Your thoughts...

Ok, so since I've moved into my new house I've noticed that there is a dog who roams our block. I don't believe he's a stray - he seems really well taken care of and I'm pretty sure he belongs to someone at the end of my street, but I don't know who.

At first this dog came to my house once or twice and pooped on my lawn - which, while annoying, didn't really make me want to do anything about it. I figured at some point I'd find out who he belongs to and ask them to keep him out of my yard.

But just a few minutes ago I was outside with BF standing in our driveway just talking and having a cigarette (we only smoke outside), and I hear the clinking sound of dog tags coming up the road. I turn to BF and say "Heeeeeeeee's Baaaaaaaack" But neither of us thought much of it until the dog got to the end of our driveway. Well I guess it surprised him that we were there because he stood there growling. I realized I was looking at him and quickly dropped my gaze since I know eye contact is a challenge to a dog. BF & I just stood still looking at each other until we finally heard the dog tags head back down the street.

Now, on one hand, I need to do something about this. The pooping in my yard thing I can get over, but this dog just became mean. And while I don't want him being this way to me, I also have two dogs and I don't need either of them getting hurt either. On the other hand, I don't want to start WWIII in my neighborhood purely because I've only lived here 3 weeks or so and have no idea what the neighbors at that end of the street are like... for all I know I could be calling animal control on a mass murderer. (Ok, I'm sure that's a stretch, but point being, who knows who they are?) and I'm really not looking forward to some kind of retaliation.

So if you were me, what would you do?

i would go talk to the people, tell them that there dog was in your yard, andgrowling at you. I would make no suggstions as to what they should do,

if in the next couple of days you see the dog again, i would call and have the dog picked up.. sorry you cant have a dog that is going to maybe hurt you or your pets running around loose.

Well half the problem is, I can't go talk to them. I have no idea who this dog belongs to. The only time I see it is when it's in my yard.

I only assume it belongs to someone at the end of my street because he seems to come from and go back to that direction.

It has tags - I realised he growled, so I'm not saying this is a good idea, and I'm certain that you have more experience with dogs than I do - but do you think that you could approach him to look at the tags?

His human's number is probably on it.

If you're too scared to do that, it's probably time to call animal control or whatever.

Where I am, it's illegal for dogs to be off-leash unless it's at the dog parks between a very specific period of time (or if they're on their own property, of course). If I were you, I'd call animal control. It's not that I don't like dogs, it's that I don't like irresponsible dog owners who let their animals roam free (especially if they appear to be aggressive!). I realize it's possible that the dog is supposed to be shut up in a yard somewhere and just escapes, but it's owners need to be made aware of that, and if you can't find out who they are because you can't approach the dog, you need to call in someone who can. Animal control will pick the dog up, and if he has tags, they'll contact the owner (and possibly fine them for letting their dog run loose -- they would here). Maybe that's a bit harsh, but you have the right to protect yourself and your property.

I'd call animal control, dogs are not supposed to be roaming the neighborhood of their own free will. The owners need not know it was you that called

I agree get in touch with animal control if you can find the owners in a day or so.

I'd 1st start with your next door neighbors. Ask them if they know who it belongs to, or can they narrow it down to possibly 1 of 3 houses at the end of the street. Then I'd go knock on doors. It could be something as easy as an escape artist.... some dogs are excellent escape artists, no matter how hard you try. We have a dog in our neighborhood that always gets out. The owners have 4 kids, 9yo twin boys and a 4yo girl, they are always "accidentally" letting the dog out.... or the dog pushes by them at the door & runs for the hills. (he also always poops in my SIL's yard, I'd be fuming over that alone) But I'd give the owners the chance to rectify the situation, before turning the dog in. You could say something nicely like this:

Hi. I'm new in the neighborhood, and I was wondering, do you own that black dog that I've seen on this street? If not, do you know who does? (if it's their dog then say) I was a little worried, because I've seen him a few times in my yard, and he's always been friendly enough, but yesterday he was growling at me when I was standing in my driveway. And I was a little afraid because, I have 2 dogs of my own, and don't want any trouble for them at our home. Also, I've seen him in the street and was fearful he may get hit by a car, and I wouldn't want that for anyone's dog. I'd really appreciate it for both of our dogs safety, if you could try to keep him away from my yard.... I really don't want there to be a dog fight. Thanks so much for your help & understanding!

I think this would be clear & to the point, without judging or placing blame or being mean. And I don't think they would be angry if you approach them this way. Good luck. Also, the poop thing would really drive me insane... I like to walk barefoot in my yard, and don't have a dog, so why should I have to worry about stepping in poop in my own yard? And when I did have a dog, I cleaned up after him in my own yard, so there was no poop!

I would try to find out where the dog comes from by asking neibors. I would then talk to the dog's owner and ask them to restrain it. If they refuse let them know that animal control will be called if you see their dog running at large again. All communities even rural areas have "Animal at large" laws. If the animal is becomeing vicious even slightly by growling at you it is a even bigger danger to children that don't understand what a growl means. By calling animal control you would be looking after the well being of the entire community.

Thanks for all the responses!

I've had a little trouble getting to know my neighbors. It's not that we're all not friendly enough, but we all seem to work odd schedules so we don't really get to see each other. Well that and moving took a heck of a lot more time than I thought But I'm going to see if I can catch someone this weekend to ask about it. Tried today with no luck.

Called animal control, but didn't give specifics... more just general "what am I allowed to do" kind of information. They said if the dog is just out running wild, try to follow the dog (from a distance) and see which house he belongs to. Then they will send a letter to the owner saying they were informed that they have a dog at large, inform them of the penalties of having a DAL, and give the owners a chance to correct the situation. This way, I get to stay out of it, but the point is made and there is at least a record of the complaint in case something else happens.

They said if he ever growls again to call them immediately no matter what time and someone will come pick the dog up. At this point, they will hold the dog for the owners so the owners can come claim him and then I think they get fined for having a DAL or something like that.

I don't really want to get to the point where the dog has to be picked up by animal control.... and I am going to try and find the owner first... but if it does escalate to that, I will call animal control again and put in a formal complaint. I have to... I mean yeah, the dog could be an escape artist, but if he's going to come on other people's properties and start growling at them (I mean he was in my driveway when he did this...) then that's just not safe and he needs to be picked up even if its just to send a message to the owners.

It pains me to do this... as I am very much a dog person... but I've got to protect myself and my furkids.

Originally Posted by MuttigreeMom

Thanks for all the responses!

I've had a little trouble getting to know my neighbors. It's not that we're all not friendly enough, but we all seem to work odd schedules so we don't really get to see each other. Well that and moving took a heck of a lot more time than I thought

But I'm going to see if I can catch someone this weekend to ask about it. Tried today with no luck.

Called animal control, but didn't give specifics... more just general "what am I allowed to do" kind of information. They said if the dog is just out running wild, try to follow the dog (from a distance) and see which house he belongs to. Then they will send a letter to the owner saying they were informed that they have a dog at large, inform them of the penalties of having a DAL, and give the owners a chance to correct the situation. This way, I get to stay out of it, but the point is made and there is at least a record of the complaint in case something else happens.

They said if he ever growls again to call them immediately no matter what time and someone will come pick the dog up. At this point, they will hold the dog for the owners so the owners can come claim him and then I think they get fined for having a DAL or something like that.

I don't really want to get to the point where the dog has to be picked up by animal control.... and I am going to try and find the owner first... but if it does escalate to that, I will call animal control again and put in a formal complaint. I have to... I mean yeah, the dog could be an escape artist, but if he's going to come on other people's properties and start growling at them (I mean he was in my driveway when he did this...) then that's just not safe and he needs to be picked up even if its just to send a message to the owners.

It pains me to do this... as I am very much a dog person... but I've got to protect myself and my furkids.

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You're doing the right thing. I would give the owners the benefit of the doubt too, in case he is an escape artist. If you can't find them or they don't comply, you really should call animal control for your safety, the safety of your pets and others, AND the dog's safety. I see far too many pets hit by cars. It is sad, but you didn't volunteer for this position. The dog's owner's put you there. Good luck!