What should we do? (Hard Decision)

[Oeneus]

Haven't been on in a while. So how is everyone? My day has started awful.

So, Carla got into a fight this morning. We (Carla, our other dog Roo, and I) were outside and the dogs were doing our business. We live in a condo, so I put the dogs on a leash when we go out. Our nieghbor started to come out, and she has a long haired dauchsen named Millie. I know that Carla is dog aggressive, especially little dogs, so I said "we are out here", so that she would not come out. She closed the door, and the dogs both pee'd. We were on our way back in when she opened the door again, and her dog came running out. We were about 5 feet in front of her door, and Carla grabbed Millie at her throat, and I tried to pull them apart. Carla had a good grip, and her owner, who is a middle aged lady who is a about to retire, picked up her dog with Carla holding on. I tried to pull Carla's jaws apart, (which was not going to happen) and I yelled in our door for my wife to come. Carla let go on her own, and I dragged Carla inside. We are always careful with Carla and have her on a leash at all times. It was in part our neighbors fault because her dog was not on a leash, but that makes me feel less in control.

So, I know that Carla is dog aggessive (no surprise for a pit). She is good with people (also no surprise). She was a rescue so she has an unknown upbringing. Let me know what you think or if I can provide anyother information

Thanks,

[bodazafa]

That is really hard - I have been in a similar situation only thank God Mags never bit the other dog. I lived in an apartment building with many other dogs and Mags is great with most dogs but there were two or three little dogs at the building that seemed to kick her prey drive on. After living there for four years my neighbors with those specific dogs all knew me and her and knew that if they were out with their dogs to avoid us and us them, etc. But there were times when I would be coming out the door with her and it was a solid door you couldn't see out and we would step outside and immediately there would be one of her little enemies and she would go nuts but she never got to them because I was always able to control her and get her away and the other dogs were always on leash so they never got too close. But I could see it happening one of those times had the other dog not been on leash or if I had given Mags too much slack on the leash leaving the door. Its very scary.

I think the fact that your neighbor did not have her dog on a leash was a MAJOR contributing factor to this incident - you warned her that you were outside and it seems from what you have said that the neighbors were aware that Carla was dog aggressive and thus knew to avoid times when you had them out? You had her on a leash, you warned the woman, etc. Accidents happen, but it sounds like this one wouldn't have if not for HER not following what I'm sure is the law there and the condo rules to have her dog on a leash. Is her dog okay? Have you talked to HER about this? Is she asking you to have Carla put down? Did you or the other woman report the bite?

IMHO - DA is something we bully owners have to deal with - you knew she was DA and it sounds like you took steps to ensure the safety of other dogs in the condo building because of it. This wasn't completely your fault and I don't think she should be put down for an incident like this.

[chipinsc]

Our Sophie is also very DA except with Our Titan , I would not dream of putting her down because of it ( she too is a rescue of unknown history ). IMHO your situation is really more the neighbors fault. they knew you were out with your dogs, I assume they know your dog is DA, their dog was off leash... how bad was the doxie hurt ? the most i would do if the doxie was injured is MAYBE offer to pay part of the vet bill, but I would have to think about that too because that could constitute admission of fault. I would also invest in a break stick ( check local laws first...some places think break sticks = dog fighting )
also vigilance on your part... though not much you can do about an off leash dog

[SisMorphine]

Well I don't think she needs to be put down. It's dog aggression, not human aggression.

It sounds like she needs to do a crapton of obedience and tolerance work. Mike was severely DA and I have a picture of him in a down stay just 5 feet from a DA APBT. It's all about obedience. A solid leave it could have really helped in this situation.

How's the Doxie and the owner?

[WiggleBottomBulls]

Was the other dog ok? I think the dachshunds owner is mostly to blame, she knew you were outside and let her dog out without leash... what is she saying about the incident? Does she want to press charges or anything?

[jinxxycat]

Not your fault. The neighbor should have her dog on a leash PERIOD. I don't care if you are out there or if NO ONE is out there, she needs to have her dog ON A LEASH. I'm sure there are rules at your condo association AND LOCAL LEASH LAWS. These laws and rules are there for a REASON. This is one of them. You did what you needed to do to ensure the safety of the other dog and the safety of your dog, the other owner did NOT. End of story. (well that's my humble opinion, people that let their dog run around pell mell loose off leash are idiots in my book, I don't care who the heck they are and how well behaved they are.)

[Oeneus]

Originally Posted by WiggleBottomBulls

Was the other dog ok? I think the dachshunds owner is mostly to blame, she knew you were outside and let her dog out without leash... what is she saying about the incident? Does she want to press charges or anything?

The other dog is going to be OK. She had some puncture wounds, and the one on her neck was bleeding, but it was not gushing. My wife and our neighbor are at the vet with the other dog. We did offer to pay for part of the vet bill. She is very upset and distraught, but she is not angry or accusing us (at this point). My wife was thinking that this was a bad enough incident to put her down for. I was not sure, cause I know that DA is normal with pits, and that we are very careful with her. She is great with all peoplesometimes overly friendly, and she is better with the baby, where she does not get too excited with him.

[Cinder]

Crap! Take away the one vote for putting down. I didn't read the poll and thought it was "should we put her down " "yes/no", and I was voting no!

I'm sorry!


Your dog was a on a leash, you gave her a warning that you were out there. Her dog got out. I personally would pay her medical bills so that she can't bitch that you did nothing.

[DMARIE1965]

i would not put her down

[forever_pit]

Originally Posted by SisMorphine

Well I don't think she needs to be put down. It's dog aggression, not human aggression.

It sounds like she needs to do a crapton of obedience and tolerance work. Mike was severely DA and I have a picture of him in a down stay just 5 feet from a DA APBT. It's all about obedience. A solid leave it could have really helped in this situation.

How's the Doxie and the owner?

+100.