Need Help Pls -- Major problem

[PBR]

Okay I need some help people with few questions or if anyone knows exactly what rights I have or what I can do. I live in Harris County (I10 East / Beltway 8 area) and a neighbor few houses down has couple of dogs that just run free. Well they chase people up and down the road, although they haven't bitten anyone yet (that I know of) it's soon to happen. Problem is they have came into my yard and growled, and somewhat cornered my 4 yr old niece up, and I'm worried they gonna end up biting her or something bad is gonna happen, as this isn't the first time. I have called animal control couple of times and after couple days they might come out but can't catch the dogs and when questioned the people say they are not their dogs. Well animal control has told me I will have to somehow catch or coral the dogs and they will come pick them up. Problem is I have no idea how and do not have any kind of cage or way to do it and being on disability have no way to buy something to do this. Well my niece has a new puppy and today she was outside with it on the leash taking it to the bathroom and the dogs came up after her and the pup. So I went down there and told them I was done with their dogs and they needed to do something or I would, that I wasn't going to wait for them to end up attacking my niece or someone else. She then went on to say she was calling the police cause I threatened her and her property, then her son came out talking smack acting like the gang banger he is. Well I called HCSD and the officer came out and basically said there was nothing he could do unless the dogs tried to attack him or he seen them attacking and shot them. I'm at my wit's end and about to lose it, I feel I have tried to do the right thing and be civil on it but I do not want her to be the next news story on child getting attacked. I asked the officer if I would / could shoot the dog if it comes back in the yard again, he stated he couldn't tell me what to do but only what he could do, which honestly I wouldn't care one bit if an actual attack was happening but I cannot sit here and wait for that, nor will I. Is there a service or someone that maybe rents trap cages so I can get these dogs out of here or what rights do I have to stand on if I shoot them. I really don't want to do that cause myself I'm an animal lover and have dogs, but again I cannot take the risk of her getting attack, also it's making her scared of dogs period. She is now acting like she doesn't want her puppy and saying she afraid it's going to grow up and be mean. I know this is long and somewhat ranted but it's just breaking my heart it's making her dog shy and the thought of something happening.

[Jumping Frog]

If I had a dog come into my yard acting aggressively towards me or any other human, I would shoot it. Period.

I love dogs. But I've never tolerated that behavior from my dogs, and I won't tolerate from any other dogs either. Humans rank above dogs on the pecking order and I am definitely the alpha of my property.

[PBR]

If I had a dog come into my yard acting aggressively towards me or any other human, I would shoot it. Period.

I love dogs. But I've never tolerated that behavior from my dogs, and I won't tolerate from any other dogs either. Humans rank above dogs on the pecking order and I am definitely the alpha of my property.

im to that point but without actual attack happening it would be like my word vs their word and just need to know where i stand cause i cant afford to get into any trouble or having to pay for lawyer or anything that might come from it

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Dead dogs tell no tells. If it is on your property and you feel it is threatening, kill it. Might get hit with discharging a firearm in the city limits, I assume you are in Houston if you live in Cloverleaf.

[Jumping Frog]

I am not waiting for a person to actually get bitten before engaging in self defense. If the dog is on my property and approaching in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or if it attempts to bite or otherwise endanger a person, I will deal with the threat.

As far as discharging in city limits, there is a one word answer: NECESSITY

[Frankie]

First thing I would do is call 911 EVERY TiME the dogs are running loose and acting aggressively to ANYONE! Make enough reports to support any action you may have to take later. Also hope that they get tired of coming out for the dogs and act appropriately and remove them.
Secondly, dogs are territorial pack animals. They have claimed you property as part of their packs territory. Claim it back! Take a bigger more aggressive stance against them anytime they come near your yard! Yell, wave your arms and move towards them. Always maintain eye contact. Make them look away first! Don't show weakness or fear.
Be prepared to defend yourself if they challenge and advance but if you are on your property and they attack, you should be fully justified is shooting them. Most of the time they will back down. A lot of these kinds of dogs are like bullies. Left not in check, they terrorize everyone around them but usually turn chicken and run when faced with any kind of resistance. Pepper spray could also prove a inexpensive and usefully way of deterring them from coming in you yard. I hand full of regular chili powder in the face works well too. Just use caution if your niece is around.

I would personally take a very aggressive stance against them anytime they came near me, or my property. If they challenge my authority of my property, I would do what ever it takes to protect it and my family. The same thing applies if a human challenges it!
This is my opinion on what I would do. Your results may very. Now warranty is expressed or implied.

[TomV]

I agree with calling HCSO every time you see the dogs out. Especially if they are threatening someone or something. Build the documentation.

I am also a fan of a slingshot with steel balls or a pellet rifle as a non-lethal deterrent. Your niece is never in the yard unsupervised and the second they set foot in your yard the dogs receive negative reinforcement to go somewhere else. This is the same instruction that is given to suburbanites when dealing with coyotes.

[RoyGBiv]

I agree with Frankie that a good next step would be to try some non-lethal methods.

Pepper spray: http://www.sabrered.com/servlet/the-SAB ... Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Just make sure you're upwind.

Tasers are generally not a good idea on dogs, because they can be deadly and they require contact/closer proximity.
A face full of pepper spray should do the trick, but I'd have a shotgun handy just in case.

Also.... you should consider that the repercussions of shooting the dogs will likely include some sort of retaliation/intimidation from your neighbors. Sounds like they are not very honest/upstanding people. Plan accordingly.

Good luck with your problem. Sorry you have such terrible neighbors. Those dogs deserve better.

[Oldgringo]

There is a dog next door to us that knows what a Daisy Red Ryder looks, sounds and feels like. Just sayin'....

[Piney]

Your yard= YOUR yard.

Calling 911 frequently may help to establish a patern. I know that some would comment that's a waste of HCSO's resources. They may not send a unit, but at least the situation is doccumented. Any of your neighbors onboard might help.
Yard-facing camera/DVR could help should additional action on your part need to be taken.

[Right2Carry]

Videotape, videotape, videotape the dogs and where they are going and coming from. Videotape their behaviour for the police and animal control.

[PBR]

Dead dogs tell no tells. If it is on your property and you feel it is threatening, kill it. Might get hit with discharging a firearm in the city limits, I assume you are in Houston if you live in Cloverleaf.

actually in harris county not city yet but hear it soon will be




yea maybe someone i know has a bb or pellet gun -- just drives me crazy they dont care and seemed to actually think it was funny -- when was confronting them and told them the dog came up like it was gonna attack her she just shrugged her shoulders as to say oh well -- thats what really gets me is it's more their fault then the dogs, just blew me away when she claimed she was gonna call police cause i was threatening to harm her property -- told her well when your property is on my property its no longer yours -- as for getting close enough to the dogs to do anything to them its not gonna happen -- as soon as they see me or anyone grown really they run -- its mainly just kids and other dogs they jump, they always come up to the fence trying to fight my dogs -- well should i say they use too, they made the mistake of getting to close to the gate and my 140lb american bulldog busted through the gate and kicked all their butts all the way back to their house (thats actually how i found out whose dogs they were) -- they all ran back to their house and was squealing and yelping at the front door to get in




only if big girl could be there all the time with her to make sure nothing would happen

[WildBill]

Videotape, videotape, videotape the dogs and where they are going and coming from. Videotape their behavior for the police and animal control.

This sounds like a very good idea. But continue to be proactive and don't get complacent so that you only have evidence after the fact.

[Ed4032]

It is a bad situation but shooting makes it worse.

[Pawpaw]

Original post removed by Pawpaw.