I'm afraid to walk my dog now

ORIGINAL: tzumommy

Spiritdogs:  That's scary.  I knew they were considered guard dogs - which explains why they aren't too friendly, but I didn't even know what a Fila was until last year when I mistakenly referred to them as Mastiffs, and the neighbor corrected me.  That's when I Googled them and found out they were reserved with strangers and that they aren't a good choice for people that have a lot of strange people coming in and out of their house.

At first I thought I may be over-reacting because the dogs are so large; but you're right, they're not only large and powerful, but I've also seen their owner come over to retrieve them while carrying/shaking a big stick at them.  So they probably have some pent up handler aggression from being beaten into submission.

I will find out who I should be reporting this to and call it in. 

Thank you for responding

I believe that another name for them is Brazilian MASTIFFS.

This guy is a lawsuit waiting to happen.  I would suspect that a mandatory spay/neuter and some obedience classes would be the LEAST this guy should do! Also, an invisible fence isn't going to do SQUAT to stop these dogs.  If my 45 lb Am Staff will go straight through one, these three won't even blink.

ORIGINAL: lorib

 If my 45 lb Am Staff will go straight through one, these three won't even blink.

Ditto...and almost comical to think that would work!

Maybe I should go ahead and give the SPCA a heads-up on this

 
Much as I hate to say it, it might be the best solution, along with a judgement against the neighbors that they can't own any more pets, since they can't manage these pets. If they are human aggressive, they will be pts.

I'd definitely report them. Filas can be scary dogs. ANY kenneled, bored, unsocialized dog can be scary, but Filas are a bit scary to begin with (I love ALL dogs, but agree that all dogs are not for everyone and Filas are NOT a breed that I would want to own! I would groom one, as long as it was ok with handling, but I wouldn't keep one in my home). I'd probably keep my dogs in the fence, on a leash, and just bug the heck out of the appropriate authorities until something was done.

Angie,
 
You should not be concerned about calling the SPCA of fear of the dogs being put down. If they are the ones with the animal control, they need to be notified. I used to work for an SPCA with AC. We would get people coming in to look at dogs and would mention a neighboring dog being aggressive towards dogs and/or people. We asked if they wanted to file a complaint and most said no, they didn't want to start anything with their neighbor. You can file anonymously. The only ones that would have your name is the SPCA as the complaintant. I know where I worked we had a three strikes and your out rule. The dog had to bite someone once, or had three valid complaints filed against the owner (where an animal or person was threatened by the dog) in order for a seizure was done up to put the animal down as a dangerous weapon. It's like owning a fire arm with the safety off and loaded. Some people are responsible and will take every precaution. Others will refuse to learn and will have to deal with the consiquences. AC will try to work with the owner to help them learn what they as owners need to do, before citing them or taking animals to put down. Legally, the AC has to give the owner a warning first. The owner must make contact with 24 hrs after each warning to try to resolve the issue. If the owner is unwilling is resolve an issue, then the AC will look in to taking the animal (once they receive enough complaints). Where I worked, video or pictures to AC was not evidence that the animals were on your property or that they were owned by your neighbor. Only video and pictures taken by the AC were valid. Check with you AC before you may be wasting your time. Depends upon your are laws.
Let us know if you get anything resolved.
 
Kari

If I were youI would definately call AC since these dogs seem dangerous. Growling at your DH is definately not a good sign. The older dogs will probably have to be put down, but the puppy may be able to be rehomed since it is still young.

Respectfully,  documentation via video and or pictures is information that can build a complaint or establish a pattern of behavior, even if it is not adequate for AC to use in its official complaint.  It will document frequency of occurance when using a time stamp, and it will provide more impact than just verbal complaints if it is ever necessary to up the anty.

I believe that another name for them is Brazilian MASTIFFS.

 
Yes, they are Brazilian Mastiffs, but shouldn't be confused with English Mastiffs.  Very different temperaments towards people/strangers. 
 
Filas can be wonderful dogs in the right hands and in the right setting. 
 
I can't imagine why the owners of the dogs in question would want such a liability issue on their hands.  They know their dogs escape and have growled at people and other dogs.  I'd be petrified they would bite someone and I'd get thepants sued off me at the very least.  There are dog mauling stories in the news all the time.  Apparently, these owners don't watch the news or read the paper!

ORIGINAL: tzumommy

Spiritdogs:  That's scary.  I knew they were considered guard dogs - which explains why they aren't too friendly, but I didn't even know what a Fila was until last year when I mistakenly referred to them as Mastiffs, and the neighbor corrected me.  That's when I Googled them and found out they were reserved with strangers and that they aren't a good choice for people that have a lot of strange people coming in and out of their house.

At first I thought I may be over-reacting because the dogs are so large; but you're right, they're not only large and powerful, but I've also seen their owner come over to retrieve them while carrying/shaking a big stick at them.  So they probably have some pent up handler aggression from being beaten into submission.

I will find out who I should be reporting this to and call it in. 

Thank you for responding

Lest anyone think I am a breedist, I actually had my state rep file anti-BSL legislation here.  But, I do know my breeds, and this one, as Mastiff pointed out, can be ok in the right hands, but IMHO your neighbor doesn't qualify.  These dogs may not have wanted to do you or your family harm at that moment, but if they are not receiving good treatment at home, that could change.  Also, if any dog decides that your dog is lunch, and you tried to intervene, the ability of a large guard type breed to redirect on you and do severe damage is always there.  Besides, maybe a visit from the ACO will let these idiots know that their neighbors are serious about having the leash laws enforced.  You could be saving the dogs' lives as well.  Even Filas get HBC.

tzumommy-
 
Are other people in the neighborhood having the same problems? 
 
And, when you call the local AC, ask how complaints are filed.  When I was a child, we had problems with a neighbor's dog.  So did others around us.  Eventually, after several complaints from us and probably others, my mom asked the right questions and she found out that the complaints are filed under the complainer's name NOT the problem owners unless the complainer specifies to put it under the problem owner's name.  So when AC looked at the problem owner's file, it was very thin.   
 
When you find out how things are handled at your local AC, be sure to inform neighbors.  I'm guessing if they haven't had a problem, it's just a matter of time.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs
Lest anyone think I am a breedist

 
That was the furthest thing from my mind...
Also for the record; I do not have any hangups about Filas (or Mastiffs) because of this.  As you and many others have said, it is the idiots that obtain them and aren't responsible or educated enough to have them.  It's a shame. 
 
I have an aquaintance who is from Trinidad - but lives here in the US most of the
year.  He has a Dane, an Akita, and a Mastiff (none of them get along with each other nor have they been socialized to other people)  He says they are his "Guard Dogs" - yet they are only in the backyard or basement??? What the heck are they guarding then? (He's one of these people that will tell you all about dogs from HIS experiences, but sounds more like a loaded weapon than a trainer)  He was at our home for a  football game gathering when he found out about the Fila litter next door and desperately wanted one of the ups when they were ready.  DH and I avoided him for months and told him simply that we had not seen or spoken to the neighbor (which we don't really talk to unless his dogs are loose anyway)  because we didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that the breeding situation was bad enough without having another irresponsible person adopting one of those pups.  (He doesn't spay or neuter his dogs, and and I've tried until I'm blue in the face to convince him of all of the reasons he should)
 
I have been continuing to work my foster, Mason inside the gate.  I have a question regarding his training/exercise needs though; I guess I will post it in a new thread since it's a different topic.
 
One more thing: This is the only forum I have ever had enough interest in to be active, and I have no idea what HBC means from your quote: "Even Filas get HBC" - hit by a car is all I could come up with? - Am I close?! LOL

See?...it;s this kind of ignorant, show off, "I'm really tough", moronic behaviour in people that makes me angry. I have a Fila, he's 15 months now. I socialized him up the wazoo to people when he was a pup; I made sure my fence was rock solid before bringing him home; we go to clases everytime we get a chance (well, not for the time being); I keep my eye open for any unwanted agression; and here's your neighbor with not 1, but 3 filas giving the entire breed a bad name.

I guess now I know what APBT owners feel like, at least partially. Is my dog human aggressive? NOT A CHANCE, he is however a great guardian and I sleep better at night when I travel because I know that if someone wants to bring harm to my wife they'll have to go thru him, and that's not going to be simple.

Eventhough this is my first fila, it's not my first dog, but before I got him I read, then read, and then read about them some more. I would stay away from the "tool" idea, just because of the temperament of the fila that may backfire on you, but documenting and reporting until they do something is the best you can do. Anyways, sorry for the off topic rant, here's a pic of my guy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51635830@N00/342930257/in/set-72157594355899826/

here's a pic of my guy:

 
What a handsome guy you have there Eley!!  Love those big white feet as a puppy!  You are correct that in the right, researched hands Filas can be wonderful family dogs.  In the wrong hands, they can be disastrous. []