Shoot the neighbors pitt bull?

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wbh

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My neighbor has a pitt bull...a mean nasty pitt bull. In most instances I don't see these "vicious" dogs as much of a threat as long as I don't go into their yard looking for trouble, which I don't :D

This particular pitt, however, has killed in the past...unprovoked. My other neighbor (on the other side of me, yes I'm sandwiched in between these guys) had owned some rabbits. The rabbits were kept outside in cages. The cages were the pretty standard small animal/rodent cages. One day while running loose, the pitt bull managed to get one cage open and killed one of their rabbits. Why the dog wasn't put down then, I don't know, and it's not really any of my business, it's between them and I try to stay out of it.

This is where it becomes my business. The pitt bull routinely trys to attack me, my wife, and my dog, while we are on our own property. My dog is about 1/4 the size of the pitt. He's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a cavalier king charles. He wouldn't stand a chance against that pitt bull. The pitt bull is typically on one of those leashes that anchors into the ground, but can get within inches of our property. Whenever the pitt bull is outside and I have to let my dog out, I bring my S&W M&P.40 with me for fear of the pitt getting loose and attacking. So, here's the real meat of my question: When is it okay to shoot? Indiana state law allows me to shoot in defense of life or property. So, if the pitt gets loose and is charging me, my wife, my dog, etc would it be a clean shoot? Or should I wait until there is actual physical contact? Being as the dog has killed before I am inclined to shoot prior to it locking it's jaws around my dog, or me or my wife as the case may be. I understand that varying states have varying laws, but was wondering if anyone has any insight or advice as it relates to Indiana.

Thanks in advance
 
If it comes down to it and you have to shoot it, then shoot it. But it would be wise to get the police involved before hand so you'll have the law on your side if you must shoot.

Call the police today.
 
Terriers killing rabbits? What a shocker!

(Here's a clue: most dogs will kill rabbits if they're so inclined. This has no bearing whatsoever on whether said dog is a threat to humans or other dogs, any more than a cat killing mice would mean that the cat poses a threat to children.)

Have you considered having a talk with the neighbor? Some dogs show "leash aggression" -- yeah, even cavalier king charles spaniels sometimes -- but act completely different when loose. Some dogs really are a threat. Some people are, too. But it pays to find out by introducing yourself to both. (If this dog is guarding a meth lab or something, so you don't want to meet the neighbors, why the hell are you living there?)

Also, dogs like food. Tossing the thing some meat every few days will go farther than carrying a .40, usually. There are advantages to having a dog like that around, if it is friendly to you. Less property crime for you to worry about, for one thing.

But of course it would be a "clean shoot" if a dog is actually attacking you on your property. There's just nothing in your story that would tell me that it would, or that it wouldn't.
 
If you feel your life is in danger, shoot. In the meantime, get one of those marine aerosol air horns and when the dog is snarling at you from just over the fence, walk up as close as you can get and blow that in his face. At close range, that much noise is disorienting, and it's worse if you have dog hearing.
 
I too would be concerned. Id have to agree with the above recommendation to get the police involved now so that they are at least aware of the situation if anything ever comes of it.

However, if it comes down to it, shoot first, then explain - ESPECIALLY when human life is involved. I think anyone who knows anything about how nasty pit bulls can be would have a very difficult time opposing your position - especially if you wait until the dog is on your property.

Also if I were you, I'd be seriously contemplating a 12ga to stop the dog - unless you are confident you can hit a dog running at 25+/- mph with a handgun when someone's life is on the line. I think some 00 buck would be just the ticket. Just my .02
 
Go ahead and shoot first there Michael Vick.......ur uh wbh

Ok now for the serious responce Having been a US MAIL carrier for a short time I find that oc spray will work far faster than a gun IMO But that is just one option. I would try calling animal control every time I saw this dog out any where.
When it comes to shooting the animal there is 2 schools of thought here
1. Shoot first do not wait if it is you, there might not be time to draw and/or shoot before the beast hits a major blood vessel. In other words on a lucky hit you might be dead before you can shoot.
2. My personal favorite, Let the dog bite you or who ever then kill it. Now you can get the satisfaction of sueing the owner ang getting well deserved monitary award.
Keep in mind though the dog will never bite my wife or kid it will be dead far sooner but the wifes cat well I might miss once or twice first!
 
+1 on getting the police involved first. That way you've established that there is a problem and they have a record of it. If you see the Pit chained outside, that would be a really good time to have an officer drop by. Chances are the Pit will be foaming at the officer too and he can see the problem. Document, document, document!

As far as waiting for the dog to actually attack you before shooting, that makes about as much sense as seeing someone pointing a gun at you and waiting for them to shoot you before you shoot back. NOT THE KID!!!
 
But really, doesn't anyone else here think that having a chat with your neighbors before shooting their dog or calling the cops might be worthwhile?

Or are we now just a society that sees our neighbors as enemies by default?
 
I would consider a Pit "viscious" if he was aggressive towards people and would shoot it for you.

The fact that it killed a rabbit is no shock at all. He should be contained in his yard, and if not the ownwer should be held responsible.

If he is really viscious and really wants to get to you and yours, call Animal Control. If the dog is truly viscious they will have it put down.

Mine is a big sissy and would not hurt a human being, but I would not be shocked if he would jump a rabbit.

While Pits by nature are great with people, a mean one is extremely dangerous and needs to be put down.

Lets just not go the route of antis with guns and blame all Pits for the behaviour of a few.

I have been around hundreds of Pits and they are people loving by nature. When people make one mean it is bad news. :banghead:

Remember one thing. The Liberal media hates and lies abouts Pits the same way the do about guns.


The pitt bull routinely trys to attack me, my wife,
If indeed this was the case I would have eliminated the problem by now and would not be asking about it. ;)
 
had a convo with the neighbors already...their only solution was shortening the leash so the dog could no longer step onto our property
 
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Did they shed any light on the dog's temperament?

Did they introduce you to the dog? Or is the dog just plain human-aggressive?

(BTW the APBT breed standard dq's a dog for human aggression. Pit bulls are not intended to be human aggressive, and if this dog is, it's probably a derivative dog that is bred and/or beaten so as to be human aggressive. That would be a bad sign, as this could also be an unstable and unpredictable dog. However, as I said, a terrier killing a rabbit is no indicator of danger to you.)
 
If you can afford it put up a fence if your zoning laws allow it. As far as when to shoot, if you wait til there is contact you are too late. Remember scares dont go away easily and a child with scars will have a rough time in school. Other kids won't care what caused the scars they will just poke "fun" at the child with scars. You should defend your loved ones when you feel you, a family member or your dog is in danger.
 
had a convo with the neighbors already...their only solution was shortening the leash so the dog could no longer step onto our property

You won't have any luck with them. Call Animal Control. One thing to remember though. If you call them and they don't do anything, then they know you want to get rid of it and it will look funny if it "disapears" or "drops dead" suddenly.
 
if it has tried to attack you before I would wait until you neighboor isn't home and the dog is loose and shoot it then drag it on your property. The cops won't be able to tell if you clean up the blood trail
 
I would start calling the authorities every single time the dog makes an agressive move. A: maybe they will actually do something and take the dog away. And B: if you do end up having to shoot the dog, your past complaints will show a pattern of dangerous behavior on the dog's part as well as show you were avoiding taking action yourself until you needed to.
 
As far as when to shoot, if you wait til there is contact you are too late.

That's true. But just shooting a neighbor's dog while tied up will probably land you in a world of trouble, both official and unofficial.

Hence, my thoughts about intermediate solutions.

(And I'd still consider throwing it some kitchen scraps. That can work rather well. Just make sure that, when you do it, your whole family is around. Positive association.)
 
I'm pretty sure that here in Indiana, you can only shoot to protect yourself, your family, or livestock - I'll look around more tonight. You've already done the first thing I'd do - talking to the neighbor. If you can't put up a fence, start taking treats out to the thing - unless it's totally beyond hope, it'll be your buddy in no time. I'd still make sure to keep that pistol handy, just to be safe.
 
they did not offer up much in the way of the dogs temperment. They actually don't offer much insight into any aspect of their lives in conversation. They seem to like to be "mysterious". It appears that the dog is their "home security system" as that it is aggresive with anyone outside of that household, and they have "Beware of Dog" signs posted outside. While the sign is no indication of the dogs temper, nor is the fact that it killed a rabbit, necassarily. It's demeanor around people is a huge clue as to it's temper and probable use as a "security system"
 
If you can't put up a fence, start taking treats out to the thing - unless it's totally beyond hope, it'll be your buddy in no time. I'd still make sure to keep that pistol handy, just to be safe.

Agreed on both counts.
 
i vote for a fence.

virtually any dog will go after small animals like rabbits. its just part of being a dog.

no dog should ever be put outside on a leash without direct human supervision. it almost guarantees a screwed up dog.

pit bulls are not a lot different than most dogs are. the problem with them is if they go off the deep end, the results can be fatal. with most dogs, its unlikely to be fatal when the dog has a meltdown.

in some cases you can try to socialize the dog with your neighbor's help. the dog needs both human and dog socialization. any dog that cannot be trusted around other dogs cannot be trusted around human beings either. in reality, no dog can be trusted without human supervision. leaving the dog on a leash in an unfenced yard is not proper supervision.
 
Most of the pitts I've known over the years were absolute sweethearts ... the only aggressive pitts I've met had aggressive owners.


As for those shrugging off the dog attacking and killing the other neighbor's rabbit ... I would expect any dog to chase (and kill if possible) a rabbit running around on the ground, but tearing into a cage and killing the rabbit its a bit more concerning.

My big concern as far as the law goes is are you allowed to discharge a firearm in town to defend the life of your dog. Its a no brainer that if the dog charged you or a human family member that you'd be well within your rights to ventilate it on the spot, but I'd ask the local police if you're allowed to shoot to defend your dog.

Also, I used to live next door to a schizophrenic that ranted and raved at all hours of the night. I called the police non-emergency number and asked to speak to the officer in charge of our beat and he came by and I explained the situation with my neighbor because if something bad DID happen I wanted there to be a paper trail (incidentally they had a bunch of calls about this guy besides me and many of them were about an unknown person walking around shouting obscenities ... so I was able to connect a few dots for the local police). Building a rapport with the police that patrol your neighborhood is a good way to make sure that they officers that respond to a shooting call know who you are and know you're the "good guy".
 
Several years ago my daughter was raising rabbits fro FFA and had some high value bunnies (I never quite "got it" but it was her thing). neighbor aqcuried a wolf/shepard hybrid and allowed it to run loose in our rural area.
Dog killed several rabbits and we talked with neighbor about it. They of course were surprised and shoceked that their dog would do that but offered to pay for the damage.
Several day later I'm at work, daughter comes in bawling, dog is eating rabbits. Wife seriuosly POd takes Marlin Mdl 60 and sends dog to happy hunting ground with one shot. Dog left half in destroyed cage with dead rabbit in mouth, everybody go to school and or work.
Later that day wife and I getting rready to go to awards banquet for her work. She is dress to the Nines almost semi formal, I actually have a sport coat and tie on(ack gag).
I Hear voices in back yard, open door see 2 deputy sherrifs looking at dead dog. Seems neighbor called the law about dead dog. I express my displeasure at their presence in my yard with out my permission then proceede to shoot the breeze with senior deputy that I have a good relationship with.
Yup, not much question about what happened, and do I want to press charges? T
hen they ask me what I shot the dog with and from where. I said I didn't, wife did with .22 rifle from "there" and point to wife standing on the back porch 50 yards away. Game Over, but I still had to get rid of the carcas.

Maybe not relevant but rabbits are livestock and if you are rural you can kill animals killing livestock. but otherwise get a fence. If dog then comes in your yard. SSS.
 
Actually putting up the "Beware of Dog Sign" did you a big favor! Take a picture of it and of the dog foaming at the mouth at you and keep it on file. That way if you have to shoot the dog and they try to haul you into court you can say "but your honor, they acknowledged that they have a vicious dog, just look at the pictures". :D
 
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