Print

[Professor H]

Yep, I bet that cute li'l sweetie-pie pitty was just chasing sparkly wheels and wouldn't have harmed WillowRaven a bit had he caught her! Maybe he just wanted to cover her calf in slobbery love-dog kisses! 

Police and Animal Control should've been called immediately. What if that had been a kid on the bike? I detest people who don't properly contain their dogs. Inconsiderate idiots, every one.

Two different things - the Dog and the Dog owner...   
Apparently you've never met a dog who likes to chase wheels, tires, or shiny objects???

[Tiny]

Nothing to make light of a loose dog in a neighborhood - but most dogs enjoy chasing wheels/tires, which many interpret to wanting to attack the rider.
Wheels,  shiny lights (spokes), ...  hard to break them of this habit until they have a bad experience.

It's a predatory instinct for dogs to chase things. They aren't usually after the rider but just the moving object as a whole. A lot of dogs will bark at strangers and then chase them as they walk away thinking they are defending their territory. When we were kids we had a neighbor that had three dogs that always chased us when we rode by their house. We would just stop and the dogs would look at us like now what do we do? We would slowly push our bikes until we got far enough down the road that the dog would leave us alone. If you're not sure of the dog I would recommend keeping the bike between you and the dog. Kicking at a dog will invite more aggression from them, you should shout "NO" or "BAD DOG" at them to get them to give up the chase.

Or you could carry pepper spray.

[rwwjr]

Yep, I bet that cute li'l sweetie-pie pitty was just chasing sparkly wheels and wouldn't have harmed WillowRaven a bit had he caught her! Maybe he just wanted to cover her calf in slobbery love-dog kisses! 

Police and Animal Control should've been called immediately. What if that had been a kid on the bike? I detest people who don't properly contain their dogs. Inconsiderate idiots, every one.

Monique, that was the premise of my original posting.  When dog attacked our dog, she came home and called police immediately.  Was told by dispatcher Police would not respond  Hence the WTF title  Animal Control was called  By time the even showed up couple and dog were gone.

[AtypicalGirl]

Yep, I bet that cute li'l sweetie-pie pitty was just chasing sparkly wheels and wouldn't have harmed WillowRaven a bit had he caught her! Maybe he just wanted to cover her calf in slobbery love-dog kisses! 

Police and Animal Control should've been called immediately. What if that had been a kid on the bike? I detest people who don't properly contain their dogs. Inconsiderate idiots, every one.

I agree with that second paragraph. People should be responsible for their dogs and personally, if they show they are not then the dog should be removed from their control. It's not the dogs, it's the owners.

However, I don't believe the first paragraph was needed and would just add fuel to the fire. But then again, maybe that was your intent.

[Monique]

I agree with that second paragraph. People should be responsible for their dogs and personally, if they show they are not then the dog should be removed from their control. It's not the dogs, it's the owners.

However, I don't believe the first paragraph was needed and would just add fuel to the fire. But then again, maybe that was your intent.

My opinion of Pit Bulls is well known. Yes, it *does* have to do with the dog as well as the owner. The combination of an aggressive breed with an idiot owner is a recipe for disaster. It's my opinion, and I'm allowed to voice it here, just like you are.

It's also my opinion that dogs should never be allowed around small children. I had four dogs when my first child was born, and they were never allowed anywhere near her. They were not aggressive, but I refused to take the risk of them harming her, not to mention the sanitary issues of my baby crawling around where dirty dog bottoms and feet and sneezes had been. I rehomed one, another passed away, and my two docile small dogs are kenneled. Of course the girls are big enough now to play with them, but they are properly kenneled because they are devout house soilers. The safety and well being of children is more important than any dog, and I'm an animal lover. That is my opinion.

Glad we agree on the responsibility of dog owners. If others were conscientious and responsible with their pets, we wouldn't have this thread at all.

[Monique]

Monique, that was the premise of my original posting.  When dog attacked our dog, she came home and called police immediately.  Was told by dispatcher Police would not respond  Hence the WTF title  Animal Control was called  By time the even showed up couple and dog were gone.

When your dog met with the loose attacker dog, the owners were out walking it, too, as I understood your post. No way of knowing where to find them after the fact. WR was riding by the dog's home, I'm assuming. I would've instructed Animal Control to that block of W4th and the side of the street the dog came from.

[AtypicalGirl]

My opinion of Pit Bulls is well known. Yes, it *does* have to do with the dog as well as the owner. The combination of an aggressive breed with an idiot owner is a recipe for disaster. It's my opinion, and I'm allowed to voice it here, just like you are.

It's also my opinion that dogs should never be allowed around small children. I had four dogs when my first child was born, and they were never allowed anywhere near her. They were not aggressive, but I refused to take the risk of them harming her, not to mention the sanitary issues of my baby crawling around where dirty dog bottoms and feet and sneezes had been. I rehomed one, another passed away, and my two docile small dogs are kenneled. Of course the girls are big enough now to play with them, but they are properly kenneled because they are devout house soilers. The safety and well being of children is more important than any dog, and I'm an animal lover. That is my opinion.

Glad we agree on the responsibility of dog owners. If others were conscientious and responsible with their pets, we wouldn't have this thread at all.

I never said you weren't entitled to your opinion. I simply stated that adding that paragraph was unnecessary. Yes, we ALL know your opinion of Pit Bulls, but why express that opinion here? Yes, someone stated they had a "run-in" with a Pit Bull, and the original post was about a "run-in" with a Pit, but the topic was geared toward Animal Control and the Police not doing what is right, along with the owners not doing their job. Were you trying to take another stab at those who love and adore those beautiful dogs?

Like I said, maybe that was your intent. I just felt it was unnecessary. Usually things do go off topic, but not in the direction you were taking it. It just seemed like you were trying to start another war.

Also, I'm not taking the bait you're offering. Like you said, each of us are entitled to our own opinion. Let's leave it at that and keep it slightly clean.

[Monique]

War? What war? Calm down. I was expressing my thoughts on this matter, and I don't need anyone's permission, last I knew. The dog was identified as a pit, I didn't bring it up. I was saying that I seriously doubt it was just chasing tires. I've known of people getting killed by pit bulls while riding their bikes. A loose PB is a dangerous thing, and it all comes back to irresponsible owners. I'm fully on topic. 

Yes, I have strong opinions on the matter, and I don't appreciate you trying to hush me up. I wasn't personally attacking anyone, but I feel that perhaps I'm being attacked because you dislike my opinion. 

Keep it clean? I've had lengthy and entirely civil discussions on dogs on this forum. Very enjoyable, too. We can agree to disagree, but trying to shush someone from expressing their opinion is not polite behavior.

[WillowRaven]

I was not sure what the dog's intention was at the time- chasing my wheels, or trying to attack me. He was growling, not barking, and when he got close to my leg I kicked him. Then I called Animal Control, and I was told that take 2 or 3 hours to send out the sheriff.  The director asked me if I know where the dog lives  and I said no, and I have no intention to go back and find out.

[MM1]

WilloRaven, I too would have kicked the crap out of the dog and call animal control. 

The next time you are faced with that phone call, you might ask for the name of the person on the phone and any badge identifier (if any).  If they then tell you it will be hours before they will respond, you can let them know that should something else happen involving the dog you are calling on and God forbid someone is hurt, that you will make it known to anyone necessary of the time your call was made and the response you got.   Sometimes, letting them know they will be personally held accountable for their "lack" of response spurs them to act. 

In circumstances like these, you HAVE to play hardball with those agencies.  Complacency is a part of their jobs, and is unacceptable.

As far as isolating this thread to the threat of Pits, I think the many other posts involving many other breeds pretty much washes that out.  A Chihuaua can do some pretty fierce damage. 

I was on a golf cart just this morning driving along the lake taking pictures when a HUGE black lab came after me. (probably the biggest Lab I've ever seen)  It was on a leash tied to the porch, but I could not tell how long the tether was and it startled me.  I stopped the cart and yelled at it.  It stopped in its tracks and there we were in a faceoff.  It still had some feet left on its leash, but it stopped when I stopped.  Inside I started cracking up, but couldn't stop my stare and tip my cards to the thing because I didn't know if it would start up again or not.  The owner came running out of the house and yelled for the dog, assuring me he was friendly.  (Yeah sure.  I could SEE he was friendly. . . . . NOT! )  I think he was probably a very nice dog, but golf carts trigger a learned reaction.  The whole situation was pretty clear.  He was in fact very well trained and heeled on command.  He was quite beautiful.  Beautiful and BIG!

And plenty of people let their babies/children play with, lay with, lay ON, rough house, sleep with and/or generally LIVE with their dogs (who are also parts of the family) and have nothing but nurturing moments.  And that is not to say anyone who keeps the 2 worlds separate is a lesser or better parent.  It's simply a choice.  Not a good one.  Not a bad one.  Just a choice.

hmph!  GOD, I wish I was back out on that golf cart.  It was SO beautiful down there today.   Black Lab and all!

[Baby Hitler]

WilloRaven, I too would have kicked the crap out of the dog and call animal control. 

The next time you are faced with that phone call, you might ask for the name of the person on the phone and any badge identifier (if any).  If they then tell you it will be hours before they will respond, you can let them know that should something else happen involving the dog you are calling on and God forbid someone is hurt, that you will make it known to anyone necessary of the time your call was made and the response you got.   Sometimes, letting them know they will be personally held accountable for their "lack" of response spurs them to act. 

I like this response. I just hope that it would actually work.

[sammy]

I like this response. I just hope that it would actually work.

Don't hold your breath!

[MM1]

I like this response. I just hope that it would actually work.

Don't hold your breath!

Well, it's guaranteed NOT to work if you don't try it.

And, though it may not work 100% of the time, I guess it depends on how important your call is as to whether or not you'd want to "give it a try".  You just might be surprised. 

From experience, there is "often" a definite change in response from people when they can be tracked back to their lax efforts and lack of concern.     






But that "don't hold your breath" suggestion is a good one too.

[Monique]

As far as isolating this thread to the threat of Pits, I think the many other posts involving many other breeds pretty much washes that out.  A Chihuaua can do some pretty fierce damage. 

My dear heart, Bo, is part Chihuahua (and I think the other part is Pomeranian). His mouth--although toothless now that the vet had to remove them all from the old feller--opens about 5 or 6 inches. If he was aggressive, and had teeth, he could sure put a bite on someone, maybe even requiring stitches. He's larger than the average Chi, so I'm kind of averaging here.

I can't seem to find a reputable source to tell me how large a PB's mouth is, but I'm fairly sure it's at least twice as large--and tons stronger--than a Chi's. Not really a valid point of contention. A small dog can make you get stitches, but they can almost never kill you. A PB, Mastiff, German Shepherd, Rotty, Doberman, etcetera, can KILL. Easily. Any comparison between large aggressive breeds and small snappy dogs is invalid, IMO.

[sammy]

My kitty regularly draws blood from me in play, but I'm pretty sure she can't kill me. Same with foo-foo dogs. Any comparison with pittys and foo-foo dogs is invalid. IMO