Should I complain about this dog?

[spudcon]

If all else fails, inadvertently drop a whole package of ExLax in front of the offending dog shortly before the owners call it home. Sheldon's solution is more humane.

[Hoof Hearted]

I'm not sure if I would speak to the dog owner myself or not. You'll have to make a judgement call about the owners. Many pet owners become offended if it is suggested that not everyone loves little Fido/Fifi running around, barking, playing, knocking people down and giving them kisses all over their face as the victim laughs and enjoys the experience. The possibility is there for the dog owner to harbor resentment towards you for bringing it up.

Perhaps a photo of the loose dog, printed up in flyer form and annonymously posted in the laundry or mailbox room with a reminder about the complex's leash policy will be enough. If not, speak with management. That is what THEY are there and paid for to enforce and handle. IF this dog was only escaping occasionally and being immediately searched for, I wouldn't be so concerned...but this seems to be a regular occurance.

Bailing their dog out of Animal Control will also get their attention when it costs them money.

Or throw something on the dog that the owner would have to clean off: water, soda, pudding (not chocolate!), yogurt. Try not to get it in the animal's eyes, but I would want it to land in an area the animal can't easily clean/eat the evidence, like on the back of the head, neck and shoulders and the owner will have to be inconvenienced to clean their pet. If the owner confronts you, you could easily say the dog startled/scared you or made you lose your balance and drop whatever you had in your hand on the dog.

Keep in mind, this isn't the dog's fault, it is the owner's fault.


Two years ago, a neighbor's Basset mix and Lab mix were getting out and coming here to bark at my horse. I returned the dogs several times and let the owners know that if the dogs got into the horse's corral, she was an accurate kicker of bouncing basketballs and a dog's head wouldn't be much of a problem if they got too close. I also told them I would feel bad, but I would not be responsible for any dog vet bills, but if their dog injured my horse while she was in her corral, they would be presented with my vet bill to pay.
They kept the dogs in for a few days, but they escaped their yard again. I returned them after dark that evening. Very early in the morning I woke and I heard them barking at my horse, but it was 3 or 4am, I was tired and knew my horse could take care of herself. When I got up, their dog was dead. He had been hit and killed in the road in front of our house.
I felt bad for not going outside to get the dog home.
Less than 2 weeks later, their lab mix was killed in the road in front of their house.

Don't feel bad about inconveniencing the dog's owner. It is for the dog's safety and well-being that you are complaining.