Dogs as Public Nuisance, questions re hearing, abatement

[ecmst12]

Originally Posted by Thora

Does my lack of time to train my female make me negligent? Irresponsible?

Actually, improper training of your animals which you had out in public WAS negligent. It is good that you have learned from your mistake and corrected the issues so they won't happen again. That will certainly help your case. Judges tend to look more favorably on people who learn from their mistakes. But the fact does remain that because your dogs were not properly trained, another dog died. Nothing that you do now can fix that, and you should have to answer for it.

[CJane]

Originally Posted by Thora

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is not known to be an aggressive breed from what I understand. They are in the hound class, scent and sight hounds.

Good lord.

A fine hunter, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is ferocious in the hunt, but in the home it is a calm, gentle, obedient, good dog. Good-natured, but some do not do well with small children because they may play too roughly and knock them down. They are intelligent, cunning but straight-forward dogs that are loyal to the family, have something of a mind of their own, are brave, vigilant, reserved toward strangers, and possess considerable stamina. Without enough mental and physical exercise they can become high strung and unmanageable. This breed needs a firm, confident, consistent pack leader who can provide rules the dog must follow and limits to what it can and cannot do. Meek and/or passive owners, or owners who treat the dog like a human rather than a canine will have a hard time controlling this breed and they may also become combative with other dogs. They need thorough obedience training, socialization with people and other dogs, and firm owner leadership to become the excellent companion he can be. Ridgeback's react best to an extremely consistent and equable approach to training. They are intelligent and learn quickly, but they are also strong and a bit stubborn. Training should be gentle, but firm and should start young while the dog is still small enough to manage. They are also very good watch dogs, but not suggested for guard dogs. They are very protective of owners. This has to be addressed during their early training. This breed can be more destructive than a Lab if not given enough exercise and is not convinced the humans are his authority figure. Do not overfeed this breed. Provided this dog meets cats and other pets when it is young, any potential problem will be prevented. Ridgebacks make excellent jogging companions.

A "sight hound" is a dog that is specifically bred, not to FIND prey, but to CHASE IT DOWN AND KILL IT.

I had a greyhound - never on the track. That dog could/would chase down anything smaller than her - cat, raccoon, possum, skunk, chicken, another dog - and kill it. She was so fast, she'd kill skunks before they could spray her.

I didn't walk around thinking "she's a hound, she'd never hurt a fly", I socialized the living crap out of her and STILL kept her contained with an underground fence system.

[JustAPal00]

Originally Posted by Thora

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Last year, during September, I was walking my dog to the store. My dog was on a leash. An un leashed dog came running and barking at us from behind. My dog ran toward the approaching dog and tripped me when he changed directions, dragging me. My dog killed the dog.

You are not able to control your vicious dog. You should not have been allowed to take the dog out in public after that happened. A woman in California was attacked and killed by two dogs that were on leashes. Pet owners like you give us all bad names.

[Tallrat]

Originally Posted by JustAPal00

You are not able to control your vicious dog. You should not have been allowed to take the dog out in public after that happened. A woman in California was attacked and killed by two dogs that were on leashes. Pet owners like you give us all bad names.

A dog attacking an unleashed aggressive dog is no way the same as a dog attacking and killing a human. Most large dog's that are hunter's or guards will not tolerate another aggressive animal and that includes well trained animals. They will not stand still and be torn apart no matter how much you train them

The Rhodesian is known to get along with other dogs just fine but it is not a dog who will cower during an attack.

Anyway to the OP. The city I work in had a similar thing happen. It was ruled that the animal that was killed was the aggressor and the owner of the killed animal was fined for uncontrolled animal.

[Tallrat]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

Actually, improper training of your animals which you had out in public WAS negligent. It is good that you have learned from your mistake and corrected the issues so they won't happen again. That will certainly help your case. Judges tend to look more favorably on people who learn from their mistakes. But the fact does remain that because your dogs were not properly trained, another dog died. Nothing that you do now can fix that, and you should have to answer for it.

An animal that is unleashed and charging you is negligent. The animal was not only protecting it's self but the owner. Her animal was provoked. It was not an unprovoked attack unless op is lying about it.

[Adalaide78]

I have to agree that the fact that the other dog was unleashed makes the owner of that dog at least equally responsible. If the owner had been lawful and had her dog on a leash it would not have run at another, much larger dog barking and acting agressive. The fact remains though that the OP was unable to control her dog. Why even bother with leash laws if the owner can't control the dog on a leash? May as well let the beast run free, the leash isn't doing any good at all.

[Tallrat]

Originally Posted by Adalaide78

I have to agree that the fact that the other dog was unleashed makes the owner of that dog at least equally responsible. If the owner had been lawful and had her dog on a leash it would not have run at another, much larger dog barking and acting agressive. The fact remains though that the OP was unable to control her dog. Why even bother with leash laws if the owner can't control the dog on a leash? May as well let the beast run free, the leash isn't doing any good at all.

I agree with you to a point. Certain circumstances such as her's could cause an uncontrollable condition though. You could be the safest most controlled driver and still cause an accident. Why drive safely if your going to have an accident some day any way? You could take the dog out 100 times on a leash and control it but the 101'st something happens very quickly. Things happen sometimes.

I own a Boxer. He is a very strong animal but well behaved not only with humans but other animals (although he seriously wants that squirrels ass in the back yard) Every friendly dog he meets he wants to play with but he will not tolerate an aggressive animal. He defiantly would not tolerate another animal charging. All in all it was probably a good thing she couldn't contain as she may have been injured holding the leash while they fought. The dog was coming anyway and yanking back on the leash may have only gotten her animal hurt.

[tammy8]

Originally Posted by Tallrat

I own a Boxer. He is a very strong animal but well behaved not only with humans but other animals (although he seriously wants that squirrels ass in the back yard) Every friendly dog he meets he wants to play with but he will not tolerate an aggressive animal. He defiantly would not tolerate another animal charging. All in all it was probably a good thing she couldn't contain as she may have been injured holding the leash while they fought. The dog was coming anyway and yanking back on the leash may have only gotten her animal hurt.

I also have a Boxer (7 yr old rescue) that lives with my Beagle and Jackabee. The female Beagle is alpha in our home. I can take and control the little dogs but the one time I walked my Boxer, 2 dogs charged us and I was also dragged down the street before I got control of him. I have never attempted to walk him again because I can NOT control him well enough. It took one time for me to realize that I had no business taking him out. This morning my husband walked him and again we were charged by the 2 same dogs. My husband was able to control him from minute one.

[Tallrat]

Originally Posted by tammy8

This morning my husband walked him and again we were charged by the 2 same dogs.

Hopefully you contacted animal warden about these 2 dogs. Had a similar problem with a Lab one street over. Dog charges any animal. Owner was warned he would be fined next time and his animal has been kept in the back yard since

[Thora]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

Actually, improper training of your animals which you had out in public WAS negligent. It is good that you have learned from your mistake and corrected the issues so they won't happen again. That will certainly help your case. Judges tend to look more favorably on people who learn from their mistakes. But the fact does remain that because your dogs were not properly trained, another dog died. Nothing that you do now can fix that, and you should have to answer for it.

I absolutely do not have a problem with answering for my dogs actions. Can you find the California code that cites specifically what my dog or myself violated? Or the County Ordinance? (San Diego)

[Thora]

Prey generally run from the dog, not charge at it. Different instincts could come into the picture.

My dogs are very socialized, my male is very well mannered, I dont walk around thinking they would never hurt a fly, I know that EVERY dog no matter what size or breed, or how well trained has the ability and instincts to kill. EVERY dog does.

Originally Posted by CJane

Good lord.



A "sight hound" is a dog that is specifically bred, not to FIND prey, but to CHASE IT DOWN AND KILL IT.

I had a greyhound - never on the track. That dog could/would chase down anything smaller than her - cat, raccoon, possum, skunk, chicken, another dog - and kill it. She was so fast, she'd kill skunks before they could spray her.

I didn't walk around thinking "she's a hound, she'd never hurt a fly", I socialized the living crap out of her and STILL kept her contained with an underground fence system.

[cyjeff]

Originally Posted by Thora

Prey generally run from the dog, not charge at it. Different instincts could come into the picture.

My dogs are very socialized, my male is very well mannered, I dont walk around thinking they would never hurt a fly, I know that EVERY dog no matter what size or breed, or how well trained has the ability and instincts to kill. EVERY dog does.

So, how many dogs do your dogs have to kill before you consider them dangerous?

[Thora]

Originally Posted by JustAPal00

You are not able to control your vicious dog. You should not have been allowed to take the dog out in public after that happened. A woman in California was attacked and killed by two dogs that were on leashes. Pet owners like you give us all bad names.

Pet owners like me? You don't know me. You have no idea other then what I have mentioned here about me or my dogs.

What is a pet owner like me? Don't you think that the owner of the unleashed dog gives pet owners a bad name? The dog was out of its yard every day, chasing kids to school, barking and tormenting everybody.

My dog sat and stayed put, didn't drag me out of control toward the dog the morning before when I saw the dog before my dog did..

I have since, taken the dogs to professional training classes, I do not walk my male, I pay somebody else to, due to the weight of me vs the dog and the 1% of time I may not control him.

My dogs do not roam at large, they do not bark, they do not chase or kill cats, do not get in the trash, love children and people...

What is a pet owner like me?

[Thora]

Originally Posted by Tallrat

A dog attacking an unleashed aggressive dog is no way the same as a dog attacking and killing a human. Most large dog's that are hunter's or guards will not tolerate another aggressive animal and that includes well trained animals. They will not stand still and be torn apart no matter how much you train them

The Rhodesian is known to get along with other dogs just fine but it is not a dog who will cower during an attack.

Anyway to the OP. The city I work in had a similar thing happen. It was ruled that the animal that was killed was the aggressor and the owner of the killed animal was fined for uncontrolled animal.

Thank you. A breath of fresh air.

[Adalaide78]

Originally Posted by Thora

I absolutely do not have a problem with answering for my dogs actions. Can you find the California code that cites specifically what my dog or myself violated? Or the County Ordinance? (San Diego)

Yes.
[url=http://www.sddac.com/laws.asp]County of San Diego - Animal Services[/url]

Away from Home: If you walk or otherwise bring a dog to public or other private property (where dogs are permitted), you must restrain the dog by a hand held leash (not longer than 6 feet in length) (SDCC Sections 62.669[a], 62.601[d], and 62.601[y]).

You failed to restrain your dog.

On the other hand the owner of the other dog violated the law as well.

Any person owning or having custody or control of a dog must at all times prevent the dog from attacking, biting, or injuring any person engaged in a lawful act, and from damaging or interfering with the lawful use of property (SDCC Section 62.669.1).

Since you were engaged in a lawful act (walking your dog on a leash) and the other dog ran up barking I suppose it could be considered possible that it was attacking.