[FromNY]

Dogs are suppose to be leashed!

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by Buzzerbaby

I have a pit bull, she’s a fantastic dog. Personally, I would not let her off leash in an uncontrolled environment. Btw, I’ve been bitten more often from little dogs like chihuahuas then larger breeds. In fact I’d venture to say that little dogs do bite more then larger dogs, you just don’t hear about it as often because they don’t do the damage that larger breeds can. To ban a certain breed is ludicrous, kind of like banning someone of a different color or ethnicity beacause they supposedly are more (insert whatever reason you want here) then others. Just like people, dogs are products of their environment and owners/parents. Flame away ������

Agree! All dogs can attack and sometimes unprovoked so they should all be on leashes

[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by Malsua

I don't have a baton, but I have the same S&W. I should probably get a baton.

I love dogs. In fact, I love my Bichon Frise so much that anyone or anything that attempts him harm will have to get through me.

One minor exception. You can see that here: Skunk encounter - YouTube

I'll do my best, but at some point, he's on his own! hehe.

Using a baton on a pitbull or other attacking dog would probably result in the dog turning on you. The gun seems like it would result in a better ending. I'm just not sure a dog attacking another dog and not a person would fall into the justification to discharge a firearm in a populated area ordinance.

[lawgolfer]

For 40 years I defended hundreds of homeowners/dog owners by appointment of their insurers. Included were three death claims. In every case the dog owners never failed to tell me, at length, how their dog was the most wonderful, gentle pet and that they could not imagine what the victim did to provoke their dog. The next thing I usually heard was how the dog slept with their children and they would never have allowed this had the dog been vicious.

From this, I learned four things:

1. All owners love their dogs and believe their dogs are harmless;

2. All owners are blind to reality and fail to appreciate the danger their dogs pose to others;

3. Any dog can bite at any time or attack another dog at any time;

4. Large dogs bite harder, do more damage, and pose a greater danger than small dogs.

As a final observation, my clients who owned pit bulls were the worst offenders and failed to have any insight into the danger their dogs posed to others. Frankly, most of them were flaming as ....oles who should have been locked in a cage with someone else's pit bull!

[allenpegg1@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by JSR22

I 100% agree wity you. The biters in most cases are small dogs. I am totally against prohibiting a dog because of their breed. The enetire Villages does not prohibit dogs over 40 lbs.

Check the bite pressure/jaw strength of a Pit Bull against any other breed. That Chihuahua's bite may break your skin because of it's sharp teeth, but that Pit can take a hunk out of your neck. Of all dog breeds, which has the most critical/dangerous attributes in relationship to attacks?

[Fore!]

Originally Posted by Buzzerbaby

I have a pit bull, she’s a fantastic dog. Personally, I would not let her off leash in an uncontrolled environment. Btw, I’ve been bitten more often from little dogs like chihuahuas then larger breeds. In fact I’d venture to say that little dogs do bite more then larger dogs, you just don’t hear about it as often because they don’t do the damage that larger breeds can. To ban a certain breed is ludicrous, kind of like banning someone of a different color or ethnicity beacause they supposedly are more (insert whatever reason you want here) then others. Just like people, dogs are products of their environment and owners/parents. Flame away ������

I have to agree with you that it’s not always the size of the dog. We rescued a Pekingese. He bit a friend, my husband, small minor bites, however the third time he literally attacked my arm. He bit me in several places. He was friendly with other dogs, however one never knew when he would “turn” on us, so unfortunately after about $2000 in expenses of supplies, special food, vet bills, training and my Urgent Care visit, we retuned him to the rescue shelter. They adopted him out again to a lady with a young ( appears about 8) child! I did report it to the appropriate people.

[allenpegg1@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Buzzerbaby

I have a pit bull, she’s a fantastic dog. Personally, I would not let her off leash in an uncontrolled environment. Btw, I’ve been bitten more often from little dogs like chihuahuas then larger breeds. In fact I’d venture to say that little dogs do bite more then larger dogs, you just don’t hear about it as often because they don’t do the damage that larger breeds can. To ban a certain breed is ludicrous, kind of like banning someone of a different color or ethnicity beacause they supposedly are more (insert whatever reason you want here) then others. Just like people, dogs are products of their environment and owners/parents. Flame away ������

I'd be willing to bet that your Pit, in an instant, can break away from you by unexpectedly snatching the leash from your hand...

[giorgio1948]

Any dog owner that loses CONTROL of their dog is legally obligated for damages and should be taken to civil court.

[meboyle]

Originally Posted by Piedmonter

A small (10 lb.) dog was attacked in our neighborhood the other night by an a large pit bull off leash. The small dog was very badly injured and only saved by his owner being willing to wrestle with the pit bull. The covenant restrictions of the Villages clearly do not allow dogs over 40 lbs. I am not necessarily in favor of that since there are many very nice, friendly labs, goldens etc. However, I do think that action should be taken when a larger dog shows itself to be dangerously aggressive. The Villages says that they cannot enforce the covenant. All they can do is send the owner of the pit bull a letter that when the dog passes away not to get another one like it. I am now very nervous when I walk my small dog at night. Perhaps the developer should consider amending the covenants to prohibit specific breeds known to be aggressive. For example, many campgrounds prohibit pit bulls and rotweillers.

You said the pit was off leash? Why? All dogs have to be on a leash. Why can’t the Villages fine, or get a warning from Animal Control?
Hope the little guy is okay.
I had a small Derbyshire pit, he was a lap dog..so it’s the owner who needs training!

[Skunky1]

Pets are considered part of the family in some Households. They provide love, friendship, and emotional support. You have cared for them and love them as if they were one of your children. When that pet is attacked and battered The incident should be treated as if it was an attack on a child. Your pet has been traumatized and brutalized. You too have suffered tremendous emotional stress from this incident.Your pain and suffering is compensable. Your pursuit of this matter would serve to send a message to other pet caretakers that they must be responsible.

[Larchap49]

You should have had him put down. Sad but he will continue to bite and now that's on you

[airstreamingypsy]

This story is so vague. Why was the dog off leash? Does the Pit's owner live in The Villages, or a neighboring property. Never heard of weight restrictions for dogs, in The Villages. The fact is that particular Pit is a vicious dog and should be destroyed. The Pit's owner is 100% responsible for any and all vet bills and I would get a lawyer and sue for allowing the dog to be out and off leash. I had a Pit try to kill one of my dogs, the owner was horrified, paid all the vet bills etc..... it was traumatizing for involved. Advise your neighbor to call the police and a lawyer.

[Skunky1]

The aggressive dog owner should’ve been arrested and taken to jail. The dog should’ve been taken to quarantine and evaluated by a specialist.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by John_W

You never included any info about the owner of the dog? Is he or she a neighbor, is the owner known, did anyone talk to the owner, was owner present and aware of the situation? There are leash laws which are not covenants but enforceable laws.

It appears you live in Piedmont, if a human was injured trying to defend their pet, then call the Marion County Sheriff. If there was just an aggressive dog attack against another dog, then call Marion County Animal Control. Get the dog's owner's name and information and present them with the vet bill. If they refuse to pay and the amount is more than $300 take them to small claims court. I would report them to the CDD and have it on record. That's what I would do, forget the covenants.

Animal control and pet laws | Marion County, FL

Re: small claims court.
Someone corrected me. Where we used to live, small claims was perhaps as I think it should be a peoples court. The cost to file a suit was like $18. To do it right, to win and then to collect is a lot of work. I did it twice. That is in 70 years Both times I won and both times I collected. Here in Florida, it is far more expensive and the court take a significant percentage.

[Chitown]

Originally Posted by Catalina36

All Dogs within TV should be on a leash when you are out in your yard or walking your dog in the street. I really don't care what breed the dog is. I don't really care how much your dog weighs, I really don't care if you think your dog is friendly. You can only control your dog when it is on a leash. The safety of your neighbors or fellow Villagers should be more important then the rights you think your dog may have too roam free and not be on a leash. If you don't like my opinion, go purchase a house somewhere else with a fenced in yard if you want your dog to roam free. If you don't understand anything I just stated then you are the problem not your dog.

I could not have said it better. I have 2 dogs myself. I would never consider walking my dogs without a leash. Common sense tells you that at any moment anything can trigger a dog to attack a person or another dog. When I see a dog owner walking their dog down the street or worse at the town squares without a leash I can’t help but wonder why they would act so brazen. GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD. Have your dog leashed when walking him or her!