Jul
25
2010
dog people–HELP!! I have an 8 lb toy poodle that is being threatened by a pitbull that lives in my apartment?
complex. Management won’t do anything,police told me to call animal control, they won’t do anything until the dog gets loose and attacks me or my dog. One bite and Sassy would be dead. What is the best deterrent for a pitbull?
I am looking for real help. If the owners were reasonable people I wouldnt need your help. I have spent my whole life(70 years) around dogs and I know agressiv e behavior!
By my boy, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
oh boy…. they want your dog to be killed before they do anything ….If that pit bull gets hold of your dog your baby has no chance it will rip it a part.
I’m glad they are band in Australia and i don’t really care what you Pitt bull owner say they dangerous dogs
By tn_country_gurl1338483, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
tell it to pick on someone its own size
By lil_pumpkin, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Have you tried discussing this with the owners? If I were you, I would keep my toy poodle indoors. A toy poddle can actually get plenty of exercise indoors playing and doesn’t need to be walked. If you continue to find the loose dog in your apt. building… then you might want to consider making a move. Being around a pitbull just isn’t worth it.. better to make a choice for your dog now than before it’s too late. Best of luck.
And p.s. carry pepper spray, I do always.
By Bossoli ©, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
You can try carrying pepper spray, but are you really sure that the pit wants to attack your dog? You should avoid the dog at all costs if you think it poses such a threat.
By Kiki, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Leave him alone an mind your business ? stay away form him ? Enough drama and crying about pit bulls
By Stina, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Define "threatened".
All you need to do is keep your dog away from the other person’s dog. Calling animal control is just cruel. That pit is probably somebody’s baby. Let the owner know about what is going on.
You can also research calming signals. I know someone who deterred an attacking dog by asking their own dog to lie down (a calming signal).
By ChrissyB, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
You’re right…there’s nothing that can be done if the dog hasn’t harmed you or your dog. Now if the dog comes on your property, that is a different story…you can call animal control and they will come pick the dog up if it comes on your property. Have you tried to talk to the owner of the pit bull? Maybe find a different route to walk to where you can refrain from being around the Pit Bull…and I’d make sure you hold your dog and not let him/her down. I don’t understand people that have dogs and don’t take responsibility of the dogs actions…especially pit bull owners. I would maybe look into gettin you a new apartment. Good luck to you and Sassy
By *Cole*, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Has the dog actually threatened you or your dog in any way, or have YOU just been scared because of all the hype about pit bulls right now. I have a Pitt AND a 6lb yorkie, and they play amazing together…but I have to admit I was scared to get them together at first. Maybe talk to the owners about it, and see how they respond, the pitt may be a very loving dog like mine is, it depends on how the owners raised it. BUT please don’t try to force them to get rid of their dog untill you know for SURE that it is threatening. How would you feel if someone did that to your poodle?
By Forsaken, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
1) Don’t assume it’s actually a pit bull
2) Speak with the owners of the dog
3) Keep your dog with you and watch the areas you put yourself in
4) Carry a mini umbrella
5) Move
6) Get a bigger dog
7) Take a different route when walking.
By D, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
The best deterrent for a pitbull is YOU.
The safety of the poodle is YOUR responsibility, whether from a pitbull, a car, or a 2-year old child. YOU have to take the necessary precautions, especially since you are now aware of the danger! This is no surprise to you now so you need to either move, or use plenty of caution. In fact, now that you have indicated to both your landlord and the police that you are aware of the potential menace, it may even hamper any legal claims of yours because you KNEW about it beforehand. If your poodle were a chicken and the pitbull a coyote, would you just sit and wait until the attack happens? No, of course not. YOU have to take precautions including keeping your poodle on a leash when you walk him, and possibly carrying something such as a stick in case the pitbull gets loose. Actually I would carry the poodle until you are away from your area, then put him down for a walk. Or go to a dog park. Many dog parks have separate fenced areas just for small dogs.
You can’t get rid of the pitbull; you have no right to do that or to dictate to the person who owns him or the apartment manager. You are an adult. This is part of pet ownership. You can’t just sit back, do nothing, then blame the pitbull and/or his owner if and when something happens. YOUR responsibility is the safety and well-being of YOUR pet. There is no quick-and-easy answer. This is something on which you will have to make an effort. But if you truly care for your poodle, isn’t he worth it?
By profess33_98, July 25, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
I am actually hurt by this question. one being is because your afraid that the pit bull will kill your dog. This is just not the case unless the dog has showed hostile tendacies. My dog was a boxer and people kept calling her a Pit Bull which is not true. Confirmed by my vet. I am in all agreement of contacting the owners. If you feel that strongly about it. But my dog bit someone and now I am ordered to put her to sleep or find her housing in 30 days. Oh by the way, if I find housing for her, soeone has to agree to pay over 5000 a year for insurance. Her dog came up to mine andwent into her territory. The dog then left and went to owner and tripped her and she fell. Unfortunatly my dog saw this a a sign of agression from the small dog. She attacked the dog who was between her legs. She got bit. The dog got bit in several places as well but is fine. My dog never exhibited this kind of behavior before. In fact she always licked people in the face or hand when greeting. Big habit of hers. Best deterrant of any dogs of any breed is to be respectful. Don’t show your nervous and that your BOSS. If you show your nervous, the dogs will get agitated. I feel this is what happened in my situation. Dogs are animals and you just never know what may happen. My niece was handling my dog at the time. My niece just panicked as so did the lady. WRONG WRONG WRONG. YOUR in control. Get a backbone and show who is boss. It is never the dogs it is the owner. Remember that. By the way, do you let your dog bark at the Pit Bull and is your dog’s tail UP and hair up? If you let this perputuate, your making your dog hostile. Immediatly make your dog lay down if she starts this behavior.
By Felony, July 26, 2010 @ 5:03 am
Awesome advice here pit nutters!
Move, mind your business, don’t go outside, get a backbone, get a bigger dog, This is why we hate you and your ugly dogs.
First choice is a gun
Second choice is a knife
Third choice is a walking stick
Make sure you have enough bullets left for the idiot owner.
By Sensible, July 26, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
First, keep calling animal control and the police. Make sure you emphasize that the dog is acting aggressively and menacing you each time.
The owners of the building will care about the pit bull because they will be liable if it attacks, and the building owners have assets that can be lost in a lawsuit. Mail them a certified letter informing them that there is a pit bull in residence on their property, with apt details. Inform them that you have talked to the building manager, and he has done nothing about it. Inform the building owners that they will be liable in the case of an attack.
I have heard that this brings quick action because the certified letter formally brings them into the liability equation. Make sure the letter is certified and that you keep a copy.
It is not your responsibility or your fault if someone else’s dog attacks unprovoked. Pit bulls are known for their dog aggression so use extreme caution until you can get it removed. But remember, don’t let anyone tell you that you must be responsible for their dog’s aggressive behavior or that you or your dog did not react the right way to his aggression. It is their responsibility to control their dog. PERIOD.
By Turkey, July 26, 2010 @ 9:02 pm
How sad that all the pit bull owners advice here was that this is not a problem. It is a huge problem and no one has a right to own a dog, much less an aggressive one that impacts how others live. If you can, video tape the dog acting aggressively. Call Animal Control and have them escort you through your complex so they get a first hand account of what you have to go through. Send those certified letters and contact the insurance company for the complex and tell them about the risk. Do not give up, contact anyone you have to: police, animal control, supers, media, mayor, etc. until someone does something. If you are feeling this way, others must be too – get them to help you. And check out dogsbite.org for more info.