Advice needed about stray dog that's kind of terrorizing us.

[snot]

A very large stray dog has been coming around our place for several weeks. I'm not sure how to read him, but he pees and shits on our porch, which I certainly don't appreciate.

I have a dog, not very big. My dog behaves somewhat submissively toward the stray but also seems to try to defend our territory or maybe play with him. So far it hasn't gotten too, too serious, and I've been able to break it up and get my dog into the house, but once he cornered me on the porch for a minute; and he wanted to, he could probably bite one or both of our heads off.

I need to be able to let my dog out in our yard and feel like she can safely defecate there (our yard is very small and not fenced in, and fencing it in is not an option).

I've called our local animal services twice but can't even get hold of a human to advise what to do.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[shenmue]

1. :(

Sry.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. You local animal control should do something, but

apparently they are not. Have you left a message saying that you fear for your safety? Are there any rescue groups in your area? Do you have a Humane Society locally that might help. I find that you can often get help from them. Do you have a local shelter where they take and adopt out strays? You might stop by the shelter to be able to talk to someone in person. In my area, the local shelter is the place where the animal control is located.

Our area has a Facebook page for our county for "pets", and all the rescue groups are represented there. People who have lost, found, or are having issues like yours with animals get lots of advice there. If you are on FB, you might see if your area has one as well.

If your animal control is a government function, contact your city council members or supervisors, or the mayor or some other official about the lack of response from them. Remember to indicate that you fear for your safety (although that could backfire on the dog in question if the cops show up) because that should get their attention.

[snot]

4. Thank you; good suggestions!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. If you have no Animal Control help your options are limited to what YOU can do.

Can you borrow a much bigger dog for a few days?


Can you buy some of that scent that is supposed to scare dogs off?
Seriously, I know there is dog repellent available.

I also know it is possible to rig up a temporary 2 strand electric wire fence about 10 feet long to block off an area or direction, and that it works really well.

Down here stray dogs carry rabies, and are not tolerated.

[snot]

5. Good ideas, thanks!

I actually have used a repellant spray on the porch, so the last two days, he's shat on the driveway. Although he still pees on the porch {weak chuckle}.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. of course, you COULD feed and water him and end up with a new pet.....

depending on how much money you want to give to the vet down the road.