Roaming Pit Bull

I need advice. I've done everything I know to do. I have cats that I have a screen room and a cat house for them so they do not roam. A neighbor in my subdivision apparently has decided that his full grown pit bull should freely roam the neighborhood.

Twice in three days, this dog has been on my back deck trying to get at my cats. I called animal control who started the conversation by telling me that she had pit bulls, that pit bulls are misunderstood, that they get a bad rap. All of this may be true, but there is a leash law, and no large dog, in my opinion, should be allowed to freely roam the neighborhood.

I can't put my pets out into their enclosures and feel they are safe. I can't walk to my car and assume I'm safe. I talked to the neighbor who says it's a great dog, it's never bitten anyone, I wouldn't let it near my child if I thought it was a bad dog, etc. What are my rights (or do I have any) to live free from fear?

Gale's Reply:

The law is on your side in this instance. You say there is a leash law in your area. You need to find someone who is willing to enforce. it. Since the AC officer is letting her bias in favor of pit bulls cloud her judgement about doing her job, you may need to speak to her supervisor.

This isn't about breed--it's about a DOG that's being allowed to roam the neighborhood without consideration for the comfort and safety of other residents and their pets. It wouldn't matter if the dog were a Labrador or a poodle. Dogs that roam at large can become a health hazard and a menace. (Not to mention road kill.) You have every right to complain.

Personally, I think the owner is being both insensitive and irresponsible. It's people like him who give the rest of us pit bull owners a bad name.

I hope you are able to get this settled with your local authorities. In the meantime, keep your cats securely out of the dog's reach. As for your own safety, pit bulls are rarely human aggressive. Unless he's been mistreated or encouraged to be wary of strangers, he'd be more likely to lick you to death than anything else. Just use the same common sense you would around any dog you don't know.