leash laws

[Tara]

i'm trying to do some research on leash laws in maryland, specifically montgomery county. i've been doing searches on line this morning about it and havent found much.
The problem is we have a neighbor who has a large chow mix. they allow this dog to go outside by itself whenever. they say he's good with people... well, my next door neighbor has been backed into a corner basically by this dog growling at him while he's off leash with no owners around, doors and blinds in house closed. this morning it was laying on it's front walk when i went out the first time. the second time i went out i didn't see him. i was walking back to my townhouse and i see the dog. so, i put roxy on short leash and walk in the street to just get around him. the dog comes over to us and starts growling and almost has his mouth on roxy's neck!! i of course am screaming and pulling roxy's leash. thankfully nothing happened. he didnt follow us, just stared. there seemed to be someone at home (their car was there), but the front door was closed as were all the blinds.
we want to go over there today and say something to these people and while we think that what happened to me this morning is enough, we would like something to back us up.
oh, i forgot to mention...this dog has supposeofly either killed or seriously injured their next door neighbors dog a while ago.
so any suggestions would be great! i'm off to do some more searching. it really frightened me today!!!

[Birdie'sMom]

That's awful, Tara! Is Roxy ok? I don't know about the laws, but I would think that there has to some kind of law about not letting an aggressive dog out without a leash AND unsupervised! People are so irresponsible! I'm sorry that happened to you and Roxy! Give her a big hug from me and Birdie! I hope you find what you are looking for and let those people know what's what! Good luck!

[Miabella]

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/si...ervices/police

On the left side, click where it says "Animal Services" , and then scroll down to the heading "Animal Control Laws" and click on the link "Summary of Montgomery County animal control laws."

[Tara]

thanks! that's what i needed. something in black and white to give these people. i might as well make copies of it and pass it to some other people in the neighborhood who don't scoop!! arghhhh!!!! i did find a website, i think dogbitelaw.com, with a picture of a rottweiler head as part of it's logo!
i'm letting vince do the dirty work and go to the neighbors with this. hopefully all will go well!

[JoJo]

Have you thought of calling the police and reporting to them that this dog was aggressive to you? At least it would be on record. Then I would call the animal control and tell them that this dog is lose and intimidating the neighborhood. They will in turn take care of your irresponsible neighbor. Hopefully.

As for the "pooping" neighbors, I'd pick it up, ring the bell and tell them they forgot something! Of coarse I would dump it out of the bag in front of them on their doorstep! Sure two wrongs don't make a right, but boy would I feel good.

JoJo

[Tara]

I don't want to involve the police right now. i live in a small townhouse develpment and I don't want to start anything. Everyone's pretty nosy so i'm sure it would get around. Would like to keep things as low key as possible! I had thought about calling my HOA, don't know what they could really do though. hopefully we'll (vince) will be able to get through to them tonight. I just don't understand these people. They have a little girl who looks around 2-3 and my neighborhood is loaded with kids!! i wouldn't want to take that kind of risk ever!! i get the feeling these people don't pay a whole lot of attention to the dog anyway.

[robsaun317]

hey tara i know when i lived in gaithersburg they were very strict on leash laws and even if there was not a law the townhouse association had its own rules. i would for one document these things when they happen and your actions taken towards the neighbors but 2 attend those dreaded assocation meeting that we all hate so much. you can really get your point across with the right people.

off the subject what do you and your husband do with your rottie i now live in urbana about 12 miles north of germantown and we are looking to meet up with some rottie people up here. kind of been hard they are few and far between in frederick area.

good luck with your neighbor

[Rottnlove]

I know you want to keep it "Low Key" right now, but I don't think it would hurt to mention what their dog did to you and your dog. If they seem like rational people, they should be able to reason with you. My guess is they're not, but If you just let them know that you'd appreciate it if when the dog is outside that it is to be supervised, and even on a leash, so you don't go through that scare again.

Too bad it wasn't caught on video! That way you could prove that the dog is outside unsupervised and that it went after you and your dog. It would show that indeed the dog is dangerous.

I hope you you can get it taken care of in a way you would like. :)

Good luck!

[Tara]

we're going over there for sure to talk to them. i don't want to feel threatened in my own neighborhood!! hopefully they'll understand. if not, then we will take more action. this do just stares you down too! today was the first time i ever heard him growl though.
i totally wish we would've gotten this on tape, or at least had someone else see it. i will let yall know how it goes!

[ptremaine]

My two cents on the aggressive Chow dog who's becoming very territorial about "his" neighborhood:

1) Report the dog to the Animal Control depart. Waiting and going over there will not accomplish anything. The neighbors who own the dog know exactly what they're doing - they're violating leash laws, common sense mandates and showing total disregard for the health and welfare of the neighbors. If they gave a damn, their dog would be confined properly and or they would do what is right and exercise him on a lead at all times.

2) Going over there to "talk" some "reason" into them armed with the Mont. Co. laws will only accomplish one thing: alert them to the fact that you're the people doing the complaining when the complaint time arrives, as it surely will, given this dog's breed and increasing aggression towards dogs and possibly people. If you think that by attempting to reason with idiots you're doing the right thing, think again. Idiots are inconsiderate, reckless, negligent cretins who do NOT care if you or anyone else is injured by their dog. What they will do is know you are the people who complained.

3) The number one problem you have is that you're not safe, your kid[s] aren't safe and the dog you own isn't safe around "Chow". Chow needs to be taken by Animal Control NOW before he does serious bodily harm to you [as you vainly attempt to get him off your dog when he's biting her to pieces, as will surely happen, given the scenario you paint] and your dog. Or child. Or someone else's child or dog. Get the picture? BTW, have you ever tried to break up a serious dog mauling another? I have and it's one of the scariest things on Earth - you just know if you mess up, you're next on the menu. :(

People who disregard laws are also people who do not intend to obey them when appraised of them. That is the universal law of criminals, rotten neighbors and dangerous idiots at large.

What I'm reading between the lines of your post is your fear of the neighbors themselves, perhaps not as much as the dog. The neighbors might very well be people of a criminal bend. Do yoy know for sure they're not? Which is why you need a 3rd party intervention now, not later. Alerting the neighbors to your discontent is akin to telling a stalker you're going to file a stalking charge - as if the stalker will politely apologize and go his or her merry way. Get real. This is a violent society we live in and most average citizens aren't equipped emotionally, physically or financially to deal with others of a criminal bend. That's why they notify the authorities and do so anonymously when they can, if that's appropriate. This is one of those times.

I say this out of experience, not to be harsh. Remember, idiots do not obey the law, regardless of the consequences. My guess is, they're more than aware of their dog's aggression and are getting off on it somehow, making themselves feel like bad a$$es or some kind of mafia like goons who can terrorize neighbors. Cut them off at the pass - complain officially and anonymously. If you're afraid of retaliation, then tell Animal Control that; also, you can easily contact your Mont. Co. Councilman or Councilwoman and ask for immediate assistance, citing the obvious danger this dog poses to the community and your fear of the neighbors.

Good luck, but don't count on them giving a rat's you know what when your guy goes over there with a print out of the law....I say this having years of legal experience in matters like this.

PT

[Tara]

so, vince talked to the neighbors last night and it went well, or as well as it could go. before he could tell the story they asked him if the dog snarled at me! like they already know! the guy said the dog gets out when he gets home from work (he works nights) sometimes and "gives himself a walk"!!! They will try to keep him restrained. we will see!
oh, and the reason i sent vince over there is because i can be a little "hot-head" sometimes and he keeps things a lot more level. i tend to talk (scream, whatever) and then think. not always good when you're confronting someone!!!
i definitly have thought abou what would happen if a fight were to have broken out! i think my first reaction of course would be to get Roxy out, but i really don't want to get in the middle of that! i really hope that i never have to be in a situation like that!

[bliss7373]

Tara
Caught on to this a little late...sorry. I don't live in your area (obviously) but I do live in a townhouse community. Our "association" (we pay our fees to them, they pay for lawn mowing, painting, etc) allows us to file complaints- bratty kids, problem pets, wild parties, etc. If someone gets 1 complaint- warning, 2 complaints- fine, 3 complaints-- bigger fine, etc.....

Your association (if you have one) might allow the same thing. They will likely keep it anonymous if you like- a bonus for you. Plus, if it would escalate to the point that you need to involve Animal Control or the police, you will have a previous record of good faith attempts to correct this problem without being overly obnoxious. The police especially like that, and it makes you sound even more compelling. It is a good thing that you (or Vince) went to talk to them-- I hope it works, but if not, maybe this could be your next step.

Regardless of whether it works or not, these sort of steps are a great way to protect yourself if need be. These are justs my own thoughts. I'm not a lawyer (yet), but I am a law student, so I suppose I take the cautious route!

[jbach]

Tara: the guy said the dog gets out when he gets home from work (he works nights) sometimes and "gives himself a walk"!!! They will try to keep him restrained. we will see!



How creative! He has taught his dog to unlock the door, twist the knob, and let himself out. Sorry, not buying that one!

[Tara]

jbach-
Me neither!!! if it happens again i will call my HOA and file a complaint, hopefully they'll call me back this time. last time i called they never called back... the problem did get resolved though.
while the dog scared me to a degree, i really feel bad for it. when the husband is out with him he does listen well to commands. i just have a feeling that he doesn't get the same treatment since they had their little girl. he seems kind of ignored. i'm just speculating though.

[jbach]

Sounds like the guy is just making excuses. If he works nights, then the dog is probably keeping him awake during the day and he's just letting him roam the neighborhood. I had a problem like yours with a neighbor across the street. We live in a surburb. My neighbor told me "you're in the country now and dogs run free. If you want leashed dogs then you need to move to the city". What a MORON!!! Anyway, I and several of my neighbors made calls to animal control, they came out several times and cited her. We called them again because she kept letting her dogs run free. She started restraining them when animal control started fining her. Best of luck and I hope it doesn't get too nasty with the neighbor but most of all, be careful around the loose dog. joe