TK, I was with you 100% on the rules and regulations, right on the money, AND your excellent suggestion about taking photos; also, write down dates and times when the dog escapes.  However, you stopped me dead in my tracks about the crate and quick drive to Mojave . . .   Are you suggesting  it is okay to steal the neighbor's dog and take it to the pound in Mojave?  Do two wrongs make a right?

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.  What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.

Is the dog truly aggressive or are you worried because it's a bully-breed?  Fence fighting is common among all breeds of dogs.  Sounds like you neighbors are in violation of several Kern County Codes.  I'm pasting the address so you can see for yourself.  Title 7 has the Animal Codes. 

7.08.110 describes proper housing requirements

7.08.115 describes tethering limitations

7.08.150 describes how dogs cannot be loose on someone else's property

http://ordlink.com/codes/ke...

How you approach this depends on how well you know your neighbors.  If you think they would respond to education then print out the ordinances they're violating .  If you think they couldn't care less or may be antagonistic then you may want to notify Animal Control first or along with putting your neighbors on notice.  The AC won't respond for several days, and the dog may be on the chain at the moment AC comes by, so if you have any dated photos of the dog on your property it may help them.  If nothing works and he isn't attacking you, a sliplead + crate + quick drive to Mojave can solve the problem.  Sad for the dog since he'll probably be killed so it should be a last resort. 

You are so welcome; if you get a chance, please visit www.unchainyourdog.org  it is an extremely informative website.

        & nbsp;       &n bsp;   

I agree 100% no dog deserves to be chained up for any length of time. We had a dog that we had to chain up because she could easly jump a 6ft fence and she tended to be aggressive towards people she did not know. I felt that we were being responsible owner's. She would not be on a chain no longer than an hour at a time and she would be let back into the house. We no longer have her for other those reason's and because of other circumstances.

I DO NOT know this dog or how he has been treated except by observations. I DO NOT trust this dog and not just because he is a pitbull, but because he has shown aggresive behaviors. Therefore if and when he is out again I will be calling animal control or someone who can do something.

Thankyou for the info and the advice it is appreciated

First of all, it is against the law to have a dog chained up ("tethered") for a certain amount of hours (double-check with Kern County Animal Control)  Since these people are gone most of the time and do not provide the correct amount of food, water, and shelter, this is inhumane, and keeping the dog tethered for endless hours is cruel, and I repeat, against the law (please go on-line to KC's Animal Control website or call them for the specifics).

This poor dog already has a bad rap since he or she is a Pit Bull, who can be very sweet if they are treated kindly (by the owner) and if mistreated, i.e., chained up, it makes ANY DOG aggressive.

Obviously, you do not want to cause trouble, however, when the dog gets loose the next time, he could cause harm to you and/or your dogs, as well as to any other innocent victim (adults and children, alike).

This is a disaster waiting to happen and if the neighbor is renting, then I do not know what the liability would be; it is difficult to get homeowner's insurance if you have a certain type of dog; that is a fact.

In a perfect, world, it would be nice if you could approach the neighbor with your concerns.  If Animal Control is called and they show up while the dog is loose, they will take him/her to the local pound; if said dog doesn't have a rabies tag, then there are specific laws as to how long they will hold the dog (and possibly/eventually euthanized).

I wish you well, because this is a very slippery slope, especially if the neighbor is so heartless that he/she keeps the dog (notice I did not say family pet) chained up on a continual basis.  That speaks volumes about their lack of concern about what matters:  the dog's safety, your safety, and your neighborhood's safety.

It will be interesting to hear what others have to say, if they have the courage to do so; I love dogs, but to tell you the truth, I would be very afraid to go for a walk in fear for my safety, especially if I had small children, which would be a HUGE concern, to say the least.