Serious business! Need help before something bad happens!

ACooper

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#1
Here's the scenario..........

The lady who owns the house 4 houses down and across the street from me has gotten married, moved, and rented her home to some other people.

These people have 3 dogs, two of which are pitties, and the other looks to be a black lab (could be a lab mix, not sure)

These people are constantly having to chase down all three of these dogs. They are letting them get loose, I say 'letting' because they are usually hot on their heels running right behind all three who won't listen to a word they say, so they are obviously RIGHT THERE when the escape goes down.

Today I put Phoebe and Orson out in the backyard (privacy fenced) to do their business, came upstairs for a sec to gather some laundry and heard ALL HE!! breaking loose outside.

My first thought was OMG........Tator is being attacked! (tator is the neighbor's little dog and is hooked up in the front yard sometimes)

I FLY down the steps, fly out the front door..........grabbing my walking stick on the porch as I go. Tator is NOT outside *phew* but the three dogs are loose and at my gate "fence fighting" with my two.

As expected, here comes the neighbor man running across the road calling his dogs (who don't even turn to look at him) he sees me standing there with my stick and I feel the need to clarify and tell him it sounded like a major dog fight going on out here.

I helped him catch his dogs, who are quite friendly to all but other dogs, LOL

There is going to come a day when Tator IS chained out front, or my other neighbor's cats are going to be out front and these dogs are going to do major damage!

Calling AC isn't going to do a darn thing since the people do always chase down and get their dogs right way. The only thing it *might* accomplish is making the pitties look bad yet again.

I have no clue what to do without looking like a big butinski :(
 

Sweet72947

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#2
Buy some cheap leashes, print out stuff on here about door-busting and other training that you think might be valuable to them, and leave a nice package of all of this on their doorstep. Maybe they'll take the hint.
 
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#3
Have you seen what kind of a yard setup they've got? If the dogs are getting out the door when it gets opened, that's one issue. If they're getting out of the yard, that's another. If they're just being let out to do their business, that's a third. I personally would have a nice conversation with animal control and let them handle it. Even if the people always catch their dogs, maybe AC can talk them into taking more preventative measures.
 

ACooper

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#4
Sweet, that might come off as presumptuous and haughty........I don't think I want to do that :(

Baha, I really, really don't think they let the dogs out on purpose........I mean they KNOW they will have to chase them down to get them back, so I just can't see that being the case.

Their backyard is privacy fenced like mine, I haven't ever been inside the fence or made any close observations, but it looks to be sound.

If I had to pick of the three options, my money would be on door (or gate) charging. They have little kids, and with little kids comes running in and out.

All three of the dogs are extremely friendly, and obviously very good with the kids. The only harm I can see them causing would be to another dog or someone walking their dog..........besides the obvious harm to themselves if they run across the street at the wrong time.

The man seems like he really cares well for the dogs. They aren't left outside 24/7, they look sleek, healthy, and shiny. And as stated, they are VERY people friendly so they have spent plenty of time in the company of people.

*sigh* I really don't want to call AC..........for all I know one of my other neighbors may have already done so because this happens often. I just wish I had the time to befriend them and be helpful in a different way.
 

Maxy24

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#6
Maybe you can befriend them and offer some helpful advice on door darting at that point, do you ever see the people when they are not chasing after the dogs? you could also make a point to try and catch the dogs when you see them, if you are brining them back a lot you could always offer advice as the moment would be right.
 

ACooper

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#7
Sadly the only times I have ever seen them is while they are chasing down the dogs. Their kids aren't the same ages as ours (they are all smaller and not in school) so I can't use that connection either.

Plus, I have only seen the man..........never even laid eyes on the wife yet (if there is one)

I think I will try a version of sweet's idea, I didn't think about doing it anonymously.......I will have to be pretty tricky to get it done though, I mean they DO have 3 alarm systems "installed" LOL

I might still call AC and at least talk to them though, they might be able to check in with them. I just don't want to get these people ticked with the neighbors (or me) since they are fairly new and don't really know anyone yet.
 

Jules

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#8
Did you already talk directly to them?

I can understand that it might be uncomfortable... but you don't have to come across like a butt... but you can tell them your worries about the dogs running loose all the time. Tell them that your neighbors have their dog sometimes tied on their property and that that is a major risk.

If they seem like they care... but are just missing enough sense to think ahead because nothing bad has happened yet... maybe that will make them more aware. Then you can still tell them about tips and tricks on "door-jetting".

If they seem like they don't give a ****... get AC involved.
 

mjb

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#9
It sounds like they might be very caring people. They might not know about the little dog that is occasionally tied out in the front yard. That knowledge alone might scare them into trying to work on the problem.
 

Sniperess

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#10
I'm a bit less worried about being interpreted as "haughty" and more worried for the other pets in the neighborhood. I'm afraid I'd be very blunt and point out that while you understand that a pet may get away/bust out once in a while, the fact that these dogs are repeatedly out concerns you as a homeowner/pet owner and you feel they need to make some changes to prevent a catastrophy from happening, whether it be to a neighbors, your own, or to their own dogs by them running loose and not being dog/cat friendly.
Why wait until they DO attack another dog and add yet another reason for people to fear the pit bulls? I'd get to the nitty gritty of it now and have it over with. If they can't see you are simply a concerned neighbor, both for others welfare and for THEIRS, then they perhaps need to have animal control called on them as a warning their other neighbors don't feel comfortable with the situation.

But thats just my own feelings on it all.
 

Maxy24

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#11
And next time you see them running after the dogs you can use the old lie "My hound/Doberman used to do that ALL the time but then I started doing some training *outline training method here* and she's been great, it was hard work but it was worth it" if they show interest tell them something along the lines of "Well if you want I can type you up what i did" and then come here and either print stuff out or take what you've read here/know and type up a good how to version for them, or perhaps they just want you to tell them how so be prepared and know what your talking about.
 

bubbatd

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#12
I'd try to talk to them ..... maybe take over some welcome cookies and dog biscuits .Tell them your concerns and ask how the dogs are getting out . If young kids are opening the door , offer them a doggy or baby gate . Obviously they care .
 

ACooper

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#13
Thanks everyone! You have all offered quite a few good ideas and I do appreciate them all.

I know I won't have to wait too long for the dogs to escape again (hope I am home), and then I will start a conversation with them..........hopefully it will go well :)
 

smkie

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#14
I tried like heck with Onxy and her people. I wish you luck, at least the owner is behind them, that means there is promise.
 

FoxyWench

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#15
i would definatly take every oportunity to talk to them and explain that your more concerned about the dogs saftey, explain about tater and say you dont want anything bad happending to anyones dogs but they must know the risks. and outcome if somethign did happen.

you could also perhaps refer them to this forum.
 

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