The first thing I would do is tell the neighbor... express your concern that his dog is getting out of the fence, coming on to your deck and you are concerned about the safety of his dog, your son, and your dog.

Perhaps you could introduce the dogs to each other in a neutral location, with both owners present to see if they would get along.

Most dogs, in general, will get along fine with each other... they may seem gnarly at first, and they may have an initial "fight" to establish order, but once they get that over with, then they are fine.

I wouldn't call the authorities until after I have notified the owner and given him time to correct the situation. If you tell him whats going on and then a couple weeks later, the dog is still getting out, then I probably would notify the authorities.

Another option would be to offer to be dog walker for the guy. That way he could keep the dog in the house during the day. You would be taking it out for potty breaks and walks, instead of him leaving the dog outside, unsupervised all day. You could charge him a small fee of course. Not sure if you could take on the responsibility, but it would make the dog more socialized, friendlier to you and your family. And you would be doing your neighbor a favor. IME, An unsupervised dog, in a fence, all day, will inevitably get out...

I said in my original post that I called the guy and left a message. Don't know when he will get it.

The dog was showing teeth when barking. I use to volunteer for the SPCA and I know fear aggression when I see it. You can't approach dogs like that unless you are property trained.

The dog is running free on his 3 acres, no fence on his property unless it is the invisible kind. I don't think he needs a dog walker. And the way he is acting, I don't want to try to get near him.
Clare

I feel sorry for the dog.........the current situation doesn't make for a happy future.

What you describe appears to just be fear barking and I doubt the dog is aggressive or he would be trying to tear thru the fence to get to you.

Talk to the owner first before contacting authorities.

OOPs, I misunderstood your post, about the fencing... as I re-read it, its your "deer" fencing and this guy is letting his dog run free with no containment?

I really hate stupid people.

Let us know what happens.

And realize that the dog will pick up on your fear and it can escalate an already bad situation.... You need to remain calm if/when you should encounter this dog again.

Since you volunteered at an SPCA I'm sure you picked up lots of tips and information about not only animals but strays in particular. I understand your fear regarding the risks to your son and dog. It is possible that the dog's primary caregiver was the wife and with her gone the husband does not know how to properly care for his dog. That could be why you're seeing it, perhaps animals can associate a neighbouring female for their missing mother figure. With a change in the animals home it could be this poor animal is confused and fearful, especially if the breakup wasn't pleasant and there was a lot of fighting. This animal's world is falling apart and it doesn't understand why. Its mom and the kids are gone so it is probably lonely and feeling abandoned. I feel sorry for the poor thing.

I would write a polite note of your concerns regarding the safety of your family and place it in an envelope and tape it to the neighbour's front door (tape it secure or on the inside door so you know if its gone that he took it and wasn't blown away). I am not great for writing letters and the whole situation is probably painful for him so focus on the concerns that you have regarding your son and dog who may not know how to handle the approach of his dog without your supervision. This man is also going through a tough time and for all we know his wife might have gotten the dog and he had no say in the matter but now is left with it. Try to make the note tactful (something I lack at times but know the necessity of) regarding your feelings and the possibility of his dog's emotions might make the the dog react in a way he normally wouldn't.

No matter how many times we tell my dad not to leave the dogs outside, off a lease, he never listens. If he goes into the house because he's absent minded and forgets then they are not out for just a minute anymore and he won't know if they are in trouble. He refuses to listen to us and the possible dangers to the animals. Even though they won't run off another dog could attack them but he does not like to be told what to do. He will even do the opposite to spite people to prove he'll do what he wants. He does love his dogs but he thinks he knows what is best and won't be told by others that he's wrong. Even if something happened to prove his error in judgment, he would find ways to blame someone else. I think of my father as I think of how to approach this gentleman. That is why a note would be better than a face to face discussion unless you were friends and could approach him before. A note describing your concerns without sounding accusing or blaming is, IMO, the best approach.

If the note and your message go unanswered and the problem continues then you should contact the authorities. I wouldn't offer any help as he is selling his house and will be moving and you have no idea of what will become of his dog then. Sadly he may leave it behind, especially if he rationalizes that you'll take it in since you offered help. If he asks for help do what you feel comfortable doing. The reality is this poor dog's future is uncertain. If this man is not caring for it properly now will he take it with him when he sells the house? If its a really big dog can he take it if he must move into an apartment? Will the wife take the dog when the house is sold? So many uncertainties for this poor animal. When a family breaks up its not just the people and kids who get hurt but also the pets.

I found the big hole it had dug under the deer fence behind some chapparal. I canfill it in, but it will just dig it out again. I can't let my dog run free on my own property because she could go under that hole and be lost.

I forgot to say that the appearance of this dog is recent. It showed up in the last 2-3 weeks. For the 5 years they lived there, they never had a dog. I think the husband got it as security to watch over the house when he is not there. The wife and kids use to be there during the day. His house is behind us and faces a rather busy road so maybe afraid of break ins.

I feel sorry for the dog too, because it hasn't had the right kind of socialization or obedience training. And when he is done using it and sells the house, he will probably just get rid of it. I have never heard him in the last couple of weeks playing with the dog or being affectionate.

I not only fear for our safety, but what if it bites someone while on my property? I will be libel.
Clare

If the property is for sale contact the real estate agent and let them know your situation. Advise them that the dog is on the property and not being cared for. If you dont get anywhere with that, I would call the shelter, after that guy was busted up there in the mountains near you for neglect, I suspect Animal Control will be more than happy to find out what is going on - especially if nobody is caring for the dog.
Jumping fences is not a big deal for a young althetic dog, when I was growing up on a ranch in Colorado, our neighbor was putting up a fence to keep the coyotes out of the calving pens, my dad told the neighobr the fence was not high enough, they had a debate about it, and when our neighobr had his say my dad commanded our dog, Rikki to jump over. At a couple of feet away from the fence, our dog cleared it without issue. So it would not surprise me that a dog could jump a deer fence, or find a way in. That said I would not take chances with the dog, you dont know its history of vaccinations or temprament, and if the dog can be placed in a loving home and not live by its wits in the wild any longer, it wil lbe much happier and not have to feel it must protect itself all the time. Good luck

Personally, I would not take a chance with a young child and small dog at stake. It just isn't worth it. You have tried to contact the owner and they didn't bother to return your call. They must be home sometime to feed the dog and if they aren't, the dog has been abandoned. Call animal control and if they take the dog the owner will have a chance to reclaim it, and if he doesn't, it may have a chance for a new home if it isn't dangerous. Better safe than sorry, especially since you won't always be home when your son goes outside.

It sounds possible that this dog doesn't even belong to your neighbor. Maybe it's a stray that found a porch to sleep under and decided to stay. If that is the case, he definitely needs someone to help him.

I am going to put a note in the mail box and call the realtor (thanks for the idea) and take pictures of the dog when it is on my property. It was kind of unsettling when it came right up on to the deck by the back door of the house.
Clare

Good luck and keep us posted on what happens.