Dogs (Portland, Gresham, Troutdale: house, neighborhood, purchasing)

[Brenda]

Does anyone have information regarding aggressive dogs? I have neighbors that now have 3 dogs that come barking and growling up to our mutual fence everytime I go out in my backyard. The dogs are American Staffordshire Terriers. This is especially worse when my own golden retriever-type dog is with me. My dog is NOT aggressive and never barks. But I am afraid in my own backyard now! I live in an unincorporated area in Oregon, but near Portland.
Thanks for any help or suggestions,
Brenda

[stevetogo]

I believe these are "pit bulls". They have been known to be dangerous! Have you ever seen them loose or unleashed?

Check with the county codes or call the police for information.

Do you know the neighbors and have you considered getting to know the dogs (through their owner of course) so that you become a friend instead of a stranger to the dogs!

[beichan]

Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers are two different breeds of dogs. I'm an active fighter of BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) and it's frustrating when people lump all similar-looking dogs together as pit bulls and deign them all dangerous--pit bulls are NOT inherently dangerous. The problem is that more people abuse pit bulls and use them as fighting dogs. It used to be greyhounds in this position. If we keep passing laws solely against pit bulls or look-alikes the dogfighting community will simply move on to another breed of dog as they've done before. It's dogfighting, not pit bulls, that needs to be taken care of. Pit bulls may be dangerous, but only in the care of bad owners. They can be the sweetest, most loving dogs ever if they are only raised by good people. BSL creates a bad tendency to take the good dogs from loving homes, not only pit bulls but anything resembling a pit bull, they don't need proof of breed, and 'destroy' them.
The best course of action does seem to be get to know the neighbor and the dogs! A dog who loves his family is likely to at the very least act aggressive towards anyone they don't know, even if they wouldn't attack. They may be the sweetest dogs in the world, but they perceive you as a threat to their loved ones.

[KidBlue]

You might try purchasing the new CD by Caesar Milan. He also has a show on the National Geographic Channel, called "The Dog Whisperer." He specializes in working with agressive dogs so there should be helpful information in the CD (I'm just a fan, I don't make a profit from the CD).

[Brenda]

Thanks for the answers & help!
Dogs are definitely American Staffordshire Terriers as that is what the owners told me. Getting to know the owners? Well, let's just say I often wonder if they are "cooks" in their spare time and that is why they need those type of dogs. Not trying to be mean here, but their behavior is pretty suspicious. I do believe that dogs are trained to be mean and that it's not necessarily a breed thing. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I believe these owners have trained their dogs to be mean. I can't work in back part of my yard without having those dogs come barking and growling along the fence the whole time I am there. One dog was even head-butting the fence! I have been told that my wood fence won't keep those dogs away should they desire to come thru. I have called the dog control folks and they say there is nothing I can do unless the dogs come onto my property. I'm thinking by that time it is a little late!

[angelaf]

If you do indeed believe your neighbors are cooking meth, which is what I assume you're implying, you should contact your local law enforcement with any information you have. Of course, if this is just a suspicion you have and you don't have any proof, there's not much the police can or will do about it.

As far as the dogs go, it sounds like they have been trained to be aggressive, which is really unfortunate, because irresponsible owners like your neighbors make it really difficult for responsible pet owners like me-- I have an AmStaff and a pit bull/American bulldog/mastiff mix and while neither of them is aggressive, we have to constantly deal with the misconception that because of their breed, they are dangerous dogs. Have you tried contacting a rescue in the area? Try petfinder's website, they'll have a list of rescue organizations in your state and you may be able to find one near you that specializes in pit bulls (for all practical purposes, the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier are the same thing, and most bully-breed rescues will deal in all the bully breeds). Contacting a rescue might help--they might have some helpful suggestions for you, and they may even be willing to try to get the dogs out of that situation and see if they can be rehabbed.

Other ideas--keeping some Mace or pepper spray with you when you're in your yard might be good. I'd hate for you to have to mace a dog, but if aggressive dogs are coming at you, you have to protect yourself. Also, understand that pit bulls were bred to fight other dogs, so their instinct is to be aggressive towards other dogs, not humans. Are the dogs being more aggressive when you're outside with your dog? They may be showing the aggression towards him. And if they get the chance, and they want to hurt your dog, they will.

[Valentine8]

That is a real shame that you do not feel safe in your own backyard. Every time I see a kid or adult that was chewed up by a dog it makes me very happy to see strickter laws. What the hell do they need that many dogs for anyway. They probably never give them exercise or attention so they are probably fighting with each other like a pack. I think it is a real shame that nothing can be done until you or your dog is injured or killed. I use to live next door to a neighbor that had 9 dogs and at least a dozen cats. They barked all the time. Boy, you sure have to lower your selling price of you home also because of it. The people never paid any attention to the dogs. Just fed them. There was so much **** in the yard that when the wind blew from their house to ours it made you sick to your stomach. There are just too many problems with people owning that many dogs.

[Steve97415]

If the enjoyment of your home occupancy has been diminished by nuisance dogs, I would first check your local ordinances (go to your county's home page and see if they are on-line. If not, you may have to check at the library or County Courthouse). If you can cite a specific ordinance or land-use regulation that is being violated, you will have the ball in your court. The key to getting satisfaction on these issues is persistance. Be prepared to dig in your heels and go through numerous hoops. Bureaucracy Fatigue has foiled more citizens who were in the right than anything else.

Here, for example, are the instructions for complaints in Multnomah County:

Noise Nuisance Complaints
(New policy enforced by Multnomah County Animal Services)

(NOTE: Animal Services is unable to take Barking Dog/Noise Nuisance Complaints via telephone).

Sometimes pets annoy others and the pet owner isn't aware of the problem. If you have a problem with a pet in your neighborhood, try the following steps:

1. Talk to your neighbor. Explain the problem and offer solutions. Sometimes pet owners aren't aware of special sleeping patterns or noise problems of your home.

2. You may print our barking dog letter (letter is in PDF format. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from our Agency Statistics page) for you to mail to your neighbor. The letter is designed to help your neighbor understand the problem, and offers some ideas about dealing with barking dogs.

3. Neighborhood Mediation is another possible avenue for resolution. Sit down with a third party and talk about the issues. For Portland residents, you can call Resolutions Northwest (503-595-4890). For conflict resolution services in Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, and East Multnomah County, you can call East Metro Mediation (503-618-3247).

4. If there is still no resolution, you may print the petition (petition is in PDF format. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from our Agency Statistics page). The petition form must be signed by at least two neighbors. The date and times of violation must meet the guidelines set forth in chapter 13.305 B (5). (The dog must bark repeatedly for 10 minutes or intermittent episodes lasting a minimum 30 minutes). An inability to substantiate a violation with documented date and times will result in no action by Multnomah County Animal Services. If the form only has one complainant signature, there must be an accompanying audio or videotape for the date and time of the alleged violation. This audio or videotape must meet the above listed requirements. After you have completed the petition you may mail it in to Multnomah County Animal Services, Attn: Field Supervisor, P.O. Box 698, Troutdale, OR 97060 or you can bring it to Multnomah County Animal Services at 1700 W. Columbia River Hwy. in Troutdale. We will have an Animal Control Officer available at the shelter on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm to go over your petition and help you file it. All complaints will be acted upon within one week of submission, either by issuing a Notice of Infraction or by the Chief Field Supervisor rejecting the complaint. The Notice of Infraction will be mailed by certified mail to the dog owner for each violation identified (with multiple Notices issued if more than one dog is identified.)

5. If the barking/noise nuisance continues, you can file additional complaints as future violations occur and additional Notice of Infractions will be served.

6. After three Notice of Infractions have been served, Multnomah County Animal Services will issue an Abatement order (at the Director's discretion based on at least one of the NOIs resulting in a guilty verdict), giving the dog owner 144 hours to abate the problem. Failure to abate the barking will result in either an immediate order to impound the animal or by issuing a citation into circuit court for failure to comply with the abatement order.

7. If the dog owner refuses to release the animal to Multnomah County Animal Services pending final resolution, MCAS will take immediate steps through the courts to obtain a search warrant and a court ordered impound enforcing the impound.

Any questions or concerns, please call customer service during telephone hours. Monday - Friday 10:30am to 5pm.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[PitBullMommie1206]

I agree with almost everything thats has been said so far. I would talk to your neighbors and let them know what is going on. Its not right for you to feel uncomfortable in you own back yard! My husband and I have 2 American Pit Bull Terriers. American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers were all bred to fight, but.. human agression was never tolerated. These dogs had to be handeled before, during and after the fights and most of them were also family pets, so the dogs that showed any agression twords humans were killed. So I agree with the person that said it might be because your dog is outside with you. Also, all 3 of the breeds that are considered "pit bulls" are very high energy dogs. They need alot of exersize! They can be pretty stubborn at times and need a very strong "pack leader".. they need to be properly trained and kept under control. If all of these things are done and the dog has a responsible owner that is educated about the breed, they are WONDERFUL dogs!... It sounds like these dogs were either trained to be mean or were not trained atall, and neither is good at all! I also agree with the peron who suggested mabey keeping pepper spray with you when you are outside. Its horrible that you would even have to think about doing that to be safe at your own home but like someone said before, your a dealing with a very strong and determined breed and if they decide they want to get to you or your dog they will have no trouble doing it!... Dont get me wrong, I LOVE "pit bulls"... I have 2 APBTs and all 3 of the breeds that are considered "pit bulls" are wonderful breeds, as long as they are raised right and trained right (just like any breed).. BUT alot of people will get these dogs to use them as wepons or to scare people. People like that should not be alowed to own any breed of dog! Its breaks my heart to hear about people like that having any dog but especally "pit bulls"... Its people like that, that give these wonderful breeds such a bad name. I am sorry you are going through this, no one should have to feel uncomforatble or threatened at their own home. If I were you I would take all of the advice that everyone has given thus far... I would check in the county and/ or city to see if there is anything that can help you. I would also call the police and/ or animals services and let them know what is going on and see if they can help you or if they know of anything you can do. I hope that you can figure something out before anything really bad happens! Good luck!

[freedom]

Pit bull breeds have one of the strongest jaws in the cannine species. If one gets out and wants to hurt you, the odds say you are dead. Any of your main arteries could be torn to shreds.

Keep a shotgun with you, pepper spray has little effect on a pissed off pit bull.

Also put up some hog wire fencing along the wood fence, in case they get through, it will give you time to aim and blow their heads off (the owners ) for making dogs that are vicious. Dogs are lethal weapons and because of the innocence factor we treat them all like Lassie.

I hope you don't have children living next to those people and their weapons.