[Geetiill]

I live on a private street with several neighbors. The neighbors across our street have a pit bull and a German Shepherd. When our neighbors are outside they let the dogs roam free (which is illegal in our county for an unleashed dog to leave its yard). Whenever my wife and I walk our 2 dogs on leashes, a french bulldog and an English bulldog, the pit bull charges out into the street with fur on end and gets in their faces. The German Shepherd only charges if the pit bull is outside and initiates it. Our dogs, luckily, seem to show no fear or aggression. The neighbors always run over and grab the dogs and apologize. I have voiced my concern but they don't seem to be making any changes. I am very worried that one of these times the pit bull may decide to attack and from what I've read, at that point the damage will be done. I love my dogs to no end and would be crushed and extremely angry if their dog is allowed to do this. The laws in our county just became more severe for "dangerous dogs" and I do not believe the neighbors would be able to afford the license and insurance required for a dog who attacks. I'm sure they will lose the dog. To be classified a "dangerous dog" in Snohomish county they only need to bite. No longer is it a requirement that an animal be killed. I don't think our neighbors are being responsible dog owners, they have had issues in the past with a Rottweiler they used to have. PLEASE ADVISE! I'm very concerned about the welfare of all animals involved.

[domeffire]

Call animal control every single time it happens.

[MpNelQTU]

if you already talked to the owners and they refuse to take care of the problem then call animal control and tell them there is loose dogs running around

[zatronanec]

Unfortunately, the dogs are the ones going to pay for their owners ignorance & lack of responsibility. I hate to say it, but call animal control. Also, tell them you are going to do so. If it is a law in your county, you can call the police when it happens. The one major down fall to calling in PD is that the dog can be shot if he/she darts at the officer. =/ To hear of owners like this makes me so sick because these dogs are doomed in that home.

[Rupeviv]

^^ the dog is better off dead then being with people like that and running around in traffic.

[sposicke]

^^ the dog is better off dead then being with people like that and running around in traffic.

.. unfortunately, that is true. breaks my heart =/

[WrigleyMike]

I agree with whats been said

[Beerinkol]

Thank you very much for the advice. I'm going to approach them one more time with the info I've gathered and hopefully they'll do the right thing. I'll inform them of the new laws, as well, because I'm sure they don't have a clue.

[DoroKickcrofe]

You could also give them information on the laws, how to build a fence/dog run/tie out.

[xrumerang]

Thank you very much for the advice. I'm going to approach them one more time with the info I've gathered and hopefully they'll do the right thing. I'll inform them of the new laws, as well, because I'm sure they don't have a clue.

Your job is to protect your dogs. Print out the information regarding the laws in place, highlight it, go over it with them and tell them that if you see their dogs unleashed and off their property again you will call AC and continue calling AC until they learn to properly contain their dogs on leash, in their home, or in an outdoor enclosure like a kennel. Then make sure you follow through. Sometimes, because AC often comes out much later, it helps prove to AC there is a problem if you get pictures or video on a cell phone or digital camera.

You're being very reasonable about the situation. If they have to pay fines and fees or lose their dogs then that's their fault for refusing to follow local laws and for being bad neighbors and dog owners.

[AlexanderPalamayr]

I don't see a reason why you shouldn't call PD right away along with AC to have those dogs picked up. It is obvious that they are in a bad situation, and you shouldn't wait until that situation gets worse when they attack your dogs. Then it will be 4 dogs suffering and 2 owners. Just my opinion.

[YabbaIn]

I understand your concern. You don't want these dogs to have to suffer for their owner's stupidity.

Everyone here is right. It's your responsibility to protect your dogs, and they're in danger every time they walk out the front door. You can give the neighbors one more warning, but after that you do need to call animal control.

As bad as you'll feel if animal control takes their dogs, think of how much worse you'll feel if your dogs get hurt.

[StincPriene]

Yep, call AC every time you see the dogs out of their yard off leash. Right now we have no problems (for the most part) with BSL in W. Wa. People like your neighbors, being irresponsible and letting their dog act this way, cause problems for all of the rest of us that take responsibility for our dogs actions.

[ugosanchezo]

get a can of bear mace and when the dogs charge and the owners come running mace the owners. they will get the picture after a good macing or two and keep their dogs in the yard.

[pimbertiemoft]

get a can of bear mace and when the dogs charge and the owners come running mace the owners. they will get the picture after a good macing or two and keep their dogs in the yard.

Hoy! LMAO!! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Roferurse]

What part of Snohomish do you live in?
I was going to take Rosie to an agility trial in Everett last year. My DH stopped me, saying that Pit Bulls weren't allowed in Everett.
I emailed a shelter and was told that "If you are coming into Everett for an event you are fine. It's residents of Everett who own pit bulls or mixes that are declared potentially dangerous per ordinance."

Not exactly sure what their ordinance is, but you should be able to find it pretty easily.

[freeringtonesioo]

I would call animal control and also inform your neighbors you are going to start carrying a patrol stick, and if the dogs charge you again they are going to get a good whack. If you feel the dogs are a danger to you, you have every right to defend yourself.

[teewHettive]

Your job is to protect your dogs. Print out the information regarding the laws in place, highlight it, go over it with them and tell them that if you see their dogs unleashed and off their property again you will call AC and continue calling AC until they learn to properly contain their dogs on leash, in their home, or in an outdoor enclosure like a kennel. Then make sure you follow through. Sometimes, because AC often comes out much later, it helps prove to AC there is a problem if you get pictures or video on a cell phone or digital camera.

You're being very reasonable about the situation. If they have to pay fines and fees or lose their dogs then that's their fault for refusing to follow local laws and for being bad neighbors and dog owners.

this.

also let them know you are concerned for your dogs AND theirs. that MAY help a bit. you could also direct them to the forum here too that way they get some more education too.

[fgfblog]

I'm sorry but whoever said, a dog is better off dead then having a owner who lets them run free while there outside is being a little drastic. i mean lets get real, there probably loving to there animals provide it a good home and are just ignorant to the fact that they have naturally DA animals.
I know to the OP your probably trying to avoid confrontation, and odds are simply making a passive aggressive remark to the owner are not going to get the point across. You should do the right thing to provide a happy home for you and your animals and the owner and his and inform him. Don't be smug about it like a lot of people on here, just explain the facts and if you receive a defiant or negative response then you can bring up calling animal control for you and your dogs safety.
I have been in this situation with my neighbors who own chows, one charged me and Achilles while he was on a leash and i explained to him that for both our dogs safety they need to be leashed when outside. And especially if anyone got bit breaking up the fight we could both lose our dogs. He agreed and apologized and now we wave and smile at each other as we walk our dogs. People can be reasonable as well as ignorant to facts but you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I'm sorry for the rant but a person not knowing facts is not a crime, and no dog needs to be taken or killed because of it, it just means maybe someone hasn't taken the time to teach them and someone coming off as hostile is the last thing that will make them learn. aka calling police or AC on them right of the bat. I hope everything works out and you get everything settled with them, because nothing is suppose to be more relaxing then a walk with your dog.

[DavidShreder]

I'm sorry but whoever said, a dog is better off dead then having a owner who lets them run free while there outside is being a little drastic.

How about this then? A dog is better off dead than being allowed to make neighbors' lives a living hell, potentially endanger their pets and further ruin the reputation of the breed because the dog's owners are ignorant shitcocks.