My american pit bull attacked another dog during christmas. He has jumped over the fence where we needed to fix it. Then in March he attacked another dog, there was still snow on the ground so we could not get out to fix the fence (we live in Michigan). Both of these dogs were male bull dogs. After the attack in March we fixed the fence and also got our dog fixed. We have recieved papers that we are being taken to court the have the dog destroyed. He is a wonderful dog, he loves people, loves children, and loves the other female red nose pit bull that we have, and he loves the puppies that they just had. I am wondering what we can do and what rights our dog has, he did not kill those other dogs and we have paid for both of the vet bills. We do not want him put down and we do not think there is a need for it. Please Help!!!

Welcome to the forum Nikki. Maybe one of our american members can advise you on US dog laws as they will be different to those of the UK. Does anyone know where Nikki can seek advice?

Your best plan of action is to get a good dog behaviour expert in to see you and your family. It is normal for a dog to love all those in its pack so that is not a defence as being a good natured dog. I know that in america most dogs are yard dogs so I do not know how the concept of the infinate pack is taught, if at all, so that dogs recognise all dogs as part of the whole pack and so do not attack but learn to greet them as friends. If you have your dog retrained to not attack other dogs then the courts may accept you may have changed you and your dogs attitudes and simply this time lay a contol order on you and a hefty fine. I would recommend (if it were me) to you that your dog is retrained with loads of socialisation and anti bite therapy but I have to say the power of a Pit bulls bite is awsom. If I were acting for you then I would strongly suggest you accept to take up such retraining immediatly so the judge can have a report on your dogs progress. I have to say I know very little about your norms and laws so I am working on EU norms which are to some degree similar. Ask your vet to advise you on an expert for you as soon as you can.

You may find this site useful.
Lara x

Hi Lara. that is an interesting site I have put that in my favourites for future reference thanks.

:)

I think you have to put yourself in the other owners shoes - how would you feel if another dog attacked your dog for no reason ? I guess you woludnt feel pretty happy about it - plus I think you haveto be aware that their could have been a child with the other dogs and what would have happened then ?
You need to explore WHY your dog feels it has to attack another - especially as it wasnt in its own back yard so to speak
Lel

Nikki,

I understand that you would not want to put your dog down. However, twice he has attacked another dog and he is clearly dangerous to other dogs. The fact that he did not kill the other dog is lucky, but not really relevant.

I hate to say this, but I do not believe it is unreasonable to have this dog put down. To avoid this, you will have to prove that you have an absolutely secure facility to house him. The court is not likely to appeciate that snow kept you from fixing your fence, regardless of how many feet there were on the ground.

Stacey