We live at the corner of an internsection. The house across the street and from us on the other corner has two german shepherds with a history of aggression toward people. My father jogs 5 laps (5 miles) around the neighborhood everyday, to do that he must go by their house. They have cornered him before and when he talked to them about it they said it was his fault, that by running he was provoking them and he shouldn't pass by their house anymore (he doesn't pass by the front but by the side yard.) Another neighbor of our's had to call 911 when the dogs cornered a woman and wouldn't let her go. The people keep them inside a fence when they are away, but let them out in the yard without leashes when they are there with them and insist that they have control with them- obviously they do not.
Today I found out that our family dachshund Schnitzel was attacked by at leat one of them this weekend. I do not have the full details, but I will say this: He is always on a leash unless he is in our backyard which is fenced, and even then he is not allowed out without any kind of supervision. He is never allowed to roam free. I got this dog when I was in 6th grade, I held him when he was the size of my palm. I pretty much raised this dog, and I am very upset. He is coming up on 12 years old and has some arthritis issues. I don't get to see him much since I no longer live at home, but he is still very special to me, and I am terrified that something bad will happen during surgery.
I want these dogs dealt with. The owners have apparently not said a word to my family, they have not offered to pay the vet bill. Like me, my father is non-confrontational so he honestly doesn't know what he is going to do. At the very least they need to be made to pay the bill since I can guarantee you that it happened either on the street or in our yard as Schnitzel is not allowed out without a leash. Our neighborhood is outside of city limits- so no leash law, but these dogs have shown a history of aggression toward people. I'm assuming the 911 call was documented, so I really want to see some kind of action take. I know this sounds harsh- but at this point I want these dogs euthanized. They have been aggressive toward people, have now injured our family dog. What if it's a kid next time? I realize these are family pets, but clearly there is no responsibility on the part of the owners.
I keep control of my dogs. Neither our dachshund nor my two dogs are ever allowed outside without a leash, putting them in our full control. I expect the same of other dog owners.
This photo was taken this past Christmas. Schnitzel is the brown dachshund.
