Do I report my neighbour's aggressive dog?

Have you spoken to them about their dog? If not maybe a quick word, especially as if it attacks a child it could be a tragic outcome.
Pitballs as I understand are banned in this country and if they do exist it’s with strict conditions such as being muzzled in public, but certainly on a lead. It could be a Staffie that look quite similar.

I’m not sure if your can speak to the councils dog warden anonymously?

Hope you can get this resolved as it’s normally the dog that suffers in these circumstances. Best of luck x

If it is a pit bull - highly unlikely - then it is an illegal breed.

Dogs have scraps, and they somehow don’t appreciate size or strength. They also take -for some unknown reason to humans- a dislike to each other.

Your best bet is to have a chat with your neighbour and see what a pair of adults can come up with as a solution.

On attack number two, I made my concerns clear. Both husband and wife (separately) seem quite amused by the reactions they get, from both dog and owner. It may be a staffie - I’m in Australia

Readerjb

On attack number two, I made my concerns clear. Both husband and wife (separately) seem quite amused by the reactions they get, from both dog and owner. It may be a staffie - I’m in Australia

I don’t think you need to be socialising with people like this, report and walk away from the friendship, if that’s what you have.

Personally I would report a potentially dangerous dog. I could never forgive myself if a child was injured and I had done nothing.

There are far too many dog attacks!!! Please do not be afraid to report. A difficult situation I agree , especially when you are friends with the dog owners. Discussing your fears with them may be productive.

I agree with Esspee.
It also might be a good idea to video the aggression as proof.
Then send it to the right authority anonymously.

I’ve checked the definition of “ menacing dog” on my council website. Dog must have either inflicted a non-serious injury on a person or dog, OR rushed at a person. He’s done neither, but scared three dogs and upset three owners

Dogs sometimes do actually kill other dogs. This bull terrier owner as you describe them seems friendly at present, but ignorant of the risk of injury to smaller or older dogs from an unsocialised stronger dog. Ask the owner to stop her dog from approaching you or your dog, and to get the dog trained to come to heel.

Any bull terrier is a strong dog that requires an experienced owner. If the owners make light of their dog's aggression you need to speak frankly and if necessary impolitely to them and not be afraid to antagonise them. If they take the huff they are less friendly than you hope they are.

E.g. in a calm voice without smiling : "I'm bloody afraid of your dog and it is going to kill sooner or later unless you control it!"

PS bull terrier owners in my neighbourhood are aware of public fears of these dogs and they do keep then away from other dogs , even when the bulls are friendly.

The response you received from the owner of the dog
ie' smiled, let dogs sort it out',says it all.
If you have been asked to record a statement then my view is do it

An out of control dog could inflict such awful injuries or even death. In your shoes I would rather report this dog to the appropriate authorities, asking to remain anonymous, than ignore it, perhaps with disastrous consequences.

I own a Staffie and am a massive fan of the breed. They have a bad reputation but this is often due to the owners. My dog is a rescue and was badly treated before she came to live with us, she is anxious of anything new and reactive to other dogs BUT she is always on a lead to avoid any issues and she has been having training with a behaviourist for years. Pitbulls and Staffies are strong muscular dogs and could do a great deal of harm just by jumping up and knocking over a child or an older person so for this reason they should be on leads, plus we have this particular dogs behaviour to your dog. The law states that dogs should be under control in public spaces (not necessarily on a lead), it doesn't sound as if your neighbour had his dog under control. Many owners have little or no recall of their dogs which causes massive problems for those of us who have pets who don't like being approached. I am worried by the attitude of the owner who thinks they should be left to sort it out, very irresponsible, I would do the statement.

I don't have a staffy but my dog is a rescue and also reactive and unfortunately dog did get through to my neighbours dog twice to have a go at it. I was absolutely mortified. The first time I fixed the fencing but obviously hadn't dog proofed it enough, the second time I went the whole hog. Nothing has happened since thank goodness. Dog is always on lead on walks. I certainly don't find it amusing what on earth s wrong with them?

Btw my neighbour was fine but I think it is mostly noise with my dog and jumping around squealing rather than actual fighting, even so, dog is my responsibility and it should never have happened

Depends if you put a need to socialise above the safety of others Readerjb. If you have already spoken with the dog's owners and they have done nothing then you need to try other avenues open to you. I'm not sure what these would be in Australia.

A staffie and a pitbull are very different breeds Staffies are usually a very kind dog (I say usually) but a pitbull well they can be a different kettle of fish
It s not the dog s behaviour as it sounds reasonably normal it didn’t attack your little dog just bothered it but the fact it’s not kept on a lead
What are the laws in Australia about unleashed dogs !

make the statement.
you will not be saying anything that is untrue.
ask the council whether they can keep your name undisclosed.
either way, it's not worth taking the risk, report it.

I agree with you reporting the owners if the dog is harassing o yours and other people's dogs.

We're all entitled to enjoy walking our dogs without fear of others and if a dog cannot be controlled by its owners when off the lead, is should be kept on the lead.

Contact the safe neighbourhood officer( or something like that) at the council. I’ll dig out the proper title...it’s in my dog drawer somewhere. No one should feel unsafe in their home or district. Our local one was really helpful when our dog was attacked. But you don’t have to have been attacked. Just feeling unsafe is grounds for complaint. We only met ours by accident when he asked us for directions when there was some flooding.

A dog that is aggressive should be on a lead and with a muzzle on in any public area.

If the dog is allowed off the lead then report it and make a complaint and the council will investigate, that may just encourage the owner to be responsible.

Do be careful with dogs and babies, even a small dog is a threat if it is jealous of the baby - and they do get jealous!.

Sorry Reader. I didn’t notice that you had reported it to the council. We were happy to report the one near to us but it wasn’t the same as it being a close neighbour. Having said that the dog in question had attacked another dog the week before and almost killed it and it’s owner felt awful that she hadn’t reported it to the police at the time and it could have gone on to attack another dog. I think that, a year on from the attack the vicious dog now wears a muzzle when being walked but it took a long time for it to happen. Dog attacks happen in the blink of an eye. My dogs have been attacked several times, always when they’re on a lead and we sometimes get blamed for the fact that our dog is on a lead and that’s why the other dog attacked. Thankfully they’ve never been injured but it’s left us very shaken and I still panic if a dog runs up to us.

I’ve decided I WILL make an official statement, but making the point that while the dog has not actually injured anyone/any dog, or rushed at a person (these are our council’s definition of a “menacing” dog), it has caused panic and distress to three dogs and their owners. And expect the dog should be on leash at all times, even when on the beach, which has leash-free times. A big thanks to everyone, for helping me think through a tricky situation

It sounds like it needs a muzzle as well as a lead. Why people like these aggressive dogs beats me.

My FiL adopted a rescue dog which was part staffie and according to him had a lovely nature and when he growled and terrorised everyone else it must have been their fault!
Eventually the dog, which was like a Jack Russell but with broad shoulders, turned on him and bit him quite badly. Only then did he take it seriously and the dog was destroyed.

I would not hesitate to give the council a statement, before someone, possibly a child, gets hurt.