Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 01:08 am:
While I was walking my dog as I do on most nights, I came upon this house that has two massive pit bulls locked up in a small chain link kennel. I've been walking past this same house now for the last two years. Well as I normally do, I bring a ball with me so I can play a little fetch with my guy (black lab) while on the walk. So I throw the ball and my guy goes to retrieve it. As my guy retrieves the ball the two pit bulls see him and freak out, as they normally do. My guy then gets excited and runs up to the pit bulls in the chain link kennel (these are straight guard dogs, it could be 0 degree out and they'll still be outside). I then call my guy back over to me and we continue on our walk. About 10 seconds later I hear the owner opening up the kennel and see one of the pit bulls rushing towards me and my dog, the owner had let them out on me!!! At this point I thought my dog was dead! They went face to face, and the pit started to attack my dog. I then snatched my guy away from the pit and that was that, the pit left my guy alone. The two pits just began to circle me and my dog until the owner called them back. I asked the guy what the hell was going on. He said that he has been watching me, and that last night he saw me snooping around his neighbors house, which is a bunch of BS!... First of all, I'm only 1 of about 10 other white dudes in the neighborhood, I doubt I'd be trying to break into a house. Well I had a few choice words for him... I called the cops, but since I had to leave for work I had to leave the scene. The police are supposed to stop by and talk to him, and then give me a call.
I'm still amped about it, and it happened just under two hours ago. I just glad that those pits weren't as vicious as the owner had thought. I'm sure his intentions weren't good. This is the second close call with a pit bull.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 01:27 am:
Walk with a cane.Mine is actually a boken(oak practice sword for kendo)and smack dog right at the base of the skull and it will fold up.Learned this from trapping and martial arts.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 03:56 am:
I'm sorry to hear that Adam. I have a kitty I love dearly, that I let out of the house in nicer weather to run around in my back yard. I had a f@cknut neighbor who did the same thing one night to just be an a$$hole. He thought it would be funny to let his Pit chase my PepperAnn around the yard. I don't condone animal abuse in any way, but I got so mad when that snarling beast backed my Baby into a corner. I flipped out and struck that beast in the face with a club. It was a mess, I think I nearly killed Em', but oh well, that's the way it goes. The owner, seeing the whole thing just went crazy and called the cops. The cop who came just laughed and pointed out the whole thing happened on my property, so technically I could have shot his dog if I wanted for attacking my pet. I'm sorry to say, if it happens again, it may be time for you to have a few nice threating words with the owner. Some people only listen, when you speak their language of fear and violence. Getting the cops to have a few words with him is a good first move though...Best of luck man.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 04:41 am:
I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that the fight ended quickly. I've had my male APBT for just over two years now and the one thing I can't break him of is fighting with other dogs. He's fine with kids playing around on him, pulling on his ears and tail, fine with anyone who comes into the house (as soon as he sees that I'm ok with them), but he just will not tolerate other dogs - male OR female. He's spent the majority of his life being the only dog in the house, so it will probably never change, but it still sucks.
I as the owner though, am still responsible to either train him not to be like that, or to prevent situations where his "lone wolf" attitude becomes a problem. Same way with your neighbor. Letting the dogs out when the results would obviously not be good was a very irresponsible thing to do.
Unfortunately, I've seen APBT's fight and it's not a pretty sight. If they're serious, I doubt a wooden cane will accomplish anything. They're a very loyal and territorial breed which has great benefits, but it also means that owners need to be educated and responsible. Unfortunately most are not, and it gives all breeds in the "pit bull" category a bad reputation.
So Adam, would this be a bad time to ask if I can bring Timmy to homecoming with me this summer?
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 05:57 am:
I'm glad that dog was a wuss. I've had a few run ins with mean dogs, and my friend was hospitalized for a long time from a pit bull attack. The dog actually swallowed a chunk of his leg. Not calling all pit bulls vicious, but a dog can kill you if he gets you on the ground. I can promise you this, if a dog comes running towards me with any sign of aggression, it will be casting a polka dot shadow for sure.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 06:30 am:
Anybody ever try to gag an attacking dog? I had a Weimaraner/lab that at times, got too serious when play fighting. I would shove my hand in his mouth as far as it would go and all he could do was give up and back away. Loved that great dog.Tiny was his name. He would jump up and snatch bumble bees flying by and catch Sparrows shot off the roof of the barn before they hit the ground. Somebody stole him in the end.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 07:36 am:
Adam,
best thing is if you can. Avoid going by there if you can. If you can't... carry something like pepper spray or a good sturdy stick. Doesn't sound like much but something is better then nothing. I'd hate to have my dog ripped up over a owner ignorance.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 08:28 am:
I spoke with MPD last night, they said that they'd stop and talk with the guy. But went on to say how late it was, the guy probably has to work in the morning, he's going to tell us another story, he probably won't answer the door, most people don't answer the door for the police... So I'm assuming that they won't stop by, haha. Its ok though, I just want th incident documented.
You're right Phillip, I'm VERY lucky that the two pits weren't hard core vicious. If your dog could fit in one of your hard bags I'd say go for it .
Dana, ignorance on my part cause I'm going to be stubborn about it and continue to walk my dog past his house. I just won't let some a-hole have any aspect of control over me. I don't think the guy would let his dogs out again. I sensed that he was a bit freaked out when his dogs were loose, didn't know what they'd really do... I do have an expandable baton that I might have to bust out.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 09:40 am:
Sad to hear of this account Adam. That guy put you and 2 dogs at risk.
I dog sit for my neighbors pit when they go out of town. They can be some of the sweetest dogs you will ever find (ditto for labs). My neighbor spends a lot of time working with their pit. When they are untrained and frustrated from having no exercise or stimulus.
I had a scary incident once when working for a commercial realtor. I was doing some door to door work in business parks, walking into businesses and doing a pitch. I walked into a place that was virtually empty, but could hear talking in an office across the open warehouse so I started walking back there. I was about 30 feet from the door behind me, about 40 feet from the office door. Suddenly a pit bull came running out of the office door straight at me. I knew to stand my ground and not back down, even though I really wanted to run for the door, but I would never have made it. Well this dog just kept coming at me and hit my left hand with an open mouth. Hurt like hell with his K9 tooth smacking into the bones on the back of my hand. He never bit down though, and just stopped being aggressive right away. Needless to say I about crapped my shorts, but if I had run I would have been his play toy.
If you are going to continue walking that route I would just keep your dog at your side passing this a-holes house. You've shown your dominance over one of his dogs already. I doubt it will be a problem in the future if you keep your act together. I doubt the police will be of any help unless something really bad happens.
Some people only listen, when you speak their language of fear and violence.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 09:50 am:
thats a bad deal. It sad that the owners are not first to blame. dogs need a lot of work , like kids. too many people just get them to be cool. I would hit the owner before the dog.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 10:09 am:
quote:
Concealed carry if its legal in your state and you cant avoid the house. Otherwise avoid the house.
+1
I am not often an advocate of relying on the use of deadly force, but there are times when it would seem that there is no alternative. I am glad that your situation did not escalate, but I think you got lucky. Fight of flight - the chances of out running 2 dogs is pretty slim. Time to rethink both your residencial location and your personal protective measures. I hope for your continued good luck.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 10:26 am:
Pits attract some of the worst people. Unfortunately this is s true of the tougher breeds. I used to get the "oh you have a rottweiler. Aren't they savage?" all the time too. He would cop the blame for anything that happened first-guilty until found innocent. He is a good guard dog, but hasn't hurt a flea...(ok he has hurt fleas, but only in self defence)
I had to have him assessed by a trainer to move into a rental proerty once, and the trainer thought he was ace. He doesn't really get along with other males, but that is only if they initiate the behaviour. Females he is fine with The trainer himself said he had an "anti-social" dog. He said he always did the logical thing to prevent fights...kept him away from other dogs!
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 10:45 am:
I was attacked by a dog when I was 8 years old...I was playing in my own yard, and WHAM!!! I'm in incredible pain and being shaken like a rag doll...
The dog had latched onto my left arm at the bicep (I honestly think it had gone for my neck and missed)...my mom, who was in the house ran out and got the dog off me by beating it with a rake...it then ran off.
At the hospital I got 57 stitches...the owner of the dog came to the house the next day with the dog on a leash and asked my dad if he wanted to kill the dog or did he want him to kill it....I killed the dog myself (I had gotten a .22 rifle for my birthday and knew how to use it)...clean headshot, instant death.
By the way..the dog that got me was a dalmation, about 80 pounds...vicious beast. Those were the days when people worked out things without calling in the law or being lawsuit crazy....rouge dog..put it out of our misery and go on..
Since then, I have been dog bit two other times...neither of them survived...not counting my aunt's little ankle nipper with the tiny hypodermic syringes for teeth...I would just launch it across the room with my boot.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 10:51 am:
The best way to train them NOT to be aggressive, is socialization. Get them to a dog park so they can be with other dogs to learn how to act. The other is make sure they know the basic commands. Pit Bulls are great dogs, like it was said above, it is the owners.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 11:02 am:
Dog attacks are nothing to mess with. I would be careful in how you deal with this. If you harm the dogs on the owner's property, YOU could be hauled in for damage of property. Once the dogs pass the property line, you are cleared to take care of business.
It is the owner's responsibility to restrain his animals. Pit Bulls are expected, rightly or wrongly, to be vicious animals. A loose Pit Bull will provide you with significant latitude once off property to deal with the animal as you see fit up to and including the use of deadly force.
Keep in mind, though, that the death of the dog will not be the end of this encounter. You neighbor will more than likely seek replacement animals. The animals are only as good as their owner.
This guy sounds like the dog owner version of the guy who dresses all "gangsta" and shows you his pistol grip every five minutes.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 11:09 am:
And there are some interesting laws in the state of Milwaukee regarding Pits that I have NEVER! seen anyone follow, but can be used to get the dogs taken.
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 01:23 pm:
Don't get me wrong, I agree that what the owner done was wrong. But let's take a little responsibilty and look at the fact that your dog came into thier yard, right up to the chain link fence. Pits are territorial to other animals, and they probably went ape $%#$ over the fact that your dag was there. If this is something that happens as often as you say you walk your dog, then the owner is probably getting tired of his animals getting taunted. No matter your intentions that is how he views it. Best walk your dog on a leash past this guys house. What are the leash laws in your area? You could end up being just in the wrong as he is. Don't let this escalate to a point that your lab pays the price for your bravado. One pit is bad but you say there were two, trust me your lab may be strong but against two no chance. I have two and two dobies. The pits know who the boss is because they were brought in as pups while the two dobes were 3-4 years old. BUT the dobes know who can whip who and we don't let them show any aggression, at all in one way or the other. But there have been a few animals that have snuck into the yard that i have had to bury, its in the pits nature to destroy any other animal competitor to thier domain. plain and simple. He has to take responsibilty as well as you, don't let your dog pay the price is all I'm saying, do what you gotta do. Getting the police involved is the right step.