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January 15th 2012 9:56 am
[ Leave A Comment | 2 people already have ]

I was going to put this in the q's and a's section but thought I'd put this here:)

In november last year 1 of our neighbours malamutes grabbed hold of Alfies neck but let go. Personally I think its because he had a collar that the dog couldnt grip on properly as it has a big ring for the name tag. They have before and after lunged for my dogs on walks. When I have been on 1 side of the road they have tried pulling their owner over the road to me and my dogs. I have tried to keep it nice between me and my neighbour. But when I last took him to the vets as there was saliva on his back and indents in his collar. My vet contacted the RSPCA about the attack on my dogs. He did contact me and told me he was doing this and I did tell malamutes owners that they might have a visit from the RSPCA. They have got quite huffy with me. Saying their dog never made contact with my dog. They also say as shes only 14 months old shes still learning etc.

All I want to know from you guys..is am I in the wrong?
I think both dogs ~ 1 is over a year the other is 14 months shouldnt be displaying this behaviour. They have attacked 2 other dogs but those people didnt inform anyone. 1 was a Labrador the other was a pitbull of some sort.

My question is...what would you guys do?

Leave A Comment | 2 people already have

Barked by: Coco Rose (Dogster Member)

January 15th 2012 at 7:17 pm

You did nothing wrong and don’t let the neighbor use tactics to try to convince you that you did. The Malamute that grabbed Alfie by his neck needs to be controlled better than what the neighbor is doing. This is a dangerous dog. I copied the following out of an internet site that I found regarding Malamutes:

“…This breed should be supervised around unfamiliar small animals, as they have a strong prey instinct. This does not mean they are not good with small animals. Some Malamutes have been known to raise small kittens as their own. Both sexes can be combative with other dogs, especially with the same sex and breed and firm handling and training are necessary to curve this. Proper socialization with people and other dogs is imperative. Obedience training is highly recommended.”

The fact that the dogs have attacked two other dogs is reason enough to be afraid of them and that in it’s self is justification to involve the appropriate animal control agency. Alfie could have been killed but this time luck was with him. This obviously wasn’t a one time thing.

By reporting the dogs to animal control they can assess the dog’s demeanor and the ability of the owner to handle them. Had this happened to me, I would have speed dialed the appropriate agency right in front of the dog's owner immediately after the attack occurred. The problem lies with the other dogs and not with you. You have nothing to be sorry for - you could have been killed.

Let me ask you humans something: Had Alfie been killed or injured would you have reported the incident to animal control or kept silent because you didn't want trouble with the neighbor? Also,if you knew these dogs had a tendency to attack and you did not report it and a child gets hurt later by one of them, might you find yourself being sued because you did nothing to stop such behavior, even though they are not your dogs? Your neighbor is not a good neighbor so don't worry about what they think...

Barked by: Wyoming 6/21/99-3/6/11 (Dogster Member)

January 16th 2012 at 7:47 am

Just like Coco Rose said you have not done anything wrong at all. It is better that they be reported and the situation looked into before some poor pup or person is injured by these dogs. At the very least these owners should have them muzzled whenever they are out on a leash, especially since they do not seem to be able to control their dogs behaviour. Sometimes being a good neighbor means intervention before something really bad can happen. Good luck and I hope the RSPCA can get these folks to understand how serious a situation they have with their pups.