We Need Some Help......off Topic

[littleprissboutique]

Hey guys... We just got some bad news today... A couple from FL is going to be moving behind us.... They are leaving FL due to the Weather this year...

Here is my problem.

THEY RAISE AND SALE PIT BULLS AND ROTWIELLERS...... They are going to put there dogs 20 ft from were my dd plays ( 3 yr old )

I need some help....

We live in TENNESSEE and I have searched TN GOVS website for leash laws and vicious dog laws...

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND THE GUIDELINES ON THIS???

I do not want them to come in here with there 50+ dangerous dogs... And it is not right that I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND $$$$$$$$$$$ TO COMPLETELY FENCE IN MY YARD... BUT, I KNOW THESE BREEDS OF DOGS CAN JUMP FENCES.. There was a little boy killed by 3 of these dogs in Loundon County a few years ago on his own property.. They jumped the fence....


WHAT DO WE DO???????????

Thank you guys for letting me vent

 

[tlbwriter]

Do you live in a town/city or in an unincorporated area?

 

[EthansMom]

Most towns/counties have laws regarding the number of animals that can be "housed" at a property. Call your local Animal Control to find out the details for your area.

 

[kiddisney]

hi - i'd also check with the police department - though animal control can give you the rules and regulations - the police would be first responders - i know in our area the animal control covers multiple towns so the police would be the enforcement agency for vicious animals

 

[KeepSwimming]

Are you sure they actually have 50 dogs?

I agree....it depends on what area you live in.

 

[littleprissboutique]

We live in a city, but there is no AC here. Small town..... We do have a leash law and a noise ord.... The daughter of these people lives on the other side of the property and stated that they have 25 pits and 25 rots.... So, yes there are 50 of those monsters coming this way... I think I will start with the local PD and Health DEPT... I cant sleep knowing this is on the way... Thanks guys for your help

 

[Kahana-ri]

We have a few towns in RI that do not allow pit bulls due to recent tragic events involving this breed. Town residents petitioned for this regulation to pass-maybe an idea.
BTW OP-Your daughter is so beautiful, what a great siggie!

 

[Feralpeg]

If they are raising dogs and selling them, they are running a business from their home. Is the property zoned for this? See if there is an ordinance stating how many dogs can be kept on the property.

Good luck!

 

[barkley]

def. check zoning regulations (may be illegal to operate a home based bsns.), check with bsns. lic. dept to see if an application has been made (if you have information on the number of animals that is contrary to any misinformation they have provided it could block the lic. from being issued pending investigation), if they share the same last name as their daughter you might be able to contact florida state animal control authorities and see if they have had any run-ins (with that many dogs they could be running a "puppy mill" or raising fighting dogs and fleeing the state to evade impound).

are they going to be renting? may want to send a letter to the property owner and advise them of the liability issues their proposed renters may be exposing them to. if they are buying you can get their name and address of record from the county assessors to contact them and request in writing what safety provisions they are putting in place PRIOR to relocating the animals (and inquire who thier liability insurance carrier is).

 

[cabowser]

Most states require that people who breed dogs and own over three of them have a kennel license. That usually requires some sort of special conditions for them to live in. I would check into what constitutes a kennel in tennessee and start writing letters right away. Here is some more information from the AKC site:


Breeder Licensing Bills Introduced in Tennessee
[Monday, March 07, 2005]
Hobby breeders could soon be considered "dealers" in Tennessee if H148 or its companion S1686 are enacted. Both bills would require anyone who breeds and sells more than one litter of puppies per year to be licensed as a "dealer." In Tennessee, dealers must be inspected by the state and pay anywhere from $125-$1000 annually for the cost of a license, depending on the number of animals sold. Dealers must also keep records of the names and addresses of individuals to whom they have sold pets.

As part of our concern for the welfare of dogs, the American Kennel Club understands the desire to address irresponsible breeding practices in Tennessee. We further believe that breeding programs should be undertaken responsibly for the purpose of preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. We support and promote these and other responsible breeding practices through breeders' education programs and similar outreach efforts. However, AKC opposes the concept of licensing hobby breeders. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the health and welfare of dogs without restricting the rights of responsible owners.

Arguments Against H148/S1686:

* Tennessee law already requires those who buy or sell more than 25 animals per year to be licensed and inspected by the state. Lowering this threshold to one litter per year will be costly and difficult to enforce.


* Current budget and staffing levels will not be able to accommodate the thousands of breeders who will be encompassed by this bill. Passage of H148/S1686 will therefore likely increase the chance that truly irresponsible breeders will slip through the cracks.


* The federal Animal Welfare Act specifically exempts from licensing hobby breeders who sell directly to the consumer. Congress did not intend for these individuals to be licensed, and states should follow this model.


* The American Kennel Club inspects and investigates over 5,000 kennels each year, including hobby breeders. When AKC inspectors find kennels that do not meet our minimum care and conditions requirements, they educate and encourage those breeders to raise their standards or face suspension of their AKC registration privileges. Proper authorities are also alerted to any cases of animal neglect.


* Responsible hobby breeders give the individual care and human contact that each puppy needs in order to grow into a healthy, well-adjusted companion and neighbor. Often, they also have more time to screen potential dog owners and to educate them about responsible dog ownership. Forcing hobbyists out of the sport would therefore actually deprive citizens of a very valuable resource when purchasing a pet.

What You Can Do:

HB148 and SB1686 have been referred to the Agricultural Committees in their respective houses. Concerned fanciers should contact the committee members and urge them to vote "no" on these bills. Contact information is listed below. Your voice is particularly important if either of your representatives sit on these committees. To find out who represents you in the Tennessee Legislature, visit this page.

Contact the bill sponsors to express your opposition.

Rep. Michael Turner (HB148)
17 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0100
Phone:615/741-3229
Email: rep.mike.turner@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Stephen Cohen (SB1686)
8 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0030
Phone: 615-741-4108
E-Mail: sen.stephen.cohen@legislature.state.tn.us

For more information, contact:

Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee
(raotinc@aol.com)
901-353-1805

Canine Legislation department
doglaw@akc.org
919-816-3720

Tri-Star Kennel Club
Dickdickerson100@aol.com
(615) 384-9100

House Agriculture Committee Members (HB148)
Rep. Eugene E. Davidson (D) [Chair]
Phone:615/741-3979, Email: rep.eugene.davidson@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Stratton Bone (D) [Vice Chair]
Phone:615/741-7086
Email: rep.stratton.bone@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. William Baird (R)
Phone:615/741-3335, FAX:615/532-8221
Email: rep.william.baird@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Willie Butch Borchert (D)
Phone:615/741-6900
Email: rep.willie.borchert@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. J. Christopher Clem (R)
Phone:615/741-2746
Email: rep.chris.clem@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Chris Crider (R)
Phone:615/741-5163
Email: rep.chris.crider@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Bill Dunn (R)
Phone: 615/741-1721
Email: rep.bill.dunn@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Dolores Gresham (R)
Phone:615/741-6890
Email: rep.dolores.gresham@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. John Litz (D)
Phone:615/741-6877, FAX:615/741-1041
Email: rep.john.litz@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Steve K. McDaniel (R)
Phone:615/741-0750, FAX:615/253-0214
Email: rep.steve.mcdaniel@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Frank S. Niceley (R)
Phone:615/741-2901
E-mail: rep.frank.niceley@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Jack Sharp (R)
Phone:615/741-1934, FAX:615/741-1005
Email: rep.jack.sharp@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Johnny Shaw (D)
Phone:615/741-4538
Email: rep.johnny.shaw@legislature.state.tn.us

Rep. Eric H. Swafford (R)
Phone 615-741-2343, FAX: 615-253-0230
E-mail: rep.eric.swafford@legislature.state.tn.us

Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Agriculture (SB1686)
Sen. Jerry W. Cooper (D) [Chair]
Phone:615/741-6694
Email: sen.jerry.cooper@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Steve Southerland (R) [Vice Chair]
Phone:615/741-2525
Email: sen.steve.southerland@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Jim Bryson (R)
Phone:615/741-2495, FAX:615/741-7200
Email: sen.jim.bryson@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Tim Burchett (R)
Phone:615/741-1766, FAX:615/741-4200
Email: sen.tim.burchett@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Charlotte Burks (D)
Phone:615/741-3978, FAX:615/741-8744
Email: sen.charlotte.burks@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Douglas S. Jackson (D)
Phone:615/741-2730
Email: sen.douglas.jackson@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Rosalind Kurita (D)
Phone:615/741-2374
Email: sen.rosalind.kurita@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Don McLeary (D)
Phone:615/741-4109
Email: sen.don.mcleary@legislature.state.tn.us

Sen. Mike Williams (R)
Phone:615/741-2061, FAX:615/741-9526
Email: sen.micheal.williams@legislature.state.tn.us

 

[MKCP5]

Wow!! If I were the OP I sure would want you around! Great help!!

 

[james'mommy]

Maybe you should start by not jumping to conclusions that all rottweilers and pit bulls are dangerous and monsterous dogs. It's irresponsible dog owners that are dangerous. If your new neighbor is going to the expense of transporting all their animals from fl to tn i doubt they are running a puppy mill. A responsible breeder would fence their yard and most likely have their animals secured in pens to protect the puppies from more energenic larger dogs. Your average rottwieiler is at least 100 pounds full grown which is a lot of bulk for them to heft over a fence. A fence at least 4ft would be sufficent to keep your daughter away from the dogs. Maybe you should take the time to meet a few rotts or pits before you brand them as being dangerous
Shannan

ps- right now my three year old son is rolling around on the floor with his older brother (who happens to be a 120 pound rottweiler!)

 

[Diabolicdesire]

My Daughter 8 had grown up with my brothers Pit and he is the biggest most intimidating looking dog I've ever seen, but is the most loving dog we've ever owned. We've had from a puppy and my daughter was two. Not all Pits are bad but because of their strength and size, if they are raised to fight they can be very dangerous. But this is true with any dog. I would not feel comfortable having my child around any large dog that I do not know. I too would be concerned If someone was breeding large dogs that close to my home.

 

[bicker]

To be fair, I think it's normal for a parent to be perhaps irrationally protective of their children, so while the law may not support their desire to have their children insulated from risks such as this, I can definitely understand a parent feeling the desire to have such insulation. The problem is that the best approach to take depends on knowing how each of the available options will turn out: If there is a legal justification for preventing the breeder from doing business, then perhaps that will provide the greatest peace-of-mind. If that effort fails, however, you've lost the second best approach: Befriending the new neighbor to the extent that he cares enough about your family that he takes extra precautions to ensure their safety.

 

[kellyg403]

Wow, that is alot! I would be concerned as well! My brother has rotties and they are good but BIG dogs. But two is alot different than 25 of them! I would imagine that people with that many dogs would have to spend half their life just cleaning up after them...Can you imagine the amount of feces 50 LARGE dogs could produce in one 24 hour period let alone barking at all hours of the night and that doesn't even get into how can they possible control 50 dogs unless they are continuously caged which isn't good for any dog. I hope that you are able to work something out with this. I would be scared too. The smell alone would probably make me want to move!

Kelly

 

[disneymom3]

Maybe you should start by not jumping to conclusions that all rottweilers and pit bulls are dangerous and monsterous dogs. It's irresponsible dog owners that are dangerous. If your new neighbor is going to the expense of transporting all their animals from fl to tn i doubt they are running a puppy mill. A responsible breeder would fence their yard and most likely have their animals secured in pens to protect the puppies from more energenic larger dogs. Your average rottwieiler is at least 100 pounds full grown which is a lot of bulk for them to heft over a fence. A fence at least 4ft would be sufficent to keep your daughter away from the dogs. Maybe you should take the time to meet a few rotts or pits before you brand them as being dangerous
Shannan

ps- right now my three year old son is rolling around on the floor with his older brother (who happens to be a 120 pound rottweiler!)

I have bolded your statements above not to flame you at all, but just to say, do you really think that someone who has 50 dogs is a responsible owner and NOT a puppy mill. If one has 50 dogs at one time, can any of them be given the proper love and attention that turns any dog into a nice well behaved animal. With 50 dogs, pack mentality is bound to take over. Like you, my reaction to the first sentence of the OP was, that all dogs of certain breeds are not dangerous. But it does depend on how they are raised. I don't think the OP would be so upset if she was having a neighbor move in with one or two of these dogs. It is the sheer number that is overwhelming and worrisome.

OP I would think that unless you have some major acreage, there is no way this person could legally do this. Where on earth would they house them all? And if you have major acreage, I guess I would change my DDs play area. I can understand why you are nervous about this.

 

[kellyg403]

I don't know how to highlight someone else's post but my brother's rotties are probably both about 120 lbs, combine that with 2 80+ lb labs. He had to build 8 foot privacy fence because all of them could and would jum the fence if there was a cat on the other side! Can they all? I don't know! But some dogs are alot smarter then we give them credit for! To the OP I also understand your nervousness..I would be too. The sheer number of dogs is enough.

Kelly

 

[PrincessKitty]

I have a pit bull mix who is a sweet,loving, loyal dog. That said, I would have a FIT if adjoining neighbors decided to raise 50 pitbulls and rottweilers. There is a big difference between family pets and family breeders, and a puppy mill. I agree there is NO WAY 50 dogs can be anything but a puppy mill. These folks may have had to leave Florida due to zoning laws.

I would: 1. Check zoning laws 2. Call your local police and county commisssioners to find out if this breeder legally breed in your town. 3. Google for any articles you may be able to find about breeders in Florida to see if these folks got in trouble in Florida. 4. See if you can figure out what company they are using for home owner's insurance--probably not as hard to do as you may think, as many states have just a few companies that provide 90% of the homeowners' insurance. I don't think ANYBODY will insure a puppy mill. This may even be public record in your state--you may be able to get the info from the state insurance commissioner's office. 5. Consider contacting people at the state level (governor, representative to the state legislature, etc.) if you do not get satisfaction locally.

 

[tlbwriter]

Maybe you should start by not jumping to conclusions that all rottweilers and pit bulls are dangerous and monsterous dogs.

I don't care if they're rottweilers or chihuauas - I don't want to live next to fifty of them!

 

[dis-happy]

That number of dogs at your back fence will also constitute a lot of barking, which will disturb you and your family and the neighbors as well. Another option is to file a private nuisance lawsuit.

Definitely find out about business licensing and if they are asking for a variance to run this enterprise. If so, it should come up for a vote, and you and your neighbors will want to show up at the meeting and protest against them getting licensed.

Good luck! I would hate the idea of this happening to me too...