The police came to my house tonight

[Denise]

There is a chihuaha that lives down the street from me that constantly gets out of the house and roams the neighborhood. It is a nasty little thing and I have caught him trying to go underneath our fence. The first time I caught him, I told the owner she needs to take control of her dog because if my dogs were in the yard and got a hold of her dog, her dog would be badly injured or worse. The woman obviously didn't take me seriously because she laughed it off. I caught the dog by our backyard again today and once again the dog was trying to get in our yard. This time another woman came out looking for the dog and the dog ended up running all over the neighborhood with the woman trying to catch up to it (the woman was a little less than fit and couldn't run). Tonight, I had Logan and Molly in the yard and guess who comes running out of the alley? The chihuaha. And it managed to get its head underneath the fence and Molly went after it. Normally, Molly and Logan get along with dogs but I notice they don't do fare well around small dogs because they make them nervous. This time a little boy and a man came running after the dog and I got so mad I swore and said "This is freaking ignorant". The man looked at me and couldn't figure out what was wrong. I said, "Your dog is constantly getting loose and I keep telling the people in your family that if something happens to your dog because it comes on my property, it is not my fault". The guy says, "I don't know how he gets out, it isn't my fault". I said, "What do you mean, you don't know how the dog gets out"? His reply, "I open the door and he runs out the door". I said, "Do you have a leash and a collar on the dog"? His reply, "No". I said, "YOU NEED TO HAVE A COLLAR AND A LEASH ON THAT DOG AND THE LEASH NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR HAND WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR". He says, "OKay, okay, but you don't need to swear at the baby (meaning the young boy who was about 10 years old). I said, "I wasn't swearing at him, I made a statement and it was directed towards you". About 20 minutes later I have two policeman coming to my door stating that there have been "several complaints against me and my dogs". I looked at them and was gobsmacked. These people even had the nerve to say one of my dogs jumped the fence and was roaming around the neighborhood. I told them exactly what happened and asked them point blank, "If something happened to their dog because it got out and landed on my property whose fault would it be"? The cop clearly said it would be the other dog owners fault. The two policeman wanted to take a look at my backyard and when I met them around the back, the one cop asked to see Logan and Molly. Both of them came out of the house to greet both policeman and the cops fell in love with both of them. The one policeman said they are sweethearts and he said with all the crap that is going on with Pit Bulls, he would love to shoot the owners. He also said he got bit by a small dog that attacked his leg and wouldn't let go! Both cops said they could clearly see both Molly and Logan were very nice dogs and they could see I was a responsible owner. They were also impressed Molly is a rescue. I shook both their hands and told them they need to tell the family that has the chihuaha to get control of it and always have a collar and leash on it.

On top of all that, yesterday this older guy that has a small dog walks by my yard (Logan and Molly were on the deck) and tells me, "You have vicious dogs". Because his dog is hyper and and goes nuts when he sees Logan and Molly, Molly and Logan start barking at the dog. It is normal for dogs to bark on their own property! I told the guy the dogs across the street are barking and his response was "So"? I told him "If you don't like my dogs, go walk your dog across the street".

Nothing like ignorant people!

[Scarlette]

I got scared when I read the title of your thread because of all of the prejudice against Pit Bulls. I'm glad that everything worked in your favor!

One of Jeff's friends wouldn't come to the house when he found out Scarlette was here. He said that "Dobermans are vicious and would eat him alive." Too bad if you don't want to come over. Scarlette is very well behaved and I refuse to lock her up when he comes over. She lives here, he doesn't!

[Denise]

Rhonda, thanks. I know it was discrimination because they are Pit Bulls. I am thankful the policemen were not biased.

[Keritsubo]

phew! THank goodness the policemen understand! I can't believe there were complaints against your dogs! They sound so well behaved and being territorial when it comse to small yippy dogs, I don't blame them.

Sounds to me like the neighbors were just insulted you'd scold them (agian) to their face. Maybe next time get a hold of the dog and call someone to report it? Have them pick it up at the shelter if they aren't going to keep it under control.

[dragonmaster]

That title worried me too. I'm glad that everything worked out fine. I agree about calling someone the next time you see the chihuahua running around.

[SwC]

Wonderful that the police were kind and compassion enough to understand. My lab Sam's (RIP) favorite playmate was the neighbors pitbull George who would get out on occasion and run like heck. The first place he would head was my yard which is non fenced but Sam never left the back yard on his own accord. They would play then Kenny would come and scarf him up to his own yard. George is a "babydoll"!!! My neighbor has done several Pitbull rescues particularly from the "fighting" bs and after being treated with love the few I have encountered at his home I fell in love with. It's not the dog that should be deemed dangerous it's lousy owners. If anything why didnt the police site the other dogs owners for failure to follow the lease law? A couple of those fines may put them in line.

[Fertmom]

Whew...I was worried at the title also. I am so glad the policemen were understanding and that they have seen how friendly Molly and Logan can be. If anything is ever brought up in the future it might be handy to know the officers' names. They could vouch for you. I would definitely have them pick the dog up at the shelter next time too. (and somehow I just know there will be a next time with idiots like those) Maybe they will think harder about keeping their dog under control.

[jmb9101]

I also thought it was gonna be bad news! Glad to hear that the policemen actually took the time to meet Logan and Molly to see that they were wonderful dogs!

[Brittney]

Wow, those people are really cruel. Their dog causes problems and they try to get you in trouble. My neighbors son's family was staying with them and their Chihuahua came into my yard quite a few times... the time we returned it they put it in the house and it ran right back under the fence... we had to try and block it all the time so I understand you. :/ That's awesome that the cops were understanding and not Pit Bull haters. Do you know if they went and talked to the Chihuahua owners?

[Leo]

The next time that little terror runs into your yard... pick it up, sneak it into your car, & drive it to a shelter a couple of counties over....this way the people won't be able to find it... it is highly likely it will be adopted out or sent into another rescue group.... these people are absolutely ignorant letting their little dog run loose... it could be harmed by your dogs or someone else's (nothing unusual if this was to happen my dogs would probably do the same thing) or even worse hit by a car... these people obviously don't care about their dog otherwise they would be taking steps to keep it in their yard... most states have leash laws that make it illegal to have your dog running loose through the neighborhood... the only time a dog is allowed to be loose is on the owners property and stays on the property. IMO sending the dog to a shelter is far better than it's chances for life with its current owners (where it will eventually endure a painful death either by animal or car).

I also don't understand the whole thing with Pits, Rotties, Dobies etc. I have met a lot very well trained ones and I have also seen a few not so well trained ones... why condemn a breed based on some peoples lack of responsibility to properly train their animals... even a little dog not properly trained can cause damage to someone... I judge every dog I meets personality and my safety with the animal on an individual basis. In the past 2 weeks we have had 3 dog attacks reported on the news 2 of them involved pitts and 1 involved German Shepherd Dogs..... I don't understand why the media feels the need to only report about attacks by these breeds of animals .. my father was attacked a few years back by 3 Chesapeake bay retrievers.. and that didn't make the news.... it seems they will only report it if it is one of these "bad" breeds... A lot of attacks by little dogs go completely un-noticed by the media. Why the media doesn't report on proper pet ownership and properly training your pet instead of bashing breeds is beyond me... these events are prime examples of what not to do with your dog and could be used as examples of that... they attack the dog and not the owner who is responsible for the dogs behavior. Personally I love Rotties and have had the experience of knowing how wonderful a breed they are it really upsets me that the breed has a horrible reputation.

[Chrissy]

Some people.. grrrrr. I can't believe it!! My dog is the same as yours around little dogs so I understand. Good thing the cops were on your side!

[kathydip]

I am so glad that the cops realized how nice your babies were! I bet the chihuahua was trying to go after your dogs! I have little dogs and they would not hesitate to bite a bigger dog - that is why they are always leashed if they are not in a yard with a fence! I understand that sometimes a dog slips out now and then but this sounds like a constant thing. That little dog could get hit by a car easily.
We had a little yorkie that was out at least 4 times a week or more in my neighborhood. The neighbors knew where he lived and brought him back home. I stopped one day on the way to work after seeing him playing in the street. I got him to follow me back to his house. He was dodgy and I couldn't catch him. I was ringing thier doorbell and the woman would not come to the door! I had to ring it several times and wait like 5 minutes - I could see her in the house! But I guess she wasn't dressed yet (still in PJ's) and didn't want to answer the door!
Well one rainy day he got out and never came back. They looked everywhere for him. Put up posters. I think someone took a liking to him and kept him - or they took him to the SPCA further out!

I really would take him to the SPCA every time I found him! They will learn thier lesson when they have to keep picking him up.

[Denise]

I am going to call the police next time I see that dog on the loose. And yes, that Chi was going after my dogs! It is very aggressive and the first time I caught in front of our fence, it lunged after me and when I made a move like I was going to chase it, it took off running. I wouldn't steal the dog though. I don't want to get bit that is for sure. I know where those people live and I have no hesitation calling the police.

[jewels]

I was almost attacked by a golden retriever when I was about 8 years old... they're supposed to be the "best dogs for children"... I have never been attacked by a pit, rot, or a doberman - and I've been around my share of each breed. And I have known quite a few way overly-fiesty toy breeds. Vicious and dangerous can apply to any breed, big or small.

[Nara]

Oh my gosh! The nerve of those people! I'm so glad that everything turned out okay with your dogs though. I would definitely call the police the next time you see the dog running loose. Where I live you can call animal control and they'll take the dog to the shelter, is there any way you could do that so that you don't have to worry about being bitten?