Tired of off leash dogs attacking my furkids

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dawns2shelties

Forums Sage
Many of you here have read about my frustration with off leash dogs in my complex. Well it is getting worse. All recent move ins walk their dogs off leash.
About 2 weeks ago I was walking Chandler and Gypsy, Chandler was doing his business when suddenly a neighbor and his hyper German Pointer came jogging around the corner. The dog charged up on the grass between Chandler and Gypsy. The owner continued on his merry way calling his dog and Chandler was left limping to me with one paw up. I watched him that night,put ice on it and gave him 25 mg deramax I had left from Gypsy's surgery. Day 2 still limping and deramax didn't seem to help. The 3rd day I noticed his foot was totally flat up to his dew claw called the vet took him in. the vet explained the ankle joint had collapsed and normally would require surgery to place a pin but given Chandler's current health status he was afraid we would loose him. He sent me home with metacam which I was hesitant to give after reading many bad experiences here.
That evening and the next day Chandler had liquid diarrhea so I called the vet and took him in. He gave Chandler fluids as a precaution and put him on a higher dose of Deramax which he has tolerated well. In the meantime he had referred me to a site to look for a brace for him but Dr. Shelli referred me to handicappedpets.com where I have found a great brace for him and of course had it approved by my vet.

Three days later walking the dogs another neighbors dog came running way ahead of him and charging at Chandler and Gypsy. Before I could pick Gypsy up the dog had her on the ground,on her back and by the neck. Needless to say I freaked.

Just now walking the dogs another neighbors dog who I have had many run ins with and explained Chandler and Gypsy's health issues to many times came charging at them. I told him if his dog got in their face I was going to kick it and proceeded to FREAK OUT!!! I am still shaking.

What is wrong with these people. City law states you must keep your dog on a leash. They sign a pet agreement they will keep their dog on a leash while on complex property. I have complained to management. She told me she was sending out letters 2 weeks ago. I haven't seen one yet. I have a good relationship with her but I feel I have to go above her head and write her superiors. She also tells me to call animal control but that won't do any good since they have to see the dog off leash and we live in a secured building so they can't get in here anyway to talk to the owners.


I adapted my walking schedule over a year ago when this problem really started getting out of hand. I walk them after everyone leaves for work,after all dog walkers and neighbors do the lunch walk,after most have returned from work and walked their dogs and again at 1:00 am after the last person walks her off leash dog. I hate that I would have to move because others
can't obey a law. It just isn't right. :no:

Gypsy is so paranoid now she will barely walk, I have to coax her to walk and reward with affection every few steps. This is what I was doing this morning when they got charged at by this idiots dog. I am at my wits end and don't know what to do anymore. :confused2:

Sorry so long. These are not small dogs either.labs,pitbulls,american bulldogs.etc
 
Just so you know, it is legal in Maryland to kill any animal who threatens your person, property, or livestock. I would carry a big stick, and start knocking the sh*t out of the off leash dogs who come near your dogs. Pepper spray would be a non-lethal alternative. It would probably only take once or twice for people to get the point.

-Rachael, graduate of the "Toren School of Tact and Diplomacy", i.e. we tend to lack both.
 
I don't have any advice but will offer sympathy. I don't blame you at all for being angry and frustrated. With all Gypsy and Chandler's health issues they sure don't need unneeded injury because other dog owners are stupid and irresponsible. I hope you can figure out a way to solve this so you don't have to move. Let's hope your manager steps up to the plate and makes these people follow the pet agreement they signed. Good luck.
 
Dawn, I'm so sorry to read about all of your troubles. People are SO ignorant sometimes. I wish that the complex manager would send out the letter, but it appears that she is not making it a priority.

I agree with Rachael that I would carry either a stick or pepper spray with me from now on.

You might even (if you feel comfortable) send a letter yourself to all of your neighbors letting them know about the situation. Tell them how distressed both you and your dogs are, and let them know how it has affected you and the things you have done to prevent it (adapting walking times). At least that way if you freak out and have to use the pepper spary, they can't say you didn't warn them.
 
Defnitely find a big stick/heavy cane, take it with you, and USE IT. I have a cane of Dad's I carry if I am walking.

Write to your manager, copying the letter to her superiors, and the animal control/bylaw office. Quote from the pet agreement every one signed, note EVERY instance of when and where your dogs were attacked, the physical and emotional trauma they and you have suffered, the costs you have incurred, and be prepared to file against the complex's, and if you know the person, insurance companies. I found with a situation at work where hospital employees were coming onto private property to smoke, until I mentioned that it was an insurance problem and no one wanted their insurance rates to go up because someone got hit, nothing was done. People do not like to have insurance rates rise and they will rise if a payment is made out. You may have grounds to file against the complex's insurance to recoup some of your vet fees. And put a deadline on it in your letter, stating you will file with the company's insurance holder if no steps are taken.

Other than that, just keep doing what you are doing. You should not have to move because of others.
 
I would carry a big stick, and start knocking the sh*t out of the off leash dogs who come near your dogs. Pepper spray would be a non-lethal alternative. It would probably only take once or twice for people to get the point.

I agree 100% with this, if the owners with dogs with high prey drives are not responsible, then let them have some vet bills. They need to know their breed. Your dogs need to be kept safe. Your dogs should not have to feel scared or threatened. Aren't these people afraid these dogs will get hit by cars? Who is paying your vet bills when your dog gets hurt? If the management does not enforce the rules maybe they need to pay the bill.

Sorry that your poor dog has to go through pain.

Donna
 
I am very sorry for what you and your dogs have/are going through, and I agree with the advice of, carry a big stick, have you seen the stick that Cesar Milan carries? one like that. Carry pepper spray and don't be afraid to use either of them.. once word gets around that you are protecting your dogs, maybe people will leash them when they see you. Reading all that has happened to you makes me very thankful that where I live, its a rare thing to see a dog off leash except at the dog park and I will never go there with Belle.
 
so sorry to hear that idiots are making your life more difficult when your pups already have so much going on.
some great advice below- legal and physical :yes:
definitely try what Emmasmom suggested- you might get some action that way.
 
Dawn, I feel so sorry for you and so angry that inconsiderate people are spoiling what should be the most enjoyable aspect of dog ownership. A friend of mine has elderly/disabled dogs and she has encountered similar problems with out of control dogs racing up to hers and startling or knocking them over. The owners either don't seem to realise or are too thoughtless to care that while their dog might be 100% friendly and playful, other peoples' dogs could be infirm, elderly, recovering from surgery etc. Our trainer at dog club tells all new owners (drums it in) that they should NEVER let their dogs do this. Hopefully it does sink in for at least some of them...

At least you have the law on your side here and these dogs should not even be off lead. I hope you don't have to wait long before these people recieve their warnings and with luck, this should be enough to make them behave.
 
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