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[agnes!]

I'd send a note back.

"Thanks for the warning. In the future I will shoot your dog on site if it is loose on my property. I do not do this lightly but instead I am being forced to do this in self defense."

Hmmmm....well, the idiot neighbor has admitted that the dog IS dangerous. What are the homeowners supposed to do...WAIT until it starts mauling someone on their property? I would hate to have to shoot an animal, but...

I suggest again that you need to contact a lawyer for some advice. What are you legally allowed to do to protect yourself and your property and your loved ones. Are you within your rights to shoot a known vicious animal if it is on your property, if it is loose in your neighborhood?

For instance, if you are out getting your mail, and you see Biter-Dog running toward you, what are you legally empowered to do? Mace him, pepper spray him, air-horn him, etc.

Since you anticipate a slow reponse time, maybe you could get a BIG Have-A-Heart trap & attempt to trap the dog. Then he'll be contained & be there when the animal warden/state police/dog catcher does finally show up. Just a thought.

agnes!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

This woman is an idiot who cannot control a dangerous weapon. She basically has admitted she's allowing a loaded gun to roam the neighborhood. AND she's put it down IN WRITING?!? Can we all say "liability", boys & girls ?

Actually this dog is potentially way more dangerous than just a loaded gun. A loaded gun does not fire or attack on its own, a biting dog does attack on its own.

I think I would contact the police, animal control, etc. and let them know the circumstances. I would also have a chat with the lady saying basically what BillSears wrote.

Okay I see you say animal control can't be reached during the day, go ahead and call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency number and see if you can chat with someone there.

 

[korbbec]

I'd send a note back.

"Thanks for the warning. In the future I will shoot your dog on site if it is loose on my property. I do not do this lightly but instead I am being forced to do this in self defense."

Yes- an excellent way to deal with things- take the law into your own hands and use violence... haven't we had enough of that already?

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Well as I said earlier, I can't reach the dog warden during the day, but I think I'll see if the Town Hall is open this afternoon.. (Again - VERY small town - many services are only available part-time or certain days of the week..) Maybe someone there can tell me what I can do about this..

I'll admit that I'm afraid of being bitten myself - especially since I'm here alone (except for weekends) until November - but my biggest fear is my DGD or any other child.. It terrifies me to think that they could be mauled, permanently scarred, or worse yet, killed..

As long as you call,even if it's just to leave the message. Even call the police and tell them you'd like a copy of the report sent to you--it will go a long way to get things resolved if there's a paper trail detailing the dog being loose.

Heck I'd call even if she was walking him and he got loose and she's chasing him down the street!

 

[korbbec]

Oh my- what a bunch of babies here- holy overreaction. The dog may not even get out. The lady was trying to give a heads up just in case- lets put our guns away , have a talk with the lady and assess any real danger before we start dialing 911 over a "maybe" problem. Geez people get a grip.

 

[C.Ann]

.....................................

 

[Heidict]

Yes- an excellent way to deal with things- take the law into your own hands and use violence... haven't we had enough of that already?

He is talking about shooting an animal, who the owner has admitted is "a biter". She (the OP) would be doing it to protect her and her families lifes. Very different then just shooting at a person.

If I were the OP I would find out what the laws were. If the laws supported my rights to shoot a known vicious dog on my property, then you can bet that I would be out there getting a gun.

I would not allow this womans irresponsible actions to pervent me from going about my daily business including being in my own yard.

 

[wheeler1]

I think you should contact any and all authorities as soon as possible to alert them of the danger your neighbor is admitting to putting you in.

And secondly you might want to consider carrying pepper spray, or something along those lines, with you when you are out in your yard until this is resolved. It might sound extreme, and yes, you really really shouldnt have to do this in your own yard. But honestly, you need to put your immediate safety first.

My neighbor is a runner and carries a small container of it in her hand while running and has had to use it quite a few times. It works well for her, a couple of squirts to the face and the dog backs off.

What a way to start off the best season of all!!! I hope this is resolved quickly.

 

[sha_lyn]

korbbec... we miss you here on planet earth.
Self defense (shooting the dog instead of being mauled) is not violence
The dog is a real danger, otherwise why would the neighbor leave the note?

Who should we believe about the potential of the dog getting out. You, who have no first hand knowledge or the situation, of the dog owner who admits that she can't guarantee that she can get the dog contained?

 

[mrsltg]

Yes- an excellent way to deal with things- take the law into your own hands and use violence... haven't we had enough of that already?

Really? Are you really comparing killing a violent dog whom the neighbor has admitted is a menace to what happened at Virginia Tech last week? Maybe it's me, but I just don't compare 32 humans to a menacing dog....

Ann - you need to be ready to defend yourself. Everyone has given solid advice on dealing with the situation. Get in touch with every authority there is and be prepared to protect yourself in the meantime. I sympathize with the animal as he is, simply, an animal, but I don't feel for him over your safety.

 

[mrsltg]

Oh my- what a bunch of babies here- holy overreaction. The dog may not even get out. The lady was trying to give a heads up just in case- lets put our guns away , have a talk with the lady and assess any real danger before we start dialing 911 over a "maybe" problem. Geez people get a grip.

Ok, decide which one of your children or who from your family you want around a dangerous animal. Get back to us after you have done so.

 

[C.Ann]

..............................

 

[mommasita]

I think it is insane. Honestly. Why should anyone have to stay indoors to be safe in or around their own home?

I hope you get in touch with the Warden as soon as possible. Guns and violence are not the answers for sure..

Tell me WHY anyone would want to keep a dog like that? If he dangerous outside, surely he is dangerous inside??? Sadly, IMHO that is not protection..

Please stay safe until something can take care of the situation.

 

[C.Ann]

.....................

 

[tiggersmom2]

Oh my- what a bunch of babies here- holy overreaction. The dog may not even get out. The lady was trying to give a heads up just in case- lets put our guns away , have a talk with the lady and assess any real danger before we start dialing 911 over a "maybe" problem. Geez people get a grip.

Wait a minute....aren't you the poster that was thrilled that a crocodile "took out" a 9 year old boy a few days ago? Uh, and WE need to get a grip...okaaay. I would shoot the dog before he could "take out" one of my kids.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think they have it in the sporting goods section of WalMart
I know most of the sporting goods stores have it. IE Dicks, Sports Authority etc. I also believe most gun shops carry it.

 

[olena]

I'd be calling Animal Control and filing a report with the police (not charges, just a report). It helps later if something does happen. Her inability to control her pet does not trump your right to enjoy the use of your land.

The note should be kept as it does acknowledge that she's aware of the dangers and that could mean a lot later. Consider it the beginning of a potential paper trail. As stated earlier, it doesn't absolve her of responsibility for anything the dog does or may do.

I hope this gets resolved for everyone's safety, including the dog's. I love dogs and I loathe irresponsible dog owners.

 

[goofyforlife]

---------------------------------

She didn't clarify - to my son-in-law or in the note to me - just stated that we should "watch out" because "he's a biter"..

He's a biter could mean many things...

My Bernese, Abby, was a biter when she was a pup...

To that breed it means that she liked to nip at you (hands, pant legs etc). Most dogs of that breed do it as puppies.

It was just a phase though that i had to train her out of.... Dogs that have been neglected (such as a rescue) may not have outgrown that phase.

Maybe you should ask to meet the dog so he know's your scent and you know for sure what "he's a biter" means....

BTW...We have friends with 3 great danes....Boy are they big but i've never been scared of them....

 

[sha_lyn]

http://www.mace1.com/

 

[agnes!]

An hand-held "airhorn" (I think that's what they're called) might prove useful as well. I've seen them at sporting events in the past, their sound is kind of like a diesel-horn. Letting it "off" would also alert any near-by neighbors that something was wrong (as well as buy you some time).

Contact the parents who were warned to get their child inside. If the animal control/sheriff/police are getting multiple calls from an entire neighborhood, there will probably be some action.

agnes!