I'm so upset. My GSD was in the back with me and my neighbour was dogsitting another neighbours chihuahua. Hunter saw it and took off like a shot. We don't have fencing between about 5 houses and the dog was in a sort of "no mans land" that's city property but runs behind all our houses. He's always hated that little dog and had I known he was out there would never have taken him outside. I'm just sick over it. I truly believe my dog saw the other as a rabbit. He's always barking at them, coyotes and deer in the back. He's never been aggressive with people One bite and it was over.
My neighbour is also (understandably) upset but she doesn't blame my dog. Worse yet the owners are away for two weeks but we are going away before they get back. I did file a report with the city immediately
The owners are out of country and my neighbour doesn't want to call I don't have number. The reason
we don't have a fence is when we moved in they all begged us not to put one in. I'm sorry now we didn't. No one else has a pet for all the houses without fencing
I had a dog who was capable if this, was prey drive only as he was not dog aggressive at all. Mine never killed another dog (or injured), but it was due to constant vigilance. If I took him into a vet waiting room that was too small he wore a basket muzzle. I was waiting in a waiting room once, him laying at my feet, and a lady walked in with two micro yorkies. I saw him lock on (the predatory stare). Whipped his muzzle out and put it on him even though they were across the room. The lady says "oh he wouldn't hurt fluffy". Oh yes he would. He was a killer, not messing around straight for the throat and kill shot. He killed lots of non dog animals and once went after my neighbor's BT, same situation as you, he saw it in the field next to my house and went for it, not realizing it was a dog. Difference was he was e collar trained and wearing it therefor I was able to stop him. That was before I knew just what a killer he was, he was not offleash in areas like that e collar or not after I knew.
You have a responsibility now that you know what your dog is capable of, not to let him offleash , or un muzzled in an area where he might get a small animal on leash.
My female Jade is exactly the same--murder in her eyes whenever she sees another dog, even through the window. We manage, actually MICROmanage her always, no fail.
Agreed. I think a fence is order despite what the other neighbours want. BTW he's ALWAYS on leash on walks and I always make sure we give other owners healthy distance for the dogs I know he dislikes. This was in my back yard and a really unfortunate set of circumstances. I'm not trying to justify - I just was truly not expecting another dog out back when I know none of my neighbours have one.
So sorry this happened, for all people and dogs involved The dog sitting neighbor really needs to inform the owners- I know you can't make them though. I hope your local dog ordinances don't categorize him now as dangerous ? ((Hugs))
We'll see. If the owners make a dog bite complaint then it goes from there. My other neighbours are freaked out but the general consensus is the owners probably won't complain. The dog was very old and sick and the owner was delaying euthanasia so the neighbours that know them well are thinking they may be pissed off but will let it go at same time. I don't really know them unfortunately. If they choose not to put in a complaint then the whole thing ends from an "official" point. I just hate that everyone assumes dog aggression means people aggression despite fact hunter had been in the backyard with them, their grandkids etc for 7 years with absolutely no interest in people. He simply does not like small animals and I knew that. As I noted, had I known the other dog was out, never in a million years would I take hunter outside. That's what makes it even worse for me - it could have been avoided.
I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. It has to be extremely stressful for everyone involved. A hug doesn't seem enough, but it's all I can think to do right now. ***Hugs***
just horrible for the owners that are coming back from vacation. My dog is small dog aggressive, I cannot leave her off leash, there are deer, cats, bird, squirrels etc, all of which she views as prey. I'm sorry this happened, must be sick about it, leash the dog from now on, or get a fence, you just cant trust the dog not to attack a small critter.
Thanks - I'm just sick about it! I can't even look at my dog right now even though I know he can't help it. He has super high prey drive. It's not his fault - it's mine. 30 seconds if inattention lead to this.
Thanks - I'm just sick about it! I can't even look at my dog right now even though I know he can't help it. He has super high prey drive. It's not his fault - it's mine. 30 seconds if inattention lead to this.
This needs to stop. Your dog is a dog, a large dog with jaws intended to destroy things.
He did nothing wrong and while I don't mean to point fingers the blame lies with you as a human, not with the dog who was being a dog. I know your head gets this and again it is not my intention to engage in the blame game, but your heart needs to catch up to your head. It is up to you to ensure that this never happens again, we can humanize them all we want but we cannot blame them for not following our code of ethics.
Sorry this happened.... If this was surprise - it wouldn't be to me.... on either side....
There is "most of the pet population" that thinks all is good after a while... but when dogs don't get along - regardless of size- it's a time for precautions/barriers and preventative measures. This was a predictable possible outcome and it came to be. You had pre warning of the problem and both parties chose to ignore it...
IMO - it was never a matter of IF, but WHEN.... Everyone wants their dog to run as free as possible....In most cases - this does not work.
I'm so sorry. I know it has to be awful to have that guilt. I would put fence up. Also make it dig proof at bottom. If he likes small animals even a fence may not be enough if he can dig under it. I got cement around privacy fence just put in...mine like to be with me constantly so they really don't hang out outside alone in back yard. I did though add cement because I was paranoid of any issues...my neighborhood is full of young kids and although my 3 dogs are kid proof( I have 6 kids) I did not want them getting out and someone complaining.
Learn from it and sincerely apologize to dogs owner. I am sure they will be upset but may be ok because how you have handled it and show compassion maybe offer to make a donation in pets name to local dog shelter.
Junk happens. I'm sorry for everyone concerned. Upsetting for all three parties concerned and the dog has no idea why everyone is distraught.
Hoping for the best outcome - that the owners are forgiving, that nothing more rotten happens, that you find a solution to your yard that keeps everyone happy.
Yes a fence will be going in. The ironic part is all my immediate neighbours will be more angry that the fence is going up. I believe some would hope we'd get rid of the dog but that's not going to happen - one used to complain that our former lab left "pee spots" on our lawn (only ours - he was very old and couldn't go far). Even when this dog was a puppy he came over and asked if we were going to allow him to pee on the lawn since it brought down property values. I kid you not. The actual dog sitter neighbour said she'll plead with the owners not to proceed with charges. She feels as bad as I do but she also knows our dog very well and knows he would never hurt a human. She's very close to the owners.
Wolfe dog - both were off property in a wildlife corridor that runs behind all properties. My neighbour went to throw some compost there and decided to take the little dog with her. It's about 100m (30yards) from the end of our backyard. I stupidly thought my dog was running to greet her then saw something small on the ground and realized too late it was the little dog. It all literally happened in 30 seconds.
It sounds like you have swell neighbors. Who would not opt for privacy and safety for their pets/kids with a fence??? Sad this happened. I hope this ignites some changes in your neighborhood. Little dogs are very vulnerable to so many things environmental/animals- accidents happen -but care takers need to know this.
I would talk to a lawyer and be prepared. I'm sorry this happened. We encourage people that come on here with dog bites and other incidences to report it. If I were the dog owner, I would want to make sure this didn't happen to another dog. So you should be prepared for that.
Cagal, also you can be proactive and immediately muzzle train your dog to show goodwill and hopefully prevent action against you. I hate these neighborhood groups that don't allow fencing. it is just for the looks not for living safely. Can you plant a hedge that will block your dog's initial view?
It would be difficult with just a hedge. We back onto a green space that's very shady so hard to grow things. And to clarify about the fencing, it's not an association that decides. It was the 7 original neighbours mutually agreeing not to put them up fro 30+ years so when we moved in 11 years ago, they asked if we would leave it that way. I was thinking of a muzzle any way even though it's actually not required in our area for DA until a charge is filed. They don't quarantine or take steps if people aren't involved until the owner files a charge then it has to go to the court of justice for their recommendations taking into account all the circumstances. The animal control officer took all the information and said wait until the owner returns and then cross that bridge if they complain. If they don't, the file is considered closed. Either way, there will be a fence and a muzzle now.
It was a horrible thing that happened. Were we supposed to downplay or make light of it? What can you say that would make it 'better' ? Nothing really. A dog died. Offending dog obviously was used to running off its property. Wasn't recalled.
I would be very upset if I was the owner of the dog that was killed.
If that's directed at me, I'm not suggesting at all we make light of it. It's horrifying. I'm sure the OP feels sick about it.
And because I'm sure any decent human being would feel sick about it, I can't bring myself to want to kick her while she is down. I'm sure I'd feel very differently if that was my small dog, but from here, I just can't make myself want to. Lecturing after the fact just doesn't hit the "kind" and "helpful" checkboxes for me.
OP, someone else already suggested part of this but, if you are able to begin construction on a fence, buy a quality basket muzzle and get busy training your dog before the owners of the dead dog come back, I would.
If they report it and AC comes out to see you and you are already in the process of making sure this never happens again via meaningful physical precautions I would think that would make an impression.
What do you know about your dog and fencing? Make sure you are putting up something that will absolutely hold him, and not with spaces bigger than 2x4 so he cannot reach through or another small dog reach through
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