Is your dog a killer, too?

I live in a small town with woods and hiking trails. My neighbor just called this morning to say she came upon 2 raccoons having a vicious fight. One raccoon killed the other and then came after her and her 2 dogs. Thankfully her dogs were leashed and she managed to get out of there without anyone getting hurt. She was very shaken and called to warn me about walking my dogs back there because she was afraid the attacking raccoon was rabid. I don't know about anyone else's backyard but we have had bears in ours. We also have skunks passing thru. I volunteer at our local SPCA and we hear from desperate people who have had their dogs stolen out of their yards. You do need to supervise your dogs for their own safety.
 
PhyllisG said:
I live in a small town with woods and hiking trails. My neighbor just called this morning to say she came upon 2 raccoons having a vicious fight. One raccoon killed the other and then came after her and her 2 dogs. Thankfully her dogs were leashed and she managed to get out of there without anyone getting hurt. She was very shaken and called to warn me about walking my dogs back there because she was afraid the attacking raccoon was rabid. I don't know about anyone else's backyard but we have had bears in ours. We also have skunks passing thru. I volunteer at our local SPCA and we hear from desperate people who have had their dogs stolen out of their yards. You do need to supervise your dogs for their own safety.
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Holy cow, Phyllis! That's scary!

We get bears in our yard, too. Actually just a couple of weeks ago we had a black bear stroll through while DH was outside with a leashed Rascal.

ITA with you and others on the need for supervision. People don't realize it, but dog theft happens more than people realize.
 
Joejack, my post was intended to be harsh, and for good reason. In addition to all of the aforementioned reasons, this owner (and it also sounds like, you) could be exposing themselves to potential, expensive litigation. As Carola's experience demonstrates, bad owners risk people's health and in some cases lives. Owners who have animals they know are aggressive can be held legally responsible -- including jail time. I was trying to make a point that was being overlooked. Sadly, some people only hear harsh tones so being "nice" isn't always an option when dealing with situations such as this.
 
My puggle has killed a sofa, an oriental rug, about 6 pillows & a quilt. Does that count? :p Now if she could just catch those centipedes.......

Backyard critters are pretty scary. I came home from work at around midnight a few weeks ago & there was a huge raccoon sitting on top of my garbage can next to my door. HUGE--weighed at least 40 lbs. And showed no fear at all. I think if I'd been on foot instead of in my car I'd have been in trouble. I have a fenced yard, but I've def. been keeping a closer eye on the dogs when they're outside.
 
NY25 said:
Just one other thing to consider - it your off-leash "killer' (your words) dog killed my animal, and you knew of your dog's behavior patterns (which you do based on the laundry list of slaughter you've enabled), I'd sue you from here to next year. And I know I'm not the only one. Not only are you encouraging bad behavior in your dog, but he/she goes after someone's pet or child, you open yourself up for legal action in a BIG way. Get a harness, get a leash, get some obedience training and use them.
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My thoughts exactly! I don't think this statement is as harsh as someone letting their dangerous (and previous attacks does make the dog dangerous, I don't care how cute he looks curled up by the fire or how sweet he is to you!) dog off lease and endangering others because they are too damn lazy to hold on to a leash. Dog attacks are dangerous, costly and traumatizing!
 
LauraMax said:
My puggle has killed a sofa, an oriental rug, about 6 pillows & a quilt. Does that count? :p Now if she could just catch those centipedes.......

Backyard critters are pretty scary. I came home from work at around midnight a few weeks ago & there was a huge raccoon sitting on top of my garbage can next to my door. HUGE--weighed at least 40 lbs. And showed no fear at all. I think if I'd been on foot instead of in my car I'd have been in trouble. I have a fenced yard, but I've def. been keeping a closer eye on the dogs when they're outside.
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My Eskimo has killed three vacuum cleaners...does that count?:eek: While it wasn't dangerous or traumatizing...it was costly!
 
Just wanted to throw in my two cents here! :p

I have two dogs, one of which I adopted from the local humane society. He was a 4 to 6 year old pit bull mix when we got him. He is a wonderful dog, but he has his issues. When we first got him he had a lot of aggression issues - mostly other animals but sometimes even with people. We worked closely with a dog trainer, the humane society, and our vet to get the best advice possible. We researched things on the internet about the pit bull breed. With the help of the trainer and all the information we got, we were able to get most of his aggression issues under control. However, he is NEVER outside without a leash on. I do not bring him around chilren, and I always carefully monitor his behavior whenever other poeple or other animals.

The point I'm trying to make here is that dogs are a lot of work, and you need to be willing to put the work in before you adopt or buy a dog.

Also, I just want to actually thank everyone here - I was able to take some of the advice here to apply to my own situation, so thanks everyone! :D And about supervising dogs while they are in a fence - everyone who posted has opened my eyes!!! I generally leave my dogs outside, with minimal supervision (we have a 6 foot flat cedar fence around our yard), thinking I should be fine! :confused: Oops!! I will definitely be more careful from now on!!!! I guess every day can be a learning experience!!

To the OP - I hope you don't close your mind to the suggestions in this post. I think everyone was just trying to offer you some good advice, and I don't think they were attacking you! I am very happy to hear you adopted a shelter dog - they are truly wonderful pets. However, sometimes they need a little extra work (as do dogs you buy as pups - my other pup has a mind of her own - we're constantly working on her! :p) Just learn from your experiences and take any advice you can get!
 
hiitdogs said:
The dog was running outside without a leash. Let me get this straight, the dog owner has a dangerous weapon on their hands, lets her run loose, bites my kid and it is my fault because I am not supervising my child enough.

This is exactly what is wrong with people like you and my neighbor. You guys don't control your dogs, let them run loose, refuse to get professional help and when something happens it's the other people's fault for not supervising their cat or their child whereas it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that your dog doesn't bite!

It is irresponsible dog owners like you who spoil it for the rest of us with more and more restrictions, laws and control.

Some people really shouldn't have dogs :mad::mad::mad:
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I really don't believe you are to blame for your child's dog bite. I wasn't there, don't have the facts, and wouldn't jump to that conclusion. I was trying to illustrate how a post can be twisted in a negative way. Sorry to put that out there and add fuel to the fire, but you really should take a good look at how you treat people even if it's just online.


Why not listen to another person's perspective and move forward from there instead of beating them with your assumptions and words just because you are coming from a different point of view? I would think life could be quite trying if you come undone like you did just because you don't agree with someone else.


My eyes/ears are opened to what everyone is saying...but Carola/NY25 very few people will hear your message if your first reaction is to assume the worst in them.

Many thanks to CLD...I loved your post and learned from it.

I guess I'll go back to lurkdom.:)
 
NY25 said:
Joejack, my post was intended to be harsh, and for good reason. In addition to all of the aforementioned reasons, this owner (and it also sounds like, you) could be exposing themselves to potential, expensive litigation. As Carola's experience demonstrates, bad owners risk people's health and in some cases lives. Owners who have animals they know are aggressive can be held legally responsible -- including jail time. I was trying to make a point that was being overlooked. Sadly, some people only hear harsh tones so being "nice" isn't always an option when dealing with situations such as this.
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Good response NY25...In our neighborhood a dog bit a child on the face. The child's family sued the dog owner for one million dollars, yes...you read that right. That's what their homeowner's insurance covered up to for personal injury. The child suffered stitches from a torn lip and nose and the family went for as much as they could because of past incidences exactly spelled out on the *killer list* including a dead cat and several birds and charging cyclists that were riding past their home (including me). I agree with Carola about handling dogs, I've owned a large breed dog for many years and I absolutely agree that the owner is ALWAYS responsible.
 
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besides your dog's safety, you also wouldn't want her killing someone else's pet. cats, other smaller dogs, etc.. my cat had a run in with a dog once. luckily he just came out with a couple of bites and is ok now, just something to be mindful of. I know animals will be animals, but maybe a leash would be helpful till he is trained to be called back.
 
fences

There are obviously two camps on all of these issues and none of it is as simple as some make it out to be.

I spent a lot of money to put up a four board fence with wire around my entire backyard. I don't have a documented dog who kills, but I can guess that if a cat came into the yard and got cornered it might be ugly. This in no way makes me go out and watch my dogs' every move when they are in MY yard. IMO it is ridiculous to even suggest such a thing.

I guess many of you will have to live on the defensive in light of so many of us irresponsible dog owners; maybe you'll rethink letting your cats roam around. We could save a few songbirds...............(chipmunks, mice, baby rabbits, baby squirrels, etc.)


Tracy
 
Havingfun said:
There are obviously two camps on all of these issues and none of it is as simple as some make it out to be.

I spent a lot of money to put up a four board fence with wire around my entire backyard. I don't have a documented dog who kills, but I can guess that if a cat came into the yard and got cornered it might be ugly. This in no way makes me go out and watch my dogs' every move when they are in MY yard. IMO it is ridiculous to even suggest such a thing.

I guess many of you will have to live on the defensive in light of so many of us irresponsible dog owners; maybe you'll rethink letting your cats roam around. We could save a few songbirds...............(chipmunks, mice, baby rabbits, baby squirrels, etc.)


Tracy
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There is NOTHING ridiculous about monitoring an aggressive dog, it's called being responsible. Aside, some dogs have a funny way of getting out of the yard, especially when they are in the yard by themselves for hours at a time, some dogs jump fences, some will dig their way out .....

But I guess people can't be bothered with keeping tabs on their dogs, it's not surprising that there are so many incidents with dogs running loose and attacking other animals and innocent people.

And yes, people should not let their cats roam outside either! But unlike dogs a cat rarely is a danger to a small child, unless the cat contracted rabies.

Gosh darn it, where is Judge Judy :eek:????
 
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