs. DC for jumping in there. Scary, but admirable.

.

 

[SkooterG]

What a terrible situation. Agree with others. I would contact county animal control and ask for their advice. I would also try to warn the dog's owners.

And I would be ready to kill the dogs the next time this happens.

 

[dcarver]

Check your county's laws before using any force on an animal. You could end up in real legal hot water.

But..........................if the offenders are unlicenced, just keep taking them for a ride to the local shelter. You cannot be held to task for picking up strays. The fines to spring them will maybe be a financial deterrant to the deadbeat owners.

Worked in my neighbourhood after hanging bags of her own dogs poop off her front door handle didn't work (crack-ho mastiff owner down the road from me)

Yes, I get it. And up to this point, Harley has been allowed to 'visit' the BC. They have been good buds. Harley so misses Daisy, and that's why he returns. I can keep my dog on my property - but if this escalates, and Harley returns, then what good has been done if both or all three dogs are dead?

Poor ol' Harley dog !

What would your reaction have been if MrsDC had gotten nipped or bit in the scuffle ? You know what you'd do then, so my view is Ol' Harley is family too and was attacked without provocation on his own porch.

I believe the switch has been thrown in the attacking dogs brain and it won't turn off easily now, you need to load double ought and take care of buisness before someone get really hurt.

Highlander, you know the answer to that question. But the only time there has been an issue is when the Pit and BC were *together*. Talk about a 'switch thrown'. The BC was totally emboldened by the company of the Pit. And if MsD was hurt? :angry2: , this thread would not be here.

The next time the dogs step on your property, put them down.

It's more complicated than that - although I do appreciate a simple and clean answer. Really.

When I still lived in Wash. the neighbors son had a Pit that kept trying to get the wifes pet goats. I warned him a couple times but he didn't get it. The last time around the dog killed one of the goats and I killed the dog. I had the dumb ass kid bury the dog and replace the goat. He found out I was serious. It shouldn't be that way but people have to be responsible for their animals and themselves.

Sometimes, that's what it takes. I had a brother-sister black lab / German short hair mix that pulled down some ranchers cows. The rancher drove to my house with two dead calves and said he tracked the dogs back to my house. I did the right thing and took care of the situation, my own dogs, in front of the rancher. That was tough - but they had blood on the brain and had killed chickens, then a young goat, then a calf.

 

[maddad]

I love dogs myself. But the problem with animals, is that once behaviour has set in there are only two ways to change it. Shoot the dog or shoot the owners and retrain the dog.

We had a couple of dogs kill a small child in our town a few years back. Parents charged, dogs put down. I'd have no hesitation to put a bullet straight into a dog if I felt my family were at risk.

 

[dcarver]

I'm the Will Rogers of the dog world. Never met a dog I didn't like. But those damn Pits. . . They're just scary. And any new dog in the mix can change the whole dynamic with other dogs that have always been fine around each other. If the visiting Pit leaves the picture, chances are your guys and the Border Collie can be fine again. But I'd be for shooting the Pit if he comes in hot again and starts trouble. And I'd use a .22--just to make sure I shot the dog I was aiming at.

And DAMN GOOD on Mrs. DC for jumping in there. Scary, but admirable.

.

Don't be messin' with MsD and her critters.. jes sayin'..

You all can off me, and MsD will be sad for a day, maybe two..

...but the critters?

Jihad baby..

This is a public place so I'll not discuss the weaponry - but surgical strikes are available if needed.

This is truly a sad story. I'm going to visit the good neighbor again, he/they really are OK peeps - to discuss this and come up with methods to prevent from happening again. In my life I've learned that most folks want to do good, and are responsible. Sometimes, they need be held to task - and I'll do so.

If the lesson's not learned, then game on.