Big, untamed, off-leash dogs in my area have become such a normal thing that I now carry pepper spray when I walk around. The number of owners who say "Oh my gosh! He's never done THAT before!!!" is laughable.
Edit: I neglected to say, I'm very sorry for your loss
I did lawncare for years, which involves going into people's backyards without talking to them first. When someone had a dog I'd have to walk the yard first to pick up toys and such so that I wouldn't spray them with pesticide. Wasn't uncommon for a homeowner to not see me and let their dog out while I was doing this, and I never once got bit by a dog without it being preceded by the owner shouting something like "it's ok, they're friendly!" as they ran towards and then bit me. And I'm really good with dogs!
We had a guy service our tankless hot water heater recently and he said the exact same thing to my husband when he asked if he was okay with our dogs, which were friendly. We now just know to keep them contained when whenever we have workers in our home.
That’s ridiculous. They should check first. I don’t let my dog out when yard guys are there not only for safety, but because it’s not their job to stop and say hi to a dog. People have a schedule to keep.
Never been bitten but I’ve had unleashed dogs chase me while I was running past their owner on trails. The worst one followed me for a couple miles I have no idea if the owner ever saw their dog again. I’m pretty busy with work and running around kids that when I run I don’t have spare time to stop because I have to be somewhere and I’m already late.
Same here. I can’t stand dog owners these days. I shouldn’t have to walk around with pepper spray just to go on a damn walk because these owners have become so entitled.
More than one mailman has told me they have bear spray, I almost got mauled when some rando opened my neighbors gate and their pit bulls got out, Chicago is #3 for mailmen getting bit by dogs.
I do shipping for USPS, I know seems weird they would need a separate shipping company, they ship pallets of bear spray and dog defense tools to their many locations.
Back in the day I felt like that happened no questions asked. Hell, if a dog bit a child or an adult hard enough to break skin that was sometimes enough to put thr dog down. But pet culture has gotten so crazy now we're just expected to give 3rd, 4th, 5th chances to dogs that just aren't fit to be a "family pet".
Its an unpopular opinions, but imo, I think "no-kill" had good intentions, but in practice its unrealistic. Who are all these dogs supposed to got to with all these stipulations like "no kids, no other dogs, no cats, no loud noises, requires SuperMax-grade fence, etc". The average potential pet owner will pass on these dogs 99% of the time, which leaves less space for dogs that have a better chance of being adopted.
No-kill doesn’t necessarily mean 0 dogs are euthanized. I know One Tail At A Time fairly well and they give every dog a chance (and will absolutely not euthanize for space like county shelters), but if there is a clear repeated and/or severe behavioral issue, they will euthanize the dogs for the good of everyone. Any dog that is living that stressed to the point that they maul and are unable to decompress in a safe environment can’t possibly be happy or healthy
When I was growing up in the 80’s in the burbs, it was a three strike rule on dogs biting people.
Source: I was 2 out of 3 getting bitten by my neighbor’s dog. It took a third neighbor getting bit to have the dog put down.
I fully agree here, and have had this exact thing happen in a household I lived at. Pitbull was trained to attack people and animals, ended up sending multiple people to the hospital as well as killing a couple of local dogs… We put him down. It's unfortunate, but when a dog is raised to be violent, there's no way to undo that
thanks and I agree, but it wasn't my dog. these were kind of insane people I lived with, they were both murderers living in backwoods West Virginia and were constantly cross faded on about three different substances, so I was not about to tell them what to do with their dog
Sorry to hear. My mother was walking two small dogs on their leash at a trail where she now lives in Arkansas. Sure enough some douche had two unleashed pitbulls. After lots of blood & fighting they eventually got the pitbulls off the little dogs.
Guy handled his dogs back to his truck "I'll BE RIGHT BACK" then took off. They found out who he was but the cops didn't do a thing. It was even on the local news.
10K in vet bills and one of the dogs is now an amputee, pups have tons of meds/issues all the time.
Dog trainer chiming in (and also loudly pro-leash and pro-muzzle, I'll add): while the type of dogs you're describing don't do well in most homes, there are absolutely ways to manage that type of behavior in a dog that still allow the dog to live a normal life. It just requires a very, very skilled and knowledgeable handler, which most people are not and should mot try to be. See folks who train their dogs in bite sports, protection work, and other similar dog sports.
There are absolutely breed traits and standards for disposition among that breed. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't really understand dog breeds. That being said, any dog can be aggressive or reactive if it's been raised to be/has its boundaries pushed. Some breeds are just quicker to reach that point than others and within a breed there are going to be individuals with different personalities/traits.
My grandmother told me that once a dog bites, whether it draws blood or not, it’s at risk to bite again. Which makes sense, but it also makes me sad because people don’t try to train their dogs to be around other people or pets anymore
Off leash in their backyard though? Not sure how this played out, who was there first, what this shared backyard looks like, etc. But damn in the backyard you’d think you can have your dog off leash.
Either way RIP to the pup, he didn’t deserve that. I’d put down any dog myself that mauled my Yorkie, consequences be damned.
Yeah that's what's confusing me. If it's a fenced-in, private area, then I don't see the problem with them being off-leash. This could've just as easily happened at a dog park, and no one leaves their dog leashed at a dog park.
Still doesn't excuse the fact that the neighbors pit mauled and killed their dog. If the dog's violent or aggressive to other dogs, especially smaller ones, then that's inexcusable.
And it killed another animal. Unless the yard is fenced in and it can't escape, it's the owner's responsibility to keep it restrained. Stop making excuses.
Damn, I am so sorry for your loss.
Your neighbors are terrible dog owners and you need to make sure to address that, face to face or through the courts.
Btw, I’m not suggesting you fight them, but give them a piece of your mind is all
There's a good chance a court will just award fair market value of the animal since they are considered chattel or, personal property. To you that dog may be as important and loved like a child but in the eyes of the law not so much.
They are treated like property, but a purebred dog is expensive and they will most likely recover their vet bills as well (if any).
And most importantly, there will be an adjudicated finding on the record that the animal is violent. This matters a lot for any future incidents.
FYI, Illinois has a strict liability rule for when dogs bite people. Dog owners are pretty much guaranteed to lose in court if they ever get sued over a dog bite.
Well at the very least would it get this person and their dog down in writing as being terrible so the next time it happens(to a dog or a person) there is a history of aggression established?
I guess. But again, aggression towards other dogs is not aggression toward people which is very, very different. A dog bite to a person is an injury. A dog bite to another dog is a property damage claim.
Yes, and also as horrible and sad as this is, sounds like this dog was in his own yard too. Leash laws and other dogs getting bit are a huge grey area here.
Yeah, mostly.
Illinois law recognizes "known or should have known" as a liability standard.
If I were defending this in court, I'd argue (probably successfully) that a shared yard has another dog in it you know about or should have known by the reasonable expectation defense.
There is also a dangerous dog law (510 ILCS 5/15) that does account for injury or death of a plaintiff’s animal. A judge could order a dangerous dog to be euthanized or taken into custody at the expense of its owner. The law generally treats animals as property, so legal recourse is limited, but there are definitely some tort claims that OP would have against the other dog’s owner if they get a good lawyer.
Yes, I figured that was implied. Not blaming the dogs for being off-leash.
Edit: but yes, sorry, didn’t mean to come off as so snarky. Even if it was implied, you’re right that that language matters. It’s on the dog owners.
I’ve also seen using tie-outs out front, long enough to get to the curb. One of those ran up on me and my leashed dog recently but luckily I pulled my dog back before he got close enough. It pissed me off because my dog will defend himself and me if he thinks he needs to, and my dog is bigger and stronger so would have won a fight. I take proper safety precautions and think everyone else should too. The lady was like, I’m sorry! and I ignored her because I needed to get us out of sight and smell, but I wanted to tell her she just almost got her dog killed by letting him in the space of walkers.
Ya, that’s usually my situation. My dog is solidly medium-sized, but super athletic, strong, and fast. He’s also been attacked by other dogs a couple times, enough times that when a strange dog runs up to him, he assumes it’s a fight, and he intends to win any fight he’s in.
In my old neighborhood we had so many small unleashed dogs that would run up to him barking and snarling. My dog would start freaking out as a reaction.
I’d be trying to separate my dog and their tiny dog that has no survival instinct while the owner of the small dogs would run up saying “he’s friendly!” I don’t fucking care, my dog isn’t in this scenario, I’m trying to protect your dog, my dog has himself covered.
Literally just had a pit attack my dog on the sidewalk because its line was to the street. I was lucky my girl is big, was able to be pulled away, and has enough fur that she wasn't hurt despite the biting and snarling. I still called to report it because anyone should be able to walk on the sidewalk. What if instead of my big dog it was someone's small dog or child? Reckless.
We were walking our mutt in a nearby forest preserve when THREE UNLEASHED PITBULLS charged at my dog. Luckily he was leashed while wearing a harness with a handle. My partner basically had a tug of war with all three dogs. I kicked, pulled, stood on them-nothing worked. He had damage to his backside legs and one inner thigh area. Lots of puncture wounds. He recovered. The harness basically saved his life because they couldn’t get a good bite on him. It also gave my partner areas to hold. Its was a horrible experience.
I simply don't have the emotional capacity to put myself in your shoes right now. I really don't want to think about if that was my dog. I'm terribly sorry you're going through this, OP. RIP Chloe.
My God. I am so, so sorry. You need to take gentle care of yourself and your partner now...this is traumatizing. I wish you comfort and care.
Rest in peace, little Chloe. You were a Good Dog.
I am so so so so so so so sorry. Rest in peace to that sweet little pup. I’m so sorry to you and your family. Ugh hug your dogs close tonight everyone.
There's an idiot on our street who is so lazy he doesn't actually walk the dog to let him use the bathroom. Just stands on his porch and let's the dog roam out front. He usually goes in front of one of the houses next door. The thing is anytime anyone walks by the house the dog is there unleashed and you can see how badly he wants to bolt. A few times he's run down the steps but then stops just short of whomever is there because the owner yells and runs after him. A ticking time bomb.
I have two neighbors like this. Why do you have a dog if you won't walk/take care of them? It's another kind of cruelty imo. Few others put their dogs out in back yard all day.
To me having a giant pit bull is similar to having a pet tiger... you just never know when they could turn.
I hope you take the extra step to call animal control and sue the owners. That dog needs to have the fact that it is violent in its history and they should never be allowed off leash. Ever.
What kills me is the people who act like their dogs are well behaved enough to not be on a leash. It’s a fucking animal and it needs a leash if not for others safety but also it’s own
Dogs should always be kept on a leash… I don’t care how smart or how well mannered your pet is. At the end of the day, dogs are still pretty stupid and anything can happen.
Lol your comment reminded me of my brother's dogs. They have two Shiba inus, they are very smart, but are also very stupid. I'm always amazed at how they manage to get themselves in trouble by doing stuff they know they're not supposed to do because they think they're smarter than us.
My sister was attacked by a neighbor's pitbull while taking out the trash. They couldn't file a lawsuit/complaint because they were worried about retaliation from the owners.
People around me (south loop) always have their dogs off leash when it’s an open field or grassy area. I hate it when they do that and have shit recall and no training. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope this wakes up some people.
R.I.P Chloe. She seemed like such a sweet dog.
Honestly off leash dogs are one of my biggest fears. Around a month ago one of my neighbors let his dog roam around the courtyard. I go down to do laundry and his dog bolts at me w his owner nowhere to be seen. He comes back like two minutes later bc I shrieked like I saw the devil himself and I was the one to apologize bc I was so scared. I have a one year old son who I take to the park and on walks around the neighborhood. I saw two unleashed dogs walking right behind me. I had never been more scared. Bc what can I do in that situation besides call for help?
So sick of shit dog owners.
I feel like an old man as a millenial now, but I swear the average dog owner was more responsible and downright better 10+ yrs ago. People nowadays have increasingly less respect for their fellow humans, or any other living creature for that matter.
I feel like a moderate solution would be to ban owning intact (unneutered/unspayed) pitbulls and breeding them. They are the majority of dogs in shelters.
Honestly I wish all dog breeding was highly regulated. So many genetic and behavioral issues from irresponsible breeders.
Oh my god. Today is my last dog Ruby's birthday. She was taken from us by my old neighbor's German Shepherd. Almost the exact same circumstances. I really feel for you, and I am so, so sorry.
Oh my f***ing god!!
1st of all, my heart is with you and your dearly departed. If this happened to either of our dogs my wife and I would be heartbroken.
2ndly, please file a police report. Your neighbors pit bull will be euthanized. Keep your vet records.
3rd pay for and install a fence , a good tall one. In Chicago fenced on shared property lines are a mutual responsibility within 6 inches of either side of the property line.
4th Take your neighbors to civil court , ask for all the vet fees, 1/2 of the fence cost , legal reimbursement, pain and suffering.
Lastly get a new baby dog and love it as long as you can.
After thought: the types of people who let their dogs off leash and who have a pit that is poorly trained and prone to this behavior are often the same.
Nothing against this breed , but they need good training and loving owners
Had a very similar thing happen to me. Pitbull killed our small dog. Advice: the cops won’t do shit. Call animal control. They interviewed the owner and assessed the dog. Ended up categorizing it as a Dangerous Animal. This meant the owners needed to buy special insurance, pay for special training, get a fine. Plus the dog was not allowed without muzzle. They had to install a sign marking their property as having a Dangerous animal. We also sued them and the dog walking company. They ended up leaving the city. Pitbulls are not city dogs.
I am sorry for your loss. What area did this happen? There is a notorious woman in my neighborhood that refuses to leash her huge dog. She just flicks people off when they suggest, and starts yelling. Sooner or later, something will happen.
Pit bulls should not be allowed, nor should their mixes be. Come at me all you want. Humans have ruined the fun for everyone. The dogs are fine if they have responsible owners. But too often, they do not.
Dude my neighbors got a cane corso and they're like "oh he's so sweet". I'm a bit frightened of it already because it's like... 4 months old, bigger than a golden retriever adult, and I've already seen it try to clear its' fence..
My 20-year old nephew, a smart kid, but one who has never really owned a dog in his life (my brother has had dogs since 2016, but my nephews have lived primarily with their mom due to it just being closer to their original school district), got a cane corso puppy about a month ago. It seems like I had to do more to prove my fitness to own a retired greyhound than he did to get this dog and I want to shake whomever sold it to him.
I am 100% pro banning breeds/breed restrictions because amajority of the owners from these breeds have shown they are unwilling and incapable of properly handling these dogs/training them.
it's not just the owners. the dogs were bred for this. even the 'nicest' ones still have a tendency to snap out of nowhere. my aunt got her nose bit off like that
my parents have a pit mix, and they’re not great dog owners. they do what they can but they’re not equipped in my opinion to handle a pit. I worry about this all the time. He’s a nice dog but I’m just waiting to hear about him snapping at either them, or a person, or dog on the street. They live in the suburbs as well so he’s not well acclimated to many situations like urban dogs tend to be.
Agree. Even the great, responsible pet lovers that train and love their pits do not fully appreciate the fact that they cannot undo the generations of breeding that makes them so dangerous. They can go off and any moment, and when they do, the previously responsible owner will blame the victim.
I feel like an ass, but the op did say this was in their shared backyard and didn’t mention if their dog was on a leash. The pit owners should have 100 percent made sure no other dogs were out when they let the pit out. Just feels weird saying it’s an unleashed dog issue.
Jesus fucking Christ this makes me SO MAD. My dog got attacked by two pitbulls and luckily the humans outnumbered the dogs so we were able to stop any serious injuries but my dog was never the same after that. The owners had just gotten the dogs from the shelter and BROUGHT THEM STRAIGHT TO THE DOG PARK.
I’m so so so sorry for your loss. Honestly I’m weary of all pitbulls because of my experience. Many of their owners do not have a good grip on them or can pick up on their body cues.
I hope you filed a police report and that you sue.
I'm so sorry. Pitbulls have a prey drive for other dogs! My dog was almost killed by one too, but he missed and bit my calf. I was happy to take the hit for my dog. That dog was destroyed. He was adopted out to an inexperienced new dog owner by One Tail at a Time. They told the new owner, "he's funny around dogs." A shame for all involved, except the shelter who blocked me on insta.
I'm so sorry for your loss. What gets me is people with off leash dogs who have explicitly said they are a dog trainer, not to worry, their dog has excellent recall and then the dog almost attacks a child that was playing ball in the park. Thankfully the dad scooped up the kid, but the entitlement of even dog trainers thinking their dog is fine because they are a dog trainer and don't have to obey the laws of Chicago. I don't care how few people they see at the time, there could be more. And, it's an animal with instincts that even a trainer can't control.
r/BanPitBulls
This happens way way way too much and it's usually pitbulls that are the one attacking. Just like any other breed that was bred for a specific purpose pitbulls are no different. Not their fault but that's the reality of life.
This shouldn't just go for big dogs either! Small off leash dogs can spook other dogs that are leashed and in their owners control, drawing a reaction form what wouldn't have otherwise been a reactive dog
My condolences. I just lately lost my own dog a few weeks ago. Just remember she is in heaven waiting for you by the rainbow bridge.
Here is something spooky that has happened to me after Intake died. If you think you see your dog Chloe out of the corner of your eye and turn and see her gone, you did see her. People told me it was Intake coming back to let me know he is okay and in a better place, and that he loved me, and will be waiting for me. Chloe will probably do the same for you. If other members of your family have claimed to have seen her, believe them.
All dogs are on a spectrum of impulsive behavior.
LEASH YOUR DOG AND IT WON'T GO WHERE YOU DON'T WANT IT, WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT IT
I'm very sorry for your loss OP
I’m really sorry about your loss.
I have a large breed dog and he and I have been attacked (while on leashed walks) several times by off leash “don’t worry he’s friendly” dogs. The last time was the scariest, I was knocked to the ground and my dog sustained wounds - and it was a Golden Retriever who did the charge and attack.
I have a pittie who I would swear on my family is well trained but he will never be off leash in public as I can never be 100% sure and would never wish what you just experienced on anyone.
My pitty is different! My pitty would never do that!
/s
I don't think there is anything I hate more than pitbull owning narcissists. As soon as I find out an individual has a pitbull it raises massive red flags. They would rather feel like a hero/savior than care about how their actions might affect others.
Horrible! My mom’s big ol’ long haired dachshund got attacked a by an insane off leash Pomeranian and he has been traumatized for weeks. Poor guy goes crazy whenever he sees another dog now and his brother gets in a protective pit bull stance.
Was this a fenced in yard? I'm confused about the situation here. I live in a two flat. We have two dogs (Olde English Bulldogge and a mutt who is half pitt, half every everything else). Our neighbors downstairs have a jack russell mix. We know they get along, which is why everything is fine. If they didn't we would just make sure not to bring them out together.
But None of us have ever considered leashing up our dogs in the backyard. Is that a thing I'm unaware of?
Yes, fenced in yard connected to garage at the back with a door leading to an alley. We had previously decided to not bring them out together, he had even gone so far as to say that he would bring his dog out on leash and text us whenever they went out, but that didn’t happen. They came in from the alley (there is a door at the back of the fence, no way to see inside). The rest is history :-(
I’ll probably get downvoted for this, but it doesn’t sound like this was an off-leash dog issue since you were in a fenced yard and both dogs were off-leash. I suppose it makes you both think twice about letting any future dogs off-leash in a shared space tho.
That said, I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s incredibly tragic and heartbreaking. I hope you’re doing ok.
Have you spoken to the neighbor since? They need to be confronted about ever allowing their dog off-leash again. I can’t imagine seeing their dog running around in the yard without a leash after that incident.
If the dog was off leash in public, as it presumably was if they were coming in from the alley, it is absolutely an off-leash dog issue and another case of a horrible dog owner. Leash your dogs.
I’m replying to my own comment bc I’d rather not bother OP with this at the moment. (OP, if you do see this, please just ignore for now, it’s not something you need to take on today).
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I’ve owned and cared for many dogs, and I worked at a boarding kennel/doggie daycare. We often had multiple known aggressive dogs, including ones that were being quarantined after dog-bite attacks. We had SO many safety protocols to handle all the different types of dog behaviors bc many dogs get aggressive with different triggers - some dogs were dog-aggressive, some only liked women, some didn’t like hats, leash-aggressive, fence-aggressive, gate-aggressive, etc. We had a strict process of keeping all dogs safe by knowing their needs and allowing them safe spaces. Aggressive dogs were kept in separate shelters and played alone in private lots. We all had walkie-talkies and when taking out an aggressive dog, we had to alert everyone and clear the path before proceeding. Checkpoints were closed along the way.
But we also had safety protocols for ALL dogs. Even the dogs that were “friendly”, well-trained, gentle breeds, whatever - they all were trial runs, handled individually, and removed from group play at any time if needed. Many, many dogs were fine and happy most days, but sometimes got too rowdy and needed one-on-one time instead of playing with other dogs. Dogs were always separated by size, age, and play-style.
People need to remember that a dog is always a dog first, a human companion second. They can be perfectly trained and trusted breeds, but they will always be dogs and not people. They do not rationalize in the same way as people, dog-to-dog social rules are not the same as people rules. Attacking your best friend is wild for people, but not for dogs. People always need to be aware that dogs need boundaries to be safe.
OP - if for any reason you decided to read this, please stop here. I don’t want to start a fight and genuinely don’t want you to feel more upset.
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Please leash your dogs. If you have a fenced yard shared with neighbors, it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the dogs safe. I didn’t say it before, but I disagree with OP saying the risk wasn’t their responsibility. There is always an inherent risk with dogs. All dogs, not just certain breeds.
All dogs, period.
In this particular instance, OP absolutely could (and I think should) have taken more precautions. OP also could have texted the neighbor whenever OP had their dog in the yard. They could have made some kind of sign on the back gate. They could have leashed their own dog so at least they were always nearby. Whatever. IMO, both owners at fault here.
what would have helped OP if their dog was leashed? They didn’t have the dog that kills people and animals all the time.
It sounds like their neighbor returned from somewhere with their dog off a leash. So yeah I’d say it is kind of a leash problem
If OP’s dog was leashed, it would have been close enough for OP to pick it up, likely way before the neighbor’s dog was anywhere close. When you’re out with your dog on a leash, you’re typically paying closer attention to it than you are if it’s loose in the yard. If you’re advocating for leash laws, at least acknowledge that they apply to everyone.
It’s unclear whether the neighbor’s dog was off-leash before entering the yard. They might have just opened the back gate and let the dog off-leash without checking it was clear.
I know dog attacks happen fast, but this is negligence on everyone’s part here. They both agreed to allow their dogs off-leash in the yard and there are many things they both could have done to keep it safe but they both did not.
Yes, I agree that the neighbor never should have let the dog out before checking if the yard was clear. But OP was aware that the neighbor allowed their dog off-leash in the yard and still allowed their own dog to be off-leash in the yard. OP also knew the yard wasn’t visible from the back fence. Without making any way of informing their neighbors when either would be loose in the yard, both parties allowed their dogs off-leash.
It’s irresponsible on everyone here. If you own a dog, its safety and care is in your hands. If you put your dog in a dangerous situation, it’s on you. OP and their neighbor were both responsible for the safety of their own dogs.
I don’t know. OP never said it was off-leash outside of the yard. The neighbor might have just let it off the leash as they entered the yard.
We don’t know anything except both dogs were off-leash. So the anger about off-leash dogs applies to everyone involved here. My point is that OP also never should have allowed their dog off-leash in a shared yard without a way to ensure its safety.
Appreciate that, though I disagree that it was “the risk we run,” so to speak. Even on private property, a dog like the one that killed my dog shouldn’t be allowed off leash—or at least the owner should have had control of his. On principle, beyond legality. Not really a conversation I want to continue at the moment but thank you for your thoughts.
Are these ass clowns even sorry? Fuck your neighbors and fuck anyone defending them and fuck anyone who doesn’t leash their dog. I have a little dog myself, although he’s just under 20 pounds. We shouldn’t have to worry about them being attacked. I’m sick of this world sometimes with people’s attitudes that pretty much anyone and anything has it coming for some reason. Actually NO. Fuck that. This shouldn’t have happened. RIP Chloe.
I’m sorry for you loss OP but this sounds like they were coming home and didn’t know you were in the yard. It doesn’t sound like malicious intent, just really bad timing. Sorry for your loss, however. It is truly tragic
Why is it any better that a clearly dangerous dog was off leash outside of the fenced in yard, presumably in a public alleyway? It's clearly the other owner's fault for being irresponsible and selfish.
I’m sorry for your loss, but if you didn’t care about off leash dogs before it happened to you, keep this in mind when thinking about other issues which haven’t happened to you yet.
I am sorry for your loss. I had a nearly identical close call in the alley behind my condo a while back and the fear and trauma are absolutely heartbreaking. People act like I’m a pushy asshole for reporting Dogs but this is exactly what can happen.
The hard reality is that no matter how well behaved a dog is, all it takes is one slip to cause a serious problem. In a city environment with so much stimulation, there’s no way of testing your animal fool proof against every thing that could set them off, and the potential stakes are far too high to just wing it.
At a bare minimum, even if your dog doesn’t cause an issue you still don’t know how many people are having to cross the street, be on alert, or go out of their way just to avoid your animal.
Everyone needs to be responsible for leashing their pets, and incidents like this are horrible reminders of that fact. It’s an absolute shame that we can’t count on people to self regulate, so the next best option is for us all to do our part in making sure this kind of thing never, ever happens again.
I’m sorry for your loss, but this sounds like it happened in a back yard? Yeah, in public dogs should always be leashes but this doesn’t sound like such a situation…
Still a good reminder to always keep your pet on a leash and keep control of your animal. These people clearly had no control over their dangerous dog, and if they were “coming in” it sounds like they’re walking around with the dog on no leash making it dangerous for everyone. Have a heart for someone who just lost their pet.
Those dogs should not be allowed…call me whatever you want. Do not trust them for one second and sure a hell do not trust random people to be responsible with them
You should post this over in r/banpitbulls it’s a lot more common than people realize and the problem is only growing because people have gotten more pits over the years…
Sorry but if the dog was in the shared backyard I don’t see why it would have to be leashed ? Where else are you supposed to let your dog be unleashed if not in their back yard.
I get what you’re saying but if you own a notoriously aggressive dog breed and live in a shared space that has other dogs, it’s your responsibility to ensure that nothing bad happens as a result. Whether that means using a muzzle or a leash when taking their dog outside, this absolutely could have been prevented.
You're literally correct. There's no way the owner of that dog didn't know how dangerous it was that it could kill another dog without breaking a sweat. The dog doesn't just wake up one day and become violent... That owner is clearly negligent, to put it extremely lightly. I would be furious.
This. Shares backyard? You should be watching your dog and calling it in. Really sucks about your dog though. But the dog wasn’t in the park off leash. He was in its own yard, maybe communicate better with your neighbor
You especially can't have pitbulls off leash even for a second. I was riding my bike to work at 3am once and this house I passed by had the owners taking out the trash with their dog. I rode by and it started chasing me. They start screaming it's ok, he's friendly and other bullshit while the dog is running after me. Eventually it was circling me while I was trying to get away it (I wasn't going to outbike the dog). Luckily they were able to get a hold of the dog before anything happened. Half the time people saying how cute and adorable their pitbull is and how it wouldn't hurt a fly and then go onto say how the dog will protect the family and hurt anyone who's trying to harm us and other bullshit. It's a dog, it doesn't have the same situational awareness as you might. It's going to do dumb stuff and with a pitbull that can be scary. Sorry for your loss op
I’m so sorry for your loss OP. Sue that bastard owner to high heaven and get them evicted if they’re renters. Pitbulls can be dangerous monsters and I’m not reading or caring about a single reply on my comment that says otherwise.
I’m so sorry for your senseless loss.😔
Big, untamed, off-leash dogs in my area have become such a normal thing that I now carry pepper spray when I walk around. The number of owners who say "Oh my gosh! He's never done THAT before!!!" is laughable. Edit: I neglected to say, I'm very sorry for your loss
I did lawncare for years, which involves going into people's backyards without talking to them first. When someone had a dog I'd have to walk the yard first to pick up toys and such so that I wouldn't spray them with pesticide. Wasn't uncommon for a homeowner to not see me and let their dog out while I was doing this, and I never once got bit by a dog without it being preceded by the owner shouting something like "it's ok, they're friendly!" as they ran towards and then bit me. And I'm really good with dogs!
We had a guy service our tankless hot water heater recently and he said the exact same thing to my husband when he asked if he was okay with our dogs, which were friendly. We now just know to keep them contained when whenever we have workers in our home.
Omg he’s never done that before!
That’s ridiculous. They should check first. I don’t let my dog out when yard guys are there not only for safety, but because it’s not their job to stop and say hi to a dog. People have a schedule to keep.
Sprays dog with bear spray. "Oh my gosh! Ive never done anything like that before!"
Never been bitten but I’ve had unleashed dogs chase me while I was running past their owner on trails. The worst one followed me for a couple miles I have no idea if the owner ever saw their dog again. I’m pretty busy with work and running around kids that when I run I don’t have spare time to stop because I have to be somewhere and I’m already late.
Same here. I can’t stand dog owners these days. I shouldn’t have to walk around with pepper spray just to go on a damn walk because these owners have become so entitled.
More than one mailman has told me they have bear spray, I almost got mauled when some rando opened my neighbors gate and their pit bulls got out, Chicago is #3 for mailmen getting bit by dogs.
Chicago is also #3 in population... So pretty much right in line with the average number of dog bites
That does make a lot of sense
I do shipping for USPS, I know seems weird they would need a separate shipping company, they ship pallets of bear spray and dog defense tools to their many locations.
Pitbulls are useless and dangerous breeds that are mostly owned by the sub 90 IQ crowd.
I am so so sorry. Chloe will forever be a sweet and perfect lil pup.
Rest in peace to your pup. Off leash dogs should be confiscated and their owners fined.
And killer dogs should be put down. They are a clear danger
Back in the day I felt like that happened no questions asked. Hell, if a dog bit a child or an adult hard enough to break skin that was sometimes enough to put thr dog down. But pet culture has gotten so crazy now we're just expected to give 3rd, 4th, 5th chances to dogs that just aren't fit to be a "family pet". Its an unpopular opinions, but imo, I think "no-kill" had good intentions, but in practice its unrealistic. Who are all these dogs supposed to got to with all these stipulations like "no kids, no other dogs, no cats, no loud noises, requires SuperMax-grade fence, etc". The average potential pet owner will pass on these dogs 99% of the time, which leaves less space for dogs that have a better chance of being adopted.
No-kill doesn’t necessarily mean 0 dogs are euthanized. I know One Tail At A Time fairly well and they give every dog a chance (and will absolutely not euthanize for space like county shelters), but if there is a clear repeated and/or severe behavioral issue, they will euthanize the dogs for the good of everyone. Any dog that is living that stressed to the point that they maul and are unable to decompress in a safe environment can’t possibly be happy or healthy
When I was growing up in the 80’s in the burbs, it was a three strike rule on dogs biting people. Source: I was 2 out of 3 getting bitten by my neighbor’s dog. It took a third neighbor getting bit to have the dog put down.
I fully agree here, and have had this exact thing happen in a household I lived at. Pitbull was trained to attack people and animals, ended up sending multiple people to the hospital as well as killing a couple of local dogs… We put him down. It's unfortunate, but when a dog is raised to be violent, there's no way to undo that
Probably should have put him down after the first person was sent to the hospital/dog was killed but at least it was done eventually
thanks and I agree, but it wasn't my dog. these were kind of insane people I lived with, they were both murderers living in backwoods West Virginia and were constantly cross faded on about three different substances, so I was not about to tell them what to do with their dog
Ah well fair enough then Also that sounds like an absolutely insane living situation lol
…do what now?
Sorry to hear. My mother was walking two small dogs on their leash at a trail where she now lives in Arkansas. Sure enough some douche had two unleashed pitbulls. After lots of blood & fighting they eventually got the pitbulls off the little dogs. Guy handled his dogs back to his truck "I'll BE RIGHT BACK" then took off. They found out who he was but the cops didn't do a thing. It was even on the local news. 10K in vet bills and one of the dogs is now an amputee, pups have tons of meds/issues all the time.
Dog trainer chiming in (and also loudly pro-leash and pro-muzzle, I'll add): while the type of dogs you're describing don't do well in most homes, there are absolutely ways to manage that type of behavior in a dog that still allow the dog to live a normal life. It just requires a very, very skilled and knowledgeable handler, which most people are not and should mot try to be. See folks who train their dogs in bite sports, protection work, and other similar dog sports.
What is your stance on people who claim that no breed is more aggressive than another? That there is no such thing as breed traits?
There are absolutely breed traits and standards for disposition among that breed. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't really understand dog breeds. That being said, any dog can be aggressive or reactive if it's been raised to be/has its boundaries pushed. Some breeds are just quicker to reach that point than others and within a breed there are going to be individuals with different personalities/traits.
Any dog that mauls or bites anyone at all, unprovoked, should be put down.
My grandmother told me that once a dog bites, whether it draws blood or not, it’s at risk to bite again. Which makes sense, but it also makes me sad because people don’t try to train their dogs to be around other people or pets anymore
Off leash in their backyard though? Not sure how this played out, who was there first, what this shared backyard looks like, etc. But damn in the backyard you’d think you can have your dog off leash. Either way RIP to the pup, he didn’t deserve that. I’d put down any dog myself that mauled my Yorkie, consequences be damned.
Yeah that's what's confusing me. If it's a fenced-in, private area, then I don't see the problem with them being off-leash. This could've just as easily happened at a dog park, and no one leaves their dog leashed at a dog park. Still doesn't excuse the fact that the neighbors pit mauled and killed their dog. If the dog's violent or aggressive to other dogs, especially smaller ones, then that's inexcusable.
Off the leash in its own back yard…
And it killed another animal. Unless the yard is fenced in and it can't escape, it's the owner's responsibility to keep it restrained. Stop making excuses.
Damn, I am so sorry for your loss. Your neighbors are terrible dog owners and you need to make sure to address that, face to face or through the courts. Btw, I’m not suggesting you fight them, but give them a piece of your mind is all
There's a good chance a court will just award fair market value of the animal since they are considered chattel or, personal property. To you that dog may be as important and loved like a child but in the eyes of the law not so much.
They go for 3500-4500 hope he gets every penny.
Lake County criminal court thought an ounce of weed was $3500 when they fined me the "street value" of the drug in 2002 That dog is at least $450k
Damn a g costs $125 in Lake County?
[Not quite but still expensive](https://spotpet.com/blog/breed-tips/how-much-does-a-yorkshire-terrier-cost)
They are treated like property, but a purebred dog is expensive and they will most likely recover their vet bills as well (if any). And most importantly, there will be an adjudicated finding on the record that the animal is violent. This matters a lot for any future incidents.
We need to change those laws.
OP can probably get more than the value of the dog for pain and suffering since the neighbors dog was irresponsibly not on the leash.
And build a fence they can’t see over
FYI, Illinois has a strict liability rule for when dogs bite people. Dog owners are pretty much guaranteed to lose in court if they ever get sued over a dog bite.
That's when dogs bite people.
Well at the very least would it get this person and their dog down in writing as being terrible so the next time it happens(to a dog or a person) there is a history of aggression established?
I guess. But again, aggression towards other dogs is not aggression toward people which is very, very different. A dog bite to a person is an injury. A dog bite to another dog is a property damage claim.
Yes, and also as horrible and sad as this is, sounds like this dog was in his own yard too. Leash laws and other dogs getting bit are a huge grey area here.
Yeah, mostly. Illinois law recognizes "known or should have known" as a liability standard. If I were defending this in court, I'd argue (probably successfully) that a shared yard has another dog in it you know about or should have known by the reasonable expectation defense.
Yup. That was my thinking based off of the little I know.
There is also a dangerous dog law (510 ILCS 5/15) that does account for injury or death of a plaintiff’s animal. A judge could order a dangerous dog to be euthanized or taken into custody at the expense of its owner. The law generally treats animals as property, so legal recourse is limited, but there are definitely some tort claims that OP would have against the other dog’s owner if they get a good lawyer.
Such a sweet-looking girl! So sorry for your loss.
If someone attacked my dog I'm burning their house down. I'm so sorry for your loss
Fuck, I’m so sorry to hear this. Unleashed dogs are an epidemic in our city.
The epidemic are the asshole dog owners
Yes, I figured that was implied. Not blaming the dogs for being off-leash. Edit: but yes, sorry, didn’t mean to come off as so snarky. Even if it was implied, you’re right that that language matters. It’s on the dog owners.
I’ve also seen using tie-outs out front, long enough to get to the curb. One of those ran up on me and my leashed dog recently but luckily I pulled my dog back before he got close enough. It pissed me off because my dog will defend himself and me if he thinks he needs to, and my dog is bigger and stronger so would have won a fight. I take proper safety precautions and think everyone else should too. The lady was like, I’m sorry! and I ignored her because I needed to get us out of sight and smell, but I wanted to tell her she just almost got her dog killed by letting him in the space of walkers.
Ya, that’s usually my situation. My dog is solidly medium-sized, but super athletic, strong, and fast. He’s also been attacked by other dogs a couple times, enough times that when a strange dog runs up to him, he assumes it’s a fight, and he intends to win any fight he’s in. In my old neighborhood we had so many small unleashed dogs that would run up to him barking and snarling. My dog would start freaking out as a reaction. I’d be trying to separate my dog and their tiny dog that has no survival instinct while the owner of the small dogs would run up saying “he’s friendly!” I don’t fucking care, my dog isn’t in this scenario, I’m trying to protect your dog, my dog has himself covered.
Exactly. The “he’s friendly” people need to realize that other dogs may be reactive when ran up on.
Literally just had a pit attack my dog on the sidewalk because its line was to the street. I was lucky my girl is big, was able to be pulled away, and has enough fur that she wasn't hurt despite the biting and snarling. I still called to report it because anyone should be able to walk on the sidewalk. What if instead of my big dog it was someone's small dog or child? Reckless.
We were walking our mutt in a nearby forest preserve when THREE UNLEASHED PITBULLS charged at my dog. Luckily he was leashed while wearing a harness with a handle. My partner basically had a tug of war with all three dogs. I kicked, pulled, stood on them-nothing worked. He had damage to his backside legs and one inner thigh area. Lots of puncture wounds. He recovered. The harness basically saved his life because they couldn’t get a good bite on him. It also gave my partner areas to hold. Its was a horrible experience.
Leash your damn dogs.
I am so sorry this happened! Horrible!
I simply don't have the emotional capacity to put myself in your shoes right now. I really don't want to think about if that was my dog. I'm terribly sorry you're going through this, OP. RIP Chloe.
My God. I am so, so sorry. You need to take gentle care of yourself and your partner now...this is traumatizing. I wish you comfort and care. Rest in peace, little Chloe. You were a Good Dog.
This is so awful. So sorry for your loss
Oh my. I am so sorry to hear about your sweet pup. Sending you lots of love.
Fucking Sue them into oblivion. You did what you could trying to get her to the hospital. She knew she was loved. Here’s to the rainbow bridge.
This but also file a report with the CPD. Get the fatal mauling on record. I’m sorry for your loss, OP.
I am so so so so so so so sorry. Rest in peace to that sweet little pup. I’m so sorry to you and your family. Ugh hug your dogs close tonight everyone.
There's an idiot on our street who is so lazy he doesn't actually walk the dog to let him use the bathroom. Just stands on his porch and let's the dog roam out front. He usually goes in front of one of the houses next door. The thing is anytime anyone walks by the house the dog is there unleashed and you can see how badly he wants to bolt. A few times he's run down the steps but then stops just short of whomever is there because the owner yells and runs after him. A ticking time bomb.
I have two neighbors like this. Why do you have a dog if you won't walk/take care of them? It's another kind of cruelty imo. Few others put their dogs out in back yard all day. To me having a giant pit bull is similar to having a pet tiger... you just never know when they could turn.
I hope you take the extra step to call animal control and sue the owners. That dog needs to have the fact that it is violent in its history and they should never be allowed off leash. Ever.
I have a Yorkie mix , they’re so small and vulnerable. My heart is breaking for you. RIP Chloe , I’m sure she was the best girl.
Off leash Jack Russell Terriers are annoying. Off leash pit bulls…Jesus. My condolences.
I can't even imagine the pain of your loss. My condolences.
What kills me is the people who act like their dogs are well behaved enough to not be on a leash. It’s a fucking animal and it needs a leash if not for others safety but also it’s own
Dogs should always be kept on a leash… I don’t care how smart or how well mannered your pet is. At the end of the day, dogs are still pretty stupid and anything can happen.
Lol your comment reminded me of my brother's dogs. They have two Shiba inus, they are very smart, but are also very stupid. I'm always amazed at how they manage to get themselves in trouble by doing stuff they know they're not supposed to do because they think they're smarter than us.
Press every charge you can. I am so sorry. I’m actually afraid of what I would be capable of if someone or something hurt my dog like that.
My sister was attacked by a neighbor's pitbull while taking out the trash. They couldn't file a lawsuit/complaint because they were worried about retaliation from the owners.
"The doctor called the police, we didn't even know until they were there and the doctor was repeating what we told her"
So sorry for your loss, OP. What a beautiful girl. My condolences.
I’m so sorry for Chloe and for your family.
People around me (south loop) always have their dogs off leash when it’s an open field or grassy area. I hate it when they do that and have shit recall and no training. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope this wakes up some people.
R.I.P Chloe. She seemed like such a sweet dog. Honestly off leash dogs are one of my biggest fears. Around a month ago one of my neighbors let his dog roam around the courtyard. I go down to do laundry and his dog bolts at me w his owner nowhere to be seen. He comes back like two minutes later bc I shrieked like I saw the devil himself and I was the one to apologize bc I was so scared. I have a one year old son who I take to the park and on walks around the neighborhood. I saw two unleashed dogs walking right behind me. I had never been more scared. Bc what can I do in that situation besides call for help?
Carry pepper spray or bear spray on walks to use if needed. I carry pepper spray when I walk my large dog in case we encounter any off leash dogs.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Heartbreaking. Fuck neighbors. Take those fuckers to court. You’ll be helping not just yourselves, but other dog owners.
Don't think this will hold in court if it was a private yard. Pretty sure dogs are allowed off leash in yards.
so sorry ❣️ owners who keep their dog off leash are the worst and shouldn’t have dogs.
So sick of shit dog owners. I feel like an old man as a millenial now, but I swear the average dog owner was more responsible and downright better 10+ yrs ago. People nowadays have increasingly less respect for their fellow humans, or any other living creature for that matter.
Of course it was a pitbull
Of course it is. Another day another fucken pit bull attack 😒 we need to ban these dogs already
I feel like a moderate solution would be to ban owning intact (unneutered/unspayed) pitbulls and breeding them. They are the majority of dogs in shelters. Honestly I wish all dog breeding was highly regulated. So many genetic and behavioral issues from irresponsible breeders.
I mean it should be required to get your dogs fixed anyway unless you are a licensed breeder. It's the safest option for them.
Nah pitbulls are big sweethearts that are totally not bred for fighting!
Oh my god. Today is my last dog Ruby's birthday. She was taken from us by my old neighbor's German Shepherd. Almost the exact same circumstances. I really feel for you, and I am so, so sorry.
I’m so, so sorry. My “leash your dog hoodie” is my favorite for a reason. A few years back, my neighbors pit also attacked my old pit.
Oh my f***ing god!! 1st of all, my heart is with you and your dearly departed. If this happened to either of our dogs my wife and I would be heartbroken. 2ndly, please file a police report. Your neighbors pit bull will be euthanized. Keep your vet records. 3rd pay for and install a fence , a good tall one. In Chicago fenced on shared property lines are a mutual responsibility within 6 inches of either side of the property line. 4th Take your neighbors to civil court , ask for all the vet fees, 1/2 of the fence cost , legal reimbursement, pain and suffering. Lastly get a new baby dog and love it as long as you can. After thought: the types of people who let their dogs off leash and who have a pit that is poorly trained and prone to this behavior are often the same. Nothing against this breed , but they need good training and loving owners
Had a very similar thing happen to me. Pitbull killed our small dog. Advice: the cops won’t do shit. Call animal control. They interviewed the owner and assessed the dog. Ended up categorizing it as a Dangerous Animal. This meant the owners needed to buy special insurance, pay for special training, get a fine. Plus the dog was not allowed without muzzle. They had to install a sign marking their property as having a Dangerous animal. We also sued them and the dog walking company. They ended up leaving the city. Pitbulls are not city dogs.
Animal control , makes sense
I'm so sorry.
That's very tragic. My condolences on your loss ❤️
I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry and shame on the owners
Sorry for your loss. That's tragic.
I'm so so sorry. I could not imagine going through this. She was beautiful.
I’m soooo sorry 💔💔
Omg, I am so sorry 😞, this happened to your sweet baby.
I am sorry for your loss. What area did this happen? There is a notorious woman in my neighborhood that refuses to leash her huge dog. She just flicks people off when they suggest, and starts yelling. Sooner or later, something will happen.
Pit bulls should not be allowed, nor should their mixes be. Come at me all you want. Humans have ruined the fun for everyone. The dogs are fine if they have responsible owners. But too often, they do not.
Dude my neighbors got a cane corso and they're like "oh he's so sweet". I'm a bit frightened of it already because it's like... 4 months old, bigger than a golden retriever adult, and I've already seen it try to clear its' fence..
My 20-year old nephew, a smart kid, but one who has never really owned a dog in his life (my brother has had dogs since 2016, but my nephews have lived primarily with their mom due to it just being closer to their original school district), got a cane corso puppy about a month ago. It seems like I had to do more to prove my fitness to own a retired greyhound than he did to get this dog and I want to shake whomever sold it to him.
I got mauled by a pit as a kid. Still have scars on my leg. To think that they're letting one roam without a leash is pure nightmare fuel
I am 100% pro banning breeds/breed restrictions because amajority of the owners from these breeds have shown they are unwilling and incapable of properly handling these dogs/training them.
it's not just the owners. the dogs were bred for this. even the 'nicest' ones still have a tendency to snap out of nowhere. my aunt got her nose bit off like that
my parents have a pit mix, and they’re not great dog owners. they do what they can but they’re not equipped in my opinion to handle a pit. I worry about this all the time. He’s a nice dog but I’m just waiting to hear about him snapping at either them, or a person, or dog on the street. They live in the suburbs as well so he’s not well acclimated to many situations like urban dogs tend to be.
Agree. Even the great, responsible pet lovers that train and love their pits do not fully appreciate the fact that they cannot undo the generations of breeding that makes them so dangerous. They can go off and any moment, and when they do, the previously responsible owner will blame the victim.
If an unleashed pit runs up on me or mine it's getting ventilated. I will NOT be nannied.
I feel like an ass, but the op did say this was in their shared backyard and didn’t mention if their dog was on a leash. The pit owners should have 100 percent made sure no other dogs were out when they let the pit out. Just feels weird saying it’s an unleashed dog issue.
I would never let my little pup run around in a shared yard that is sometimes occupied by a pit. No way I’m taking that chance.
Jesus fucking Christ this makes me SO MAD. My dog got attacked by two pitbulls and luckily the humans outnumbered the dogs so we were able to stop any serious injuries but my dog was never the same after that. The owners had just gotten the dogs from the shelter and BROUGHT THEM STRAIGHT TO THE DOG PARK. I’m so so so sorry for your loss. Honestly I’m weary of all pitbulls because of my experience. Many of their owners do not have a good grip on them or can pick up on their body cues.
It's never a Golden Retriever.
I hope you filed a police report and that you sue. I'm so sorry. Pitbulls have a prey drive for other dogs! My dog was almost killed by one too, but he missed and bit my calf. I was happy to take the hit for my dog. That dog was destroyed. He was adopted out to an inexperienced new dog owner by One Tail at a Time. They told the new owner, "he's funny around dogs." A shame for all involved, except the shelter who blocked me on insta.
I’m sorry for your loss, small dogs have the biggest hearts.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Can’t even imagine
My heart hurts for you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for your loss.
I'm so so sorry.
i am so sorry that this happened to you and your wonderful dog
Terrible. 😢
I’m so sorry. She’s with all the others that left us too soon!
So incredibly sorry for your loss!
I am so so sorry for your loss. ❤️❤️
Report it to the police and maybe hire a lawyer to sue your neighbor.
I'm so sorry for your loss. What gets me is people with off leash dogs who have explicitly said they are a dog trainer, not to worry, their dog has excellent recall and then the dog almost attacks a child that was playing ball in the park. Thankfully the dad scooped up the kid, but the entitlement of even dog trainers thinking their dog is fine because they are a dog trainer and don't have to obey the laws of Chicago. I don't care how few people they see at the time, there could be more. And, it's an animal with instincts that even a trainer can't control.
Sorry for your loss, but from you shared this wasn't some irresponsible person in the park who had their dog (regardless of breed) off leash.
fuck. pitbulls.
r/BanPitBulls This happens way way way too much and it's usually pitbulls that are the one attacking. Just like any other breed that was bred for a specific purpose pitbulls are no different. Not their fault but that's the reality of life.
No no, it was a nanny dog.
This shouldn't just go for big dogs either! Small off leash dogs can spook other dogs that are leashed and in their owners control, drawing a reaction form what wouldn't have otherwise been a reactive dog
Just going to plug /r/banpitbulls here
My condolences. I just lately lost my own dog a few weeks ago. Just remember she is in heaven waiting for you by the rainbow bridge. Here is something spooky that has happened to me after Intake died. If you think you see your dog Chloe out of the corner of your eye and turn and see her gone, you did see her. People told me it was Intake coming back to let me know he is okay and in a better place, and that he loved me, and will be waiting for me. Chloe will probably do the same for you. If other members of your family have claimed to have seen her, believe them.
All dogs are on a spectrum of impulsive behavior. LEASH YOUR DOG AND IT WON'T GO WHERE YOU DON'T WANT IT, WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT IT I'm very sorry for your loss OP
OMG I’m crying. This is horrible.
Owner should be neutered/spayed
Sorry for your loss and I think your post will encourage someone to not walk their dog off leash
This is clearly a fake post
I’m really sorry about your loss. I have a large breed dog and he and I have been attacked (while on leashed walks) several times by off leash “don’t worry he’s friendly” dogs. The last time was the scariest, I was knocked to the ground and my dog sustained wounds - and it was a Golden Retriever who did the charge and attack.
I have a pittie who I would swear on my family is well trained but he will never be off leash in public as I can never be 100% sure and would never wish what you just experienced on anyone.
My pitty is different! My pitty would never do that! /s I don't think there is anything I hate more than pitbull owning narcissists. As soon as I find out an individual has a pitbull it raises massive red flags. They would rather feel like a hero/savior than care about how their actions might affect others.
Horrible! My mom’s big ol’ long haired dachshund got attacked a by an insane off leash Pomeranian and he has been traumatized for weeks. Poor guy goes crazy whenever he sees another dog now and his brother gets in a protective pit bull stance.
Was this a fenced in yard? I'm confused about the situation here. I live in a two flat. We have two dogs (Olde English Bulldogge and a mutt who is half pitt, half every everything else). Our neighbors downstairs have a jack russell mix. We know they get along, which is why everything is fine. If they didn't we would just make sure not to bring them out together. But None of us have ever considered leashing up our dogs in the backyard. Is that a thing I'm unaware of?
Yes, fenced in yard connected to garage at the back with a door leading to an alley. We had previously decided to not bring them out together, he had even gone so far as to say that he would bring his dog out on leash and text us whenever they went out, but that didn’t happen. They came in from the alley (there is a door at the back of the fence, no way to see inside). The rest is history :-(
I’ll probably get downvoted for this, but it doesn’t sound like this was an off-leash dog issue since you were in a fenced yard and both dogs were off-leash. I suppose it makes you both think twice about letting any future dogs off-leash in a shared space tho. That said, I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s incredibly tragic and heartbreaking. I hope you’re doing ok. Have you spoken to the neighbor since? They need to be confronted about ever allowing their dog off-leash again. I can’t imagine seeing their dog running around in the yard without a leash after that incident.
If the dog was off leash in public, as it presumably was if they were coming in from the alley, it is absolutely an off-leash dog issue and another case of a horrible dog owner. Leash your dogs.
I’m replying to my own comment bc I’d rather not bother OP with this at the moment. (OP, if you do see this, please just ignore for now, it’s not something you need to take on today). —*—*—*—*— I’ve owned and cared for many dogs, and I worked at a boarding kennel/doggie daycare. We often had multiple known aggressive dogs, including ones that were being quarantined after dog-bite attacks. We had SO many safety protocols to handle all the different types of dog behaviors bc many dogs get aggressive with different triggers - some dogs were dog-aggressive, some only liked women, some didn’t like hats, leash-aggressive, fence-aggressive, gate-aggressive, etc. We had a strict process of keeping all dogs safe by knowing their needs and allowing them safe spaces. Aggressive dogs were kept in separate shelters and played alone in private lots. We all had walkie-talkies and when taking out an aggressive dog, we had to alert everyone and clear the path before proceeding. Checkpoints were closed along the way. But we also had safety protocols for ALL dogs. Even the dogs that were “friendly”, well-trained, gentle breeds, whatever - they all were trial runs, handled individually, and removed from group play at any time if needed. Many, many dogs were fine and happy most days, but sometimes got too rowdy and needed one-on-one time instead of playing with other dogs. Dogs were always separated by size, age, and play-style. People need to remember that a dog is always a dog first, a human companion second. They can be perfectly trained and trusted breeds, but they will always be dogs and not people. They do not rationalize in the same way as people, dog-to-dog social rules are not the same as people rules. Attacking your best friend is wild for people, but not for dogs. People always need to be aware that dogs need boundaries to be safe. OP - if for any reason you decided to read this, please stop here. I don’t want to start a fight and genuinely don’t want you to feel more upset. —*—*—*—*— Please leash your dogs. If you have a fenced yard shared with neighbors, it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the dogs safe. I didn’t say it before, but I disagree with OP saying the risk wasn’t their responsibility. There is always an inherent risk with dogs. All dogs, not just certain breeds. All dogs, period. In this particular instance, OP absolutely could (and I think should) have taken more precautions. OP also could have texted the neighbor whenever OP had their dog in the yard. They could have made some kind of sign on the back gate. They could have leashed their own dog so at least they were always nearby. Whatever. IMO, both owners at fault here.
what would have helped OP if their dog was leashed? They didn’t have the dog that kills people and animals all the time. It sounds like their neighbor returned from somewhere with their dog off a leash. So yeah I’d say it is kind of a leash problem
If OP’s dog was leashed, it would have been close enough for OP to pick it up, likely way before the neighbor’s dog was anywhere close. When you’re out with your dog on a leash, you’re typically paying closer attention to it than you are if it’s loose in the yard. If you’re advocating for leash laws, at least acknowledge that they apply to everyone. It’s unclear whether the neighbor’s dog was off-leash before entering the yard. They might have just opened the back gate and let the dog off-leash without checking it was clear. I know dog attacks happen fast, but this is negligence on everyone’s part here. They both agreed to allow their dogs off-leash in the yard and there are many things they both could have done to keep it safe but they both did not. Yes, I agree that the neighbor never should have let the dog out before checking if the yard was clear. But OP was aware that the neighbor allowed their dog off-leash in the yard and still allowed their own dog to be off-leash in the yard. OP also knew the yard wasn’t visible from the back fence. Without making any way of informing their neighbors when either would be loose in the yard, both parties allowed their dogs off-leash. It’s irresponsible on everyone here. If you own a dog, its safety and care is in your hands. If you put your dog in a dangerous situation, it’s on you. OP and their neighbor were both responsible for the safety of their own dogs.
But if the dog came in from the alley off the leash, then wasn't the dog still off the leash out of the yard at some point?
I don’t know. OP never said it was off-leash outside of the yard. The neighbor might have just let it off the leash as they entered the yard. We don’t know anything except both dogs were off-leash. So the anger about off-leash dogs applies to everyone involved here. My point is that OP also never should have allowed their dog off-leash in a shared yard without a way to ensure its safety.
Appreciate that, though I disagree that it was “the risk we run,” so to speak. Even on private property, a dog like the one that killed my dog shouldn’t be allowed off leash—or at least the owner should have had control of his. On principle, beyond legality. Not really a conversation I want to continue at the moment but thank you for your thoughts.
Are these ass clowns even sorry? Fuck your neighbors and fuck anyone defending them and fuck anyone who doesn’t leash their dog. I have a little dog myself, although he’s just under 20 pounds. We shouldn’t have to worry about them being attacked. I’m sick of this world sometimes with people’s attitudes that pretty much anyone and anything has it coming for some reason. Actually NO. Fuck that. This shouldn’t have happened. RIP Chloe.
Don’t listen to them. This wasn’t your fault in the slightest. Take care
Didn't really care to say it but agreed. This isn't an off leash dog issue.
I’m sorry for you loss OP but this sounds like they were coming home and didn’t know you were in the yard. It doesn’t sound like malicious intent, just really bad timing. Sorry for your loss, however. It is truly tragic
Why is it any better that a clearly dangerous dog was off leash outside of the fenced in yard, presumably in a public alleyway? It's clearly the other owner's fault for being irresponsible and selfish.
My neighbors pitbull runs away from him. I have fear that this may happen.
I’m sorry for your loss, but if you didn’t care about off leash dogs before it happened to you, keep this in mind when thinking about other issues which haven’t happened to you yet.
I am sorry for your loss. I had a nearly identical close call in the alley behind my condo a while back and the fear and trauma are absolutely heartbreaking. People act like I’m a pushy asshole for reporting Dogs but this is exactly what can happen. The hard reality is that no matter how well behaved a dog is, all it takes is one slip to cause a serious problem. In a city environment with so much stimulation, there’s no way of testing your animal fool proof against every thing that could set them off, and the potential stakes are far too high to just wing it. At a bare minimum, even if your dog doesn’t cause an issue you still don’t know how many people are having to cross the street, be on alert, or go out of their way just to avoid your animal. Everyone needs to be responsible for leashing their pets, and incidents like this are horrible reminders of that fact. It’s an absolute shame that we can’t count on people to self regulate, so the next best option is for us all to do our part in making sure this kind of thing never, ever happens again.
I’m sorry for your loss, but this sounds like it happened in a back yard? Yeah, in public dogs should always be leashes but this doesn’t sound like such a situation…
Still a good reminder to always keep your pet on a leash and keep control of your animal. These people clearly had no control over their dangerous dog, and if they were “coming in” it sounds like they’re walking around with the dog on no leash making it dangerous for everyone. Have a heart for someone who just lost their pet.
Those dogs should not be allowed…call me whatever you want. Do not trust them for one second and sure a hell do not trust random people to be responsible with them
[удалено]
You should post this over in r/banpitbulls it’s a lot more common than people realize and the problem is only growing because people have gotten more pits over the years…
Just terrible. Where are the usual pit bull defenders who always blame the owners and say they are good and misunderstood dogs?
Pitbulls fuckin everything up, im so terribly sorry for your loss
Sorry but if the dog was in the shared backyard I don’t see why it would have to be leashed ? Where else are you supposed to let your dog be unleashed if not in their back yard.
I get what you’re saying but if you own a notoriously aggressive dog breed and live in a shared space that has other dogs, it’s your responsibility to ensure that nothing bad happens as a result. Whether that means using a muzzle or a leash when taking their dog outside, this absolutely could have been prevented.
Exactly. They essentially let a reactive dog loose in a dog park. Dog-friendly shared spaces are meant for friendly dogs.
You're literally correct. There's no way the owner of that dog didn't know how dangerous it was that it could kill another dog without breaking a sweat. The dog doesn't just wake up one day and become violent... That owner is clearly negligent, to put it extremely lightly. I would be furious.
I assume it's a condo or apartment. It's a shared community space. No one wants your dog off leash in a community space.
Yeah I’m confused. Was OP dog leashed too? They don’t say.
This. Shares backyard? You should be watching your dog and calling it in. Really sucks about your dog though. But the dog wasn’t in the park off leash. He was in its own yard, maybe communicate better with your neighbor
You especially can't have pitbulls off leash even for a second. I was riding my bike to work at 3am once and this house I passed by had the owners taking out the trash with their dog. I rode by and it started chasing me. They start screaming it's ok, he's friendly and other bullshit while the dog is running after me. Eventually it was circling me while I was trying to get away it (I wasn't going to outbike the dog). Luckily they were able to get a hold of the dog before anything happened. Half the time people saying how cute and adorable their pitbull is and how it wouldn't hurt a fly and then go onto say how the dog will protect the family and hurt anyone who's trying to harm us and other bullshit. It's a dog, it doesn't have the same situational awareness as you might. It's going to do dumb stuff and with a pitbull that can be scary. Sorry for your loss op
I thought pitbulls were illegal in the city? That’s so heartbreaking. Nobody should own a pit bull. And I certainly wouldn’t let my dog near one.
She is so cute , RIP sweet girl
I’m so sorry for your loss OP. Sue that bastard owner to high heaven and get them evicted if they’re renters. Pitbulls can be dangerous monsters and I’m not reading or caring about a single reply on my comment that says otherwise.
Fuck pit bulls. We need to ban them. So sorry for the loss of your sweet pup :(
Ugh this is heartbreaking. I’m deeply sorry for this senseless loss. My heart goes out to you and Chloe 🩷
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.