Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The dog's owner sounds negligent. Check the dog's paws. It's very likely that its nails are overgrown and are causing the aggressive behavior. If they can be trimmed, the dog will probably calm down and be the friendly playful dog that its owner claims it is.

Yes that's definitely it. Go over and check their paws.

Also, check the dog's belly. Is the rib cage visible? Then the dog is probably under fed and angry. Give it some food and it will calm down.

OMG. Setting aside the absolute crazy idea that dog aggression is caused by long nails, OP is supposed to pay to feed this dog AND trim its nails?!?! That’s insane.

Yeah, the neighbor isn't going to do anything unless you force their hand. You can suggest that they attach a hot wire to both the top and bottom pf the fence on their side. A small electric fence charger, a ground rod, standoffs and wire aren't going to break the bank and might deter the dog from digging under or climbing over the fence. I doubt they will be receptive though. Point a security camera at the back yard so that you will have a video to send to animal control the next time. Also, call and report any and all incidents to animal control.

Honestly I would "agree", let them build the fence, then anonymously call codes on them. Hopefully they'll realize the dog is a huge hassle costing them a ton of money and they'll get rid of it

Anonymous wrote:What type of dog? This makes a difference. Just FYI, there are many dog mixes that get mistaken for a black lab.

NP the type of dog is an aggressive dog. Breed isn't relevant to this conversation.

Anonymous wrote:Very scary. I was trying to come up with a solution that might make you feel safe... ten-foot fence AND chained in the yard? But the dog could slip out of the house one day.

Not saying you shouldn't call animal control but they won't make the owner get rid of it at this point. I would seriously consider moving.

Are you suggesting that the dog lives in the backyard chained up? That is inhumane. Owner could put a muzzle on dog when outside though. Something like a baskerville ultra.

100% call animal control. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get a ruling that this is a dangerous dog and require your neighbor to keep it adequately contained, or get the dog taken away. This is too many close calls with a neighbor that doesn't take your concerns seriously to tolerate.

Very scary. I was trying to come up with a solution that might make you feel safe... ten-foot fence AND chained in the yard? But the dog could slip out of the house one day.

Not saying you shouldn't call animal control but they won't make the owner get rid of it at this point. I would seriously consider moving.

I would call animal control stat. I love dogs and have had several over the years. I had a situation with a neighbor years ago with their dog that they let run off leash and it frequently would run at me and my dog and pounce on my dog. I talked to the neighbor several times to no avail. Then the dog ran at my elderly father and pushed him down. That was the last straw and we called animal control. We had to go to a hearing because the owner contested that his dog was dangerous. The ruling was in our favor but he got to keep the dog -- had to put up a dangerous dog sign and never let it off leash. I think there would be some more serious consequence (taking the dog away?) if there was another incident. It was not a satisfying resolution to me but at least it forced the neighbor to be more careful and there were no further incidents. OP, call animal control NOW before there is an even worse incident. I would hate to see a dog be put down but if they can't rehome that dog in a less populated area with an experienced and careful owner then it's better than having someone get hurt. Your neighbor is seriously negligent and is opening themselves up to major liability.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The dog's owner sounds negligent. Check the dog's paws. It's very likely that its nails are overgrown and are causing the aggressive behavior. If they can be trimmed, the dog will probably calm down and be the friendly playful dog that its owner claims it is.

Yes that's definitely it. Go over and check their paws.

Also, check the dog's belly. Is the rib cage visible? Then the dog is probably under fed and angry. Give it some food and it will calm down.

Anonymous wrote:The dog's owner sounds negligent. Check the dog's paws. It's very likely that its nails are overgrown and are causing the aggressive behavior. If they can be trimmed, the dog will probably calm down and be the friendly playful dog that its owner claims it is.

Yes that's definitely it. Go over and check their paws.

The dog's owner sounds negligent. Check the dog's paws. It's very likely that its nails are overgrown and are causing the aggressive behavior. If they can be trimmed, the dog will probably calm down and be the friendly playful dog that its owner claims it is.

OP, I can’t believe you are so calm about this. The dog JUMPED a fence and chased you on your OWN property. Call Animal Control today. You need a record of this behavior. Don’t listen to anyone who is saying “oh, was it aggressive? Can you figure that out?” WTF? This is one hundred percent aggressive. I grew up with dogs, I own a dog, and I love dogs. This dog needs to put down or given away. In particular, if it is a breed that is known to be aggressive. You and your children have the right to feel safe in your own yard. Call animal control and then reach out to neighbor - tell her the fence needs to be built ASAP. You should not be playing nice.

Definitely report that dog. It might not even be your kid attacked next but somebody else’s kid. And they have no warning, but you do.

Also, can you post on your listserve or ask your neighbors if they've had bad experiences with this dog? You need to collect as many reports as you can so animal control takes you seriously.

I agree that the behavior is concerning. There's an off chance the dog doesn't want to harm any of you, and is just very socially repressed and has never understood how to interact with strangers - I'm fostering a dog like this right now - but if you don't trust the owner and you don't trust the dog, you can't take chances! Please call animal control and detail all you've described here.