rwbeagles-about as bad as press gets...

That is sad. Reminds me of a story a few years back that the one Pittsburgh Steeler player, Joey Porter, his two Pit Bulls got loose and killed a mini horse somewhere around here. Not sure if anyone heard about that, I don't think it got much press tho.

How awful.  Hopefully someone will donate a horse for this poor kid.

Ya know.....I live in the sticks and MY dogs are confined.  Being out in the boonies is NO freaking excuse for letting dogs roam free.

 That physically HURT to read

glenmar

How awful.  Hopefully someone will donate a horse for this poor kid.

Ya know.....I live in the sticks and MY dogs are confined.  Being out in the boonies is NO freaking excuse for letting dogs roam free.

I want to thank you and everyone else who does the confinement-even-in-the-boonies thing Glenda. It's really...just key to humans living happily with dogs in the big picture...keeping the dogs safe, and keeping those that don't wish to have roaming, loose dogs around them for whatever reason...safe as well. 

It did look as tho another mini horse was being either donated or that the foundation was getting the monies to make that happen.

Poor baby!!! I cna't imagine letting my dogs run!!!  Even in the boonies...Not just for other peoples safety but for my dogs....dogs around here get shot if they are running loose!  Why would anyone risk that??  Never mind I know, they jsut don't care do they....

I also live out in the sticks and contain my dogs. It seems like we're the only people around here who do, too.

My horse and I have been attacked by loose dogs pretty much EVERY time we go riding out here. If Beck wasn't totally bombproof even around the worst dogs I don't think I'd BE able to ride. In order to get to the trail I ride on, I have to ride about a mile through a residential area- a dirt road with houses and modular homes on each side. It's gotten to the point where I have to have someone walk with me with a big stick and Direct Stop to keep the loose dogs away- and so far we have had to use it EVERY single time we go out.

What's worse is that 99% of the time, these people are OUTSIDE with their dogs when this happens- and then they make no attempt to call their dogs back! People will WATCH us hitting their dog(s) with sticks and just stand there, not even calling the dog....and just give us these horrible death stares. If they DO say anything it's to complain that we're riding through and "making" everyone's dogs freak out. Everyone out here with horses constantly has issues with that area, but unfortunately taking that road is the only way to get to the trails.

I just do NOT understand the mentality that rural area = "it's okay for my dogs to run wild and kill things and bite people and cause problems." We regularly have stray dogs attempting to jump our fence and chase our livestock, or attempting to fight Chief through the fence, or knocking garbage cans over, or any number of things- and many of them are pretty aggressive to boot. I don't think I've EVER gone outside my house without seeing a loose dog or two SOMEWHERE...and we're fairly isolated. I don't get it- it's NOT hard to keep your dog contained! We do it, and we have SIX dogs.

I feel so awful for this poor kid and his family.This was SO preventable. It makes me sick that because of irresponsible people like this, responsible pit owners have to suffer. I have two pit bulls and a pit mix- and I just absolutely don't see why people let this stuff happen. It's the easiest thing in the world to prevent- just keep your dog contained. Sigh.

Rats, love the quote!!! And God bless ya for keeping those dogs contained.  I would be so mad if everytime I tried to ride I had to put up with that!  Is there anyone you can call and complain to? It probably wouldn't do any good anyway, huh.

 I have a neighbor about 4 doors down that just got a Pit Bull for her kids.  The dog is already growling and snapping at people, and it is only about 4-5 months old. She got it from a "breeder".  She has no idea how to train a dog, and her walking  the dog consists of her standing on her front  steps and waiting for the dog to go.... This dog has already gotten loose three times.  I warned her just yesterday that if her dog gets loose again and comes after either me or my dog, she is going to have hell to pay.   I hope she got the message.  She knew I was serious.......

Bobsk8

 I have a neighbor about 4 doors down that just got a Pit Bull for her kids.  The dog is already growling and snapping at people, and it is only about 4-5 months old. She got it from a "breeder".  She has no idea how to train a dog, and her walking  the dog consists of her standing on her front  steps and waiting for the dog to go.... This dog has already gotten loose three times.  I warned her just yesterday that if her dog gets loose again and comes after either me or my dog, she is going to have hell to pay.   I hope she got the message.  She knew I was serious.......

Hey do you live down the street from me?  LOL.  Our neighbors got one too, even though they are so afraid of Kenya that when THEIR dog is loose in MY yard, they will not come over to get him b/c they won't go within 5 feet of my dog.  Their puppy is very nice though, despite their efforts to make him tough.  I do not mind him coming over b/c I'd rather the dogs get used to each other than give them any reason to think they shouldn't be together. 

People need to contain their pets, whether in rural areas or not.

 And I just wish that people would THINK before they aquire a dog. THINK about the breed, THINK about the possible issues you might face with owning that breed, THINK about training requirements, THINK about how you are going to contain the dog, and THINK about whether you really want a dog in your life or are you just looking for something cute and cuddely? THINK about if the breed you like, the one that looks good, the one you admire, just might be TO MUCH dog for you! THINK about responsiblity to the dog, and to your neighbors.

  I just wish to hell that people would THINK!!

 If it cute and cuddely you are looking for for goodness sakes get a teddy bear!

 Wow, sometimes I just don't know what to say.  Dogs just should not be running loose, it's a danger for the dog and others.  Just today I was walking from Starbucks to my car, when a pittie comes running out of the alley towards me.  Nice dog, untrained but nice... it jumped up on me to say hello, and give kisses. The guy was around the corner behind him, about a full block back!  I'm sure his dog is obedient and all.... but COME ON, we are in the middle of the city of Chicago.  What if I had my dogs.  They are friendly and love other dogs but what if they weren't?  What if I was scared of dogs and didn't want one jumping up on me?  People just don't think!

glenmar

Ya know.....I live in the sticks and MY dogs are confined.  Being out in the boonies is NO freaking excuse for letting dogs roam free.

Exactly!  The country dogs may face different types of dangers than the city dogs, but they still face danger if they're running loose.

Joyce

 One of the scarier moments of my life happened in a rural area with loose dogs.  When I was in high school my sister and I were visiting my gma in southern IL.  My sister wanted to go for a run, but my gma wouldn't let her go alone so I roller-bladed with her.  We had gone a few miles when we come upon a farm house with 3 giant dogs loose in the front yard.  They immediately jumped to attention with stiff legs and hair standing on end.  My sister is afraid of dogs so she was freaked.  I told her to slowly back up and not make eye contact.  So here we are, her walking backwards and me rollerblading backwards on a gravely country rode terrified that I am going to fall.  My sister couldn't stand it any longer and took off towards another farm house a short way behind us, leaving me to face the dogs.  Now, here's the terrifying part, when my sister knocked on the door an old man answered it with a shotgun in hand.  The guy looked at her, looked at me and the dogs, cocked his gun and said, "Go home, they'll leave you alone now that I'm here."  We never went running in southern IL again.   I still don't know whether I was more afraid of the dogs, or the stranger answering the door while holding a gun.