I have hesitated to weigh in here because these threads can get fairly acrimonious. That said, if his dog actually attacked your dog, you need to be taking some action more than walking a different route. Are you able to ask him why he thinks it is acceptable for his dog to attack another pet? Perhaps you can advise him that if his dog attacks again, you will be prepared to defend your pet..that he doesn't have a leg to stand on in the court if his dog isn't on his property and causes harm to another animal or human. Perhaps you let him know that legally he is responsible financially as well as his dog will be put down if he attacks again. There is a nice way of saying everything.

Take it from someone who was a mailman many years ago. Pepper spray doesn't always work. Sometimes it just makes the dog angrier. Other times on a windy day it will go everywhere but at your target, including in your own face. It's better to keep working on the dog owner.

Since the OP is walking, a nice hardwood walking stick would be a good deterrent. Point the stick at the attacking dog's nose, making it an obstacle, rather then swinging it and leaving yourself open when/if you miss.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...WL._AA300_.jpg

Good smack with a stick would do the job. Worked for me when the Nuns smacked my wrist with a ruler.

Don't punish the dog - punish the owner. Call animal control, not the sheriff, and explain the situation. Is the dog out at certain times of the day? if so plan to have animal control see the problem at an assigned time. You should not have to be intimitidated by someone's ignorance, not should the dog be punished because of his idiot owner.

And why in the world would someone go to the expense, time and training of an invisible fence only to have his dog on a leash in his own yard. That is just plain ridiculous.

I even reported this person to the sherriff's department and they told me the owner is old and not well. What should I do?[/QUOTE]

I find it difficult to understand a sheriff saying the owner is old and ill so it is "ok" for him to break the law and not have the dog on a leash. I guess they can enforce things when they want to around here. Especially odd too that he didn't ALSO recommend animal control if it continues. So since most of us are "old" and many have some type of "illness" that gives us the ok to do what we want? :a20::shocked:

Something starting to smell like poop here. Second posts. Not sure of this one.Not sure of this one. Find it hard with posters answers.......................

I don't understand. Whose post is the second post? OH....because the OP has NOT come back to comment.

I think if I had this difficulty, the first call I would make is to Villages Watch and then deed restrictions. And then animal control. AND IF that didn't work, I would go down to the square and share an ice cream with my dog

But...I don't have a dog.............;)

So it was you with sharing the ice cream with your dog.Try to be nice,I was just bringing up that certain things do not add up.Have a nice day sounds like you started off on the wrong foot.

Boy Howdy.

Boy Howdy not sure what that means.Probably that you agree with me.

If Barefoot were running for president, I would be her campaign manager.

Is that political?

Want one? I have a 3 year old in fur that keeps calling, "Gracie, Gracie"..lol

Nope, that's not it.:rolleyes:

Careful, careful, careful-----Admin. could eliminate any dog thread like they did the political forum. I first heard the term Boy Howdy in God's country---Southern Illinois.