I live in a somewhat rural area, there are less than 10 houses on my mile long road. My neighbors down the street got a new dog this summer and just let it out to go wherever it wants, which seems to be in my yard. This dog will come on my porch, has barked at my car while standing in my driveway, comes in my garage if the door is open (and eats my cat's food), and was in my fenced backyard today because I forgot to close the gate. I have also have trash bags ripped open and have seen this dog ripping trash bags open at another house. I have taken the dog back to it's owners once and asked them to try to keep the dog in their yard as I have a 20 month old, 4 year old, and 7 year old and my 4 yo is terrified of dogs (a slight exaggeration). But they still have not done anything about it.
What would you do as the next step? I'm seriously considering calling animal control. I guess I don't have a lot of patience since the summer before they had 4 or 5 sheep that got out about six times and would come and hang out in my yard so I don't think these people are going to change. But I feel a little bad because it seems like the dog wouldn't be aggressive, but I don't know it and am not willing to take the chance that it might hurt my kids!
Thanks for the answers. I guess I wanted to make sure that I didn't need to give them another chance. It just makes me so angry b/c its not the dogs fault. I wish people had to go through an approval process to have a pet!
Michelle, I don't actually live in Troy though it's somewhat near. I just like to feel a little more anonymous. But I know how you feel. When I lived in Ferndale years ago, my cat was attacked by a leashed dog in my yard. The dog owners ran off, my cat had her leg amputated. But at least she was able to have 13 more healthy years after that.
I'm so sorry for the loses caused by these irresponsible humans. It makes my blood boil!
We had the same issue growing up, nice dog, but didn't care for the dog. We were teens and thought it would be fun to decorate the dog as we didn't know who owned this well fed but never with it's human dog. We had some neon colored hair gel (it washes out of hair but not out of carpets or sofas, which we didn't know) and covered the dog in it. The dog was never out wandering around agian.
I would call animal control. Sorry you've asked nicely and nothing was done.
I would just call animal control the next time you see the dog running loose. Most places have leash laws that state that dogs are to either be tied up, fenced in, or on a leash under adult control at all times if they are outside.
Don't feel bad - the dog is causing damage and scaring people. It could end up hurting a person or another animal, or could end up getting hurt itself if it gets lost or gets hit by a car or gets attacked by another dog. It could get sick if it happens to eat spoiled garbage or rat bait that people put out or drinks antifreeze that leaks from a car. I would also call animal control first if you happen to catch the dog yourself - keep it in your garage where it's safe, call animal control, and let them deal with the dog's owners.
You've already tried the "nice" way....time to call animal control.
Why is it that certain people feel the law applies to everyone EXCEPT them? I don't get it.
If they won't take care of the dog, then you are within your rights to call on them. Just keep in mind the tension it will cause if you do that. But still, I'd be mad too. My neighbors let their dogs out all the time - it's part of the reason we just fenced in our yard too...so they'd leave my kids alone. Too bad I couldn't charge them a percentage of the fence!
OK, I would have a BIG problem with a neighbor's dog standing in MY driveway barking at me. :O And I don't blame you at all for worrying about your little ones. My neighbor's schnauzer was killed by a pit bull (literally snatched the schnauzer from her arms!) not far from where we live, and I have been scared to go out walking since then.
I agree with DVMMOM and Jennifer S.
It sounds like you have done everything right and the only thing left to do is call Animal Control. I am so sorry you have to deal with this! If your neighbors get mad, just tell them that you didn't call Animal Control for spite but out of concern for your kids. I hope they DO change, for your sake!
Take matters into your own hands, especially having little ones. Call animal control or the Troy police and let them give the owners a fine for having a loose dog.
I am so tired of dealing with all these irresponsible pet owners letting their dogs (and cats) wander around. Every day we deal with these issues and cannot walk around our own hood.
My dog was just attacked by a loose pit-bull a couple of weeks ago as we were taking our daily walk in Hazel Park, owner is refusing to pay the vet bill (over $400 for stitches and care,) but the cops gave him a $350 fine for having a loose/vicious dog.
Look at it this way - if the dog is roaming free it could be hit by a car or attacked by a predator. By calling animal control you are possibly saving the dog's life. Call animal control.
Let the neighbors know, next you see the dog near your home without them walking him on a leash... you will contain him and call animal control. If they cannot be responsible pet owners, you will hope that he can find another family to care for him before the shelter euthanizes him.
If that doesn't help... then next time I saw him, I'd contain him and call around my friends to see if anyone wants a dog. I'd not give him over to a shelter because the chances are high the animal will be euthanized and an innocent animal should not be killed due to human negligence and irresponsibility.
I would pick him up and take him to town to the shelter and turn him in as a "lost" dog. Problem solved. I'm not really a pet person...if you can't tell. =) Good luck.
I would ask your local police what your rights and options are. You've done the 'nice' thing and asked them to contain their animals.
Next time the dog gets in your garbage, haul your garbage to where they live or put theirs out. Then it'll be their problem to clean up.
But they need to be told by the authorities that they're violating laws and others' rights.
Good luck!
