Q. I have a question about what I should do here. This is what happened this morning...
I have a black lab/rott mix and a cocker spaniel. The mix is a little over 2 and the cocker is just a year old. I let them outside into our fenced in back yard to potty and went to change my sons diaper. They had been out there for less than a minute when I heard barking, growling, and and squealing.
I ran outside as fast as I could (I'm 9 months pregnant) and saw my mix dog standing on the porch and the puppy no where in sight.
When I came further out onto the porch, I see my neighbors dogs (a pitt and a chow mix) practically eating my dog. They had jumped the fence that has to be at least 4-5 feet tall. One has her by the legs and stomach area and the other has her by her front paws.
I threw things and tried to kick the dogs to get them off of my puppy. Nothing worked. When the neighbor finally made it through her gate and mine, the dogs had drawn blood from my puppy. She grabbed one by the collar and I tried to pull the puppy away from the pitt bull.
Once I got her free, I came in and washed her off to see where the blood was coming from. I didn't see many open wounds, and they were all small. But her stomach was bruised very badly and she could not walk.
I immediately took her to the emergency vet. My vet is closed today. My neighbor said she would pay for the visit before I had left to go there. Once I got the estimate for all the things they wanted to do (ie blood work to check that all organs were properly working, xray to make sure the bones were not broken and that her lungs had not been punctured, and overnight to keep an eye on her) the amount was almost $1000. Obviously the neighbor doesn't have that kind of cash just lying around.
I agreed to drop off some of the unimportant things, making sure the neighbor knew they have to be done this week at the regular vet (it will be cheaper.) It brought the cost down to under $500. She called in and made the payment. The vet did the xray and blood work, puppy will be fine.
I made copies of all payments and estimates for myself and the neighbor. I also requested a copy of the chart for our records. I figured that I would need these just in case. I feel that I have done everything correctly and properly, even though she is a friend. She was way before moving in next door.
Here is my question - do I file a police report? What should I do about her dogs, that obviously shouldn't be living next door to me? If someone like animal control comes out, will these dogs be taken away and/or put down?
Any help or experience with this situation will be helpful.
I never said that I want her dogs killed. I also never said that I want her to get in trouble for any of this. I just was wondering if I should have a report in case something else happens. I know that she shelled out the money for the vet! I know that she feels bad! That is why I don't want her to get in trouble...if she didn't care, I would have already called a lawyer to take care of this in court. I'm not asking her for any more money (unless something else comes out of this). And the fence cannot be replaced because it is owned by the owner of her house...she is a renter. They ALWAYS bring the dogs out on leashes and I've never had to worry about putting my dogs out into a yard that I own.
And no, I don't feel like the dogs "have a right" to live next door with their owner if they can't do it PEACEFULLY. Almost killing my dog=not peaceful. This is not the first time we have had issues with these dogs either, just the only time something has actually happened.
Also just wanted to add that the dogs are HUMAN aggressive too. They bit their owner in the process of all of this. And they are kept in kennels when inside of the house because they have tried to attack her child since he was born.
A. I'm not positive about this but I think this is what happens:
First, you can't really file a police report. Your neighbor did not intentionally set her dogs on your dogs and no people got hurt in the incident. They will probably send you to speak to the ACO.
The ACO will take the dogs for a ten day quarantine. During this time they will be monitored for signs of rabies and if they do show signs they will be immediately exterminated and their brain's sent for testing. I believe you have the legal right to demand euthanasia for rabies testing if you were bit, but not just for your animals. I could be wrong, however.
Now, since your neighbor is your friend, offered right away to pay- and did pay this is what I would recommend:
Talk to her about the problem and how to make sure it never happens again. You took reasonable precautions to keep your dogs safe so now your neighbor needs to do her part. Her fence needs to be replaced with an 8 ft. one. I've seen pits jump 6fters with ease. Pits are known for their dog aggression (before I get all the hate- I own 2 pits and think they're wonderful dogs, you just have to know the breed and be honest with yourself about it) so she needs to be aware of her dog's tendency to chase down and kill small animals. Many dogs have prey drive which is what this sounds like. Chows aren't known for their brains or temperament mostly because they were initially bred to be food in China. Not that I have anything against Chows, but again, you need to know your breed's history in order to live in harmony with them.
This being said, tell your neighbor that you have every right to let your dogs out into your yard without worrying that her dogs are going to come over and kill your dogs. Her dogs either should only be outside if they are left in a pen (with a top) or if she installs a second, much higher fence with an electric fence a couple feet in from the visible fence so they don't want to come near that boundary.
If she does not agree to either of these options then you will need to tell her that you will be filing a report. In some places the dogs will be immediately euthanized, in others they will be deemed "dangerous dogs" and she will have certain restrictions and rules to follow if she wants to keep her dogs and 0 more chances for them to mess up. These include only being allowed in public with them on a 3 foot leach and a hard metal cage-muzzle, and keeping them in a certain type of enclosure on her property at all times.
Good luck and I'm so sorry this happened to you. Just remember that those awful, vicious dogs that attacked your baby are someone else's light and love. They may seem terrible to you but to your neighbor they may be loving babies that are just misunderstood. Maybe this is the first time anything like this ever happened? How would you feel if this happened with your Rottie...?
Reptile Care. {Really long}?
Q. Okay so I have multiple questions I hope you actually read all of this and answer at least some of the questions if you can. Even if you can't answer them all that is fine. I'm putting together information to be able to properly care for all of my babies.
It sounds ridiculous but I'm new to taking care of snakes. My boyfriend isn't all that new but he's not a pro at it or anything so I'm taking the initiative to find out what to do. Now for the ridiculous part. I own 2 6ft Burmese pythons, 2 baby Red Tail Boas one is about 1 ft and the other is about 1.5 ft. Also I own a baby lizard.
Okay now for the questions.
1.) Should my snakes be put into different tanks or areas when they are fed?
2.) How long should I wait before I move them?
3.) I house both boas together and both burms together. Is it safe to put them together after feeding?
4.) I read that you can give snakes vitamins after feeding to keep them healthy: True or False?..If True what vitamins and where do I get the proper vitamins?
5.) For the snakes comfort what is the maximum amount of time I should hold each one && minimum amount of time?
6.) One of my 6ft Burms rubs her nose on the top of the tank and it's making her face raw and possibly causing her breathing passages to become bloody how should I go about stopping her from doing that?
7.) I have a kitten as well that has to stay in my room which is where I house my snakes. What should I do to make both of them more comfortable as well as me with my worry that he'll get eaten?
8.) I just got the baby lizard today. I don't remember the type of lizard but it grows to be 3ft. If there are any lizard care tips you have please email them to me or just post them here.
I would really appreciate some help and if there are any tips that I haven't asked a question about but might not know feel free to share. =)
Thanks for your time!
Thanks Penguin for the answers I can use. I asked my boyfriend who is the one who bought it for me and he said that the baby lizard is a Savannah Monitor. If you can help with that then it would be appreciated.
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A. 1) 1000 times NO!!!!!!!!!!!
Especially when dealing with large species of snakes. Your Burms are going to be 15+ ft. It is work enough to move one in and out of a cage for any reason. Let alone one that is in a feeding mode( been there done that). Any truly experienced herper knows this( we all start some were, and make mistakes). The same applies to monitors as well, though I have never kept them.
http://www.reptileforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33131
2) You don't have to if you feed in the cage, problem solved. At least 30 minutes after it has fully swallowed they prey to allow proper settling and reduce chance of regurgitation.
3) It is far better to have separate cages. I was lucky when I housed pairs and tub fed i never had an issue. There are known cases of snakes attacking each other because of the smell of prey being on the other. Feeding multiples in the same cage has the same issue and fighting over prey.
4). Repta-Cal is one of the best brands and can be gotten at Petsmart
Vitamin Supplements are not really necessary for snakes such as boids though.
5) An hour is about the max i have ever have ever handle a single animal.
6 & 7)
Get a large proper cage not an aquarium. Build or buy. As for treating the wound you can apply an antibiotic ointment. The sooner you replace the cage the better, other wise it will keep rubbing its nose on the screen and continue to cause damage to it nose that can lead to infections and yes can spreads and cause mouth rots as mentioned.
http://www.animalplastics.com
These guys are fairly new but their cages are designed for giant snakes as Burms and Retics
http://www.sentecreptilecages.com
What kind of pet should I get?
Q. Okay, so I really want a pet, but I have a few things that I want, and a few things I cant have.
1.I'm allergic to practically all fur, and I don't have the resources to get allergy shots currently, so pretty much anything with fur is out (if it has hair, then I assume its fine).
2.The pet needs to be small, y'know, fit in a cage on my desk obviously, I have plenty of room for a cage so there is no worry about that.
3.The pet I would would PREFERABLLY, be able to be held alot, easy to handle, and generally fun to look at. I dont mind if I need to take care of them alot, like their cage and such, but easy to handle as in to be held and such.
The only thing I can think of is a lizard, but after looking up a few things it seems like they dont enjoy being held alot, well they might but it's a bit harmful to them. So if anyone can give any insight, thanks a hole ton!
P.S.-Money is not an issue, well as long as its not like more then 1000$ of course. :P
A. several lizards do seem to like being held :)
i really do love lizards, and personally i think that they make much better pets than hamsters or anything.
i have 3 leopard geckos, 2 bearded dragons a crested gecko and a bosc monitor and they are all so lovely.
now.... i wouldnt suggest you get a monitor... as a 4ft lizard wouldnt be too happy living on your desk...
but leopard geckos certainly are an option!
some people think they are 'stupid' (all reptiles, not just the geckos), but they really arent - they can tell poeple and objects apart with sight, hearing and smell. my male really runs up to the side of the tank every time i walk into the room, and comes over when i put my hand in his tank, and one of my females comes over to the door of her tank and starts tapping on the glass until you take her out!
some have a problem with being handled, but its from the same issue as scared dogs - if they werent socialized when they were younger, then they wont be as nice (but even adult geckos are easier to tame, they rarely bite and arent big). you can get them as babies quite often, and handle them a little every day. if you treat them well they really seem to get to know people and like them :)
mine seem to enjoy being handled anywho
http://www.leopardgeckocare.net/
also, if your desk is big enough for a 3 - 4 ft tank, you might want a bearded dragon. now, these guys really do love people. even the new babies run up to the side of their tanks to investigate whatevers going on. they really do seem to enjoy peoples company, and they'll sit with you for hours. they are so pretty and playful too - kind of like scaly puppies!
both leopard geckos and bearded dragons would rather run away than stay and fight, so getting bitten if you get an untamed one isnt a worry.
http://www.ukbeardeddragons.co.uk/
another guy that could live in a 3-4ft tank is a blue tongued skink. they are just as cuddly and playful as beardies - except they look really chubby and cute haha, and dont necessarily need to eat insects to be healthy. they are however, about 3 times the price of a beardie, and a bit more difficult to find.
http://bluetongueskinks.net/care.htm
another little one is a crested gecko. i've onlt had mine for a little while, so i cant really comment on handling, but apparently they get like leopard geckos with the handling. what i do know is that they sure are cute!
they are easy to take care of, and since they like to hide, you can make the tank look really pretty with plants etc.
there is a complete diet available for them, but if they havent been raised on it then it can be quite difficult to get them to take it, so i feel its just easier to stick with crickets and fruit baby food.
http://www.jbscresties.com/
berber skinks look beauiful and take well to handling, but dont get quite as big as blue tongues.
berber: http://www.helsinki.fi/~tuomola/schneider.html
snakes dont seem as interested in people as lizards, but certainly do benefit from handling. it saves them from being sat in a tank all day. they like a bit of a climb and an explore - most seem to enjoy being handled. snakes arent as active as lizards in the tank, but are still really nice and relaxing to watch.
my favourite snakes have to be royal pythons. they are just so adorable and are one of the most docile snakes going
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/
corn, milk and king snakes are also an option. they are pretty friendly too, and dont get huge either.
http://www.thekingsnake.co.uk/
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/
http://milksnakes.com/caresheet.htm
i think that reptiles seem to enjoy handling more than hamsters do!
they are much longer lived as well, and dont smell haha.
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk282/danger_erin/max-1.jpg
if you want any more info feel free to email me!
let us know what you decide on :)
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