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Just had an issue with two aggressive pit bulls in the neighborhood. The owners live across the street and let the dogs run loose even after we've repeatedly asked them to PLEASE fence in their dogs. We expressed to them that we are uncomfortable around their dogs, and their response was, "So?"

We've called animal control about the dogs so many times that they stopped coming out. These dogs would stand in front of my Expedition growling, snarling, and barking at it. They wouldn't move for a honk and I inched forward far enough to almost tag one before they both moved. They followed me into the driveway, so I had to sit in my car until they got bored and left. I toyed with the idea of getting out of the car and just shooting them if they came closer, but I would hate to shoot a dog and didn't want to cause an issue that I could avoid. They've also charged my fence when my Schnauzer is outside. My dumb little guy doesn't seem to "get" aggression, and bounds up to the fence playfully, wagging his rear and trying to play. If not for the fence, my little guy would have been toast many times in the past because he just doesn't understand that those pit bulls aren't being friendly.

Recently I woke to my mother-in-law (who lives next door) screaming outside early in the morning. Apparently the white pit bull charged her while she was taking the trash out. He chased her to the door and luckily my father-in-law came running and appeared at the door in time to open it for my mother-in-law. He's a big enough guy that the dog paused then decided to walk away rather than pursue my mother-in-law inside.

As you can imagine, I was FURIOUS. I had called the city about the dogs just the previous night, and was told someone would come out. No one showed. Had they showed and taken the dogs, they couldn't have attacked my mother-in-law. I made up my mind that if I was outside and one tried to charge me or any other family member, I would shoot it dead. I wrote a very long letter to the chief of police detailing the problems we've had and the lack of response from the city. I casually suggested that if the dogs harmed us we would go after the city for damages due to their non-response to our calls. Then I e-mailed it to him. I also printed it out, intending to take it by his office later that day after I got out of class. Wouldn't you know it, the head of animal control showed up at my door within 30 minutes to hear what I had to say.

After talking to me, he warned the owners (who had since brought their dogs inside after all the screaming) that next time they came out and had to take the dogs, it would cost them $140 per dog to get them back. I also now have, in writing, a promise from the chief of police that his officers are instructed to take whatever measures necessary to resolve the problem we have with those dogs. I was told to call animal control next time they are loose (even if they aren't witnessed being aggressive). If an officer isn't there in 20 minutes, I was told to call and contact the animal control supervisor (the guy who visited my house) directly and that he would personally take care of it.

Funnily enough, the dogs haven't been seen outside their fence but two times after that. Both times they tried to chase my mother-in-law just as my husband was arriving home from work, and he blocked their path with his car then got out and approached them, causing them to back up and growl. He set off the car alarm and the owners came running out to collect their dogs.

I tell you guys, I would hate to shoot a dog but for these I would make an exception. It's the owners' fault, not the dogs', but I don't want to see anyone get hurt because a couple of idiots can't keep their untrained aggressive dogs under control. I hope the visit from the police will be enough to keep them compliant with the law about unleashed animals...

AEA wrote:I live in the country in Grayson county.
I've got a neighbor who has 3 pit bulls that are in the yard and bark at me every time I go outside my door. It's even worse than that......they start barking when I turn on my bathroom light at night to go to the toilet!

These people do not live at the house. They set these dogs out and they go mad barking at everything that moves and no one is even home. Sometimes they have someone come and stay at the house for awhile but whoever that is may or may not take the dogs inside. When they do, it is quiet for those times.

These dogs get out and have advanced on me in a pack in my own yard before! I was unarmed at the time. I have called the Sheriff and was told that if they come back in my yard and I feel threatened, I have a legal right to shoot them.

They have been out several times again, but have not come into my yard. Instead they go to a pasture area where another neighbor keeps livestock and they attacked a cow and bit an ear off! Needless to say, the owner of the livestock is not too happy either!

I have been just that close to walking over to the fence with my 870 and putting all three of these inbreed dogs down when they are barking all night long....it is maddening!

So unless they come back in my yard I guess I have to live with this! It is not fair. My neighborhood was a nice quiet place till these people bought the place next door and staked out the dogs and left. I have talked to the Sheriff, commissioner, judge, with no avail. The judge actually lives in the same neighborhood and I have considered taking the dogs and staking them out around the judge's house for a few nights to see how he likes it........

I am at my wits end......

If you see me drop off posting here, you will know that my dog troubles are over and now all I gotta worry about is bubba, my room mate........

I'm curious about your location because I live in Grayson County (Denison) and have a neighbor with several pit bulls. Hubby and I already decided if they approach in a threatening manner, they will be shot. The owners are irresponsible with their animals, don't train them, and let them roam. It's not the dogs' fault by any means and I would be deeply upset if I ever had to shoot a dog, but I value my life more than the dog's, plain and simple. I'm not big enough to fight off a medium-sized dog, much less a large one.