Unfriendly unleashed neighbor dog

[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?

[memason]

Surely, you could walk a different route and avoid the house....no ??

Oh, By the way.... Welcome to TOTV. Nice first post ????

[Uptown Girl]

For the safety, I'd walk my dog elsewhere.

[KathieI]

Agree with Memason, can you find another route? But you say you've talked to the owner and he ignores you? Does he look very ill to you? If so, maybe you could offer him some help in how to constrain his pet with suggestions, i.e. invisible fencing, long lead tied to the house??? Just a thought.

[bkcunningham1]

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?

I have no idea where you live, but if there are lease laws in your area, contact animal control.

[KayakerNC]

Pepper Spray.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NpA2YzKGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Phanatic Luvr]

What street does this animal live on. I have a pet sitting service and would really like to know.

[cathyw]

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?

Since the sherriff's department told you that he owner is not well, I'd be more concerned about the owner and his dog. Did his dog actually go into the street...you said you were walking on the opposite side. If so, I would talk to the owner and show concern about his dog being hit by a car or cart. If his dog didn't leave his yard...perhaps he has an invisible fence. The owner may be too ill and may not be able to walk his dog anymore...maybe just can't find his leash or cant get to the store to buy a new one. Perhaps if you or one of your neighbors stop and talk to him (preferrably when you are not walking your dog)
you would be able to determine if you can help him in any way.
The flip side, of course, is that he is a nasty neighbor and just doesn't care.
I'm betting on the first senario. Please let us know if this gets resolved. Thanks.

[hillyridge]

It would be nice to walk a different route but I live on a cup-de-sac and no option but to walk by his house. Owner is well enough to reply to me that I am the one with the problem and his dog has right to be free which I have no problem if dog stayed in his yard. Dog runs across street and I have to walk on opposite side of street in yard. I am not upset with the dog. It is the owner that bothers me. I wouldn't harm the dog.

[Bonnevie]

I realize you shouldn't have to alter your course for someone not following the rules....(and I'm not in TV yet) but where I currently live I had a dog attack both my small dogs and if the UPS man hadn't helped they'd both be more seriously hurt or dead. Needless to say, I have never again walked down that street despite assurances from the owners that they would make sure it didn't happen again.

[Bonnevie]

just saw your cul de sac posting. yep, that makes it difficult. I hate to suggest calling animal control, but sometimes you have to.

[Taltarzac725]

You could try a Villages or local dog park if you are close to one. Or, golf cart ride your pooch to another neighborhood. There are dog parks in the Villages at Mulberry (Springdale Fitness Trail); off of Buena Vista and Bonita near the Bonita Fire Station; and near Paradise Lake on the east side of 27/441 near the bridge. There is also a municipal dog park in Lady Lake off of Rolling Acres near the golf driving range next to the softball diamond. And a private dog park near the intersection of CR104 and CR101--Doggie Doo Run Run.

[paulandjean]

Myself I would carry a big stick,If he got close lookout. Couple years back here,I guy would walk his dog at night with a long long leash. Came out of garage at night,the dog was right there a big dog.I kicked that dog so hard he was yulping back to owner. He was mad,but not as mad as me. never had a problem with that again.

[RCR]

I would obtain a permit to carry a weapon, then holster it on my hip facing his side of the street and then loudly proclaim those immortal words "GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY!!"

[graciegirl]

Sometimes if what we have done doesn't work, then we have to do something else. I am not siding with this person who is clearly in the wrong but I wouldn't let it get me all upset. I would put puppy in the car and drive to another neighborhood. Park at a mail drop and walk.

I feel bad for you and the inconvenience of it and I sense that you have tried to communicate with this person and so have others. Sometimes people just do things for power.

It is a shame that they use animals and even kids sometimes to throw their weight around.

Ignore it and go somewhere else and enjoy the blue skies and sunshine and the companionship of your furry friend.

I hope it helps that we understand.

[justjim]

It seems to me you are down to just a few options. Unless the dog bites you, probably the sheriff or animal control will do nothing. You have already gone the sheriff route and animal control will have to catch the dog out of his yard. I hate to get pepper spray but did several years ago because the person I was dealing with was unreasonable and sounds like you are dealing with the same type person. Lastly, you can just take your dog somewhere else via car or golf cart until things change with this situation. If by cart, I would have the pepper spray handy. If the man is not well, things could change sooner instead of later.

[paulandjean]

I vote for pepper spray....

[kgentile1010]

I think you could still walk in your neighborhood and train that dog to leave you alone. There are some dog repelent sprays out there that say they are humane. It might be nice to try one of those first. I know it's easy to feel mad at the dog, but it's really his human who is wrong. I googled and found two products that may work. One was at PetSmart called DirectStop Animal Diterrent Spray. There was another one on Amazon.com called SprayShield Animal Deterrent Spray. I'm sure Pepper Spray would work, but it could injure the dog.

[Bryan]

You can report him to Deed Compliance, in writing. His dog is required to be leased when outside. Invisible fences don't count.

[Markam]

You can report him to Deed Compliance, in writing. His dog is required to be leased when outside. Invisible fences don't count.

I suggest you take a few pictures of the unleashed dog and send them with the letter - along with the testimony of a neighbor or two to back you up.

Good luck.

[goodgrief]

Call animal control. There are leash laws in effect. The owner is no exception to the rule. I don't cut anyone slack in this area. Laws are laws.

Sounds like this is pure negligence on the owners part. If you have no intention of taking care of your animal then its time you put it up for adoption or give it away to someone who will take care of it.

Leaving a dog act like this will bring harm to the dog or someone else and in both cases the animal will likely be removed anyway.

[paulandjean]

Vote no on driving my dog to a park. I bought here and am not going out of my way because someone is doing the wrong thing. Pepper spray.

[mac9]

We had a former neighbor who walked her boxer on a very long lead. The dog would growl and bare teeth upon occasion. Several of us tried to talk to her, but she felt "safe" with the dog and would not listen. The short of it is that it finally bit a neighbor on the arm and leg. During the attack, she could not control the animal. The next day she had a muzzle on it. But it was too late. The bit neighbor called animal control (as well as the ER reporting the dog bite). Final result was that the dog had already bitten someone else and was euthanized. All because she was too dense to realize that the animal could and should have been trained. This happened in NJ, not TV.

[GeoGeo]

I believe you said your dog weighs 16#. That would be a little heavy for a lot of people to carry...I don't you know you personally. But have you considered walking your dog, but carrying him/her past the person's house that has the loose dog, then setting your dog back down once past there and continuing with your walk. I have had to do that with my 15# dog in the past. Just a suggestion.

[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!

[sueandskip]

Pepper Spray.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NpA2YzKGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

LIKE !:pepper2:

[sueandskip]

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?


Where does it say you don't have to abide by the rules if you don't feel good ?

[old moe]

:what::what: most of the posts are giving the loose dog owner the RIGHT here, rediclous!!! The guy walking his dog ON LEASH is doing the right thing. He need not take a different route, or go to a park, etc. The owner of that loose dog needs to learn to LIVE WITH OTHERS AND OBEY THE LAW. He is not special. Call animal control and get something done now before someone gets hurt. Its not the dogs fault either, its the owner who could care less about other people,shame on him. I too am a dog owner ,old and sickly but I don't infringe on other peoples RIGHTS. :2excited:

[paulandjean]

Poster says the dog attacks her small dog. maybe time to put the dog down. sounds very aggresive.

[Cisco Kid]

I vote for pepper spray for the owner of the dog. :swear:
He needs to learn how to play with others.
The Dog will say on the leash if he had on.

[shcisamax]

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.

[bluedog103]

LIKE !:pepper2:
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.

[KayakerNC]

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/I/21We3f6ywWL._AA300_.jpg

[paulandjean]

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

[gomoho]

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.

[Roaddog53]

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:

[paulandjean]

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.......................

[graciegirl]

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.............;)

[paulandjean]

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.

[Barefoot]

Myself I would carry a big stick,If he got close lookout. Couple years back here,I guy would walk his dog at night with a long long leash. Came out of garage at night,the dog was right there a big dog.I kicked that dog so hard he was yulping back to owner. He was mad,but not as mad as me. never had a problem with that again.

I vote for pepper spray....

Vote no on driving my dog to a park. I bought here and am not going out of my way because someone is doing the wrong thing. Pepper spray.

Poster says the dog attacks her small dog. maybe time to put the dog down. sounds very aggresive.

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

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.......................

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.

[paulandjean]

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

[graciegirl]

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

Is that political?

[shcisamax]

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.............;)

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

[bluedog103]

Boy Howdy not sure what that means.Probably that you agree with me.
Nope, that's not it.:rolleyes:

[justjim]

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.

[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]

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]

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. :read: 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. :police:

[Barefoot]

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]

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.
:BigApplause: As usual, Barefoot makes a whole lot of sense.

[Rebel Pirate]

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. :read: 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. :police:

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. :mad: 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. :mad: The neighbors still live in fear. We moved away.

[paulandjean]

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]

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

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.