Why am I the bad guy???????

[ACooper]

I took Orson on his regular walk today...same route as always. We were two blocks from home when a dog comes charging out into the road after us.

I do not want to start anything by saying this, but it was a bully breed. Sorry, but I couldn't say if it was a Staffy, pitbull, dogo, or what because I am not that familiar with telling the difference.
Anyway, my problem isn't/wasn't with the dog......of course it was the owner.

Anywho...The dog came charging out and I always walk with my metal walking stick for just this reason. I smacked the road with the stick and yelled "NO, GO HOME" this made him pause for just a moment, but he continued toward us at a slower pace and I didn't care for his stance. I again yelled "NO, GET HOME" and smacked the ground with the stick. About this time a man comes out of the garage and can clearly see his dog in the road...........does he call his dog? NO, he directs his attention at me and asks "Are you threatening my dog with that stick?" in a very rude way!

I answer "I am trying to get your dog to go back to HIS own yard and leave us alone" to which he replies "If you don't like it, then don't walk your dog by here no more"

WTF???? I was so thrown off by his attitude and comment that I didn't argue further, but just went home and kept looking behind us to make sure his dog didn't follow. I would never want to hurt any animal, but I will not let a fight break out where me or my dog can be hurt either!
This family has just barely moved into the neighborhood, and I probably won't walk that route anymore just to avoid potential problems, but why am I the bad guy for expecting him to keep his dog restrained??

 

[ACooper]

Just for the record, (not picking on bullies) I have had the same problem while walking with two other dogs on seperate occasions..........one was a tiny poodle of some sort, and the other was a boxer. Both times the owners came out and retrieved their dogs. This guy was just a jerk!

 

[ToscasMom]

Next time bring your cell phone AND your stick. Whack the dog and call Animal Control. I would be INFURIATED.

And buy some HALT! And use it on the guy too if he gets near you. When he gets sick of burning eyes on himself and his dog, he will get the message.

 

[happyhound]

Ugh, I feel for you. I was in the same situation. Dog came charging (barking, hackles up, all that) at me and my dog, I started making a fuss about it (yelling at him to get back) and then the owner starts calling him! He sat on his porch watching this happen. Really have to wonder about people sometimes...

 

[cata.m]

jerks are everywhere..... i´ve had the same problem quite afew times, and the owners never take the responsability for their mistakes.... and when you try to avoid that something worse happens, they blame it on you......
the problem with this is that it´s not the dog´s fault, but the owner´s..... and the human race is known for being proud as hell.....
and like ToscasMom said, next time go for the owner.....that halt was a good idea..

 

[FoxyWench]

is there a leash/confinement law in your area? id be contacting someone to find out, why should you have to change your walking route because they cant keep their dog in their yard?!
i would also be buying a can of halt, just in case...

*Sigh* some people infuriate me, how dare he let his dog wander off his property, not give 2 damns and then treat you like the bad guy when you were obeying all leash laws.

 

[Cheza]

Ugh after what happened today I agree on calling animal control! What a jerk!

 

[Bahamutt99]

Please call animal control, at least in the future.

 

[elegy]

i hate that kind of situation. i kicked somebody's dog once (not viciously or anything) to get it off my dog, right in front of the owner. her eyes got really big but she didn't say a word. my dogs were on leashes and her dog came after mine. she knew she was in the wrong.

definitely call animal control. you were absolutely not the bad guy.

 

[Miakoda]

I cannot stand off leash dogs of any breed...or cats for that matter. You did the right thing by protecting your dog. If I were you, I would call AC each & every time you see that dog loose. And you can try carrying mace/pepper spray with you. However, be aware that often times a hurried & frightened walker will spray themself, their own animal, or everything involved in their rush to ward off a fast approaching dog.

As for bully breeds, I'm being perfectly honest when I say that if I allowed most of my APBTs to just roam loose that they would not hesitate attacking another dog. And that is why my dogs are properly confined at ALL times. My neighbor's Beagle is the same way except he has a thing for biting humans as well (he's bitten 3 people...1 of those being the owners son).

And cats well, let's just say we have some brave ones on our street. One cat in particular sees me coming with a dog & comes into the street to greet us. No amount of yelling or swatting or kicking will get the cat to back off. And this is while the owner watches & thinks it's "cute" her cat likes dogs so much. Too bad the entire time I've got a dog trying to get me to let it go so he can get that cat. I always end up having to turn around & cut my walk short.

I also want to mention that if there is a leash law where you live, be sure to let that idiot owner know. However, IMO it's best if he has his dog confiscated. Bully breeds sure don't need any owners like the one in question.

 

[dogsarebetter]

I had to beat two stray dogs with a broom stick to break them off of my mother in laws dog
i felt awful, but i didnt know what else to do.

 

[ACooper]

I am glad you guys are of the same oppinion...........I don't like the thought of having to hit any animal, but I will not stand by while they attack my dog, me, or anyone else for that matter.

And yes, there is absolutely a leash law here.......My town (we live in town) has a population of nearly 30,000 I couldn't imagine what it would be like if there wasn't a leash law! I doubt I will walk my dogs by there anymore, but I will definitely call AC if I see it loose again...........I cringe when I think of what could happen if a child or unprepared person should walk their dog by his place. And when it's warm here, there are tons of kids out walking their dogs.

 

[Julie]

If this happened to me, and the owner acted like that, I wouldn't wait for the dog to be loose again! I would call AC and/or city police, or whoever is in charge of loose dogs.... Give them all the info, and just tell them you want a record of the incident... at least that will leave a paper trail for if anything happens in the future. And tell them you expect a copy of the incident report....so the officer actually does one.

 

[deanac24]

I don't think you are the bad guy at all. It is just disappointing that some people can be so rude. I also don't think you should avoid walking your dogs on that route because of him. You have ever right to walk your dogs. Don't let him stop you. You also have a right not to be harrassed by another dog or its owner.

 

[Renee750il]

You're not the bad guy, Coop. Not even remotely. You were a lot more civil than that fool deserved.

I think our Pit owners here are a prime example of what a Pit-type dog owner SHOULD be.

 

[Whisper]

You're not the bad guy at all. That guy was ridiculous and incredible irresponsible. I'd call animal control as well.
I've had my own experiences with idiotic owners as well.

 

[ACooper]

I agree Renee, the pit owners here at chaz are responsible, not only for their own dogs safety, but for other people's dogs as well. This guy really doesn't need to own any dog, let alone a powerful breed.

To those who have said that they wouldn't change their route, I know where you are coming from. Part of me feels like I am letting him win, but I won't risk a dog fight for the sake of my babies.

You can bet your sweet bippy that I will be talking to the neighbors in the area, and I do drive by there everyday for work. I will be putting AC on my cell phone as well as the city police. I just don't want his dog to suffer for his stupidity.........and since it is a full grown bully breed, I worry about what may happen to it should they take it from him, (not as though it would be easy to adopt out around here) then again I worry about what may happen to it should it stay with him too

 

[Doberluv]

What a royal jerk!!!!!! I'd be infuriated too! You should report him anyhow because he may hurt or kill a dog or bite someone. He probably won't be confiscated since he didn't bite, but they may make him fence his yard or otherwise tell him to keep the dog under control. I can't stand people like that!