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Post by Weims on Mar 29, 2013 12:17:05 GMT
Firstly, I should say Scooby isn't aggressive. He's not the dog I need help with, I need help to keep him (and myself and my mum) safe from an aggressive dog.
In the village where I live there is also a Staffie who lives there and is very aggressive. When you walk past it it snarls and gets really wound up trying to lunge at you. It should be wearing a muzzle but (here's the problem), they don't even walk it on lead. The other day, my mum took Scoobs out up the track to the airfield behind my house, she got halfway up and saw this dog, of lead, standing staring at her, it's owner called to it but it ignored him (surprise, surprise) and started trotting towards my mum. It was still a couple of meters away so she quickly turned around an walked home. Before we got Scoobs, my mum had a slight (media caused) fear of dogs, especially staffies, so I'm very proud of her not just dropping Scoobs' lead and running for it. XD
But anyway, the staffie is a rescue, I think about 3ish years old and PACKED with muscle, it looks incredibly powerful. I know it's owners are grandparents and they have their 18 month grandchild visiting them regularly, when it(or anyone else) visits the dog is shut in another room. I know that one day someone will open that door and the dog will attack them. I just hope it isn't a child. They had another aggressive rescue staffie before this one, it was so overweight that it couldn't run so I didn't really worry. This one is strong and I expect fast(I don't want to be proven right about that...). When they first got their current dog, they walked past our house and my mum watched from her bedroom window as they let their dog come up to our fence and tried to get it to sniff Scooby, like testing to see how it would react. Obviously it tensed and snarled, so they moved on. Idiots, Scooby was barking because it's HIS TERRITORY. You don't just let your aggressive dog sniff a dog that's protecting it's house through a fence! I know Scooby's friendly but they didn't! It makes me so angry!
My problem is that my favourite place to take Scoobs at the moment is the village park, which is almost right next door to the house with the Staffie! I wouldn't mind, except as it is walked of lead, when me and Scoobs are playing or training, I don't always see a dog coming straight away. Yesterday Scooby got tired after a long training/fetch session so we lay in the grass for a bit. My biggest fear is if me and Scoobs are lounging in the grass and it turns the corner and I don't see it and it goes for Scoobs. I would never forgive myself.
I think if it did come at us, I'd un-clip Scooby's lead and hold his harness, then send him up the ramp of the childrens climbing equipment. I feel he'd have a better chance without a lead. My mum is going to buy a lemon water spray thingy to carry with her so she can spray it in it's eyes but won't that turn the dog on her? I'm sure Scooby has a better chance than me or my mum. But I really don't know. These people have no control over their dog what so ever and, yes, I'm scared of it. I'm scared of what it could happen to Scooby or my mum or even me. If it's up the track to the airfield then that's private land so they couldn't be sued. Maybe I should go and knock on their door and DEMAND that they muzzle it? I don't know.
Any advice is welcome and appreciated.
Edit: Also, thanks if you read the whole thing, it's long, but it's serious.
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Post by bextull on Mar 29, 2013 12:33:04 GMT
If the dog is a threat to you and others around, then I would let the dog warden know and the Police.
You could try to go to the owners and ask them to muzzle the dog and keep it on a lead but surely they know that the dog is aggressive? If they do and haven't done anything about it yet, then you might not get anywhere. If its a rescue dog and if you know where it comes from you could contact the rescue.
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Post by BorderTerrier on Mar 29, 2013 12:54:22 GMT
Like Bextull said, surely they know that the dog is aggresive. They should at least have attempted to solve the problem - if not, pesuasion isn't going to do much.
You could simply warn them of the terrible dangers of an aggressive dog (just make sure they aren't trying to solve the problem first, otherwise you will sounds rude).
A form of contact should also help.
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Post by caz2golden on Mar 29, 2013 13:08:27 GMT
If this dog is a danger to the public then it should be reported to the authorities such as police and dog warden.
I would contact the local dog warden asking for advice.
You don't have to start by reporting the dogs owners but by voicing your concerns you may find that others have done the same. They should be able to offer advice and if nothing else will make a presence in the area. To be honest by what you have described they should visit the owner to make an assessment of their own.
Do you have a local neighborhood police group?
Where I live we have a local team comprising 3 police officers and 4 PCSO's. I have and do email them when I have had a problem and the one time I have over a dog issue they took it very seriously. I was impressed. I would imagine they will offer a presence in the area.
Your parents could have a word with the owners asking them to keep it on a lead when they see other people about but that will probably only work if they know the people well. Depends what the owners are like, if they are not so nice people I probably would start with other options.
It does sound as if this dog is unfriendly and by what you describe probably worse and it should be under closer control. As Bextull has put they surely know their dog and should be aware of the dangers their dog is posing. It implies they don't care or are just naive to the issue.
I would continue to do as you and your family are doing and give this dog as wide a berth as you can. Your safety is paramount.
edit: you mention land up to airfield is private, is it their land? Is the path you take a right of way across the private land? All makes a difference in the position of the law. The private land loophole which will be closed in near future I believe only applies if it is your land.
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Post by Weims on Mar 29, 2013 13:48:02 GMT
Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll look to contact a local dog warden and I'll talk to my mum about mentioning it to the police. I'm very sure they know that their dog is aggressive but just can't be bothered to do anything about it. I don't know them very well so I don't really want to go marching up to their door and demand they muzzle their dog. Caz; It's not our land or theirs, it belongs to someone else in the village(who we know pretty well, so don't worry, we have permission to be there), the airfield it's self belongs to a friend of ours. So, if the dog was to attack, they could still be prosecuted? Thanks again!  |
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Post by smokeybear on Mar 29, 2013 14:06:47 GMT
In the village where I live there is also a Staffie who lives there and is very aggressive.
Apart from you, who has stated that this dog is “very aggressive” When you walk past it it snarls and gets really wound up trying to lunge at you. What makes you think that this means that the dog is aggressive? Could it not be fearful, or be suffering from barrier frustration? It should be wearing a muzzle but (here's the problem), they don't even walk it on lead. Why should it be wearing a muzzle?
I know it's owners are grandparents and they have their 18 month grandchild visiting them regularly, when it(or anyone else) visits the dog is shut in another room. I know that one day someone will open that door and the dog will attack them. I just hope it isn't a child.
How do you KNOW that one day someone will open a door and the dog will attack them? I think if it did come at us, I'd un-clip Scooby's lead and hold his harness, then send him up the ramp of the childrens climbing equipment. Usually dogs are forbidden from the children’s play area are they not? My mum is going to buy a lemon water spray thingy to carry with her so she can spray it in it's eyes but won't that turn the dog on her? If you are going to carry something for the express purpose of harming another animal this could get you into trouble; can you ensure that this does not harm your own dog? If it's up the track to the airfield then that's private land so they couldn't be sued.
I am not sure where you get this idea from but it is erroneous.
Maybe I should go and knock on their door and DEMAND that they muzzle it? I don't know. You cannot DEMAND that anyone does ANYTHING.
If you are concerned about the safety of yourself or your dog then the correct course of action is to speak to your dog warden. This dog has done nothing to harm anyone or anything yet you are being unreasonably hysterical. |
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Post by Weims on Mar 29, 2013 20:15:36 GMT
I have spoken to other members of the village who have commented on this dog also.I don't mean if you walk past their house, I mean if you walk past when they're holding it's collar. It could be fear, but it doesn't act fearful when you meet it, it's whole body radiates aggression. Okay, I don't KNOW as such, but it seems pretty likely. How can they be sure that a guest won't open the door by accident? I don't think in this one? It's not got a separate fence or sign anything. I tend to keep Scoobs off it anyway, but I wouldn't care if I thought it would stop him being attacked. This was my mum, not me. I personally wouldn't want to carry it. I thought if it was private land the owner couldn't be prosecuted? Sorry if I'm completely mistaken. No, I can't demand that they do as such, but I can go and explain to them how I feel this dog is unsafe. Sorry if you feel unreasonable about it, but I'm just trying to get the point across that I feel extremely uncomfortable knowing it could be just around the corner. I thought you might comment on this thread SB!  Not seen you for a while though - good to have you back!
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Post by smokeybear on Mar 29, 2013 20:57:37 GMT
I realise you are worried but I think you need to be calm and rational and raise your concerns with the dog warden who can make a visit and thus take the emotion out of the situation.
I am sure if the positions were reversed you would not take kindly to someone coming around to your house uninvited telling you what they think you should be doing with your dog?
People become very defensive about those they love whether that be children, dogs etc and thus a third disinterested party can often be helpful.............
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Post by Weims on Mar 29, 2013 21:12:08 GMT
Okay, I think I'll contact the dog warden and just bring to his/her attention. Thanks for the advice everyone Also, SmokeyBear, when do we get to see a picture of your dog(s)? You have German Shepherds don't you? I'd love to see them! |
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longhope
Settling in well!
Posts: 63
Pets I own: Parsons Russell Terrier puppy, previously owned an English Springer Spaniel.
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Post by longhope on Mar 29, 2013 21:41:55 GMT
Hi Weims,
I can understand some of your concerns about a potential aggressive dog escaping and attacking. But as commented, do you know this dog is actually aggressive?
As a child we had a Corgi cross who would growl at anything that passed but never attacked any human or other animals, but on first impressions he would, today, be seen as an aggressively dangerous dog.
You commented on the dog needs to be muzzled - please do not be led into a false sense of security that a muzzle will stop a dog biting. We had a rescue JRT (Lily) who was able to get her muzzle off in seconds and (no idea how she did this) unclip her lead,think its the poor design of leads these days. Lily was put to sleep before Xmas after badly attacking another dog when she got out through an open door, so understand your concern about an aggressive dog getting out. We are still angry with the rescue centre for allowing such an aggressive dog be rehomed (our dog trainer was of the same opinion), but generally I believe the rescue centres do their best to research suitability of dogs being rehomed.
Pretty sure if these people are grandparents then they would not want to endanger their grandchildren.
Staffie's have been misaligned by the media, when my wife's daughter first had a staffie we were concerned about the safety of the children. She has breed from the staffie and now has 3 generations, they are such a pleasure to be around. I remember when my children were young, there was a scare with rottweilers resulting in an occasion when we were camping with a group of people, when one parent took offence at a family camping nearby, who has a rottweiler, and insisted they had to leave or take their dog away. Such power of the media.
So what is the reason for your hysteria - take a bit of time to know these people and the dog before jumping to conclusions.
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Post by Weims on Mar 30, 2013 20:30:34 GMT
Thanks for the reply longhope, I'll reply properly when I'm less tired and my brain can function properly! |
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Post by migsy on Apr 8, 2013 14:18:21 GMT
I am amazed that people use the fact that a dog is a 'rescued dog' as an excuse for dogs bad behaviour.When I have asked how long they have had the dog,expecting them to say weeks or months,some have had them a few years...
I know a few can have long standing issues,but feel many haven't made any attempt to sort the problems out,even thinking they can't be trained for some bizarre reason.
Weims,I wouldn't be very happy either,such a pity it's near area you enjoy your walks.My main concern would be for my dogs safety too,and yes,I would carry a spray,it's not going to kill the dog,(a noisy alarm would frighten your own dog too,)so spray probably better option.Hope you got advice from dog warden and problem has been solved.
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Post by BorderTerrier on Apr 10, 2013 7:57:21 GMT
I am amazed that people use the fact that a dog is a 'rescued dog' as an excuse for dogs bad behaviour.When I have asked how long they have had the dog,expecting them to say weeks or months,some have had them a few years... I know a few can have long standing issues,but feel many haven't made any attempt to sort the problems out,even thinking they can't be trained for some bizarre reason. Weims,I wouldn't be very happy either,such a pity it's near area you enjoy your walks.My main concern would be for my dogs safety too,and yes,I would carry a spray,it's not going to kill the dog,(a noisy alarm would frighten your own dog too,)so spray probably better option.Hope you got advice from dog warden and problem has been solved. I agree with this, however sometimes it depends what the dog had done to it in the past. Sometimes they can't forget it - I know a dog who is nervous of everything from a terrible start in the past. If its agression however, the dog MUST be trained up well by the new owner. Being a rescue shouldn't be an excuse for bad behaviour. There's a new owner, new training time!! |
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Post by migsy on Apr 10, 2013 15:40:13 GMT
I certainly wouldn't label Weims concerns as hysteria,nor would I be lulled into false security thinking that people wouldn't subject their grandchildren to aggressive dogs.Some dog owners are incredibly stupid,and most terrible acts of dogs killing people have been by family dogs,and most of those have been dogs living in far from ideal situations.I would much rather trust my own instincts.
Most experienced dog owners can tell the difference between a dog barking to tell them to clear off,and one that would have you and your dog for a snack.
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Post by CollieSlave on Apr 10, 2013 16:13:54 GMT
Also, SmokeyBear, when do we get to see a picture of your dog(s)? You have German Shepherds don't you? I'd love to see them! I think SB is a little shy and retiring when it comes to exhibiting her (considerable) attributes on the forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
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Not seen you for a while though - good to have you back!
