Going anonymous because I think my neighbor has been to this site before.

I am so angry. My neighbors just bought a pit bull puppy. I normally have no problem with pits and have owned and bred them BK (before kids). They can be great dogs if raised correctly, they can also be your worse nightmare if raised incorrectly. These are just the type of people who shouldn't own one. Now, nothing has happened with this dog yet, but their prior one, ran loose in the neighborhood (doing it's business on everyones lawn), dug holes in yards, chased cats and kids. I don't think they have the slightest idea about the strength of these dogs, and if you don't respect and realize what these dogs can do then you shouldn't own one. We live in a small town, and the animal control officer wasn't very helpful w/the last dog they had so I doubt she'll be much help with this one. So now what? I know I'll call the animal control officer and she'll just tell them to keep it on a leash and they won't. Any advice?

By Momaroze on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 12:36 pm:

Can you talk to her personally? If not try a letter. Very sad that the animal control officer can't do anything. Where I live a phone call to the local police is helpful in setting the owner straight, although you have to have good reason of course. It is a scary story you tell, and I can totally understand your great concern. I mean does a child have to be seriously hurt before anything is done! Seems to be how things work? It angers me. Good luck to you on this matter.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 12:38 pm:

No, absolutely cannot talk to them. They don't care and the last dog became such a problem that we don't even speak anymore.

By Mommyathome on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:00 pm:

Call the animal control officer repeatedly until she gets so sick of you that she takes care of the problem.
If you don't like the answers you are getting from her, go one step higher than her and tell them how she has reacted to the situation. Keep going higher until something is done.
I hate it when people are irresponsible pet owners. And, when you are messing with a *serious* pet like a pit bull, that is even worse.

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:20 pm:

This is such a touchy situation. Pit Bulls get such a bad rep because of owners like your neighbors. I can totally sympathize with you. If you report them it can add to the APBT hysteria, which is why they are banned in so many places. If not the dog will become an annoyance at best, and quite possibly a danger. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out. Perhaps you could talk to the ASPCA now, while the dog is still managable. The owners are neglectful and wreckless, hopefully the dog will be placed in a good adoptive home.

By Coopaveryben on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 02:58 pm:

Most insurance companies do not allow people to own pit bulls anymore, we just got a notice in the mail from ours saying we would be dropped if we did own these certain dogs and pit bull was on the list. This is true for most home owner insurance now. If they own the house is there anyway to find out who their insurance company may be? If they rent I would contact the owner.

By Fraggle on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 03:53 pm:

We have some dog owners that live in our neighborhood or just walk in our neighborhood who let their dogs run at large. My DH has spoken to them many times-a few just yell right at him-no apology. We do not appreciate dogs running through our yard and "doing their business either" especially since I have two young daughters and two dogs of our own. One of my neighbors has mentioned the problem but really doesn't want to do anything about it. I would say in your case if you can get some support from your other neighbors that would really help-strength in numbers as they say. I would also document each time the dog is running at large and notify the animal control officer. Do you have a leash law where you live? We don't so that is why nothing can be done with our problem pet owners.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 05:23 pm:

Unfortunately, organizing the neighbors wouldn't work and I wouldn't do the insurance thing. I guess I just posted this as a vent. I know there is really nothing that can be done right now. It just drives me crazy, because these are the type of people that give pits the reputation they have. The father bought the dog because he thinks it's cool to own a pit.