Great dane vs Pittbull. Potential disaster. What to do?

Rehabbed fighter or not, no dog should be off lead where other dogs could be present, or not in a securely fenced area. Dogs WILL fight....pit bull or not....and it's simply irresponsible to leave a dog off lead like that.

Well, a child wouldn't necessarily be in danger - fighting dogs, if trained right, only respond to dogs or other animals. They have little to no reaction to people - the owners of these dogs want to be able to handle them without fear of being bitten after all.

Then again, they may not know what to do with a child....

Many fighting dogs are rehabbed and re-homed - look at most of the dogs seized from Michael Vick! Many of them have new homes and are perfect citizens. My guess is the dog won't be much of a problem - an adoption agency wouldn't adopt him out if he were truly dangerous. Or at least they shouldn't.

If you are concerned though, then remind the neighbor of leash laws and tell him to put the dog on a leash. IF he doesn't comply then a call to the SPCA should set him right. Pit or not, the dog should be leashed unless he is in a secure yard.

Yes, I think you should talk to the guy. I really don't think any dog should be out of their own yard without a leash, no matter what breed of dog it is. This person doesn't even sound like he is capable of owning a rehabbed fighting dog. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that the dog was able to be saved, but that is just down right stupid. I sure would say something. I think it would make more sense if the guy walked the dog on a lease in the daytime while there was more action on the street. At least the dog could become more socialized, with restraint, with passing children, bikes, other walking their dogs, sprinkler goining off, etc. Open your mouth. That's what God gave you one for. Good luck with Stein.

The problem isn't that this dog is a pit bull. The problem isn't that this dog is a rehabbed fighting dog. The problem is that the owner is irresponsible enough to let this dog off-leash when he's outside and not in a secure area. Any dog, regardless of breed, should be on leash when not in a fenced in area. Any dog, regardless of breed, should not be unleashed if they're known to be aggressive with other dogs, cats, etc. Your neighbor told you to get your dog away from his, so he KNOWS his dog may be aggressive. It doesn't matter that he's a pit bull.

I would recommend you bring up your concerns with your neighbor. Just let him know that you don't want anything bad to happen between his dog and other dogs, your dog, cats, children, etc. It's safer for everyone for him to leash his dog. If you're feeling kind-hearted enough, maybe you could show him you'd really appreciate him leashing his dog when he's outside by getting a collar and leash for his dog. I'm sure your neighbor wouldn't want a fight to break out, and the safety of everyone in your neighborhood is at risk if his dog is not leashed. Honesty is the best policy. Let him know how you feel, and you're just concerned for your own dog and everyone else around you.

lol.... me and my boyfriend breed Great Danes, so far one of our Danes has killed 3 adult pitbulls. And for your information, Great Danes have been bred for bear bating (bear fights in an arena) and bear hunting for 5,000 years so you can shove your wikipedia/youtube logic where the sun don't shine. The average Great Dane needs at least a 8 1/2 foot fence or be trained not to jump because they can clear 7-8ft fences. LET ME TELL YOU HOW THE FIGHT GOES DOWN 90% OF THE TIME. If a pitbull even so much as growls at a Great Dane the Great Dane will attack AERIALLY, the pitbull gets blindsided every time since they don't have as much neck mobility, they latch onto the dog by the lower neck, choke it until submission, then break it's ribs to make sure it's dead. The only way you can get a Great Dane off of another dog is by punching it in the nose, but by the time you get to the victim it's either incapacitated or dead. We've had to put down Great Danes for irresponsible owners not having enough man power to keep their pits on a leash.

I would just let it go because after all YOUR dog was on a leash but got loose. Just take the precautions YOU can, maybe avoid that person's house and it's a good idea to carry pepper spray especially since you are going out late. I also do this but I take my dog to a local river trail where there is a huge field. And perhaps this "rehabbed" dog has been doing well with his rehabbing because he did not attack your dog. It could have been worse. Like you said, a 106 lb charging Dane could have provoked a fight with any other dog as well.

Do you have a leash law in your town? If not, there isn't much you can do.

If so, just look for them the next time you're out. If the pittie is off leash still, ask him to keep him on the leash or you'll have to report it. No reason to do this rudely, but anyone with common sense would know NOT to let a dog with such a high prey drive off leash at night.

I am actually very surprised that the former fighting pit wasn't destroyed as is customary to do. Fighting pits have been trained and from what I have read and heard, they cannot be untrained. I would be very cautious around that dog. Maybe you could go over for a friendly chat and talk to the owner.

Ask him if former fighting dogs can be re-trained. Ask him why the dog wasn't destroyed. Ask him how successful people have been in re-socializing that type of dog. Don't accuse him of anything and try to keep the conversation friendly. Start off by apologizing for your dog's intrusion and ask if he wouldn't mind keeping his dog on a leash and you'll do the same just to be on the safe side.

You are sooooo right.... !! Also, check the ordinances for your area. There are leash laws everywhere and it may be necessary to report this person. It's very dangerous for any animal to be approached at night - they go into protective mode. Can't believe a "re-hab" fighting pit would be allowed in the neighborhood with a law... yep, I'm from the south also.. some people just do not think!

Hi he is prob lien coz no one would do that. But pitts get a bad rap and they are sooo Gr8. These kind of dogs are not bred t harm childrren so UNLESS he was trained to attack humans they should be fine as for the cats. . .

Talk to him first before taking action because if the dog is taken away he will most likely be put 2 sleep. Ask the man if he was serius but if you dnt see any reasons for concerns (aggresion towards humans or dg r woteva) then the dog is prbably fine.

Hpe this helps.x