Neighbor in apartment violating dog breed restriction and leash laws with pit bull

[Anonymous]

Today I confronted my neighbors who have a pit bull in the apartment complex where there are breed restrictions. In my building, there are at least three different renters in three different units with breeds that are restricted: pit bulls and German shepherds.

I have a small toy breed dog.

This neighbor leaves the dog unleashed and unattended on their balcony. I have started avoiding walking by their balcony. The dog will stare at me and my dog when we walk by. Sometimes the dog will jump up and put her paws on the railing, standing. She's on sidewalk level, and she can easily jump over.

Because of painters, I had to park my car near their apartment. I was afraid.

Today, I was walking out of the mail room three buildings away, and the pit bull was unleashed and jaunting toward me. The young couple was walking behind the dog with their smaller dog on a leash.

I wasn't afraid, but I was startled. I was very polite. But, I told them, "Your dog frightens me. I'm afraid of your dog." They are a young couple who speak English as a second language. The woman said her dog is very nice. I asked how old is the dog, is the dog really old and not able to jump? Because I see the dog sitting outside without a leash. She said the dog is only 1 year old.

Just a few feet away from where the pit bull was walking off leash, is a children's playground, with small children playing.

Everyone thinks their dog is okay and will not hurt anyone. However, I can no longer abide by people who are flagrantly walking around with the pit bull not even on a leash. I think it's cruel to have a dog that size in a small apartment to begin with.

What do I do? Should I write a formal email/letter to the management? Should I go to the management and speak with them? I'm a woman in my early 50s. I don't have small children. How can I possibly be the only person who complains about this issue?

Issue 1: Breed restriction violations.
Issue 2: Leash law violations.

[Anonymous]

Go to management with both issues.

[Anonymous]

The dog does sound friendly …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to management with both issues.

I am certain management is aware. They must be getting paid a kick back or they know the renters or something for allowing the renters to have the dogs, especially in one building.

The German Shepherds live in the same building on different floors and next door to the pit bull. There are small children in the apartment complex. It's just such a dangerous combination, especially when the owners obviously are very lax about the leashes.

[Anonymous]

I doubt they need a leash on a fenced balcony. But I’d definitely complain loudly to everyone involved. Write to the apartment complex that if there is a pitbull attack then you will be holding them responsible since they are now officially warned. And that you expect them to do something about it in the next 7 days.

[Anonymous]

Find a new place to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I doubt they need a leash on a fenced balcony. But I’d definitely complain loudly to everyone involved. Write to the apartment complex that if there is a pitbull attack then you will be holding them responsible since they are now officially warned. And that you expect them to do something about it in the next 7 days.

The dog isn't supposed to be unattended on the balcony, though.

I would be worried the dog will run away. Maybe the dog owners are afraid, and the dog is like security for them.

This is a luxury apartment complex, only a few years old. It's very snazzy. LoL. I pay more than $2K a month for a 1 BR for the privilege of living here. I love the apartment. And I am very understanding as a pet owner myself. My dog groomer has pit bulls. So, I'm not afraid of the breed necessarily. My dog groomer is a very responsible pit bull owner. And her pit bulls are kept in a secured area. They're older. They aren't easily agitated.

[Anonymous]

Video capture the dog(s) off leash if possible. I know the dog seeeeems friendly, but leash regulations should not be optional.

[Anonymous]

Carry pepper spray in case the dog threatens you.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely notify the building’s management, and the owner, too. Check the leash laws in your area to see if you can send video to animal control so they can send a warning letter, or fine the owners.

I am afraid of pit bulls and wouldn’t feel at all comfortable being in your situation. The fact that the pit is 1 year old means it’s still unpredictable (not that pit bulls are ever really predictable).

[Anonymous]

Doberman Pinschers were the "bad" dog years ago. There's nothing inherently bad about pit bulls. Just some owners who want them to be aggressive. Sounds like these owners are not that type.

But you should take it up with your apt management team.

[Anonymous]

Ima going to guess that OP has done a terrible job training their dog, because everyone with a toy dog does. They assume the dog is, well, a toy. It’s not. It’s the exact same animal as the pitt, and just because it’s small doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be constantly working on training.

Stop worrying about a dog that’s shown zero aggression (and from your description seems to be well trained and managed) and worry about your own dog.

[Anonymous]

Oh and apartment size has zero impact on if it’s “cruel” to have a dog there. Dogs sleep in dens, they are perfectly happy with an apartment. They aren’t happy if they don’t get exercise, socialization, and enrichment, which is true even if the house is cavernous and the yard massive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ima going to guess that OP has done a terrible job training their dog, because everyone with a toy dog does. They assume the dog is, well, a toy. It’s not. It’s the exact same animal as the pitt, and just because it’s small doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be constantly working on training.

Stop worrying about a dog that’s shown zero aggression (and from your description seems to be well trained and managed) and worry about your own dog.

Well it doesn’t matter to the general public whether OP does a good job training her dog because toy breeds aren’t responsible for mauling apart young children. And the fact it’s the pit Bull owners who disobey leash laws is unsurprising because so many owners of this breed are narcissists who think rules don’t apply to them and seem in complete denial about what their dog has been bred for. Absolute idiots. These dogs are trash for trash owners. I don’t know any educated, successful people with these dogs. It’s always low class dog owners. I feel embarrassed for the people who own these things, it’s like a billboard to the world about how dumb you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to management with both issues.

I am certain management is aware. They must be getting paid a kick back or they know the renters or something for allowing the renters to have the dogs, especially in one building.

The German Shepherds live in the same building on different floors and next door to the pit bull. There are small children in the apartment complex. It's just such a dangerous combination, especially when the owners obviously are very lax about the leashes.

If you think the Management is allowing this, then go straight to the company that owns the building. They are not going to want to be liable for any injuries from unleashed dogs, especially if the breeds are supposed to be restricted. You can also contact animal control in the jurisdiction where you live about any unleashed dogs. In the meantime, carry pepper spray and a walking stick when you’re out.