November 11, 2017 at 1:03pm · Pasco, FL ·
Called the Sheriff because a neighbor's loose pit bull attacked my 2 mini dachshunds while I was walking them, both of my dogs on leashes.
Neighbor finally showed up and pulled her dog away, somehow no blood was drawn. No remorse from her, or understanding that her dog by law must be on a leash or otherwise contained.
Deputy showed up and acted very put out that I called about this, told me to call Animal Services on Monday. His attitude was pretty disrespectful, and made this whole situation worse.
Also, many people (not just law enforcement) think it's no big deal if no one, including pets, is actually bitten by the attacking dog(s). However, this does not take away from the terror of it all.
Many jurisdictions have dangerous dog laws that say they can charge the owner if the dog is running loose and behaving in a vicious manner. No one (or their pet) even has to be bitten for the aggressive dog owner to be cited to court and their dog deemed vicious, which comes with strict restrictions that the owner must abide by or risk having the dog seized.
If you have to run into your house to escape the dog, if it chases you down the road, if it corners you against your car when your'e bringing in groceries, it doesn't matter if it bites you or not. If it put a "reasonable person in fear", that's enough for many jurisdictions that have these laws.
Watch this video from the Nampa Idaho police department. Two large dogs (later identified as a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and a Pit Bull / Mastiff mix) burst out the open door and attack the officer.
The news articles say the officer was not actually bitten/injured, but imagine you're this officer. Do you think we should shrug our shoulders and say, "Well, you didn't actually get bitten so you shouldn't have shot the dog"? Of course not.
Idaho: Nampa police release video of dogs attacking officer prior to Monday shooting
BODYCAMERA VIDEO FROM NAMPA IDAHO OFFICERS:
According to the Pasco County Florida codes, they DO have dangerous dog laws.
(2) “Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to the records of the Division authority with jurisdiction in the state:
a. Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;
b. Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the
owner's property; or
c. Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets,
sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.
She needs to swear out a statement and go to court to try to get this dog deemed vicious. Yes, it will allow the owner to keep its mauler, but they would be under court-ordered restrictions.
Learn your local laws. Learn your state laws. Many times police officers are unfamiliar with animal laws and unfortunately there are animal control officers that don't care enough or aren't trained well enough to be knowledgeable about the different laws that can be applied.
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