Location: Arkansas, USA
This morning, my service dog and I were charged for a third time by the same boxer mix at our apartment complex.
About 3 weeks ago or so, I had seen these 2 dogs from unit 83 running loose every day for a week. Then, I took my SD out one night to do her business, only for her to be charged by the boxer mix. The next morning, the dogs were running loose again and the boxer charged again. Each time, I yelled and it ran off. After the second time, I texted the office manager and called animal control. Since then, I have contacted the local PD and asked if I could use mace/pepper spray in this situation, and got the go ahead since it’s non lethal force.
This morning, we got charged again, and as per what the PD said, I used my pepper spray. I yelled at the woman to recall her dog, and she yelled that my SD was “aggressive.” My SD did let out a very short, quiet growl that she did not hear. My SD, who has been by my side and trained for the past 4.5 years, is not aggressive. Again, I called the office, and they said that they’ve been having issues with that tenant for a while. I also called animal control again. They said that since they didn’t see the dog loose, they can’t do anything. I told them I understand, I’m just reporting it to make a record in case, God forbid, this dog ever actually attacks me or my SD.
What more can I do? What more should I do? I’m worried that my SD is going to become reactive to other dogs and I will have to wash her and be without a service dog that I desperately need.