The city wants to confiscate my dog because he's a Chow?

Your dog was loose....that is against most laws. Your dog bit a person. That is against most laws. Here in San Antonio, your dog would be considered a vicious dog and IF you were allowed to keep him after the 10 day quartine, you would have lots of restrictions including keeping him in an enclosure that he can't get out of.

The Pit should be taken in also for being loose. If I were you, I'd phone animal control and complain everytime you see him loose until they do something about it. Unfortunaly, it's too late to help your dog.

I think the ACO wants to take your dog because he bit someone, not because he's a chow. If there is Breed Specific Legislation in your town (something you should probably find out) then they can say "your dog is this breed so we will confiscate the dog". This punishes responsible owners more than irresponsible but I believe when your dog was licensed (I assume your dog WAS licensed) you would have been informed by the town.

Your dog was outside of your property which means your dog was at large. Then he bit someone which means he is vicious. Regardless of the circumstances the city has every right to take your dog and have him destroyed. Your neighbor can also sue you for damages, which many states have laws requiring you to pay for medical bills. That his dog was at large as well means nothing as he didn't bite anyone.

This escalated way further than it should have. How often did you call about the neighbor's dog being loose?

I hope you are also aware that more than 20 breeds of dogs are classified as or mistaken for Pit Bulls.

This is a little misleading. They don't want to take the dog away because he's a Chow, but because he was not contained in your yard and bit someone. The other dog that was loose should have some type of fine imposed also--most areas have leash laws.

Was your dog up to date on vaccines, especially rabies? Your dog is most likely going to have to be quarantined for 14 days for biting a person, where it goes from there depends on your laws, if he's bitten anyone before, his vaccine status, and how cooperative you are with what your town mandates. They may require you to raise the height of your fence, have him wear a muzzle when outdoors, and to attend some training classes.

Once a dog bites a person, the dog needs to be put under quarantine; regardless of the situation.

They may not put the dog to sleep, but they will definitely want to quarantine him to see how he reacts to people, and determine if he is a dangerous dog or not.

Chows and Chow Mixes are notoriously known to be aggressive dogs. It's in their blood. Your chow unfortunately hopped the fence to go after this pitbull of your neighbor's...and that is not acceptable by any law. Were the pitbull and pitbull owner in YOUR yard, and not outside it, then you might have the law on your side. But once he hopped that fence, it gets difficult, especially if the pit owner presses charges on you.

You should definitely seek turning in the owner for his dog constantly being let loose to roam around the neighborhood.

Good luck.

Well at least you learned a lesson which is not to let him out unsupervised anymore! Especially since you know that he can jump the fence. Maybe invest in a taller fence. You also need to somehow make sure that pitbull doesn't get to your dog again. Can you even take him for a walk or does the pit go after him then too?

Agreed, they want to take away your dog because it bit a human! It is illegal for your dog to bite a person, dear girl, no matter what breed it is. Legally, your dog has to go into quarantine for 10 days, either at the shelter or at a private kennel/vet. Trust me, choose the vet, as your dog will have a bad ride in the shelter. Then fix your fence do your dog cannot escape. This IS your responsibility as a dog owner. It is your neighbor's responsibility to do the same, and you should call Animal Control anytime the Pit is loose. Then your neighbor will either take care of HIS responsibility or lose his dog too.

Sorry to hear, but in order to save your dog you need to enroll him in obedience classes right away, that is your only hope. Chows and pit bulls all have bad reputations as be vicious and mean, and attack without provocation. If the city sees you are taking control of the matter then there is a good chance that you will be able to keep him. What about the neighbors dog? Is he losing his to the city also? I would think so, if it hadn't been for that dog running loose you wouldn't be in the fix you're in now, and I would definitely say something to the authorities.

If the loose dog had jumped in, you might have a good case, but since technically both dogs were loose and your dog bit someone, I think you have a problem.

I'm sure they have told you what the procedure is. If you don't understand any of it, ask for clarification. You may even need an attorney.

I am so sorry for your troubles and for your dog.

Good luck!

ADD: Where did the it owner get the chair? Did he come into your yard to get it? That might be a help.

Sadly, they do have a right to do this. Your dog is considered legally a "menace" and a "threat to society". It doesn't matter the breed. I know of labs and golden retrievers that were put down.

The city will get a warrant for your dog eventually. Then they will put him down.

Oh, and, you might get slapped with a law suit from the pit's owner.

EDIT: Most of the time, they *SAY* they quarentine the dogs, but then they really don't.

And the city probably is biased. I've known totally aggressive mini poodles who attacked the crap out of a kid, and the owner was fined. That's it.

It's a sad, sad world.

It all about legal action. Pits are aggressive WHEN they are brought up that way- Chows can be just as aggressive and are naturally protective. Its the pit's owner fault for letting his dog out without a leash and unsupervised when he know that he will do this. The thing is, I would talk to a lawyer, because your dog bit him, but that dog and the man was in YOUR yard, so.. the stupid man should have prevented this whole thing.