I have to report a neighbors dog

One option you could consider is telling him that he needs to change some things or you will need to report the behavior of the dog.  You could mention the leash, obedience classes, etc.  It may not make a difference, but he might really want to change how things are.  It could be in a letter or face to face, all depends on the guy and how receptive he might be. 

If you worry about his reaction, then by all means go ahead with the management.

I guess I'm just a little confused.  I understand you are saying the dog is aggressive.  But, has the dog actually done anything?  I walk Willow on a flexi all the time and she's not friendly.  Unless the guy is extending the leash all the way out so the dog can reach people I don't see why the flexi should matter. 

The reason I feel like I should say something to management is that every time the dog goes into aggressive mode, the boy(he can't be much of 18 if he even is over 18) struggles to gain control on him and reel him back in on the flexi.  If he had complete control of the dog there would not be a problem.  But, I can see that little cord breaking very easily.  He stands with him RIGHT on the sidewalk where the dog can come into contact with people.  That is were the problem comes in.  If he were in the courtyard with the dog on a flexi, it still wouldn't be so bad as long as he had control.  But this dog is charging people who come anywhere close.  It was charging at me and my dogs last night and I was a good 40 ft. away.  He gets even more aggressive when you come closer. 

I guess its not so much the dog I want to report, but the behavior of the owner.  He just needs a good leash and to have a bit of control of the dog.   I didn't see the leash last night, so maybe he changed leads, but, I want to make management aware of the situation so they can watch to make sure nothing gets out of hand.

I definitely don't feel comfortable just going up to his apartment to talk to him.  He doesn't seem like the nicest kid.  He has more of the attitude "my dog is big and bad and I'm so cool."  I don't really want to tick him off and then him actually LET his dog go after mine. 

ETA: I just mentioned it when I went in the office to turn in my rent.  I caught the young girl on one of her bad days.  Shes so nice somedays and a complete you know what other days.  I just said "have you guys met this dog on the corner?" "NO, I haven't MET him" "I just wanted to let you know that he is extremely aggressive and the owner is using a retractable leash.  He can't control him very well at all." Then in her snot voice "We KNOW, They are already in trouble." so I said "well, I just wanted to mention something about the retractable leash so that no one gets hurt." "Yeah, we KNOW!"  She was acting as if I was causing her trouble by pointing out a possible problem.  She does that whenever I ask for something to be fixed also.  Just one and a half more months then I have a real house! 

I guess I just don't understand why you have a problem reporting a potential dangerous dog?  Who cares what breed it is?  You don't even need to mention it.  This whole PC "breedism" thing is really getting out of control.  If a dog is dangerous and that aggressive something needs to be done before someone gets hurt.  I tell you, if that dog does get away from the kid and does damage there will be plenty of press about it and that will be far more hurtful to the breed on the whole than dealing with one situation at a time.

Look at it this way, by reporting it (or even talking with the boy directly and teaching him how important it is to control his dog) you may be saving both him and the dog a lot of grief.  Not to mention anyone who may get hurt if that dog gets loose.

I've said it before and I know it's not a popular opionion around here, but this is exactly the type of situation I think is highly dangerous and not fair to others living in the area.  From your description that dog is a ticking time bomb.  And has an owner that doesn't realize it.  Not fair to everyone else.  Not fair at all.

kelliope

I've said it before and I know it's not a popular opionion around here, but this is exactly the type of situation I think is highly dangerous and not fair to others living in the area.

Kelliope, there's no need to be so defensive. I think everyone would agree that is a dangerous situation and not fair to others - just ask Glenda how much fun an aggressive dog on a flexi leash is! 

I'm not being defensive.  I am being factual.  It was quite an unpopular opinion based on the other thread.  And no, obviously not everyone does agree.   It appears the PC breedism thing is going too far when someone is worried about reporting a dangerous situation simply because of the dogs breed.

kelliope

I guess I just don't understand why you have a problem reporting a potential dangerous dog?  Who cares what breed it is?  You don't even need to mention it.  This whole PC "breedism" thing is really getting out of control.  If a dog is dangerous and that aggressive something needs to be done before someone gets hurt.  I tell you, if that dog does get away from the kid and does damage there will be plenty of press about it and that will be far more hurtful to the breed on the whole than dealing with one situation at a time.

If you had read my first post fully, you would have seen I said the same thing.  I wish that it was a different breed, because I hate to give people leverage to bad mouth the breed, but its not.  It shouldn't matter what breed it is, but unfortunately, the breed affects opinion a lot.  Now, if I don't say something and the dog does hurt someone, yep, lots more bad issues for the breed.  Just like I said in my first post. 

That being said, I would mention something if this dog was a chi, pom, jack russell, lab, bc, or any other breed or mix of breeds.  To me it doesn't matter what breed the dog is, but most people don't see it that way.  Maybe someday they will, but not now. 

I totally agree with you Colleen C.

Regardless of the breed I suggest you try and approach him in a friendly manner and let him know of your worries. I'm sure he could be easily defensive about this so maybe say something like "he sure is beautiful or I am familair with this breed, they are great........BUT some of the neighbors including myself are a little worried" tell him instead of reporting him maybe you can offer soem tips?

I have two pitties who are very well behaved but that didnt stop our neighbor from being scared of them. She is a dog person and has to german shepherds so she is dog savvy. One day she walked over while we were playing outside and said "Hey I'm scared of your dogs, can I meet them"?

That was 9 months ago and it only took two meetings for her to fall in love with them. Now she brings them treats and they know her to when she walks by.

I'm not defending this poor young guy, he needs to understand his dogs behavior dosnt help the image one bit but a lil neighborly communication cant hurt.

Tehn if the kid is snotty or pays you no heed at least you tried and gave a friendly heads up that people are wary of his dog before he gets reported. For all we know he is rehabilitating the dog ( I doubt it) but ya never know.

Keep us posted!

who are you planning to report the dog TO?  since the dog is, technically, on a leash and hasn't actually bitten anyone I suspect AC will just ignore you.

If the kid is struggling to control the dog, he might be pleased to receive an anonymous gift of a nice sturdy SHORT leash.

 I said something to management of the apartment complex.  The dog has done nothing wrong yet, and I want it to stay that way.  I can't just go up to him when the dog is there, because the dog WILL bite me.  I'm not scared of any dogs, but this dog is very, very aggressive.  Barking, snarling, growling, and lunging at all people and dogs who walk by.  All I really wanted is for management to be aware of the situation so they can monitor it.  That is really the only thing that can be done.  Hopefully, they will require him to use a regular leash.  It does state something about the length of leash in our lease, but I don't remember how it is worded.  I don't want anyone, human or animal, to get hurt.  By letting others know about the possible problem, hopefully, we can avoid any injury.  I especially don't want there to be another pit attack because they have a bad enough name already and don't need it to become any worse.  If, I see the kid outside without the dog, I will talk to him.  But, I will not walk up to him with the dog.  I have no doubt at all that the dog would bite.  I really don't want to set the dog up for failure and I would like to keep my body intact.  I'm not really scared of the dog, but I have some common sense and will not approach a dog that wants to attack.  Growling and barking would be one thing, but this dog is way past that. 

Gosh that really stinks, it sounds more like masss hysteria and panick is going to be spread throughout the complex, compassion and understanding and at least a word with the neighbor seems like a appropriate first step but too late now I guess. Now not only has this guy gotten himself over his head with this dog but now he has to worry about all his neighbors sneering at him. Really no wonder pit bull owners have such a hard time.

How do you know he would deny any suggestions about the dog? He may be dying for some direction or help.......like I said before I doubt thats the case but GOSH!

Be the change you wish to see in the world folks......

AuroraLove

Now not only has this guy gotten himself over his head with this dog but now he has to worry about all his neighbors sneering at him.

This might be just a bit harsh...maybe just a tad? I have little doubt the neighbors already have had their reactions to the situation and Colleen speaking to management isn't going to change much as far as their own personal opinions.

OP stated she CANNOT approach the owner while he is with the dog. If she sees him without the dog she will do so..

And in the meantime..being that she cannot approach the dog itself...I suppose yelling out over the dog is a possibility but not everyone is willing to stand there yelling a convo over a snarling dog on a Flexi.

Colleen...you said you know where his apt is or no? If you do a note attached to the door might be the way to go?

First, there will be NO mass hysteria in the complex.  The management will handle the issue appropriately.  I will not be speaking to other residents about the problem, just management, it is their issue to deal with.  If I could approach him and his dog, I definitely would, and have MANY times with other dogs.  But, like I said, this dog is extremely aggressive and I have no doubt in my mind that it will attack me.  If the dog were on a regular leash even or under some sort of control, I would approach.  But, I would like to keep my body intact and not give the dog a chance to attack and ruin its image even more.  I think if you have seen this dog, you would feel the same way.

I could leave a note with a good leash and I might do just that.  But, judging from some of the reactions, it might be a better idea to go up to the dog  on a thin cord flexi who is trying to attack me and get bitten so that I can give some friendly, proactive advice.  Yep, the kid would get the advice that he needs but the dog would probably be put down.  I want to make authorities aware of the situation so that the situation can be monitored.  They WILL NOT cause panic.  They will simply tell the boy to keep his dog under control with the proper equipment or he will not be able to have the dog there.