Ugh, what a day...neighbor's dog...

[WDWAurora]

Crazy long, I'm sorry...

This afternoon, about 10 minutes or so before I get off, my phone rings, and it's DH. He rarely calls me during the day unless it's near lunch time. So I'm a little annoyed, but he starts talking and tells me I'll never believe what happened to him. So I'm sure he's been in an accident or something on the way home, but he goes on to tell me he was bitten by the neighbor's dog!

A little backstory: This dog has been a menace since the neighbors moved in. It's huge, and barks when it's outside. It follows you while you're in the yard from behind the fence. One day last fall, my inlaws got here, and it was loose and tried to bite DFiL. I thought they were exaggerating, so I went outside and rang the doorbell and banged on the door to try to get the neighbors to come out and get it in. They never answered. I tried again later, and the lady was outside, and I explained what had happened. In somewhat broken English, she said it would not actually bite anyone. Unfortunately, we didn't report that incident (stupid).

The lady is renting from family and lives there with her older teenage son, who is always in trouble with the police for breaking into the pool, houses, the school, etc. The younger teenage son has (based on my professional opinion-not a diagnosis) severe Autism and is frequently out in the cul-de-sac alone, and in danger of being hit by a car.

So today, DH comes home, pulls into the garage, gets out, and goes to the mailbox. All of this puts him walking away from the house the dog lives at. The dog ran out of the garage and ran to DH at the mailbox and bit him in the butt, ripping his pants. It didn't get through to flesh, but he bit right at the pocket where the most fabric is. I shudder to think what it would have been if it had been one of the neighbor kids instead of DH.

The older teenage boy ran out and the dog backed away. DH says that's what kept the dog from continuing to go at him. Position wise he had no defense. The kid muttered sorry and disappeared. The mom was home, and never came over or anything.

DH called the nonemergency police numbers, but couldn't get an answer at any of them, so ended up calling 911 (I forced him). I drove home shaking I was so scared (needed to see for myself he was fine). Animal control was here when I got here, and basically said they couldn't do anything on a first offense other than talk to the people. He went over, and apparently they wouldn't open up, because he was gone quick.

I'm very frustrated with this whole situation. We told DH's sister to keep our nephews and niece away for the time being. I'm afraid to leave my house, because this dog is known to get out, and they clearly can't control it. Animal control didn't seem to do much.

Any chance our HOA will do anything? I'm thinking of calling them tomorrow. Animal control did say it made a difference that they didn't own the house.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It depends on the rules of your HOA, but it seems like something most would take care of.

I know this wasn't central to your story- but have you reported the problems with the younger son? If he truly has autism like you described, leaving him alone like that is criminal neglect. You state they are putting him in danger. I think you should consider reporting that so they can check the situation to make sure the boy is being properly cared for. You never know, if they go to investigate and the dog is being aggressive they may end up doing somethign about the dog as well.

I'm glad your DH wasn't hurt, that must have been very scary for both of you. One other possible solution could be a leash law. Does your area have one? If so, call animal control the minute that animal gets loose. If it is loose enough times they may do something about it. Good luck on yoru situation!

 

[WDWAurora]

I actually have debated calling DSS/CPS several times, and have always decided against it. I don't really believe he is neglected or anything, I just think sometimes the mom thinks a cul-de-sac is safer than it really is. Cars still drive too fast, or back out without looking. So...I don't know.

I'm pretty sure we do have leash laws, and I've determined that if I see the dog without a leash, even if it's in the garage, if the door is open I'm calling. They can't stop it.

 

[Disneylover79]

I surely would contact your HOA... if this happened where I live that dog would be gone....

I am glad to hear your DH is OK.. but like you said what would happen if this happened to one of the kids....

Good Luck...keep us posted

 

[Minnie]

Definitely contact your HOA - if the authorities won't do something may they can

 

[golfgal]

We have had problems with our neighbor's dogs too. We witnessed their dogs attack another dog 2 summers ago, it was not reported, then one of their dogs attacked our dog last summer. They had to microchip the dog but that was it. I see now they are putting in an invisible fence in their yard . They have a wooden privacy fence that can't contain them how in the heck do they think they will be bothered by an invisible fence???

I don't know that your HOA has any legal authority to do anything about the dogs but I would report the dog every time you see it even look wrong at someone so the police CAN do something. A call to their insurance company, if you can find out who they have, might be in order too.

 

[pyrxtc]

an invisible fence would probably work a lot better than a wooden one. A wooden fence doesn't hurt when you get too close or try to cross it, an invisible one does.

 

[daisax]

Dogs who are motivated enough will go through an electronic fence (particularly dogs on an attack mission after another dog or squirrel, etc.). But they're savvy enough that once they've calmed down, they won't risk coming back through the electronic fence, so that just keeps them OUT of the yard you're supposed to be keeping them in.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Does your HOA even know that there are renters in the house? Our HOA strictly prohibits renters.

 

[disbridemimi]

I imagine your neighbor is the reason most people do not rent to people with dogs. Are dogs allowed in your HOA? Do they ahve to be a certain size? Isnt it a liability to the actual OWNER of the home to ahve a mean dog?

I think your best bet is to find who the landlord is, it would be their homeowners that gets sued if the dog bites someone.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Dogs who are motivated enough will go through an electronic fence (particularly dogs on an attack mission after another dog or squirrel, etc.). But they're savvy enough that once they've calmed down, they won't risk coming back through the electronic fence, so that just keeps them OUT of the yard you're supposed to be keeping them in.

DITTO! A physical barrier is the only way to safely contain a dog. A fenced yard or even a large fenced kennel for just the dog. A privacy fence would keep the dog from feeling the urge to chase things as he wouldn't be able to see them. Good fences make for good neighbors...

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, Who actually owns the house that the renters live in?

I would be contacting them (by certified letter) to see if they are aware the renters have a dog.

Let the owners of the house know what has happened and give them a chance to remedy the situation.

If they don't and something happens to anyone, they can be sued in civil court.

TC

 

[DisTeach1]

I was just going to say...Notify the owner's of the house that their tenants are endangering the neighborhood. Put it in writing...have as many neighbors sign it. Tell them if you come into danger or are harmed because of the dog, you will sue.

We did this and the owners made the tenants move. That is your best tactic at this point, because, unfortunately, until the dog bites again, animal control and the police will do nothing.

 

[WDWAurora]

Ok, so I have a bunch to update, and I'm not really sure where to begin.

I called animal control this morning and they said they would have someone call me back with an update.

I called our HOA who said she would send a letter to the residents and would call the homeowner, as she already needed to call him over something else. She was going to review our covenants to see what they said about dogs/dog breeds/etc. but she didn't think there were any restrictions.

A lady from animal control did call me back, and didn't know much about the situation, so she was going to talk to the guy who came to the house and get back with me. She did tell me that all they can really do at this point is document, do a rabies test, and fine. She called DH back later and said they were getting fined, for sure. Even if the same thing happens again, the worst that can happen is the dog is classified as a dangerous dog, and that only means they have to muzzle it and keep it in a fenced area that has a floor and ceiling. If it is on their property, it can be off the leash, never mind that it takes half a second to get into someone else's yard. The part that really got me was that she told me this was not a dog attack, even though he was bitten on our property by their dog. I nearly lost it at that point. Umm...Just because he got VERY VERY lucky and the dog didn't get through his pants makes it not an attack? Idiotic.

DH is ticked about his pants being ripped and wants new pants, but I'm not talking to those crazies.

Contacting the owner on our part won't help. He knows they have the dog and is over there frequently. I'm pretty sure he's loaning the house to family.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

Did anyone actually take a written report? Make sure you get a copy...they may try to dismiss the whole thing. I would keep calling every day to the animal control to make sure they have their "talk" with the neighbors.

I would also ask if the dog has been vaccinated and want written proof. Their is laws in most states, that animals must have rabies vaccs. If he hasn't had shots you can request the dog be put in quarantine.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I repeat my advice:

Send a certified letter, outlining the situation, to the homeowner.

Let them know if anything else happens you will take them to civil court.

TC

 

[donald&daisy]

I would definitely make sure there is an official report of this first bite. If he bites again, the owners have been warned, they know they have a dangerous dog and they will be strictly liable if he bites again. I would make sure and take pics of the pants, etc.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

I know this will rile some folks up, but I'd invest in a gun and get some target practice in. If the owners are unwilling to do something about their beast, I'd want to feel protected.

 

[ChristmasElf]

If not a gun, at least get some mace or pepper spray to protect yourself when you are outside.
I would become a thorn in the side of the owner as well, hopefully he will get his family to get rid of the dog.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I can't believe that a dog can bite people two times and still remain with that family. I had always heard that once a dog bites it's considered "dangerous" has to be put down.