The show that aired 2/4/05 about the man owning 3 Rottweiler dogs and 2 of them had broke into neighbor's yard and killed his small dog and guinea pigs was a total disappointment. I watch all the animal cop shows, and this was the first time watching Sanfrancisco and I cannot believe that this mans Rottweiler's were held captive after a so called officers whispered in the neigbor's ear that there was a dangerous dog hearing that could be held and also advised to go through with it. This man tried to make it right, agreed to pay bills, vet and fixed his fence. Then he was told his fence was not good enough, he needed chain link but this fence would have held any dog in. This man showed he cared and loved his dogs and was sorry for the neighbor but everyone wants to pick on Rotts. I have a Great Pyr and she barks at people so I guess that makes her dangerous? These officers even acted like these Rotts were mean when anyone could tell they were fine. I had a dog that killed chickens but all the protection she gave our family, I would have done anything for her, she even killed snakes and protected my children from the time they were little. I am so disappointed at the Sanfrancisco animal officers and the way they treated this man.
Why was the fence in such bad condition in the first place? Why is it that one of the Rottweilers could not even get up and move? Was this dog being treated with the love and compassion it deserved? These dogs were returned to their owner with the condition that the fence be permanently fixed. So the two rottweilers have to wear muzzles now when they leave their property. What about the owner of the little dog that had to be put to sleep? He just lost a beloved pet. Doesn't the victim have any rights? I loved Animal Cops San Francisco, and like all the Animal Cops Series I will continue to watch them all. Especially San Francisco.
I'm a little concerned about the fact you know your dog kills innocent snakes and chickens. It's not the dogs fault obviously, but the ignorant owners who don't train their dogs properly. I dealt with Mr. Wong in the past for constant aggressive complaints on his dogs and although they were not aggressive with me, I closed out the complaint because the fences seemed secure to me at the time. I'm sure that's little comfort to the poor guy who lost his dog and hamsters to a violent death. If you live in S.F. I'd suggest moving, there are a lot of snake and chicken lovers (including myself) that might object to your dog killing them.
1. ACC had had previous complaints about the dogs behaving aggressively and also about the state of the fence.
2. It is not as though the neighbor's dog wandered into the Rottweilers' yard; the owner was not maintaining his fences.
3. The owner of the Rottweilers got his dogs back with minimal restrictions (i.e., muzzled in public). Since the guy admitted he basically never took the dogs out of the back yard, that was obviously not going to be a huge burden.
4. And perhaps JChumbley missed the whole cruelty aspect of the case. These dogs were obviously just stuck in the back yard, including the older dog who was obviously very ill and ending up being euthanized by Mr. Wong's own vet because she was suffering so badly.
JChumbley says that his dogs have killed chickens, so perhap he's being a little defensive about this particular issue.
Certainly these aggression cases are a good wake-up call for dog owners like myself, reinforcing awareness of our responsibility for the behavior of our dogs and their proper containment.
And, as I've pointed out previously, the aggression cases are not shown on other versions of Animal Cops because the other cities give enforcement of CRUELTY complaints to the SPCA or Humane Society while other departments (police, health department, etc.) handle AGGRESSION complaints. You don't see the dog bites cases because Animal Cops only covers the cruelty cases.
First of all, no offense, but do you have any sympathy for the owner of the chihuahua and the GP's? I mean when an owner overlooks the possibility of their dogs getting through the fence and harming other animals, when such harm occurs, it is understandable that the owner of the aggressive dogs is going to be talked to. I'm sure he didn't mean for the guinea pigs and the little dog to be killed, but what do you expect to happen? Are they just supposed to say: "Oh well, he didn't mean for it to happen, so we'll just ignore the problem."? I don't think so. Even if he loved his dogs I would expect that they would talk to him about his method of containing the dogs.
Also, there was another issue. Twice the officers saw Misha, the older dog, not looking too well. On the second visit when they were seizing the other two dogs, they told him that he needed to take Misha to the vet. Umm, he had to be told to go to a vet? There's a certain point where common sense needs to kick in. I was visiting my parents a few months ago who have several dogs. My mom and I were the only ones there when one of them started acting not too well. He wouldn't eat, didn't look quite as happy, and couldn't hold down water. Guess what? We packed him in the car and took him to the vet. Even though we probably could have waited to see if it was just him having an off day, we decided to take him in, since it was a Friday and we didn't want an emergency over the weekend. The problem was taken care of and he quickly was returned to health. I don't know what Misha was "found to be dying" from, but perhaps she could have made it if the owner had used a little common sense and taken her in sooner?
I guess what I'm saying here is it's not like the owner was totally without blame here.
To all those who felt for the owner of the three Rotts that killed the neighbor's little dog: the Rott owner did comply with the ACO's warning to take the old dog to a vet: he brought the dog down to the ACC the next day and had her put down (because ACC does't charge for this service and a regular vet does). At least her suffering was ended. The point is that this old dog would have been in that back yard for the rest of her life without vet care if the ACC hadn't been called out for the death of the neighbor's dog. There are many owners of backyard dogs in SF that feel it is OK for the dog to die in the back yard---ACC tries to get these poor animals help but usually only finds out about them due to a neighbor's complaints.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sfbsfgal: To all those who felt for the owner of the three Rotts that killed the neighbor's little dog: the Rott owner did comply with the ACO's warning to take the old dog to a vet: he brought the dog down to the ACC the next day and had her put down (because ACC does't charge for this service and a regular vet does). At least her suffering was ended. The point is that this old dog would have been in that back yard for the rest of her life without vet care if the ACC hadn't been called out for the death of the neighbor's dog. There are many owners of backyard dogs in SF that feel it is OK for the dog to die in the back yard---ACC tries to get these poor animals help but usually only finds out about them due to a neighbor's complaints. [/QUOTE]
That's just sad. She couldn't have been comfortable sitting there in the yard like that. I think the one officer put it well who said that his dog would be in the house on a soft surface getting attention.
A question to the ACO's that frequent the forum: I'm not sure how much information on a case you're allowed to divulge that wasn't on the show, but if I may ask, is it known what Misha was dying from? I guess what I'm curious to know is would it have been possible to save her if she'd have been seen by a vet sooner? I realize she was an older dog and maybe just had old age related issues that really couldn't have been helped, but I just wondered if it was something that could be helped if caught early.
Of course the sad thing is, judging from the fact that the owner had to be prompted to get her medical attention, even if she could have been saved he very well may have put her down anyway just so he didn't have to deal with it. I don't know, it just seems like he doesn't view animals very highly.
So lets get this straight jchumpley you think that it was unfair the way the treated the owner of the 2 rotts that killed the chihuahua?
How about the non-chalant way the rotts owner said he would pay for the dog that was killed, You cannot just take out your check book and pay for the loss of a loved one.
I for one consider my pet's to be my kids, how would you feel if his rotts attacked your kid and he just pulled out his good old check book and said here how much?
oh and let me guess was your dog kept in the backyard all the time too?? Great thing to post about on ap's message board how you owned a dog that went around killing chickens and snakes.
I am in a simular situation that the owner of the chihuahua was in. I am living next to someone that ownes two dobermans. One is sweet, but the other is very aggressive to other dogs including the one in the same yard. The alpha female is always attacking the other one and has ever ripped its throat. The owner pay no attention to them and they are outdoor dogs that have had NO socialization.
My problem is this....I live in a rent house and am not allowed to "bury the fence" to keep these dobies out of my yard. Lately, they have been digging and trying to get to my dogs. I have spoken to the owner and they say that they cannot afford the matterials or time to "bury" the fence on their side.
I volunteer at my local shelter and have spoken to them about my rights and I have NONE! Not until something bad actually happens....then they will come out and do something.
This has affected me in many ways. Before my neigbors had these two dobies, I fostered for the shelter. Now, I can no longer foster for fear of them getting under the fence and to the foster dogs.
My own dogs are house dogs. A great dane that is a pet therapy dog and obedience trained and wouldn't harm anything. LOVES other dogs, kids, puppies and cats. A malamute mix that is very socialized and obedience trained and a scottie mix that is also very socialized and well behaved. Why should my dogs have to be in danger when I have done the right thing and taken them to obedience school and socialized the heck out of them? Why should I have to wait and be in the shoes of the guy that owned the chihuahua before anything gets done?
These Rottweilers are a danger to the community. That kind of behavior is the symptom of a mentally sick dog. This will happen again. Perhaps next time it will be a child or baby.
Caringmissy, you need to do whatever you can to protect your dogs. Perhaps take video of that aggressive dog. Video tells the story best of all.
Talk to someone about how to protect your dogs. Perhaps barbed wire inside your side of the fence? You must protect your dogs. Do whatever you can to protect them
I agree completely that the owner of the Rotts was negligent about his dogs and his fence. BUT no one has considered that the Chihuahua should not have been outside unnattended. They are little inside dogs. Also, the Guinea Pigs should be kept indoors at all times. ANY animal would find caged and trapped Guinea Pigs as "free lunch". If I were the court, I would definitely side with the victim, BUT also give a lecture on keeping animals safe inside, or outside under supervision only.
Hopefully BOTH parties learned some responsibility in this sad situation.
First, try approaching him (her?) and feeling out his thoughts on working with a good behaviorist/trainer. See if he's aware of the alpha female's meaness. Since it sounds like he knows but doesn't care, this approach probably won't work, but start with it. If he comes off arrogant and uncaring, THEN YOU CALL HERNDON. This sounds like a case where, for once, he could be of some use. He could order the guy to have his dog tested for aggression, see what happens when the dog is removed from his influence. Only if he co-operates with whatever program DogCourt lays out should be able to get her back. Otherwise, someone else should get her (provided ACC will work with her to temper her aggressiveness and the new owner agrees to continue working with a trainer). Good luck!
You say that they bare rude to the pet owners? They need tobe stern or the problems won't get fixted. They are just trying todothere job and I think they do a good job of it!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are just trying todothere job and I think they do a good job of it!!!!!!!!!!!! 
