[Sanibel7]

I can't believe people are saying walk the dog another route or take it to a dog park because of some inconsiderate person letting their dog go wild. Whats wrong with some of you people. This is serious and not to be ignored. Call Animal Control and have this stopped or someone or animal becomes hurt!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Sanibel7

I can't believe people are saying walk the dog another route or take it to a dog park because of some inconsiderate person letting their dog go wild. Whats wrong with some of you people. This is serious and not to be ignored. Call Animal Control and have this stopped or someone or animal becomes hurt!

I was one who said if all else failed she could walk the dog somewhere else.

Now the all else did not mean attacking the dog.

I don't think too much is wrong with me. I just deal in reality.

I did say call Deed restriction, Village Watch, Animal control, she had already called the sheriff.. I hadn't gotten to the U.S. Marines...but if your read back. I did say all of those things.

But...even with all of those things, if the dog is still there trying to bite me or bite my dog...I am NOT going to tempt him. I would walk my dog somewhere else.

Don't let this blonde hair fool ya.

[bluedog103]

Boy Howdy

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Rebel Pirate

There are no irresponsible dogs…only irresponsible dog owners. You shouldn’t have to pay the price for an owner who knows his dog is a threat to his neighbors. Since I don’t really live at TV yet, I’m unfamiliar with local laws. However, I had a similar experience in Virginia. I “let it slide” the first time and did not report it even though my dog was bit by the other dog. (No lesson was learned by the other dog owner.) About a year later the incident was repeated with the same dog and owner. This time I called Animal Control who sent an officer to investigate. The investigating officer asked if I wanted to press charges and since this was a repeat offense I did. I went to court and so did the owner. The judge asked us both to speak. I said that my only concern was that since it happened twice it might happen a third time…and I wanted it stopped. If it had been my wife walking our dog, she likely would have been bit since she would not have been able to pick up our dog as I was able. The judge put the fear of the law in the owner and assessed court costs but no fine. That got the owners attention and from then on they did not let their dog go without a leash in their yard. And, oh…it turns out that I was in violation of the law by not reporting the first incident during which my dog was bit; the county ordinance requires a report to animal control whenever a dog actually bites another pet or human. Again, I don’t know what local TV laws require, but I do know it’s important to comply with local laws. We’ll have to learn about those laws when we move to TV full time.

Does anyone know...in TV, do laws governing pets vary by county?...so that there are three different laws governing TV? If yes, can anyone on the forum provide a link to county pet laws? Thanks!

Rebel: I respectfully disagree with you and others who post "there are no irresponsible dogs only irresponsible dog owners". I've been told by a responsible dog trainer that there are some dogs that are just plain BAD. They can attack without warning----even mauling their owners. I certainly believe it because you can read about how the dog even killed its owner. Some breeds of dogs are very dangerous, especially around children. You can google dangerous breeds of dogs that have prove to be irresponsible. If you think you can control a bad dog, better think again. I know you are thinking their owner made them that way----better think again. Unfortunately there are bad dogs just like there are bad people. As far as pet laws vary by county---don't know but enforcement might. I think that in a retirement community like TV that more effort is made to solve the issues by dialogue instead of arrests or enforcement. Seems reasonable to me.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by hillyridge

I have a neighbor who lets his dog loose in his yard and when I walk by (opposite side of street) the dog attacks my small dog.

Hillyridge, I think you need to get together with some of your neighbors and visit the Sheriff's Office. This situation has to be addressed or serious injuries will occur. I'm assuming since the neighbor's dog has attacked your small dog multiple times, that there have been injuries and Vet bills involved. If I were you I'd take the Vet bills to the Sheriff's Office.

I honestly think the Sheriff's Department has a mandate that it must get involved and respond to issues of safety and security. The owner is being irresponsible and the dog is going to cause some serious harm if the situation isn't addressed.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Hillyridge, I think you need to get together with some of your neighbors and visit the Sheriff's Office. This situation has to be addressed or serious injuries will occur. I'm assuming since the neighbor's dog has attacked your small dog multiple times, that there have been injuries and Vet bills involved. If I were you I'd take the Vet bills to the Sheriff's Office.

I honestly think the Sheriff's Department has a mandate that it must get involved and respond to issues of safety and security. The owner is being irresponsible and the dog is going to cause some serious harm if the situation isn't addressed.

As usual, Barefoot makes a whole lot of sense.

[Rebel Pirate]

Originally Posted by justjim

Rebel: I respectfully disagree with you and others who post "there are no irresponsible dogs only irresponsible dog owners". I've been told by a responsible dog trainer that there are some dogs that are just plain BAD. They can attack without warning----even mauling their owners. I certainly believe it because you can read about how the dog even killed its owner. Some breeds of dogs are very dangerous, especially around children. You can google dangerous breeds of dogs that have prove to be irresponsible. If you think you can control a bad dog, better think again. I know you are thinking their owner made them that way----better think again. Unfortunately there are bad dogs just like there are bad people. As far as pet laws vary by county---don't know but enforcement might. I think that in a retirement community like TV that more effort is made to solve the issues by dialogue instead of arrests or enforcement. Seems reasonable to me.

Hi Just Jim...actually, I agree with your sentiments but I think we're saying different things. Yes, some dogs are just plain BAD...aggressive...evil...and dangerous. We had one that lived directly across the street from us. It was a big (100 pounds) German Shepherd and it was fearsome...it attacked my wife once when the owner had it on a leash...came within a hair's width of her skin...shredded my wife's shirt with it's teeth. It was a BAD, AGGRESSIVE, EVIL dog...and it should have been put down. But, it was the dog owner who should have put the dog down. My neighbor said that from then forward he would treat the dog like a loaded gun. My reply was that I trusted him with a loaded gun because a gun is inanimate and he could literally control it. However, if that dog ever got loose, he would not be able to control him and the dog could/would kill anyone he came across. In my mind, he was an irresponsible pet owner...with an aggressive, evil dog. He still has the dog; the dog is still aggressive; the owner is still irresponsible; and if the dog ever gets loose and attacks one of the neighborhood children, the dog will destroy a neighboring family. The neighbors still live in fear. We moved away.

[paulandjean]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Hillyridge, I think you need to get together with some of your neighbors and visit the Sheriff's Office. This situation has to be addressed or serious injuries will occur. I'm assuming since the neighbor's dog has attacked your small dog multiple times, that there have been injuries and Vet bills involved. If I were you I'd take the Vet bills to the Sheriff's Office.

I honestly think the Sheriff's Department has a mandate that it must get involved and respond to issues of safety and security. The owner is being irresponsible and the dog is going to cause some serious harm if the situation isn't addressed.

Did not see that the dog was attacked multiple times as you stated,orvet bills involved.

[Bogie Shooter]

What are the leash laws in Sumter County?
County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property.

Frank Taberner
Animal Services
Title: Animal Control Officer Coordinator
Phone: (352) 793-1470

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Did not see that the dog was attacked multiple times as you stated

Originally Posted by hillyridge

I am a dog and cat owner and love my pets. Several times a day I walk my small (l6 pound) leashed dog through the neighborhood. I always carry a pick up bag for droppings. I have a neighbor who lets his dog loose in his yard and when I walk by (opposite side of street) the dog attacks my small dog. I have confronted this person several times and he continues to completely ignore the leash requirement. Several other neighbors have experienced the same thing walking their dog by his house. 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?

The OP stated that when she walks by the neighbor's house, his dog attacks her small dog. And that several other neighbors have experienced the same thing. She also stated that she lives on a cul de sac and has to walk by the neighbor's house several times a day. I was suggesting they band together and visit the Sheriff.