Canine accountability measures

[Sir Slash]

Your neighbor and W8's should have to live next door to each other for 3-5 years. I was nearly attacked by my neighbor lady's dog Wednesday evening. She spoke to me while I was out putting up storm shutters and since she has a soft voice, I couldn't hear her. So I stepped toward her to hear better and her large dog on a leash lunged at me. She couldn't hold him back and he nipped my work glove and then got my shorts I was wearing before I could get out of range. No damage but now I know to use sign language with the lady, if you know what I mean. 

[Tripoli]

Stream of consciousness thinking here: If you think speaking to the neighbor would help repair the relationship, then you should do so.  If it would worsen the relationship, then you shouldn't.  If you do approach her, then starting with an apology, followed by a "next time, call me to let me know" may be a good approach.  Both you and one family member should do the approach, as that way you have a witness (she sounds like she has some passive aggressive characteristics in her personality, so witnesses are good).

[W8taminute]

JH I'm with Tripoli on this.  If you do talk to her definitely bring someone with you, i.e. the wife. 

Some people are, for lack of a better word, cowards when it comes to peaceful confrontation over a topic.  They hide behind the curtains and make social media calls.  Keep that in mind if you do try talking to her.  Be as non-confrontational as possible.  Either way a discussion has to take place otherwise she'll keep calling animal control behind your back.

Slash,

Man that had to be a scary event.  It's one thing when a dog is charging at your dog, it's another when the dog is charging after you.  Glad you got out relatively unscathed.

[Sir Slash]

I will third Trip's great advice. My neighbor lady is a good neighbor and was very apologetic for her dog's behavior, it was just trying to defend it's owner from a stranger after all. Worst part was he damned-near pulled my drawers down in front of her. Then she would've died of a Heart Attack so, she came-out ahead.  

[W8taminute]

Just a quick update to share with you all.  Yesterday I ran into the neighbors dogs again.  Long story short, the lady let go of her two dogs and one of them bit Snoopy.  I kicked the dog but fell down backwards on my back.  I got up again and kicked again resulting in a second fall.  (Grass was wet due to early morning dew)

Another neighbor who happened to be in her yard right next to mine came running in and helped break up the fight.  My back is killing me right now and my dog suffered a puncture wound above and below his eye.  The lady offered to pay for the vet bill which I accepted.  Snoopy is going to be fine but the interesting thing is what happened after the vet visit.

The vet informed me that they have to report a dog fight to the animal control officer at the police station.  I spoke to the animal control officer today and she asked me why I didn't report the first incident a few weeks ago.  I told her I wasn't interested in pressing charges at that time and nor am I this time either.  However, she said that animal control can and will quarantine her dogs as well as talk to her about not releasing them whenever there is trouble.  Also they mentioned that they can talk to her about walking them one at a time if she is unable to handle both of them together.

I feel she will be more likely to listen to animal control than me so I'm happy about that.

[Sir Slash]

Glad it worked out for you W8. Except for the bad back I mean. It's pretty routine around these parts to go out for a walk with a Dog Stick to ward off aggressive animals or some kind of spray just in case.

I remember a few years back, talking to a local man who lives outside of town and raises goats. I asked him if he ever had problems with coyotes and he told me no but packs of feral dogs had killed several of his young goats and they were very prevalent. I had no idea. 

[W8taminute]

Carrying a stick is a good idea.  I'd hate to use it on the neighbors dogs though but in the event of an emergency there probably is no choice.

[Sir Slash]

Probably something that makes a very loud noise would be better to scare them away. Hand Grenade maybe?

[solops]

Since I had to start using a cane (i.e.metal stick) for walking after the Tractor-Tree incident some years ago, I have been surprised at how effective it is as a canine control device. All the dogs I meet, except the ones that know me, now respect me.

[Sir Slash]

And it also works on small children.