Bit of a rant, and I'd love some advice. I have neighbours who own an American Bully XL dog. When they first got the dog about 18 months ago, all seemed fine. The neighbours seemed to be taking good care of him and loving on him. While the dog made me nervous, I tried to take the "it's how you raise them" attitude and hoped my neighbours trained him well. One day, my family and I were outside playing when the dog, who was off the lead in the neighbour's front garden (I hadn't noticed it was off the lead as it had a harness on and the neighbours were also outside) came running towards us, bowling over my then three year old DD. There was no bite, scratches, etc but it certainly knocked my DD for a loop. Luckily she's a tough kid and after a few seconds of tears she was back to playing. The neighbours rushed over, tackled the dog and brought him back inside. They apologised profusely. We stayed calm as to not escalate things but asked politely they just keep her on a lead when outside. I wanted to call the police to report the incident so it was on file, because honestly I was furious, but my DH talked me out of it.
A few months went by, and a different neighbour told us the same dog attacked another small local dog quite violently. But, the female owner of the American Bully XL became so aggressive and verbally abusive towards the owner of the other dog, the owner of the other dog was too afraid to report it. Apparently the owner of the smaller dog was quite elderly, and though the dog sustained injuries none were serious. It's a small village, and I assume the woman didn't want to make waves. I understand this is hearsay, but it certainly put me on edge even more than I had been. The female owner of the American Bully XL is also a very heavy pot smoker. The odor comes from the house most of the day, everyday. She's often smoking as she walks the dog. I only mention this as I don't think she's at her sharpest most of the time.
One night I popped outside to get something from my car which was parked across the street. As I jogged over to the car I heard loud growling - it scared me half to death!! It was dark so I couldn't see it but I knew it was the dog. Sure enough, just as I opened the door here it comes down the driveway - no lead, no harness, no neighbours. I jumped into the car and slammed the door, but cracked the window slightly and sweetly spoke to the dog, "hey (name) it's me, you're ok, everything is ok." A minute later the female neighbour comes out. Yelling for the dog. I called to her, said I was ok and that the dog was by my car. She ignored me completely - though definitely heard me - grabbed the dog and took him inside as I stayed locked in my car. No apology.
Since the new laws came into effect, the neighbours do muzzle the dog when taking him for walks; however, they continue to leave the dog off the lead, out of the harness, unmuzzled and unattended almost daily in the front yard. The dog is free to roam. This has gone on ever since they got the dog. Typically he stays in his own yard, but what's to stop him if he decided to take off after someone or something? They also tend to let him off the lead and remove the muzzle as they walk back up the street towards their house. I have months of photo and video evidence of this from our security camera, but I'm not sure what to do about this. I'm terrified to take my kids outside. Even to take the bins out I check to make sure the dog isn't out, and if it is, I wait until it's back inside. Every single house on the street either has young children, people with mobility issues, or is elderly. I definitely agree that any dog can be dangerous in the right circumstances just as any dog can be properly trained. I just feel like my neighbours are playing with fire leaving a dog with this size, strength and reputation, outside unattended, unleashed, unharnessed and unmuzzled. I don't know if the dog is registered or not, but he's still not been "fixed" so that to me makes him even more terrifying.
Does anyone have advice or input on this? Do I report them? If so, to who? Do I send an anonymous letter to them and ask them to keep the dog secure at all times? We've asked them once to secure the dog and they didn't. I may sound like I'm worrying too much, but having young kids, one of whom who's already had one negative incident with this dog, it just makes me so nervous and not worth the risk. Thanks for letting me vent.