Dealing with neighborhood bully

I live on a dead end street with 5 or 6 houses on it. In the neighborhood there are several dogs. 3 of which are big and black. I think know where 2 of them live. Those two look like black lab type dogs. They like to bark at me whenever they see me. I'm not real happy about being barked at when I go out to the mailbox or even when I am in my own garage, but as long as they stay in their yards I don't really care too much. The problem is that for the last couple weeks these dogs have decided that my yard is their yard. One day when I was in my own garage one of them came to the open door and started barking and growling at me. I did my best to try to meet him and make friends, but he really seemed like he was more interested in eating me. I ended up walking towards him until he finally ran off. Since then there has been 3 other times where dogs have been in my yard barking and threatening people in my house. My father-in-law was in the woods at the back of my yard and two of them dogs came after him. Today one of them was in my front yard and started barking at me when I walked into my dining room. I went outside and he was very agressive. He wouldn't leave, but sure wanted to bark and growl at me as I stood on my own front porch. I walked out on the front walk and he pretty much stood his ground. This was the dog that i have no idea where he lives. He has some pit bull or mastiff or great dane or something in him - not so much a black lab looking dog based on the big squarish head. This incident ended up with a couple well thrown rocks to get rid of this thing. I am a bit worried that my wife and son might end up on the wrong side of a dog's mouth. I guess I need to go and knock on every door on the street to figure out where these menaces live and ask the owners to act like owners and control their dogs and tell them I will be calling animal control or the sheriff the next time one of their "pets" tries to threaten me on my property. I really like dogs, but I've really had it with this nonsense. Either the owners are going to control these things or there will be a damaged dog before long because I will not stand for this.

I know there are a lot of dog owners and dog lovers here, and I figure these dogs are loved by whomever owns them and that they are sure that these are just harmless members of the family, and I realize that this is more of a problem with the owners than the dogs, so what should I do? I've lived here for about 2 months and haven't met any of the neighbors yet. I feel like this is a dangerous situation and think I need to keep a bat or something to carry out to the mailbox or in the yard because who knows when the pack will show up. Other than talking to the neighbors and hoping I don't get eaten as I approach their front doors what can I do? Doesn't seem right to call the authorities before I've talked to the neighbors.

call the authorities first, and yes it is fair

Mean dog's owners are usually mean. Call the authorities from the get-go.

Shove about 4 benadryl in a inch cube of beef and throw it to him. He will love you and start to take nice lazy naps on your lawn.

Shoot him.

Your families safety > someones dog.

I vote talk to neighbors to find out who the nanimals belong to . . . and then call the animal po-po if things don't get any better.

The situation you describe warrants calling animal control.

Call animal control. In the meantime, don't hesitate to shoot the dog if you feel threatened enough.

I honestly felt like beating the thing tonight. If I had a stick, a shovel, or a bat I would've gone after him. My Father-in-law threw a rock at him as I was walking towards him and he was not backing down. It was dark so I couldn't really tell if he hit him, but I figure he did (he tried out for the Cleveland Indians back in the day after playing some college baseball). I was actually hoping that a neighbor would come knock on my door and ask why his dear fido had a bleeding forehead. At least I could figure out where the worst of the 3 beasts lives.

I'll give a shot at talking to the neighbors this weekend to give them a warning and see if they can be reasoned with.....I already know their dogs can't be, not sure why I think they might be, but call me an optimist.

Time to take some video or photgraphs to back up your claims. Then it's not just a pissy neighbor, but a very legit problem.

fasted58 wrote: call the authorities first, and yes it is fair

They can be a bit more helpful after you explain that you feel threatened and are prepared to shoot the dogs if it happens again.

Don't talk to the neighbors. Call Animal Control. Tell them this is multiple dogs, happening multiple times a day. Tell them the dogs are aggressive toward you and your family, and that you have a child.

Once the neighbors who have already shown themselves to be irresponsible dog owners KNOW WHO called animal control, it will very likely go downhill. I would not doubt for a second that they could retaliate in some way.

Call Animal Control. They will sort it out.

Be safe.

Call animal control. If the owner doesn't control the dog, it isn't good for the neighbors and it isn't good for the dog.

SSS also works well.

If the neighbors blow you off, shoot the next dog that poses a threat to you or your family.

Steak in trunk, close trunk, drive a few hours away, open trunk, leave.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Don't talk to the neighbors. Call Animal Control. Tell them this is multiple dogs, happening multiple times a day. Tell them the dogs are aggressive toward you and your family, and that you have a child. Once the neighbors who have already shown themselves to be irresponsible dog owners KNOW WHO called animal control, it will very likely go downhill. I would not doubt for a second that they could retaliate in some way. Call Animal Control. They will sort it out. Be safe.

This. Better that the crazy neighbor doesn't know who called animal control on their vicious animal than that they show up on your doorstep with an attitude and possibly a weapon.

It's not my natural instinct when dealing with dogs buuuut: where is the Dog Whisperer type response in this thread?

There's a time for Whispering, and this ain't it.

In reply to EastCoastMojo:

I'm personally more "Law of Club and Fang", but the more compassionate approach is surprisingly absent in this thread. I guess all the softies go to bed early.

Agree with ECM here -- call animal control and have the dogs carted off!

I'll throw in another vote for "call animal control, then shoot them if you feel threatened."

The dogs, that is... Not the neighbors.

The dog makes lots of noise (barking) and the owner does not respond to see what is happen such as coming out of the house.
What of this makes you think that you are dealing with a concerned owner who wishes to control his dog.

Call control. They will deal with the threat and make attempts to locate the owner.

Yeah, don't go talk to the owners, that could end up a lot worse than any situation with the dogs. Just call animal control.

Police, Animal Control, Video... then the neighbor.