Something I really hate, that actually makes me super angry.

[altarflame]

Other peoples' dogs roaming loose around the neighborhood.

I cannot even express the way this drives me nuts.

And I am not even talking about our dead chickens, because I do understand you are always taking that risk in one way or another when you choose to keep a prey animal in your yard. We'll secure them better next time.

BUT.

The other evening on our bike ride, Aaron and I had two different LARGE dogs chase us. He almost fell off and got extremely freaked out, both times. I had Elise on the back of my bike and didn't even feel certain I could stop and help him because this giant dog is going nuts and she was shrieking with fear. He keeps his cool pretty well - if it had been Ananda or Isaac it would have been a disaster.

These aren't strays. They're peoples' pets that are allowed to dig under the fence, or sit on the porch until an unsuspecting pedestrian goes by, or whatever. There are already two block long stretches we always avoid because we know there are mean, unattended dogs on them, but apparently now there are more. Even if the dogs aren't truy viscious, barking like mad while nipping at my kids' heels, making him swerve all over the road and become totally distracted from general traffic safety, IS NOT OK. I know of at least two dog owners around here who make a freaking habit of coming out when they hear the ferocious barking from inside, yelling "Dog's name! HEY GET BACK HERE!!!" and then a weak "Sorry". But then they go back in AND THE DOG STAYS OUTSIDE, UNRESTRAINED, until the next person comes along.

Now my across the street neighbors. Who are nice people, and our kids play together, they've given us tomatoes out of their garden and we baked extra cupcakes for them, yada yada. They got a second dog. The old dog was under their fence and in our yard pretty regularly but he was pretty innocent and quiet and very small, and ran when he saw us so I only really mentioned it to them once. But they've added a hyper german shepard puppy who's nearly grown but still acts like a maniacal puppy. Who came under the fence and killed our chickens, and has been back under the fence twice.

Granted we have been trying to figure out a good non-relationship-shattering way to tell them they have to do something, so we haven't informed them of this yet. Partially because summer activities have thrown our schedules so far out of sync that we're rarely home at the same time anymore.

But Grant has found dig marks from the dog coming BACK IN under the privacy fence in the back since. And I found POOP in our side yard, where the kids play. And this morning while I was trying to get my kids out the door to VBS, the stupid thing was - playfully, no barking - jumping all over the opening door, and any person who came out a little, REFUSING to get back. Elise is really freaked by big dogs, Isaac is nervous about them, Ananda USED to have a major phobia that kind of resurfaces in these instances. I was eventually, after yelling at it, and swatting at it, KICKING this dog with my baby on my hip and it was still constantly leaping at me on my front porch as if it were a game. The whole way to VBS and back Jake and Elise were hoping the dog wasn't still in our yard when we got home...but of course it was. So I had to carry Elise in again. Keeping in mind I am never supposed to lift Elise at all because of herniation and entrapment and how usually she climbs in and out of her carseat herself.

I just feel so pissed off about how this is totally socially acceptable around here. Part of me really, really wants to call animal control, but I would never want anyone to call people - animal, child or whatever kind of people - on me, especially without at least attempting a conversation first.

So I have to watch for them to be home and try to have a really awkward conversation now. It's hard because I know they've moved boards around and even gotten some fill, to ATTEMPT to keep the dogs in, and they do put them back in whenever they're home/awake. But it is obviously not good enough and I don't know how to tell them they need to leash them or put up hot wire or stick them in the house more or, I don't even know what. I'm not really in the habit of issuing neighbors ultimatums.

Blah.

Comments

[psyko-kitty.livejournal.com]

Tina, I totally feel you on this. My neighbor's dog actually managed to get _into_ my house where it proceeded to dive under a bed, pull out my cat, and kill her right in front of my then 2 1/2 year old. It was awful. The owners failed to secure the dog after that and eventually I was able to get animal control out here fast enough to take it away. It was a total nightmare.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOSH. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would never try to ENFORCE this, because I am too libertarian and equal-rights minded. But I am starting to really be of the OPINION that large dogs - excepting like truly gentle, lazy breeds and service dogs - just don't have any place in the suburbs. People just don't have enough area for them to roam and so they end up infringing on other peoples' rights like crazy. Nobody but my mother would try to keep german shepards or doberman pinchers or whatever in apartments, so what is the difference really with homes under 3000 square feet that have yards under a half acre? With flimsy chain link fences that have holes underneath?

That really does sound like a nightmare for you guys. I am so, so sorry your family had to deal with it. I really hope you immediately called the police, but I would also totally understand if that was the last thing on your mind at the time.

[aranel.livejournal.com]

Many large dogs are great with kids, and can thrive perfectly well in a suburban environment IF they are properly trained, exercised, and kept busy so they don't get bored and destructive (especially important for smarter/working breeds). A really well-trained dog can even be allowed off-leash (with owners present) and still be under control. BUT that requires responsible dog owners, which many people clearly are not.

In the case of your neighbors, I'd talk to them, but in the case of a loose dog that's being aggressive toward humans, I would actually call animal control, even though I love dogs.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

I have been considering calling animal control on a couple of rowdy viscious seeming ones that really go after people on other streets, where we would otherwise ride. The neighbors' dogs are not really aggressive towards us, just playful...playful is just enough to scare small kids who are scared of dogs, when the dog is big.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_delphiki_/]

This. Our dogs never get out. EVER.

My 2 dogs are well trained, one is 70ish lbs and will lay down in front of a child because she's had it drilled into her head over and over that children are pack leaders. My SO's dog I haven't spent as much time training so I wouldn't allow her around strangers. If my dogs had a habit of getting out I would be outside with them so they were never outside alone and install an electronic fence (in addition to our physical one).

I agree- dogs need physical as well as mental stimulation.

[-evalution.livejournal.com]

i think the mistake people make is thinking that a yard=adequate exercise for a dog. all dogs (with the exception of dogs that are out roaming the countryside) NEED to go for walks on a daily basis. even if they have a large yard. i owned a doberman pincher in apartments for years--and it was not an issue because i walked him at least 3 times a day, as well as taking him for runs.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

You are probably right. I see people in my neighborhood everyday riding motorized kids' scooters, golf carts, people walking, jogging and on bicycles, there's the old lady who always has a big stick with her - but I have really rarely ever seen anyone walking a dog :/ Like...I'm not sure if I've ever witnessed that even once. And probably one house in three has a dog.

[-evalution.livejournal.com]

what i've learned about dogs is that they have a need to roam--wild dogs are used to covering miles and miles everyday. it's part of their nature, to have a route that they cover regularly. which would be why these dogs are breaking out of their yards and wandering the neighborhood. :/ dogs need walks.