heres my situation: I'm out shovelling snow from my walk and driveway, and neighbour a few houses away, lets their dog (big golden retriever)outside to do it's bussiness unattended, off leash, around the neighbourhood on evryone elses' property. I turned around to see it staring at me and told it to go home, it didn't bat an eye and just stared at me (wasn't a freindly look), a few moments later it slowly turned around and plodded back to it's masters from door to where it was let back in the house. I had a bad experience with stray dogs when I was younger and I am pissed off and a bit shaken. Before I go to by-law officers do I need proof, or just a complaint? Help would be appreciated as I gotta calm down first.

that you would need some type of actual proof to show the police. It's easy to say "I saw it pooping on peoples lawn" but it's your word against theirs. Have you tried speaking with your neightbour first. That tends to be the logical first step, and probably what the police would tell you to do before they get into it.  
 
As for your bad experience when you were young, as much as that sucks, I don't think you being afraid of dogs is going to be a factor that the police consider.  
 
Though, I would suspect that there is some type of city by-law about dogs having to be leashed outside other then the dog park.

Dogs can be scary at times. I'm sorry that the dog scared you. Do you talk to these neighbours? Tell them you don't like having their dog crapping on your lawn. If that doesn't change things then I would involve By-Law/Animal Control as a last resort. Having them involved in a situation tends to cause animosity between people (been there done that-not fun!) Hope that helps.

Just shovel it up place it on their doorstep they will clue in sooner rather than later.

...there are lots of people out there (myself) included that are huge dog lovers and sometimes we tend to forget that just because we love our dog, maybe others don't! IMO I would rather come across a loose golden retriever than a loose german shepherd anyday as the retrievers tend to have the most gentle dispositions....but I have no idea what your neighbor's dog is like.  
 
If a neighbor ever came to us to complain about our dog (especially in a friendly way), we would change our actions. I think that's the best way for you to handle it too. Maybe too it would be a way for you to make friends with the dog so that if it gets loose again, it wouldn't be so scary?  
 
Just a thought.

FullMealDeal said "Just shovel it up place it on their doorstep they will clue in sooner rather than later. "

...would get some attention!

don't need proof, you just need their address and you have to give them your information as well and they will go and talk to the owner.

HPK said "...there are lots of people out there (myself) included that are huge dog lovers and sometimes we tend to forget that just because we love our dog, maybe others don't! IMO I would rather come across a loose golden retriever than a loose german shepherd anyday as the retrievers tend to have the most gentle dispositions....but I have no idea what your neighbor's dog is like.     If a neighbor ever came to us to complain about our dog (especially in a friendly way), we would change our actions. I think that's the best way for you to handle it too. Maybe too it would be a way for you to make friends with the dog so that if it gets loose again, it wouldn't be so scary?     Just a thought. "

don't know...I nicely asked my neighbor to please keep their dog from barking outside between 11:00pm and 6:00am, because it barked all night long, and they flipped. Next time I let bi-laws do it.

You don't need any proof to put in a complaint. I was fined and the controll officer had no proof just a young kids complaint that my dog did what he said. I had to pay the fine.  
If the dog is not licenced which all dogs in the city should be, they will be fined. There is a fine also for having your dog loose.  
I would call because people that do that on purpose make it worse for everyone else.

SOME pet owners. It appears they lose a few brain cells when they have a pet. Because they love their pet they think everyone else should too! Also, they seem to think it's okay to let their animals run 'willy, nilly" all over the place using other peoples yards and flowerbeds as their personal outhouses! It is so irresponsible and disrespectful. And when you say something they have a hissy fit! What is up with that? I wonder how they would like it if people let their kids run amok and poop and pee in everyone elses yards! I sympathize with you OP as I too am afraid of dogs due to a terrifying encounter with a doberman. There should be a way to complain about the incident with your neighbors dog anonymously.  
 
 
 
Edited by Katt, 2010-02-06 12:52:32

speak to them or if you are nervous, just put a note in their mailbox. Let them know you don't appreciate the situation and are prepared to call the by-laws office if it happens again. Just for your own piece of mind, keep a history of when this happens, it might come in handy.

Call the bylaw enforcement officer. You know where the dog came from, that's enough.  
 
After having several encounters with loose animals I've learned that it's far less stressful and far more effective just to call the by-law enforcement people first, and to call everytime you have a valid complaint....

Where we live, we have a family that seems to think because their dogs are small, they can let them run loose all the time. The dogs poop and rip garbage, chase people, tease my dogs (who are in a dog run) and basically just get on my nerves.  
Totally P's me off that because their dogs are small its ok, but if my dogs get out, holy old crap, the sky is falling :@

this out and put it in their mail box  
http://www.brandon.ca/main.nsf/Pages+by+ID/699

for everyones' input, I got mellowed out and figured out what I am going to do.  
 
Sorry FullMealDeal not going to put poop on someone's doorstep. Thanks again, never thought ebrandon would be this helpful

Over the summer, as I was walking to work one morning, a neighbours 3 large dogs (one a pitbull looking thing) came running at me looking angry, and I swear I almost had a heart attack. Luckily there was some traffic, and a couple of other dogs still in their yard down the street, and the dogs got distracted and did not attack me (though they did lunge at me). Anyway, I called animal control immediately, thinking these dogs might attack someone else (like a child). Animal control went and spoke with the owners of the dog, and though I don't know what was said, I can tell you that these dogs have not been out of the yard since, and I've even noticed that the owners generally stand in the yard with them while they are out doing their business, to make sure they don't get out.

that is not good when people let there dogs roam around.if i were yoy i would call the by-law person.good luck hope it works out

We own a 2 year old golden retriever that is a joy to all our families lives.....the dog might lick you to death but that is about it.  
We live in the country and our dog is outside about 6 hours a day running around and playing. He has likely been cooped up all the time and just wants to run and see some people. We live where there are acreages and I know if one of my neighbors knocked on the door and explained the situation I would be more than willing to change what we and the dog were doing.  
This is why I do not understand people who get large dogs that live in Brandon. Both people work and have busy lives and the poor dog has to sit in a kennel or tied up all the time. I love dogs and see why people would want a large golden as they are so nice but it is just not fair to the dog.  
 
My 2cents

how many people on here complaining about dogs running loose have cats that do. I agree dogs should not run loose and should be confined to their yards or on a leash.BUT many a time I have ran into people with this opinion only to have them say they let their cats loose but that is different because cats aren't meant to be tied. What is the difference between a dog doing its business on your lawn and a cat doing its business in your flowerbed,sandbox or under your deck?? I am a responsible animal lover and wish everyone else was as well.

I am an owner of three cats. When they go outside they are all tied up. Quiet often before they come back in they are all tangled up! I will admit that on the rare occasion that they decide to dash out the door, I am right behind them.  
 
I DO NOT appreciate the dogs and cats in our neighbourhood that are allowed to run loose or the dog that barks constantly.  
 
Contact by-law enforcement, if you can get them to answer the phone (I have tried a few times and the phone just rings and rings) and remember a picture is worth a thousand words.

go talk to them, and tell them that you dont like dogs and cannot have the dog in your yard, or loose, no matter how nice the dog may be. If it continues, or they have an issue with it, call animal control to speak with them, perhaps it got out accidently?  
 
To the person that says retrievers dont belong in the city. . I am sorry but that is a very generalized rude comment. I have a lab, she is a very happy dog. We have a large fenced yard where she is never unsupervised, she is walked, taken to the park, played fetch with daily. A dog that lives in the city, exercised daily, stays in the house and is almost never alone is likely happier than a dog left outside on an acreage to entertain itself all day. I do not agree with tying a dog up, or leaving a dog outside alone all day. But not all large dogs are. I find it pretty rude that you judge all people and say I should not have my dog. She is laying here on the couch right now, tired from a long walk in the snow, I dont think she has any complaints. What matters is the time devoted to your dog, they want to have their needs met and be part of the family. There are people in both the country and the city that do not meet the needs of their dog. Just having lots of outdoor space to throw your dog alone is not what makes a good life for any dog. I know mistreated unhappy dogs in the country, and well socialized, exercised, happy dogs in the city and vise versa. Space does not make a good home and a happy dog. So please think next time, you should not be telling people who should and shouldnt have a dog.

Picking up the dogs feces and putting it on their door step should make a point. Especially since it's a large dog and could fill up a front step quite quickly! lol I would do it

with you.....time, love and attention are what animals need and deserve. There are many large dogs in the city that are well looked after with exercise and what not.  
It is not for me to say who or who shouldn't own a large dog and just because a dog has room to roam does not make them any better off in the country!  
I have just ran into situations that people love a large breed dog (especially when they are pups) and get one in the city and then do not give them the time they need - I just feel for the dog as all they want to do is run and play and do not get the chance.  
 
I did not mean to be rude I am just a dog lover at heart!  

don't train the dog....you train the owner" was my pappy's proven method for controlling crappy neighbors dogs threatening you in your own yard.  
Save bacon fat until you have about one litre....best results are warming fat to liquid form early in morning and putting out for offending pooch where you know he'll find it. For best results dog will be left in house while owner goes off to work. With some imagination, one can only envision the mess(and the smell) when owner returns from work. It's quite unlikely dog will free range after that. This is a tested and proven method.

To recap - dog poop on the door step, call the by-law officers and have a complaints and/or a fine enforced, or the topper - feed the dogs bacon grease to give them the runs ...  
 
ALL I can say is - NICE. Really really nice ...  
 
I am a dog owner and take care to keep my dogs inside and IN their own yard ... when they make a mess on a walk, I pick it up ... most dog owners I know are consciencious and caring and the VAST majority of dog owners would likely appreciate a knock on their door from a neighbour saying NICELY - "hey the other day you dog scared the day lights out of me ..."  
 
I have a neighbour with two HUGE and friendly dogs that get out once in awhile and run around the neighbourhood ... When they get out I need only call them by name and say - "what are you two doing?" and they BLAST as fast as their legs can carry them home ... They are BIG dogs and can be scary - but thanks to taking the time to get to know my neighbours, I not only know the dogs, I know the owners ...  
 
Isn't that what being NEIGHBOURS is all about???  
 
Almost every house in my neighbourhood has a dog - and we've been able to get to know each other through our animals, and I know who my neighbours are and they know me ... and it all started over conversations about our respective dogs ... and along the way we've had doggy play dates where the canines tumble around like idiots, and the humans solve all the problems in the world ...  
 
If you want good neighbours you start by being one ... I shake my head at many of the suggestions in this thread - the advesarial tone of folks here is remarkable AND depressing ... Makes me appreciate MY neighbours that much more.

anknmn said "To recap - dog poop on the door step, call the by-law officers and have a complaints and/or a fine enforced, or the topper - feed the dogs bacon grease to give them the runs ...     ALL I can say is - NICE. Really really nice ...     I am a dog owner and take care to keep my dogs inside and IN their own yard ... when they make a mess on a walk, I pick it up ... most dog owners I know are consciencious and caring and the VAST majority of dog owners would likely appreciate a knock on their door from a neighbour saying NICELY - "hey the other day you dog scared the day lights out of me ..."     I have a neighbour with two HUGE and friendly dogs that get out once in awhile and run around the neighbourhood ... When they get out I need only call them by name and say - "what are you two doing?" and they BLAST as fast as their legs can carry them home ... They are BIG dogs and can be scary - but thanks to taking the time to get to know my neighbours, I not only know the dogs, I know the owners ...     Isn't that what being NEIGHBOURS is all about???     Almost every house in my neighbourhood has a dog - and we've been able to get to know each other through our animals, and I know who my neighbours are and they know me ... and it all started over conversations about our respective dogs ... and along the way we've had doggy play dates where the canines tumble around like idiots, and the humans solve all the problems in the world ...     If you want good neighbours you start by being one ... I shake my head at many of the suggestions in this thread - the advesarial tone of folks here is remarkable AND depressing ... Makes me appreciate MY neighbours that much more. "

Great post...........

I would be interested to know exactly what the leash laws are for within city limits. There are many people who don't use leashes when out walking and it causes me no end of trouble.  
 
I love dogs and have 2 of my own. We rescued them and, while they were both young, the do have some issues that we are working on with the help of a trainer. My dogs are great with other people and kids. They love to play with other dogs but don't do well with them when they are on leash. We take them to the dog park on Victoria and have never had any issues once they are off leash. When they do meet anther dog while restrained there is lots of barking but no growling or anything like that. I have heard this can be common, but I don't know why.  
 
Anyway.  
 
When we take our boys out for a walk we avoid causing any issues for the other dogs and their owners by crossing the street or taking alternate routes when we see dogs coming. We even make a point of going out in the "off" times when there are fewer dogs out.  
 
There have been a number of times when we come across other dogs that are off leash and, predictably, they come running up to us causing a . . . loud and embarrassing scene and I am left struggling to control my dogs. I am the one who is looked upon as the "irresponsible" one and the "bad" owner. One in particular yelled at me about my "crazy f*** dog" while HERS was the one that ran at us barking and growling forcing me to run into traffic to get away from it!!  
 
What more can I reasonably be expected to do to protect myself, and my dogs, from these situations??  
 
 
Edited by Lisa Patton, 2010-02-07 22:32:08

P-Man said "    anknmn said "To recap - dog poop on the door step, call the by-law officers and have a complaints and/or a fine enforced, or the topper - feed the dogs bacon grease to give them the runs ...     ALL I can say is - NICE. Really really nice ...     I am a dog owner and take care to keep my dogs inside and IN their own yard ... when they make a mess on a walk, I pick it up ... most dog owners I know are consciencious and caring and the VAST majority of dog owners would likely appreciate a knock on their door from a neighbour saying NICELY - "hey the other day you dog scared the day lights out of me ..."     I have a neighbour with two HUGE and friendly dogs that get out once in awhile and run around the neighbourhood ... When they get out I need only call them by name and say - "what are you two doing?" and they BLAST as fast as their legs can carry them home ... They are BIG dogs and can be scary - but thanks to taking the time to get to know my neighbours, I not only know the dogs, I know the owners ...     Isn't that what being NEIGHBOURS is all about???     Almost every house in my neighbourhood has a dog - and we've been able to get to know each other through our animals, and I know who my neighbours are and they know me ... and it all started over conversations about our respective dogs ... and along the way we've had doggy play dates where the canines tumble around like idiots, and the humans solve all the problems in the world ...     If you want good neighbours you start by being one ... I shake my head at many of the suggestions in this thread - the advesarial tone of folks here is remarkable AND depressing ... Makes me appreciate MY neighbours that much more. " Great post........... "

anknmn's post resonates with me. "If you want good neighbours you start by being one"...discuss the issue like an adult instead of starting a war, or getting your neighbour in trouble so s/he hates you forever!  

Lisa said "I would be interested to know exactly what the leash laws are for within city limits. There are many people who don't use leashes when out walking and it causes me no end of trouble.     I love dogs and have 2 of my own. We rescued them and, while they were both young, the do have some issues that we are working on with the help of a trainer. My dogs are great with other people and kids. They love to play with other dogs but don't do well with them when they are on leash. We take them to the dog park on Victoria and have never had any issues once they are off leash. When they do meet anther dog while restrained there is lots of barking but no growling or anything like that. I have heard this can be common, but I don't know why.     Anyway.     When we take our boys out for a walk we avoid causing any issues for the other dogs and their owners by crossing the street or taking alternate routes when we see dogs coming. We even make a point of going out in the "off" times when there are fewer dogs out.     There have been a number of times when we come across other dogs that are off leash and, predictably, they come running up to us causing a . . . loud and embarrassing scene and I am left struggling to control my dogs. I am the one who is looked upon as the "irresponsible" one and the "bad" owner. One in particular yelled at me about my "crazy f*** dog" while HERS was the one that ran at us barking and growling forcing me to run into traffic to get away from it!!     What more can I reasonably be expected to do to protect myself, and my dogs, from these situations??       Edited by Lisa Patton, 2010-02-07 22:32:08"

They are in the wrong. Their dogs should be on a leash.  
http://www.brandon.ca/main.nsf/Pages+by+ID/699

Well said!