I've got a huge aggressive dog issue.

[retdetsgt]

Build bridges not fences.

Maybe a drawbridge...... Across a moat....

[retdetsgt]

Well then I guess part of the blame is on your if something bad happens.

A fence is also a good defense against being sued over an "attractive nuisance", be it a swimming pool, a kid's swing set or anything else the least bit dangerous in your yard that would draw a little kid to it. A dog can be an attractive nuisance too. Kids are naturally attracted to dogs and will often go right to them if not supervised. If the dog bites the kid, even if the dog is tied in your yard (I HATE tying up dogs, but that's a different thread) you can still be held liable because of the attractive nuisance factor.

If the kid climbs a fence to get to it, you can at least say that you took reasonable measures.

I split the costs of the fence with my neighbors on the three sides of my yard and it's not so bad. I also found that it takes care of any potential disputes regarding the property line too. The neighbor behind me was more than a little shocked to learn he had been using a good portion of my yard. He came out to protest when I started putting in fence posts until I showed him the buried property marker.

[HUGEDOGISSUE]

Well a fence is on the agenda..but last time I checked Lowes and Home Depot don't hand them out for free. So my search for a solution here as far as what to do in case of emergency, was more of a temporary thing. I did send an email to local Police Department's Animal Control. They came out the next day and we had a chat.

And basically I was told this: You have a right to defend yourself...you just basically can't use anything to do it. Except pepper gas. If you use a bb gun, it can be seen as animal cruelty...and naturally if you use worse than that...self explanatory. So I'll get a little can and put in my jacket. Maybe when their dog gets off work and drives home, I'll invite him over for some drinks and live and let live. Once thing is for sure..selling and moving asap.

[ChesCopPodz]

I've lived in houses with and without a fence. My parents live in PA, and like retdetsgt pointed out, most places there don't have fences. My parents dont, and none of the houses in the entire town have one (that I remember). Stray dogs constantly run through my parents yard, and the neighbors yards.

My house is on 2.5 acres. The house pretty much sits in the middle, 1.25 acres in front and 1.25 in the back. The back yard is completely fenced. I can let my dog out and not have to stand outside to make sure he stays in the yard. My neighbor has an escape artist dog, who is kind of aggressive. She can't get to my dog because of the fence. The playground and basketball court are also in my back yard, so i don't have to worry about any strays coming back there when my kid or my friends kids are outside.

[scott715us]

Well a fence is on the agenda..but last time I checked Lowes and Home Depot don't hand them out for free. So my search for a solution here as far as what to do in case of emergency, was more of a temporary thing. I did send an email to local Police Department's Animal Control. They came out the next day and we had a chat.

And basically I was told this: You have a right to defend yourself...you just basically can't use anything to do it. Except pepper gas. If you use a bb gun, it can be seen as animal cruelty...and naturally if you use worse than that...self explanatory. So I'll get a little can and put in my jacket. Maybe when their dog gets off work and drives home, I'll invite him over for some drinks and live and let live. Once thing is for sure..selling and moving asap.

If the dog is aggressive, you can use anything you feel you need to, up to lethal force. It's not animal cruelty if the force being used is for legitimate reasons. Pepper spray will work well if you simply want to get the dog away if you feel he's about to bite you, your dog, or someone else. I've already provided you with the TN laws that are applicable in your situation. Tell the guy to keep his dog locked up or have him charged with "dogs running at large."

[scott715us]

Well then I guess part of the blame is on your if something bad happens. If you won't be proactive for the safety of your family, then I guess you have to deal with whatever happens, after it happens.

There are others means to address the issue. If the dog is consistently out of it's yard/fence, then I can deal with it before something happens, without spending a bunch of money. It would be nice to have a fence where I am, but I don't plan on living here much longer, so why put myself in an unnecessary financial situation because someone else can't follow the law? Fence is a great idea, but not always the best answer. Just sayin.