I already have an opinion on my situation. But I am soliciting feedback from dog lovers to see how my opinion compares to everyone else's. I will try to summarize situation without editorializing too much.
For two years my neighbors have owned a male Akita. The dog is driven by dominance. Example: A toy is thrown. He will go stand over the toy and dare any other dog to come near it. He does not actually touch the toy himself. And no other dog I have seen would dare challenge him for it either.
I have personally witnessed the dog in five dog fights. The most recent resulted in my black lab having to have surgery. This is the most vicious attack I have seen, with deep punctures and head shaking.
The owners have acquired a female puppy Akita as well. I feel the male Akita's aggression escalated because he was being dominate/protective of the female dog.
Regardless of WHY the male akita dog does what he does, the bottom line is the dog has a consistent history of aggression, with the latest attack resulting in deep puncture wounds, no bite inhibition, and the owners were unable to control the dog. ie. They/we were powerless to stop the attack.
The setting for this is in a garden home community with small yards, lots of pets, and lots of small children.
Here is my question to the group: Assume this was your neighbor, and the Akitas live next door to you. As a neighbor, what are the minimum conditions that you would accept living next door to these Akitas? ie. What would the neighbors have to do to make you comfortable with the situation?
It should be noted that the dogs are generally friendly towards other pets and people.
Example topics:
Is it safe for them to walk the dogs without muzzles?
Is it safe for children to play with the dogs?
Is it safe for the dog to be kept behind a wooden six foot fence? (i.e. could the dogs dig under fence into my dog's backyard and attack him while people are not present?)
Is it safe for one person to walk both these dogs at the same time?
What are the odds of the female turning aggressive like the male?
Should the dog be treated differently now that he has lost bite inhibition and tried to kill?
Remember, I am asking what you would like to see as a neighbor. i.e. If the owners insist on owning such pets, what additional precautions would a responsible person take, if any?
Thanks in advance!
For two years my neighbors have owned a male Akita. The dog is driven by dominance. Example: A toy is thrown. He will go stand over the toy and dare any other dog to come near it. He does not actually touch the toy himself. And no other dog I have seen would dare challenge him for it either.
I have personally witnessed the dog in five dog fights. The most recent resulted in my black lab having to have surgery. This is the most vicious attack I have seen, with deep punctures and head shaking.
The owners have acquired a female puppy Akita as well. I feel the male Akita's aggression escalated because he was being dominate/protective of the female dog.
Regardless of WHY the male akita dog does what he does, the bottom line is the dog has a consistent history of aggression, with the latest attack resulting in deep puncture wounds, no bite inhibition, and the owners were unable to control the dog. ie. They/we were powerless to stop the attack.
The setting for this is in a garden home community with small yards, lots of pets, and lots of small children.
Here is my question to the group: Assume this was your neighbor, and the Akitas live next door to you. As a neighbor, what are the minimum conditions that you would accept living next door to these Akitas? ie. What would the neighbors have to do to make you comfortable with the situation?
It should be noted that the dogs are generally friendly towards other pets and people.
Example topics:
Is it safe for them to walk the dogs without muzzles?
Is it safe for children to play with the dogs?
Is it safe for the dog to be kept behind a wooden six foot fence? (i.e. could the dogs dig under fence into my dog's backyard and attack him while people are not present?)
Is it safe for one person to walk both these dogs at the same time?
What are the odds of the female turning aggressive like the male?
Should the dog be treated differently now that he has lost bite inhibition and tried to kill?
Remember, I am asking what you would like to see as a neighbor. i.e. If the owners insist on owning such pets, what additional precautions would a responsible person take, if any?
Thanks in advance!