Okay, so I totally suck. But that's just because I can't think of any good excuses for ignoring this blog. All I can do is try harder. I don't know, maybe if I called it Pitt Bull Post I'd stay on top of it more and follow up regularly. And that conveniently brings us right around to today's topic - irresponsible neighbors with crazy dogs - and why I'm thinking about moving.
What is wrong with people? You live in the city - and I'm not talking about the outskirts, I'm talking about a city plot, not far out of downtown, where you know there are kids and families and other people with dogs. Are you stupid, oblivious, or just don't care? Although I'm talking about our new neighbor, it could be so many people's neighbors in Akron - or any other city out there.
I'm sure the owners are quite nice. It's just too bad that we may never find out. Our first encounters with them have been through their dogs, two pitt bull mixes, one of which has been terrorizing the neighborhood. Both dogs are left outside on relatively flimsy tethers all day and evening, and they bark pretty much constantly, but I would probably be able to tolerate it if that's all it was. But one dog has broke off its tether several times - and the last straw for us was the day it came after my 3-year-old daughter while she was in our yard playing.
The dog in question is younger, newer to their family, from an abused situation, and does not like men, according to the owner with whom we spoke before this whole situation erupted. The owners also know that it keeps breaking its leash, but they act like it's no big deal and even questioned its ability to get loose. We held off contacting authorities about the dogs barking constantly at all hours and the one dog standing in our driveway barking and growling at me as I tried to pull in. We wanted to be good neighbors and we tried to talk to the owners to keep it between us. But when the dog started threatening us directly, trying to get at us, pulling through the bushes that divide our properties and coming onto our driveway, and even viciously growling at us, that's when I called the authorities. It was unfortunate that it took until it broke its chain (for the 3rd or 4th time) and tried to get at my daughter and mother-in-law, for them to come out and attempt to enforce the law. I do understand that there are rules and protocol they must follow.
Oh and did I mention that the dog ran up and down the neighborhood, threatening anyone who was outside in their own yards. I've never encountered anything quite like it. And the owners? Even though their trucks are usually in the yard (not driveway) and their doors and windows are wide open, they are never anywhere to be seen. We've yelled, put notes on the door and talked to them directly. Seems like a visit from the dog warden was the only thing that got the situation to change.
I'm not looking to condemn an entire breed and I don't believe most cases of craziness are incurable. I think animals mostly get a really bad reputation due to the actions - or inaction - of us humans. We demand way more from our pets than they are often able to give. We think they are more-or-less human and can understand us. Then we get mad when they don't. We think we're doing a righteous thing when we rescue a cute animal from a bad situation, then we don't do anything to rehabilitate it - and we wonder why it's not thankful and happy and well-adjusted. We tie them up and we keep them in cages or basements. We don't let them run out their energy and give them jobs that reflect their breeds and personalities. Then we wonder why they tear up our houses or can't be around people. Sometimes, I think people believe dogs are just as happy sitting around a house watching TV and growing fat just like their owners. But most often, they are not. And they try to tell us in the only ways they know how. We just tend to ignore the signs.
And that's one of the most fascinating hypocrisies to me. If most humans really do think our animals are just like us, why would we treat them this way? I mean, would you want to be kept indoors all day, locked in a cage, put on a leash in the yard for hours on end with little to no attention or affection? If you were abused your entire life, how trusting would you be?
So I'm happy to say that my daughter is fine and we have a big, dopey dog, so she's not afraid of dogs due to this situation. My husband and I, on the other hand, are a little more leery about people and pups, and we recently started reconsidering our decision to stay in our Akron neighborhood. We are now actively looking at homes, some of which are in Akron. We love our city and even our neighborhood, and we really wanted to stay. However, we're no longer under the illusion that our neighborhood is improving, and that's a real shame.
There are some good things that came out of this. I now know my rights and responsibilities better when it comes to my own dog, as well as others. I got to know my local dog warden. My awesome friends at the Humane Society were a big comfort and helpful throughout. I even appreciate my dog a little more.
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