My Neighbors Pit Bull Dog.

[Dee]

For the last month or so I have been having trouble with my neighbor's pit bull running lose at night, and stirring up the neighborhood. I had complained to the proper authorities a couple of times, all of whom I know, and all I got was a letter to the owner, whom claimed it wasn't his. I in the past usually shoot them on site, but this guy hasn't really been a nuisance and I was trying to get along. I live at the edge of town on a half acre, and today I pulled into my yard and the pit was arguing with my Jack thru the fence, both dogs in MY yard. I had more rifle in the Jeep than I really wanted to use, so I started in the house after another when he saw fit to leave. I followed the dog home and the neighbor would not come to the door, but the dog went into the backyard by opening the gate.
At this time, I drove back to town, and contacted the city mgr, and the mayor, and told them of situation and past complaints, and if the dog came back I was just going to shoot it. The police Sgt there, said shoot it if you have to Dan, but if not call me the next time it's out.
When I got home the damn pit was again headed down the road to my house. I called the city and told them to either come get it, or I was going to vaccinate it with a Winchester. In about 5 minutes, I had 3 city trucks, a police Sgt. and the Chief of Police cornering up and arresting the dog. It now sits on death row at the city pound with bail set at $100.00, plus a fine.
Some times things just work when ya got friends at city hall. They ain't running buddies but, they wanted to help when they admitted the ball had been dropped in the past, and they knew I was gonna shoot the dog.

[mechanic]

I probably would have just shot it.  Around here they would have sent an animal control officer out in a day or two..........Thats why I keep subsonics for my 22 and 38's for my Handi.  Most likely I will wind up on the other side of the bars one day.......

[Dee]

This dog was making his appearances mostly at night, and late at that, but in the last few days he had become bolder, and had harassed a lady down the road pushing a child in a stroler, and walking another. I and my wife had witnessed it, but the lady got back to her house safely. Today was going to be the dog's day regardless. I had tired of the situation and loss of sleep. I suppose it worked out for the best, and my wife was a little surprised at my reaction that I had not shot it, as I had in the past with others. Maybe I'm gettin old.

[DennisB]

Glad that worked out.  Last time I clashed with a neighbor and his pit bulls I spent more time listening to the guy's lawyer explain how the dogs were obviously "stressed" than it would have taken to just SSS.

[Dee]

Yeah, I was thinkin that the whole time I was dealin with the city, but they took the heat, so I guess it worked out. I probably should have gotten out of bed a month ago and dealt with it in the middle of the night, but it's kinda like that dripping faucet, you just lay there and try to tune it out.

[billy_56081]

Pit bulls the only good one is a dead one.

[Swampman]

Same for Chows.

[Brett]

It probably worked out for the best.  Maybe the owner will keep it home if he gets hit in the wallet.

My problem is I tend to speak my mind.  If the guy had told me it wasn't his dog when I knew darn well it was I would have said to him right then "Then I guess you won't mind if I shoot the SOB the next time I see it then."    

[victorcharlie]

I've hit them with a red paint ball before.  Kind of a message I suppose.

I can just imagine that dog wallering on nice clean living room carpet......

[Dee]

Well Brett, he didn't tell me that. The City wrote him a letter, and he apparently called them and said it was his neighbor's dog, and at some point in time the dog lost his collar and tags. I don't know if that was intentional but, a dog will usually lead you to where he lives, and this one I had already seen the guy with the dog in his yard for the past year. He naturally went home when I put a little pressure on him with my Jeep.
When he left my property, it was a deal breaker. I won't shoot them off my property, and I really hate to shoot any one's dog, even a pit. I just don't trust pits, and can't tolerate them. This one I will be surprised if he comes back. If he does, I will make no more calls. It will be the Winchester.

[Cheesehead]

30-30?

[Dee]

30-30?

Probably the 357.

[Cheesehead]

Dee, you are lucky to be able to use a gun in your location. I live in the middle of town and would be arrested. I was forced to use a pitch fork last year to keep a pit at bay. Did not have to stab him, but would have.

Cheese

[S.S.]

All the stray dogs around here know that "GIT" is followed quickly
by a shotgun blast. Pitbulls, Dobermans and Rotweilers are not allowed a warning shot.
I have been chewed up pretty good by a dog once and I have no compassion
for them whatsoever. I was clearing my driveway drainage ditches a couple
of years ago when one of my not so pleasant neighbors turned out their Doberman
on me. A freshly sharpened bush Ax works wonders! Not even a yelp!

[Cheesehead]

An axe might be better then a pitch fork, actually a potato fork, but a gun of any kind would be better. What exactly is a bush axe?

Cheese

[Dee]

In Texas we have the castle doctrine, and you are allowed to defend life AND PROPERTY, against all comers including animals. It would not have been a problem legally, but neighborly. I had talked to the guy over a year ago, and he was polite when I told him his pit was not welcome on my place, but after about 7 or 8 months the talk wore off I guess. He had given me the standard: she wouldn't hurt a fly, and I had given my standard, I'll shoot him on my property. He said ok, but I think as time went on he blew me off, and done what most pit owners seem to do.
I had the same problem with a bullmastiff a year or so ago, but now the same guy has three of them, and you never see them out.

[myronman3]

if i would see a pit (or any other dog) harrassing a woman pushing a child stroller, that would be it for the dog.  they would have to lock me up.  cheese, you are allowed to carry concealed or any other way on your property here in wisconsin.  stuff always happens when you arent expecting it. 

[Spanky]

Pit bulls the only good one is a dead one.

Same for Chows.

And Dobermans



Spanky

[Cheesehead]

if i would see a pit (or any other dog) harrassing a woman pushing a child stroller, that would be it for the dog.  they would have to lock me up.  cheese, you are allowed to carry concealed or any other way on your property here in wisconsin.  stuff always happens when you arent expecting it. 

OK, I will carry the 45 Springy.

[Cheesehead]

I did feel fairly well armed with the potato fork, with 4 heavy angular sharp tines.

Cheese

[southernutah]

Brother-in-laws brother made a bait box/trap at the side of his garage. If there was ever anything in it he ran the attached hose to the exhaust and came back later. No holes or mess to deal with.

[myronman3]

I did feel fairly well armed with the potato fork, with 4 heavy angular sharp tines.

Cheese

while the potato fork is definately formidable, the springy has better range and is definately more lethal, of course it makes more noise and will richoet.  i am looking at getting me a kimber compact for such occasions. 

[mechanic]

I have used a Handi 357 on a coyote on my city lot without detection.  Even though it's against the law, the first offense is a misdemeanor.  Suffice it to say I will defend my property irregardless.  There are supposed to be no loose dogs here.  There are supposed to be no pits at all unless the owner is bonded and the pit is registered as a dangerous dog.  If it's big and seems potentially dangerous and doesn't run when I yell at it, it's dead.

[Dand]

In these situations would the Glaser safety ammo be a good choice? I got some for that purpose but the offender disappeared before I got a chance to try them out.

Dee you may feel older but I view your route as much wiser too.  Had to giggle at the Winchester vaccination term.

I've been told you can really cover a gun shot sound if you shoot from within your house - say out a door or window. Sure would want to have a very clear view of target and be certain no-one could step into the line of fire.

Good idea on the paint ball but a lot of that washes out. We had a school principal who was complaining about the dogs around the school. All the owners were insisting "not my dog". She got a big can of bright spray paint (yellow?) and would give each dog a big squirt -they weren't dangerous just annoying. Then she would call the owner and tell tell them if their dog had a yellow spot, it had been at the school.  I understand the owners began controlling their dogs.

[GatCat]

Dand, a Glasier woud work very good, no over-penetration. But be aware you will have to sight-in your weapon ( handgun or rifle ) for that round, since it is light and fast, will most likely have a very different point of impact. They are loaded "hot", though. Certainly not clandestine.
I think the best round is sub-sonic. A .22 standard velocity, out of a long-barrelled rifle is pretty quiet, expecially if the muzzle is well within a structure. At night, escpecially late, one low-level gunshot generally does not cause much concern...might wake up people, but they will not be sure what exactly they heard, nor where it came from, etc. More then one, different story. In a populated enviroment, I think the best way is a sub-sonic .22  . I did some testing a short time ago, even a .38 special wadcutter target round, fired from a Handi-rifle, makes considerably more noise then the .22  .
For extreme quietness, the .22 super colibri from a short barrel ( 16") rifle is best, hardly noticable from a few feet away, but it deffinately lacks power. For a pit ( short-hair, not a really big dog ) a heart-lung shot with the super colibri may do the job, not a quick kill, which is ok, let the dog make it home to either die, or cause a big vet bill to the owner. Whatever you do, keep your mouth shut, no need for "fieud", which a good person can never win against trash ( slashed tires, "keyed" paint, etc.).

[slim rem 7]

i think ida shot him before i tried to make it to my house ..you don t want to let a pit get a hold of you..
 you handled it well dee..
 i know old timey pits.. this modern line of pits are different in that the tendency to bite people has not been bred out ofem..in old days if a pit showed a tendency to be a man getter.. he didn t make sundown..
 also my personal belief is they belong in the country..
 also biters had a reputation for quitting ,an not being game to the death..
 if i was in the woods an ran into one running loose,,id watchem close..
i know how to readum.. if hes one thats coming strait at you.. hes probably gonna attack..
 if hes wagging his tale an just kinda wondering without his eyes dead on you,hes probably not gonna bother you..
 im gonna make some people mad with this statement..but the staffordshire breed originated ,because irresponcible old timey dog fighters gave a cur[one that would quit] to somebody wealthy as a pet.. they liked them an succeeded in getting them recognised by the akc..
 i love the qualities that made up the old timey pit..he could make a good working farm dog..
 but i still don t want a pit around my grandkids..the breeds too messed up now.. slim
 if you have to shoot one.. make it a head shot.. a lung shot leaves him too much time to really do some damage..
 my line were known as the red boy tramp line..as game a dog as ever was bred..
 if you owners of pits ,,find redboy tramp or teals jeff in you dogs exstended pedigree .. you can be proud..
 usually friendly .. but under that skin lies a fighter ..mabe even a dead game fighter,be it another dog,, a brahma bull,
a bear..it won t matter to him .. he s just a front line warrior..
 

[Savage .250]

 Doing the right thing paid off..........even if it took some doing.

[gwhilikerz]

Do Not, Repeat, Do Not shoot a dog in the lungs/heart area with a 22 if at all possible. You may like the quietness of the 22 but you won't like the loudness of the howling/yelping dog. Don't ask.

[magooch]

I am a bicycle rider and on three occasions where I was under attack by someone's pooch, the owner was in close proximity.  I tend to get mad about these situations and get extremely loud.  I told these owners that I was going to shoot the dog and them if the dog ever bothers me again.  In all those cases the dog was gone and was never seen again.  In each of these instances, the dog owners didn't know who I was, or I suppose I might have been visited by a deputy.

I don't think I would actually have shot the dog owners, but you never know.  The point is that my threat worked.  I'm trying very hard to mellow out, but it's very hard to do when your liberty (the freedom to move about) is blocked by someone's stupid animal.  I actually blame the owner more than the animal.

[Blackhawker]

I didn't even read most of the comments here.  When I saw the title of the thread I immediately thought, "I hope he shot it"!

Ya know, here is a point about gun control and lethal weapons:  We all know that guns don't kill people, it's the person controlling the gun that does.  Right?  A person in rage can choose a weapon of their choice; a gun, a knife, a baseball bat, poison, etc.  None of these items kill people, they have to be put to use by a human and then are only controlled by the human holding or using them.  It is the human that is at fault, not the item.  Now, let's take a look at Pit Bulls and other dangerous dogs.  Tell me that mangy critter in your back yard was EVER in control by his owner or any human for that matter.  NO WAY!  So, why do people want to get rid of guns?  Beats me, but there should be a HUGE movement by the government, the state, townships and people in general to outlaw and eradicate pit bulls, rotweilers, dobes and other dangerous animals unless their owners have proper permits and housing for them such as a zoo owner which has permits to house and keep dangerous animals.  We all know these animals have killed children and attacked thousands upon thousands of people.  Why do we (the general public and government authorities) tolerate them yet look at guns so negatively??  It just doesn't make sense.