to report this dog to the police?

[ichoochoochooseyou]

We live in a little close where there are lots of families with young children. I walked by my neighbours garden today and their dog jumped up and started barking and baring its teeth at me- it made me jump out of my skin!

Anyway, I'm almost certain it's a pitbull terrier. They're illegal to own because of the dangerous dogs act so by reporting it to the police I could be sentencing the doggy to death. I don't like the thought of that but what if it attacked someone?

Aagh what to do?

Are you sure it's not a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? The police won't do anything if it is behind a fence and it only bared its teeth at you!

if its loose and aggressive then yes. if fenced in properly then can't see what they can do if it is a legal breed.

I used to have a French bulldog that several people thought was a pitbull, or "one o' them fightin' dogs". Are you sure it's not a staffie? Lots of dogs bark for various reasons. Making you jump doesn't mean it's aggressive.

The dog was in its own garden, not sure "giving you a fright" is worthy of a call to the police so YABU.

BTP, you know how I feel about dogs. But I completely agree with you here.
It was in its own garden, behind a fence and it barked at you.
What's to report? It didn't fly over the top and bite, it didn't jump up at you in the street. It didn't attack you at all. It woofed.
Professionals find it hard to distinguish PB from other BT breeds, so how can you begin to guess correctly?

So, you want to involve the police because a dog, in its own garden, barked and jumped?

Riiiiiiiiight.

I'd suggest you have a wee chat with yourself.

This was the dogs natural response to you walking past you do know that. Safe guarding her owners property and its owners and herself. Very normal behaviour.

As for pit bull or pit bull type do you know this for a fact as it is hard to tell in the UK as they are now either destroyed or mixed and spayed and dying out really.

It's only illegal to keep them If you don't have a licence for them.
The dog warden would be able to give you better advice than the police.

Fwiw my Labrador would bark and growl if you walked past our garden. He's not aggressive hes a right soppy git, but hes big and black and to someone who doesnt know their breeds could look dangerous he just doesn't like people walking past and not fussing him.

It's not a staffy, like BTP said it's difficult to tell exactly- it's most like an American pitbull.

I wouldn't ever report a dog for protecting its family / house- (even I appreciate that WBVVU!). I know that it was just being protective and not necessarily aggressive.

My concern was whether the fact that they have a pitbull/ pitbull type (illegal) dog was a worry. I know it's unlikely but if one of the kids round here got bitten I'd never forgive myself-I may just be having a melodramatic moment.

So you want to report the dog in case it attacks a child in the future, even though it hasn't ever actually attacked a child?

If you walked past my garden two of my dogs both are which are staffy crosses would bark at you. The third may not but he is a mardy arse. Please do not report a dog just for guarding his territory.

I think you're having a moment. Have a glass of wine instead

Ywbu to report the dog.

Bet you can't tell which one is a pitbull.

beertrickspotter - well said agree with everything you said

I found the pitbull on the first go. I'm so doggy awesome not. :o

Wine sounds good. Maybe I'll leave the call to the dogsnatchers!

Devil dogs should be destroyed.

I'm going against the grain here but if it isn't a pitbulll then what harm would be done? Definite;y ring the dog warden.

Tab I found the bull first look DP who knows dogs got it wrong Our jack Russell would bark and growl if you approached the front door but if asleep will allow you break in and steal valuables and the car

Enjoy the OP

I'm going against the grain here but if it isn't a pitbulll then what harm would be done?

The dog would most likely be destroyed anyway as even 'experts' can't identify pitbulls properly.

"I'm going against the grain here but if it isn't a pitbulll then what harm would be done?"

It doesn't need to be a pitbull to be declared one, it can be pretty much any athletic shortcoated breed or cross and fit the description they work off to ascertain 'type'.

That's what they use.

If you ignore size and colour as it says to and add in things like having a pedigree saying it's a different breed doesn't actually count as proof that it's a different breed, a dog can be declared a pitbull type without having ever being near a pitbull never mind actually being one.

'I found the bull first look DP who knows dogs got it wrong'

It's way harder than you think even if you know a fair few breeds and know what one is supposed to look like, lol...you can eliminated the obvious ones, but then there's still a few that look similar enough.