It's a start, however the Sheriff's office doesn't want to deal with this, in fact many deputies probably own these killer dogs.
The only way to handle this is by way of a referendum on the Florida ballot outlawing the keeping of pit bulls in the state, with imprisonment for their sociopath owners who flout the law and immediate putdown of their killer dogs.
These dogs have been doing five times the killing as have coyotes and it never hits the paper unless a human is bitten or killed.
Ask your vet about how many victims of these killer dogs they have to try and save.

Beware Collier citizens...or the animal control officers will import the Estero Coyote to punish your precious pooch!

greathorned, we had a serious dog problem on our street and CCSO was very helpful.

Midwesterner, be careful, Collier already has coyotes and I heard they like midwesterners for an appetizer....something about being grain feed.

Even with affidavits from neighbors, DAS does not do much of anything.

It is scary that a pit bull can hang out on a leash on someone's lawn here waiting to pounce.

Meanwhile, these dogs are totally banned in Miami.

Someone was killed in the estates by DOGS, and County Commissioners are talking about "owner stupidity."

Let's contemplate and think about this ladies and gentleman. While we are thinking about the right wording, there are more dogs out there waiting for another victim to walk by.

i think people should be placed on leashes and have the dogs loose on them. how awesome would that be? i'd pay front row seating for that! talk about a "RUFF" show.

They are saying Collier County, so I guess that means Immokalee too? I have never seen as many loose dogs as I've seen in Immokalee. From little dogs to Pit Bulls, they are every where. Most travel in packs which is not good for people.

A Pit Bull is just a dog. It's all about how you raise it. I have friends that have raised their children with red nosed pit bulls around them and never once had a problem. The problem is that they are a fad much like a Rottweiler was, hence them having more attacks. Any dog can be an aggressive dog. The meanest dog I ever met was a Maltese, had it been a large dog that was as aggressive it would of been deadly. Pit bulls aren't bad dogs they just have alot of bad owners.

Always the uninformed about how pit bulls are the greatest killing machines since the shark in Jaws.

Here's a different question to ask your vet: ask them which breed they have found to be the most aggressive. I can guarantee you that it isn't the pit. Ask the staff at your local shelters which breeds they have found to be most aggressive. Again, not the pit.

I won't tell you which breed is responsible for the most number of bites, as I won't disparage another breed, but it isn't the pit, rottie, GSD or dobie.

County-wide & enforced mandatory spay/neuter would solve most of these issues and no need to be breed-specific!! And I love the part about "Mandate that animals returned to their owners after impoundment be spayed/neutered at owner’s expense". It is certainly a step in the right direction. Go DAS!!!

i have a gated yard and the neighbor kids sometimes leave my gate open, when playing army or what not. So my dog has gotten out two or three times this year and if someone shot her, be prepared for me to, well, lets just say 'an eye for an eye'
that being said, we as dog owners must take responsibility for owning a dog. If my doggie attacks someone, i would expect to be punished not my friend

I breed labs and NEVER thought I would ever own a pit until I delevered a litter for a friend. I now own a pit and her parents changed my entire thought process on the breed. She is the most intelligent and kind dog I have ever seen. There is not a person that comes to my house that doesnt want to take her home with them. (and females are thought to be the most aggressive) She has been around every age of person and animal and does nothing but display love and affection. IT IS NOT THE BREED IT IS THE DUMB A** OWNERS!

Most pit-bull owners are racist hate mongers anyway. There is no need to own a dog that can kill a person unless you are the type that flys a Nazi flag in your garage. The owners of these dogs should be jailed and the dogs put to sleep.

At least they are recognizing it is not the breed but the owners that are the problem. Now if everyone would get on that same thought, we could actually see some improvement all around once people who do not take responsibility for their pets actually get punished and not the dogs. Some one who has a dog and it attacks, isn’t a smart pet owner and if you punish the dog by putting it down, that person is most likely to just go out and get another dog, hence, problem still not solved. Correct?

so correct the problem, stupid people who can not control or manage their dogs need to be punished not the dog. also then people will realize its not the breed but the owner.

Radionews: From 1979 through 1998, at least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in 238 human dog bite related deaths.

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/stati...

If you're going after banning my beloved pit mix that has never harmed a flea & plays lovingly with people & children, make sure you lump in these other 25 breeds as well - including the Pomeranian that killed a baby in October 2000. The fact is that the owner's irresponsibility is to blame for domestic companion dog attacks - not the dog. Punish the deed not the breed please!

Surely you should tell us which breed we people should be wary of Beachy? Aren't people more important than dogs? Maybe not.

BTV you had a problem too? My two goats were killed by pit bulls, throats slashed. These nice doggies were returned to their owner, dogs got out again and this time attacked a DAS officer's pig.

I like Pit Bulls but the fact remains that they (over many generations), were bread for fighting.
If an owner does not apply training, love and attention the dog will revert back to it's breeding and can become unpredictable and at times, vicious, especially around other dogs whom they will perceive as competition.
The question is, how do you get an owner of a pit bull, or any other type of dog that has been bread for fighting, to do what is required?
Can you make a law that requires an owner to train and treat the dog right?
How do you track it?
How do you enforce it?
What would the victims say if they had the power to create such a law?
This could go on and on.

Maddie4, the point is: it ISN'T about the breed, it is about how the dog--be it poodle or pit bull--is trained and socialized.

All breeds will bite and, because of their size and strength, some breeds will do more damage when they do. It behooves all pet owners, regardless of their breed of dog, to train and socialize their dogs!

Let's stop targeting certain breeds; it is an easy copout.

The copout is trying to lump all dogs into the same category as pit bulls. Bringing up a biting Maltese in response to charges against pit bulls
is sheer b.s.

RadioNews,
My father acquired a pit bull once. My brother found in a dumpster when it was just a puppy, brutally beaten and left for dead, and brought it home. The pup grew into a beautiful gentle brindled-colored female whose only threat to people was to slobbered on them in her excitement of wanting to be petted,

I could wrestle and roughhouse with the dog, and never once did she ever nip or bite. If she was anything, she was a gentle coward.

My father wasn't a Nazi. He was a decorated career soldier and combat veteran.

My dog is recently missing, in the Golden Gate Estates area. He is a German Shepard/Lab mix, he has a face like a GS and a body and ears like a lab. He is Yellow and black. He would never bite or hurt anyone and he's very friendly. He's been missing since Sunday and his name is "Bear". He likes to dig and somehow he dug his way under the fence and got loose. He has gotten out before but he never goes far from the property. Lately there has been these two dogs from a couple of houses down that are always loose and they come over and say hi to Bear. The owner must have recently gotten them. We never say anything to these dogs because they seem friendly, but (since they have come around) Bear has been digging under the fence. Now Bear's gone and the two other dogs still come around looking for him. I fear the worst. I have looked everywhere, shelter, etc. My kids and I are heartbroken. I read the comments on this page, I can't even think about someone shooting or hurting my dog. He looks a little scary I guess if you don't know him, but all you would have to do is say "get outta here" and Bear would come running home. He's smart and he knows when he's out of his territory. He has a red collar and a white flee collar on. He has been neutered and has all shots (including rabies) so don't worry. If you find him please call Domestic animal services and they will pick him up and contact me.
Thanks

(continuation)
There is a need for dogs who are capable of killing or taking down someone or something else. It's called self-defense/personal protection. Dogs have served for thousands of years as bodyguards and sentries.

For the German Army I presume?

NOT2MINCHIN:

I am so sorry your pet is missing.

Please put a lost dog ad in the paper (they are free); make up fliers and plaster them all over your area; drop off a flier at DAS; keep checking at DAS in case Bear was found and dropped off there; most importantly, KEEP LOOKING FOR BEAR!

I know so many people who persevered and found their lost pets. I hope you do, too.

Good luck!

Yeah Beachy, lets litter up the county with more crappy signs. I am sure you will be the one taking them down once the dog is found or is roadkill.

RadioNews, go crawl back into your cave. You're quite the idiot.

Thanks Beachykeen,

We are making flyers today with his picture on them. We won't stop looking. I have placed a report with DAS and I know a couple of the workers there so they will let me know as soon as they find Bear. It's just so sad for the kids. They play a big role in caring for Bear and I drill it in their heads... "you gotta feed him everyday, give him water, check his coat for ticks daily, and bathe him every Saturday." Now they put his bowls out every morning just like they've been told and everyday no Bear. It's so sad I'm running out of things to say to encourage them.

It's the same thing with feral cats, when animals have more rights than humans I will speak out against it.

NC,
Just past wilson on 12th ave NE off of GGB.

Thanks to everyone who is trying to help it really means alot...Thanks again. If you do happen to find him, just call DAS, they'll contact me. Thanks guys!!

Several issues to address here I see.

First, yes we have coyotes in our backyards in GGE. I know personally since I have a webcam in the backyard where we can watch the deer, etc., come thru. There they were staring right into the camera .. coyotes!!

Second, I had a "bad dog" who liked to dig and get out of the fence. So we built another fence actually connected to the chain link fence under the sand around the whole fence. Ever try to see a dog dig into a chain link fence. Impossible! So if you have neighbors that open your gate then put a darn lock on it. Just like a pool ... safe guard your territory. Duh!

Third, pit bulls are not terrorists as you have claimed them to be. It's the owner who teaches their dog(s) manners and in a few cases, it's just the dog who has a natural mean streak. I know, my bad dog came from a very loving home where punishment or yelling was not in existance.

Fourth, if your dog is in my yard and all I see is the whites of their eyes close to mine, than they will get my glock! I would never shoot an animal unless it's self defense. Shoo away is my first response!! However, I have shot a feral cat as it had killed all the bunnies, and injuryed my outside cat. It would actually stalk us in our own yard and has endangered my other 3 dogs, who are poms.

I will protect my property and family at all times.

Fifth; I have dealt with bad dogs on my street and Animal Control has always been there when I've called. THANK YOU and keep up the great work!!!

I agree that pit bulls are very aggresive. If some one has one that isn't, thats the exception....not the rule.

You are absolutely right Martinigal,
I should have dug a deeper fence.

I messed up, if I had it to do all over again I would have built a brick wall that burrows 5 feet, (of course I can't afford that) but I would have done what ever it took to prevent feeling like this. I had the opportunity to build a new fence but I was being cheap. I talked myself out of it because Bear never goes far if he get's out and he's so friendly. Plus, he has gotten out three times in two years and he was at the front gate when I got home from work each time. It was never from digging under the fence. He likes to dig but he never dug under the fence before until now. He got out the other two times because my son left the fence open when he came home from the bus stop. It really doesn't matter at this point.

I made a mistake and like everyone is saying on this forum, it's not my dog's fault. I messed up and unfortunately Bear is probably going to pay the price.

I messed up.

Pit bull terrier haters are ignorant of the breed. They are the ones who believe portions of what they read and ignore the rest because their minds are made up. Labs are great family dogs, but the last time I saw a survey labs and cockers were responsible for the largest number of bites. Maybe everyone else is wrong, but you?

My 14 lb ankle-biter at home is just that with strangers, the pit-cross I used to have never would. Go figure.

NOT2MINCHIN-

Don't beat yourself up. We've all been there. Dogs like to dig. They also like to roll in the grass, play fetch, etc. You can't stop what is in their nature. I'm sure you are a loving and caring pet parent. I'll keep my eyes peeled for Bear.

NOTWMINCHIN, don't beat yourself over the head. It's a lesson learned and unfortunately a very difficult one. I had to learn the hard way as well when my "bad dog" got out and bit the mailman. Australian Shepherds only nip the skin, so this was not a serious case .. whew!! Naturally, the post office sued but thank goodness for house insurance, as it paid the bill. But if someone had gotten seriously injured we could have lost the house.

Best of luck in finding Bear. It's a very sad story and hopefully a good neighbor has reported or saw his tags. You can go to the Animal Control website as they now take pictures immediately and are on the web before they even drive away. We found a dog once and called animal control since there was not a tag, otherwise we would have called the owner. Again, they were wonderful!

Thanks. It's so hard not to.
When things like this happen and you can't really help but ask yourself, "What if only I had...?"

Oh well, you're right; I can't change things by beating myself up.
I can say this; it's good I commented on this forum because I didn't even realize I was doing that to myself.
This was good therapy. Thanks guys. Where do I send the check? LOL
Just a joke in a time of turmoil.

not2minchin,

we have 3 dogs that dig and we have a chain link fence that they dug under continually until we ran an electric wire just around the perimeter inside about 8-12 inches off the ground. stopped the digging out immediately. the 2 older dogs sensed the electricity and stayed back, the youngest shocked herself about 5 times the first day...needless to say, my dogs do not escape any more.

i hope you find bear very soon. good luck.

Pitbull lovers the fact remains this breed has a bad reputation.

German Shepards are the same way if they are not raised properly.

When DAS does nothing about a child bitten, and allows a dog, no matter what breed to run loose on the streets, then THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM with how the complaints are handled.

AND THE POLICY ABOUT TWO NEIGHBORS having to complain about a dog barking in order for any investigation to take place is lame, too.

There should be a streamlined, efficient complaint process for aggressive dogs and dogs that are off-leash.

Follow through is very important. When an owner is "not home" a DAS employee just leaves a nice note and is off to another complaint.

Instead of the movie Dumb and Dumber, the practice of notes tacked to houses here should be titled:
FROM:
Lame and Lazy
"We really don't care if there's a dog in there."

Meanwhile, a woman is killed in the Estates, and a poor kid can't go out to play because of a dog.

Let's think about it some more.

Maybe if we think about it long enough, the problem will just go away.

Pitbulls are banned in Miami for a good reason.

They should be banned here, or those who own one must pay more for a permit and be required to train the dog properly.

A dog was ripped out of a cab of a truck in downtown Miami, while the truck was at a traffic light.

The dogs that attacked Fido were pitbulls, and all three dogs were not found.

It is horrible, and if the policies don't change in Collier County soon, the problem with dogs will get worse.

The problem is that most dog owners think that their dog would never bite anyone, since they are so lovable at home. I have a small poodle that is a little sweety, but when my cousin visited me "my little sweety" growled at her! Every dog can bite even if they are your little sweety. NEVER assume that your dog will not bite a stranger. Dogs react differently away from home, so if you love your dog and don't want to be sued keep them on a leash. A dog should never be left outside without supervision. I have seen a dog in a fenced in yard being teased by children on the other side banging on the fence, yelling, etc. Unfortuately if your dog harms a child he probably won't be able to use that excuse for biting them.

NaplesCracker regarding your post #41, If you want to know about the law in relation to how you can defend yourself should fear imediate deadly risk to you or your children, do NOT ask DAS. Call your local CCSO substation and ask for the Lieutenant and then ask your question. Also if you can't reach the Lieutenant call CCSO at the headquarters and ask for the deputy in charge of the districts.
CCSO would be the agency with the answer for you as they would need to know if you discharged a weapon and why.
I don't advocate lethal force, but should I be attacked and fear for my life I will stop the threat.
So far, that hasn't happened here. I am prepared for coyotes should they return but my first choice even for this predator is bear spray which has great 20ft spray distance stopping power.

Even the kindest of dogs will get jealous when a new or second person becomes attached to the dog owner. Never assume even the gentlest dog won't bite someone who "challenges" (the dog's point of view) the dog-master relationship. You might be very unpleasantly surprised.

Beechykeen, is it the chihuahua or maybe chow? You never said?

Radionews, you seem to be implying, and correct me if I am wrong, that people can train animals to be racist? To attack people of a certain "color." Is that possible?

#44 Posted by fancygal
**QUOTE**
labs and cockers were responsible for the largest number of bites
**END**

Yeah, bites, but most stop before ripping your throat out.

Below is the published statistics of canine homicides in the United States from July 2007 to April 2008.

July 2006: 3 canine homicides, all by pit bulls.
August 2006: 2 canine homicides, Involved were 1 Presa Canario, 1 Boxer.
September 2006: No persons were killed by dogs in the USA.
October 2006: 3 canine homicides, 1 Rottweiler, 2 Pit Bulls.
November 2006: 7 canine homicides. 7 Rottweilers, 5 Pit Bulls, 8 unidentified dogs.
December 2006: There were no canine homicides.
January 2007: 4 canine homicides, 1 Pit Bull, 1 German Shepard, 3 Rottweilers.
February 2007: 1 canine homicide by a Pit Bull and Mastiff mix.
March 2007: 2 canine homicides, 3 unidentified dogs.
April 2007: 1 canine homicide, 1 Pit Bull.
May 2007: 5 canine homicides, 3+ pit bull, 1 Doberman, 1 German Shepard, some unidentified.
June 2007: 2 canine homicides, Chow, Pit Bull.
July 2007: 3 canine homicides, 2 Huskys, 1 Rottweiler, 1 Pit Bull.
August 2007: 3 canine homicides, 2 Pit Bulls, 1 Chow mix.
September 2007: 4 canine homicides, 1 Rottweiler, pack of bulldogs, 2 unidentified.
October 2007: 2 canine homicides, 2 Pit Bulls, 5 - 7 unidentified.
November 2007: 2 canine homicides, 2+ Pit Bulls.
December 2007: 3 canine homicides, 7+ or - Pit Bulls.
January 2008: 3 canine homicides, 1 Doberman. 1 Jack Russell, 2 Pit Bulls.
February 2008: No Americans were killed by dogs.
March 2008: No Americans were killed by dogs.
April 2008: 1 canine homicide, 1 Huskey.

51 canine homicides
33+ Pit Bulls
13 Rottweilers
3 Huskeys
2 German Shepards
2 Dobermans
2 Chow
1 Boxer
1 Presa Canario
1 Jack Russell
1 Mastiff
? Bulldogs
18+ Unidentified

Well, assuming that ALL owners of different breeds have good owners and bad owners equally, the Pit Bull by far has caused more deaths in the U.S. in the time span listed.

oldnaples you are amazing with your stats.

Enough of this "well if you just raise them right, and love them, they will be good dogs."

Pitbulls are so aggressive, and the way the county takes FOREVER to figure anything out really blows my mind.

Blue Tongue V, I didn't think about toting my gun with me when I walked with my kids. But I will now. You bring up a good point, but people really don't want to tote the gun around with the kiddos. Then it is explaining why Daddy offed the dog today with the shot gun. That can be tricky, too.

Meanwhile, the County Commisshies are sitting and pondering as a WOMAN IN THE ESTATES died from injuries inflicted by DOGS.

DUH!

What are they waiting for?

Let's see a few kids get hurt first, then we
MIGHT
MAKE
A
DECISION.

Ever try to go jogging in the estates? My wife and i can't even go for a walk without being accosted by dogs. Some owners let them run free, while others are on "invisible fences". I think Collier laws need to be stricter.

Is there any news on Bear?

not2minchin.....I live on the Blvd. west of G's.
Several days ago I SAW the dog you're talking about on my property!!!!!
I noticed the red collar, but since I have smaller dogs, I went out and yelled and he ran.
I live on the south side.
If I see him again, I'll post on any and all stories in NDN until you see it.
Don't just call DAS, you have to GO there.

"The new rules add the word “vicious” to the ordinance and make it mandatory for dogs accused of an attack to be neutered."

I'm afraid that this might make them resentful as well as mean.

I think a better idea may be to allow people to own tigers - that way the pitbulls can see what it's like to have to look over their shoulders everytime they go out.

And with all of the pitbulls around here, I'll never have to buy tiger chow.

Thanks county commissioners. You do such wonderful work, NOT! Why not give the owners jail time and paying a mighty big fine? Why is that not a solution? Sure, it'll take some enforcing and time to do it. But after these owner spend some time in jail and spend some money, I'll bet the dog problems we're having out here in GGE would dwindle in no time. The things you have come up with are not going to change anything. Come on, spaying/neutering is going to do it? Affidavits, gee, isn't that what you were doing before? That clearly was working! Make sure you give them to the dogs to read, cuz the owners don't!
Stop being so mousey on this issue and gget tough about it. Otherwise, you are just are going through the motion's hoping the problem will just go away. DO YOUR FRIGGING JOBS WHY DON'T YOU!!

Roscoe you said it so well...mousey is the word I would use to describe CC. Commishes on this decision with dogs.

It's like they look away from the happenings that are East of 9-51.

If we look away long enough, the dogs will just take over out there anyway.

The new name for the commission should be the Mickey Mouse Club, because it is all fun and games until someone gets killed by a dog again.

Squeek squeek.

Do you hear something?

beetlejuice, Your post tickled my funny bone. After all we live in the State of the Mouse! And, if you look at any of the real estate section maps in NDN, anything east of 951 doesn't exist. Same for the maps included in the phone books. Guess if you go east beyond "Collier Blvd." aka 951, you fall off the earth!

What do you expect for a county which prefers theme-parking the area versus recognizing the REAL Florida?

squeak...can we build a better mousetrap, quickly?