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What are the rules on dogs?

Monday, September 22, 2008

McCook Daily Gazette

Dear Editor,

Thursday night was a beautiful night.

We had been to Omaha for a funeral, and when I got home, I really needed a walk. I was furtunate to meet three lovely, angry, vicious dogs.

Their fence was not tall enough and I forgot the milk bones.

What are the rules?

Linda Dethlefsen,

McCook

Comments

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Stay out of their yard.

-- Posted by arrowhead on Mon, Sep 22, 2008, at 3:39 PM

Did ya get bit? If so there are lots of things you could do......Let's see.....Antifreeze and a bucket of dark chocolate.?.?.?.?.?

Jim

-- Posted by Jim Foster on Mon, Sep 22, 2008, at 8:29 PM

As long as they are contained in their yard, there's absolutely nothing to do. Walk a different path or on the opposite site of the street. If a dog jumps out of the contained yard, then there are rules.

-- Posted by Rural Citizen on Tue, Sep 23, 2008, at 10:41 AM

I would assume there is a city ordnance against harboring vicious dogs. If they are just dogs that bark or show their teeth, there probably isn't anything that can or needs to be done. Once the dog attacks someone it needs to be put down.

Jim

-- Posted by Jim Foster on Wed, Sep 24, 2008, at 9:24 PM

Sometimes I think ya need to go walking with a stick. I needed one once and didn't have one. Luckily the dog decided I was boring and quit following me. It's freaky when you have a dog with his hackles raised, their ears back whether they are growling or barking at you or not. Not all dogs are nice and not all nice dogs are nice all the time.

I never go near a car or truck with a dog to say hi unless I see the right body language and sometimes even if the tail is wagging and I know them I still will talk to them from a distance. Many dogs are territorial and if you approach them in their territory, they may think you are intruding and warn you away.

There are some dogs that love to chase, my neighbors dog is one of them and tends to drive the joggers nuts. If you keep jogging, they think they are winning. Slow down and walk until you hit the end of the block or if your sure of what the dog may do, turn around and walk toward the dog. Either he'll run off, stand still and keep barking or keep chasing you. You have to win the battle but don't get yourself injured.

The state regulations changed in July this year regarding viscious dogs. If a dog is deemed viscious they are required to be in a pen with a roof so they don't jump out and several feet away from the property line with a sign stating that this dog is aggressive. And several other requirements like being microchipped and licensed. I guess it's like what they do with sex offenders and pediphiles (forgive the spelling error), being registered. This is not limited to pit bulls or other guard dog breeds, any dog breed can be deemed aggressive.

Please no antifreeze or chocolate of any kind. It's no fun trying to help them through. Somebody must enjoy their company otherwise they wouldn't be there.

Linda, if they jumped over the fence and chased you and / or bit you, they need to be reported to the police. Someday soon, we'll have an animal control officer but dispatch will send somebody.

-- Posted by amystrauch on Fri, Sep 26, 2008, at 7:34 PM

Here is a list of good dog behaviors. How many of these does your dog have?

Information compiled by Lori Martindale, BS, from JAVMA (Journel of Veterinary Medicine of America), vol. 225, no.4, pg 512

Affectionate without being needy

Friendly toward or at least tolerant of people, including children, and other members of their own species

Enjoy or at least tolerate normal, everyday handling and interactions

Eliminate only in acceptable areas

Not overly fearful of normal, everyday events or new events

Adapt to change with minimal problems

Play well with others by not becoming uncontrollable or rough

Not a nuisance or danger to the community

Can be left alone for reasonable time periods without becoming anxious or panicked

Readily relinquish control of space, food, toys, and other objects

Vocalize when appropriate but not to excess

-- Posted by amystrauch on Sun, Sep 28, 2008, at 6:56 PM

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