# My neighbor, the rottweiler, and the invisible "fence". HELP! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981 "2002-12-02T17:00:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ChuckForbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@ChuckForbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChuckForbin)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/21 "2002-12-02T18:24:23Z")
Three options : 1] Shoot the dog, behead it, and put the head on a stake in your front yard. Effective. 2] Using some 14 gauge wire connected to your 220 line, “enhance” the fence. 3] Shoot your neighbor. I have only actually tried #3. Of course, check your local ordinances first. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/22 "2002-12-02T18:25:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mister\_me \* > \*\*The laws may not be punishing the owner right now but they will protect you once this creature is eliminated. > My suggestion, …purchase a powerful handgun and wait in the back yard for this dog to run into your property. Shoot to kill then call the authorities. Never speak to this neighbor again; just kill any and all of his dogs that enter on to your property. If you feel threatened, you have the right to do this. Don’t let this situation come back to haunt you (while your recovering in a hospital bed). \*\* While I understand the sentiment and agree with it do you _know_ that the laws will protect **pohjonen**? I’m not saying they will or they won’t myself but it wouldn’t surprise me if **pohjonen** got sued by his neighbor for following this advice. Generally most municipalities frown on people shooting stuff. Without being able to prove the neighbor’s dog was a clear and immediate danger I doubt the law will be nice to the shooter. Sucks I know but you can see the flipside of this where a person merely doesn’t like the neighbor’s dog running through their garden and blows it away. All I’m saying here is be careful before you start shooting. Should a child (or anyone) be killed by this dog I can’t begin to imagine how I’d feel NOT having shot the dog sooner. Still, it’s shaky ground you’re on when you take matters into your own hands in this fashion. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t I guess… ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/23 "2002-12-02T18:27:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mister\_me \* > \*\*- It’s survival of the fittest, baby! > The laws may not be punishing the owner right now but they will protect you once this creature is eliminated. > \*\* Shooting anything in town can be illegal. And there was a case in my area a few years ago where a guy shot 2 of his neighbor’s dogs in his garage - he said they were harassing him, other folks in the neighborhood said he enticed the dogs into the garage (he had a disagreement with the neighbor - not the dogs) - the shooter got fined and jail time for that. That is why it is important to notify the authorities, and document everything! ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/24 "2002-12-02T18:28:22Z")
Killing what is essentially a dangerous wild animal in self-defense is a felony? I’d like to see some cite for that. It’s probably not necessary to actually get a gun and shoot the animal. Just let the dog’s owner know that you have no qualms about doing so, and that if he continues to fail to contain his animal it is likely to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/25 "2002-12-02T18:33:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewL \* > **Killing what is essentially a dangerous wild animal in self-defense is a felony? I’d like to see some cite for that.** I have no doubt shooting an animal in self-defense is just fine as far as the law is concerned. Your problem would be proving it was self-defense. Just how threatening does the dog need to become before killingit becomes justifiable? I have no idea myself but that is the question you will be answering in front of a judge. If you don’t have bite/claw marks to show you’d better be a good talker. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@mister\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_me)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/26 "2002-12-02T18:37:30Z")
The laws regarding discharging a firearm are very different from state to state, HOWEVER, if what was originally explained is true in its entirety, there is nothing illegal about shooting this animal. Even if this was in an area where discharging a gun is illegal - the worst that can be done is a misdimeaner conviction for discharging the gun in a residential area. Killing a dog that has been a threat on your property is no different than someone who shoouts and kills an intruder in their home. Only in this case, because the dog is a rottweiler, it is actually considered one of the (I beleive there are 7) ‘dangerous canines’ and the dog itself is considered a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/27 "2002-12-02T18:42:23Z")
Perhaps a compromise of sorts is in order… talk to your neighbor. Ask her to turn the electric fence up a couple notches. The dog’s obviously ignoring it at the current setting. Turn it up to full tazer force and see if it’s enough to drop it in its tracks. If your neighbor points out that this is unnecessary and that her dog doesn’t leave the yard, point out that in that case it doesn’t matter because the dog won’t trigger the collar… If turning the fence up to 11 doesn’t get Fido to stay in his own yard, then call the cops. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/28 "2002-12-02T18:45:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mister\_me \* > \*\*Only in this case, because the dog is a rottweiler, it is actually considered one of the (I beleive there are 7) ‘dangerous canines’ and the dog itself is considered a weapon. \*\* Where is this list? I looked but couldn’t find anything referring to seven specific breeds and classifying them as weapons. I did find [this page](http://www.rott-n-chatter.com/rottweilers/laws/breedspecific.html) that lists areas where certain dog breeds are banned or restricted but seemingly in almost every case it is Pit Bulls and/or Rottweilers that are affected. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@mister\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_me)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/29 "2002-12-02T18:51:49Z")
After reading other posts I’d like to tone down my advice a notch. I think you should first notify the police that you are feeling extremely threatened and that you are going to terminate the dog unless its owners do something to control it. Make sure the police know you feel as if your life is in danger. Then, if it ever happens again, proceed with the shooting. I still think that you really have no choice. If this animal is as dangerous as you say, the lives of yourself or small children in the neighborhood are being threatened. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/30 "2002-12-02T18:52:02Z")
Okay, so don’t get a gun. But go to your nearest all-things-deadly type store and purchase some type of protective devise–a stun gun, cattle prod, a big ol’ stick, whatever. Make it clear to the salesperson exactly what you’re dealing with, and make sure that whatever you get will do the job the first time you use it. Whether you stun it or kill it is your choice–I love dogs, but I wouldn’t hesitate to kill one if it were a menace to myself or my family. Then, start making calls. Call the neighbor, animal control, the police, and anyone else you can think of. Send the neighbor a registered letter (I’d cc it to all the other agencies) explaining that if they don’t restrain their dog, you will take any and all steps to protect yourself and your own pets. Mention that they have a history of keeping vicious dogs and that you will not take the risk again of having your own pets endangered, etc. Make this a GOOD letter–you want it to document not only what is happening now, but also this neighbor’s history. Keep making phone calls and writing letters, and meanwhile, zap (or whack) that sucker anytime he comes near you. Do whatever you have to do. That dog could kill someone. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Carcosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@Carcosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carcosa)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/31 "2002-12-02T18:52:07Z")
I bumped into a guy who described a similiar problem. I asked him how he handled it, he just smiled and said, " anti-freeze biscuits". ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/32 "2002-12-02T18:56:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Carcosa \* > \*\*I bumped into a guy who described a similiar problem. I asked him how he handled it, he just smiled and said, " anti-freeze biscuits". \*\* Now that is just cruel and also probably illegal. Have you ever seen an animal die from anti-freeze? It is not pretty. I hope he didn’t poison a few of his other neighbor’s cats and dogs the process. ---
**Author:** ![Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horrifying_Howler_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/33 "2002-12-02T18:59:41Z")
Can you catch the dog? If you can, I would haul it’s doggie ass into the local animal shelter. See how much your neighbour likes paying the $100 fee if she wants it back. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/34 "2002-12-02T19:01:01Z")
Dangerous wild animal my a\*\*. This dog is, under state and county law, a POTENTIALLY dangerous PET. As such, he is protected by RCW 9.08.070, which provides that anyone who “© Willfully or recklessly kills or injures any pet animal, unless excused by law…” is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, as well as RCW 16.52.205, which says > [@](#): > > (1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or © kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal. > > (2) Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony. Yeah, there’s some wiggle room, but dogs are protected by the law, and you can’t shoot one just because you’re scared. There’s no indication that this dog has injured anyone, tried to injure anyone, or done anything but chase cars and trespass (oh, and he growls). Also consider that it’s a crime to discharge a firearm in most residential areas, even if you’re not shooting at anything. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@mister\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_me)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/35 "2002-12-02T19:05:10Z")
In terms of the number of breeds, I’m not entirely sure how many there are. I do know that the breeds recognized the number is appproximate and the breeds make up over 95% of the human attacks. Also let me clarify, (I may be thinking too much like an attorney right now -the case I’m working on really has me thinking), when I say that the animal is considered a weapon, it is based on the figures given. Not proven or accepted by a court but to be proven in a criminal suit. It would NOT BE HARD AT ALL to have a credible witness (vet, etc.) testify that the strength, agility, demeaner and breed history of this animal make it a weapon. What IS clearly written is each state’s definition of a weapon is. This dog (and other dangerous breeds) are just that. A weapon. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@mister\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_me)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/36 "2002-12-02T19:08:40Z")
exactly. A gross misdemeaner. Not to mention all the underlying factors and circumstances around it. A fine. Maybe. Is $100.00 worth possibly saving your own life. I think so. IF- and that’s a big IF, it comes down to that. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/37 "2002-12-02T19:17:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mister\_me \* > \*\*It would NOT BE HARD AT ALL to have a credible witness (vet, etc.) testify that the strength, agility, demeaner and breed history of this animal make it a weapon. > > What IS clearly written is each state’s definition of a weapon is. This dog (and other dangerous breeds) are just that. A weapon. \*\* Bah…the breed doesn’t make the dog dangerous…the owner does. I am well acquainted with a number of Rottweilers and every single one fo them is a big baby (one, a particularly large male, is afraid of bubbles and balloons…hilarious to see it run away from a kid blowing bubbles). Does that mean a Rottweiler can’t be dangerous? Of course not. Certainly they have the size to be very formidable and yes, I know statistics bear out that Rotts and Pit Bulls attack more people than most other breeds. Mostly I’d say that this is more due they types of people who buy dogs for the reason of being mean and vicious…the Rott is then a natural choice (although I admit that’s speculation on my part). Some rowdy who wants the baddest dog on the block does not go in for Shitzus. As to having more attacks by these breeds I personally have been bitten more by little dogs than big ones. Anecdotal I know but the little ones don’t get the rep because it is hard for a Chihuaha to maul someone. Doesn’t mean a Chihuaha can’t be a vicious little bastard too. As to classifying a weapon I don’t know how the law approaches this but technically most things can be weapons. Pencils (or other pointy sticks), rocks, nail clippers and certainly humans. I don’t see the point of distinguishing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/38 "2002-12-02T19:27:46Z")
We had a problem like this. We called animal control several times, & got nowhere. Then, we called the cops. Cop came over to us, dog came over to cop, growled at cop. Then, dog prepared to charge cop! :eek: Cop put his hand on his pistol butt, opened holster! Dog had second thoughts, then left. The cop was on the owner’s front porch ASAP, & read him the riot act. In 24 hours, the dog had been given away to somebody out of town, & the cop came back to double check. So, call the fuzz, & tell them that _you feel you are in immediate danger, & are trapped in your home by a vicious animal, send help now_! If this mutt growls at the cop, he is toast. Done deal. ---
**Author:** ![Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horrifying_Howler_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/39 "2002-12-02T19:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > and yes, I know statistics bear out that Rotts and Pit Bulls attack more people than most other breeds. Actually more people end up in hospitals as a result of bites from labs than any other breed of dog. That’s what the OSPCA told us during my agent training course anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horrifying_Howler_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2002, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981/40 "2002-12-02T19:31:54Z")
Of course there are more labs out there than their are rotties, but the point is that any dog can and will bite, and trying to distinguish by breed is pretty useless. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-the-rottweiler-and-the-invisible-fence-help/139981.md?page=3)