Problems with roaming dogs

[alamanda]

Was just wondering if anyone has problems in their neighborhoods with dogs running loose? I know of 11 within 2 blocks of my home who are not in a pen or enclosed yard. Obviously, their owners are not worried about their safety or the fact that we are supposed to have a leash law. I am an animal lover but do not own a dog at this time. The problem is their droppings. I counted 12 (yes 12) in my yard alone. They also do it in my bushes and by my mailbox. The last straw was seeing a pile on my concrete driveway. The pound shouldn't have to pick up all these dogs only to have them bailed out by their owners. Can anyone tell me why these people don't keep their dogs at home? Also, does anyone have any suggestions of something to put out in the yard to discourage dogs from going in my yard (other than antifreeze).:dunno:

[bran]

I truly hope you are joking about the antifreeze. That sent chills up my spine.

If you haven't already talked to the owners about their dogs, then there are different sprays, etc. at Lowe's that deter dogs from areas in your lawn WITHOUT HARMING THEM.

[sportnutt50]

what about food.. Is there any real dining available....

[alamanda]

I definitely WAS kidding about the antifreeze, but that would definitely be a solution. Any particular type of spray that is known to work? I'll try anything. I'm the person who just about wrecks to avoid a dog darting in the road. I definitely don't want to harm them but if I step in anything again, I may change my mind.

[dave]

The problem is Demopolis doesn't enforce the leash law properly. In order for anything to be done, the dog usually has to attack someone. It seems to me rather inappropriate that somwone should have to goto the extremes like spraying their yard to keep someone else's responsibility out of it. If the owner actually cares about the pet, chain it up, fence it in , or keep it in the house.

I would keep the pound on speed dial, and worked them daily if not more to keep the dogs off the street. A few trips to the pound and something will have to give.

[bran]

Have you tried to mention anything to the owners? They may be naive about the whole situation.

I'm not sure which type of spray/powder works best...they have several different types in Lowe's (near Garden section).

[bran]

Maybe you should take the approach with the owners about the dogs getting in the road and you're worried about their safety. Then you could casually mention that it bothers you that they are in your yard too.

Just suggestions....
:)

[whatudeserve69]

Scoop up the doo....and put it in the appropriate driveway (sidewalk, doorway, etc.) if talking fails. Worked for us when we had a NEIGHBOR who let her dogs out in the morning into OUR yard to take care of pooping BEFORE she put them in the chain link fence in HER yard for safe keeping.

[alamanda]

Another problem is that I have no idea which dog or dogs are doing their business in my yard. Should I go down the phone book and call 8 different families. I have complained to the pound. Maybe I should tell the owners that I'm fed up and have no idea which dog is guilty but if their dog comes up missing that they should check the pound. The families are all good people and you would think they would have some kind of idea of their doggy deposits but maybe they are "clueless". I did heard a comment way back that was made by one of the owners that it cost too much to build a fence. Go figure.

[bran]

Yeah, I agree with you that the cost of the fence isn't an issue. They should at least put them on some sort of runner.

I'm sorry alamanda that I've been so passionate about this thread. We just had to put our 18 year old chihuahua to sleep today and the antifreeze thing just got to me. :(

I think even though it may seem weird to call the owners, I'd still give it a try. Some people just don't realize things like that. Who knows...

[dave]

Sorry about your dog Bran.

[Buckblasta]

I know they make a dog and cat repellant i worked somewhere that used to sell it.it will not wash away in the rain it is granulated.Try Ace Hardware i am pretty sure they sell it Marvins does not sell it.I think it is around $10. Hope you find something that works!!!!!!!!!

[wayleehan]

It's a shame that people have to go to such extreme/costly measures to keep other people's animals away!! If something's not done they're just going to multiply and you'll have even more dogs to deal with!!
Check out this link... I wouldn't pay the price they are asking for it but it's a great idea!! I saw it on tv once before and thought it was the neatest thing!!
http://www.biconet.com/critter/sprinkler.html
Looks like they have repellents for all kinds of animals.

I tried some powder I bought at WalMart Supercenter (that's supposed to deter animals) on my dog (he's a digger) and it didn't stop him! He acted as though it didn't phase him at all and would continue his digging, so I was pretty disappointed in that and gave up all together. Luckily he's stopped his digging now but my lawn still has craters that I'll have to repair.

[bran]

Thanks Dave...I appreciate it.

[alamanda]

Thanks. I'll get somebody in Linden to check Ace for me. They do seem to have everything. I'm sorry about your dog too, Bran. I'm still missing my 10 yr old cat that we had to put down last December. Pets are like family - just remember the good times you've had, and they'll still make you smile.

[dave]

Although deterents might help with the problem, I still see it as fireproofing the rug instead of taking the matches from the child. The source of the problem is the dog owners who either don't know or don't care their pets are causing problems.

[Ranger]

I agree with Dave. I remember back in March or April the City were hand delivering letter to people who had dogs not in a fence or not tied up now. Now is the city still doing that. Or have they backed off?

[Ranger]

OK, Now i was just thinking about this issue. Dogs are not the only culprits here, Cats are roaming all over. they jump on Cars and scratch the paint you have paw prints all over your hood and windshield. Cats are just as bad as dogs. You just dont see the casts becasue they usually come out and night and dogs are the ones you usually see roaming the streets.

[dave]

True, but you'll be hard pressed to find a big pile of cat dump in your yard or driveway.

[kaye334]

Nope, about the cat dump in the driveway or yard. It's buried in the flower garden!!!!

[klomax]

My neighborhood has alot of stray cats that continue to reproduce every few months. The thing is, is that most people like the idea of having a pet but do not want the responsibilty of caring for one. I have a neighbor who will periodically turn his pit bull loose. Even though the dog has never proven to be of a threat to anyone(he is a sorry dog), he still should not be allowed to roam in the yards of others just because. I have in fact spoken with my neighbor and he sort of laughed it off. I think he does it so that the dog can roam around for food. Who knows. :confused:

[Ranger]

I was driving around town and I was noticing how many cats there are in this town. I dont know why its ok for cats to roam free. Most people if they see a dog roaming they call the pound but if they see a cat they dont even think about calling, all they would say is there is another stray cat. Why is that? There are cats in my neighborhood and all the dogs are either pinned up, in a fence or walked on a leash. I dont think i have even seen a dog in my neighborhood run free, but cats on the other hand are everwhere. Just something to think about.

[dave]

The problem of stray cats has been discussed in the City Council and at the pound.

The topic of this thread though was a specific problem with roaming dogs; not that they were a bigger problem than cats.