International Falls Daily Journal - Cats and Dogs on the loose - Comments

When we went for walks in

fluffybear — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:02:25 -0600

When we went for walks in the Falls, my family and I always carried pepper spray as well (there is one dog where CR20 curves that we always had the pepper spray out and ready as he was the meanest SOB and feared what would happen if he got out of that kennel). I do not recall ever having to use it but I did get close to using a baseball bat one time. Dog came charging at my infant daughter and I in our own driveway. If we were not passing by the garage at the very second and scared him off, I wonder what would have happened.
After numerous complaints from many people in our area, the neighbor made a joke of an attempt to keep their dogs in the yard by using an invisible fence. After after a couple of days (I mean 2 or 3 only) the dogs were running all over the place again. When I asked, they told me they took the collars off because the dog did not like it.
It is time that International Falls and county (for that matter) enforce a strict leash law. A good example of a working law is where my family moved. There are no dogs running loose and we have taken the dedicated paths (which are behind the home)and have not been charged uncontrolled animals once. Those who have dogs are required to have them behind fences. BTW, Wood fences (chain link is not allowed in this community) are required to be kept 10 feet(some areas as much as 30 feet) off the paths and invisible fences are required to be no less than 25 feet off the path.
Point is if pet owners were responsible than we would need laws such as this nor would dogs and cats would be running loose. Every pet (including cats) that my family or I have ever owned have never been allowed to just run loose (I do understand that accidents do happen and animals do get out).

Fluffybear, When I lived in

kellib — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:22:02 -0600

Fluffybear,

When I lived in TX, I had no choice but to walk with pepper spray many times. If I had my own dog (on a leash) I would be charged by numerous dogs that owners did not properly restrain.

Hey, if it works and it keeps my animal from getting mauled or me from getting bit, so be it. One dog that I did finally have to spray (and he only got a whiff - but that was enough) would not even come off of the yard when I walked by again.

I'm sorry you feel that way

fluffybear — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:23:10 -0600

I'm sorry you feel that way but under the circumstances I think you would have done the same thing. BTW, did I mention that this same neighbor hunts protected woodpeckers on their property who they consider to be a nuisance? Where is the difference? Oh yes, what I did was not lethal or forbidden by law.

Did you really pepper spray

bigfoot — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:55:38 -0600

Did you really pepper spray the neighbor's dog? I have a hard time believing anyone could do that to a non thretening animal

PM with your address and

fluffybear — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:53:22 -0600

PM with your address and I'll send some! I purchased a lot of 12 from eBay a couple of years back and still have some which have never been used. The only thing we have to fear here is being hit in the head with acorns or pine cones.

Never thought of pepper

Peanuts — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:37:54 -0600

Never thought of pepper spray. Where can I find that around here?
You missing the cold temps, awesome smells, and K Mart? ;-)
Best of luck

Peanut, two of the best

fluffybear — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:02:16 -0600

Peanut, two of the best things I can suggested which are non-lethal are a Water Hose and Pepper Spray.
A high pressure nozzle will not harm the cat but get him soaked enough that they will not want to come back especially if you do this more than once.
Pepper Spray works wonders as well. It's non-lethal, the animal will recover quickly and learns a valuable lesson quickly. The only problem there is that the owner may not appreciate it and come banging on your door.
I was forced to this action with my neighbors dogs a few months back. It was 1am and her dog was ripping open my trashcan (I mean ripping it apart). Shooing it away and yelling at it did not work and tried it many times before I was left with no other alternative. The neighbor came staggering over (booze on the breath and all) screaming at me and making threats against my 2 toddlers. End result was the dog learned it's lesson and never tried to go in my trash can again.

roj2000, I'm not gonna waste

Peanuts — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:13:04 -0500

roj2000, I'm not gonna waste good peppermint schnapps on the little buggers! Perhaps I will drink enough of it, and I won't notice the cats (and dogs).

Problem is there are plenty

fluffybear — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:34:00 -0500

Problem is there are plenty of owners who don't give a darn where there dog or cat uses the restroom provided it is not their yard.
For the nearly 5 years which I lived in the falls, I had a neighbor who had has many has 5 labs who constantly used my yard as a toilet or would rip up my trash. Didn't help she had a female in this bunch which now and then attracted every male dog within miles to come over and crap all over my yard. When we would say something to the owner, she would usually come back with a reply of 'It wasn't my dog' or 'dogs will be dogs' or 'you have a photo proving i was my dog' or better yet, 'call my dad and he'll come over and pick it up'.

Peanut, Don't hurt the animal if at all possible. Call animal control and see if they can loan you a live trap. If you are around when this cat pays their visit, have a hose ready and give them a nice shower. A couple times of that and they will not be back.

Paradox- I guess I didn't

six-shooter — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:39:35 -0500

Paradox- I guess I didn't read into your humor. I did pick up on the sarcasim in saving cats of I.F. Not my intent. Just trying to save a cat or dog anywhere from a very painful and ugly death. Yea see it only takes a very low dose 10mg/kg of any acetaminophen product to poisin a cat. If anyone wants to put an animal down do it humanely. Whether educated or not there are alot of sickos out there.

But be careful, I may cause

roj2000 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:25:52 -0500

But be careful, I may cause you or your pet to "chortle"!!

That sounds like a buffet

Tammy Hoffman — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:21:57 -0500

That sounds like a buffet for Andrew Zimmern

I pour peppermint schnapps

roj2000 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:17:34 -0500

I pour peppermint schnapps on the soil. The little buggers get drunk, and beat each other to death!!

Peanuts ask Roj2000 for a

Tammy Hoffman — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:16:21 -0500

Peanuts ask Roj2000 for a solution, he has an answer for every problem. It could be a paradox answer though. But atleast it will be funny

I "out did" Paradox, and

roj2000 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:09:33 -0500

I "out did" Paradox, and probably will be reported to the National SPCA! I put a large picture of Hillary Clinton in my front yard, and have not seen one cat within 100 yards of my home!!!! I used one of Rosie O'Dumbell too! It worked, but started to attract roaches, so I switched back to Hillary!!

Cats and Dogs on the loose

Peanuts — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:37:30 -0500

Can someone please tell me how to get rid of all the cats that are running loose. I'm so tired of them using our sandbox for their personal litterbox.