Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Local News
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By an edhat reader

A small dog was killed off Mesa Lane by a pack of off-leash ridgeback dogs where the owner was unable to control them.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are hunting dogs with a strong will that require consistent training and socialization, especially since they can become protective of their owner. They are not a good choice for inexperienced owners, especially ones who do not train their dogs.

A notice was posted on Nextdoor with a neighbor confirming the small dog had passed away after an unprovoked attack by four adult ridgebacks who the owner had no control over. The small dog was grabbed by the neck.

Animal Control and SB Police were called to the incident where a report was filed.

Other neighbors confirmed these same dogs have gotten into fights with other dogs on the beach and the Douglas Preserve.

If you are in the area and see this pack of dogs, please be safe and steer clear or pick up your smaller dog. It's always a good idea to carry pepper spray in case a dog fight needs to be broken up.

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sbpaddy
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Mar 11, 2020 08:02 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

I knew a ridgeback many years ago at Elings. This was an absolutely beautiful dog who answered it's master every time. Would I ever have one? At that time I would have been so proud to own a ridgeback and have it under my control. What I am reading about is dogs in a pack with no training. I live next door to two pits that I love. People, train your dog or go to jail and learn how.

Zenyatta19
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Mar 11, 2020 03:53 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

According to the American Temperament Test, the standard in breed specific behavior analysis, the Pit Bull passed 86.7%. This is two points ahead of Labs and one point higher than Goldens. The dogs that scored the worst on the temperament test were Bearded Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Lhasa Apsos, Chihuahuas and Bichon Frisées. In the United States 66% of fatalities are caused by Pit Bulls not 85% as mentioned above. German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans are listed next. Every one of these fatalities were preventable. Children and Mail Carriers accounted for the most bites. Chihuahuas are 75% more likely to bite you than a Pit Bull, the difference is, their bite won’t kill you. There are no bad dogs. There are bad owners, bad breeders and bad situations. The death of the little dog in this article is tragic and purely the responsibility of the person walking the Ridgebacks.

aragorn
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Mar 11, 2020 10:45 AM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Rhodesian Ridgebacks were originally called African Lion Dogs. They are good dogs. It is the responsibility of the owner(s) to train them properly. My understanding that they are used for police work in South Africa.

sunsets
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Mar 11, 2020 07:54 AM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

It’s always sad to see this happen, but you are dealing with people, not dogs. Dangerous people who don’t train their dogs. People who don’t take the time to learn how to lead the dog instead of letting the dog do what it wants to do. Consequences folks, we need consequences for people who don’t manage their dogs correctly. And no social justice intervention please. Of course you could just put up a dangerous dog free zone sign. That’ll work, right?

sea dog
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Mar 11, 2020 07:50 AM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

A stun gun is great for detouring dog attacks - esp. if it has a strobe light. It is also one of the only ways to get a Pitt Bull to let go. It also won't hurt the dog and will give you time to get away.

a-1590953928
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Mar 10, 2020 06:59 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Pit bulls and ridgebacks are two of the most-similar dogs on the planet. Both are great companions, but Xtremely protective. If you have the most basic information about dogs, both pits and ridgies are known to cause mayhem. Nearly 85% of human fatalities caused by dogs are caused by pits. I grew up on farms, and have traveled the world to live on various farms, and when/if a "farm" dog nips/bites a human....that dog is sent to doggie heaven very quickly. I've witnessed this no less than ten occasions. Quite sad, yes, but very true.....and ultimately.....necessary. One of those dogs was one of my favorites, "Dozer".... bit a two-year old on the face after the kid grabbed at the dog's food. The child needed about 20 stitches. So, dog owners, please lease your dogs and prevent them from harming/killing other dogs.....Please!

jqb
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Mar 10, 2020 07:07 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

"Pit bulls and ridgebacks are two of the most-similar dogs on the planet." -- They really aren't, which is why people like to breed them to combine their qualities: https://thehappypuppysite.com/rhodesian-ridgeback-pitbull-mix/ "Nearly 85% of human fatalities caused by dogs are caused by pits" -- so at most 15% are caused by ridgebacks, contradicting the claim that they are "most-similar".

a-1590953928
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Mar 10, 2020 05:32 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

These dangerous dogs sound like they are in the same category as Pitbulls. Yes, they are "lovies" & are good around the kids until one day when they snap and that day WILL come. It never fails. Then the cries, "But he's always been such a good dog around children; I just don't know what got into him."

jqb
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Mar 11, 2020 09:04 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

"Not all Ridgebacks are dangerous dogs." -- Of course not. All I said is that they "can be". Like, if the owners don't train or control them.

SB_TAHOE
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Mar 11, 2020 09:48 AM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Not all Ridgebacks are dangerous dogs. I have owned 5 Ridgebacks over the last 35 years so I know of what I speak.

jqb
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Mar 10, 2020 05:40 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Ridgebacks aren't like pitbulls other than that they are both dog breeds and can both be dangerous (but then, many breeds can be).

a-1590953928
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Mar 10, 2020 04:24 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

I’ve seen it way too many times...large off leash dogs attacking a small dog that was on a leash. Why even have leash laws if they aren’t enforced. There are places to take dogs off leash but for the people who abide by the law, they shouldn’t have to worry about an off leash dog attacking. The dog owner should at the very least be fined.

a-1590953928
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Mar 10, 2020 03:30 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Another tip, albeit a bit unsettling...if a dog has something by the neck and won't let go, poke the dog in the netherest of regions, right in the butthole. I am not joking in the least, it will not hurt the dog but the dog will release whatever is in its mouth.

d8vanilla
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Mar 10, 2020 03:25 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

The problem with using Pepper Spray, it can spray back into your own face.... and it's hard to direct the spray, especially if the target is moving. Instead, use a nice strong stick with metal prongs on the end.

winter
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Mar 10, 2020 03:13 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

I only walk my small dog, at Shoreline...on leash... This is sad....dogs are pack animals... The owners, should be responsible...

PitMix
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Mar 10, 2020 03:00 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Due to the little dog being killed, the dogs will be quarantined, most likely at the County Shelter, and they will be the subject of a Vicious Dog Hearing. This will end up with a recommendation to euthanize them, and the owners will have to take the case to Superior Court to save their lives. Usually the only way to save them is to send them to a rescue outside of the City, along with lots of money for their care.

Coolio
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Mar 10, 2020 02:59 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Carrying pepper spray is must whenever you walk somewhere with off leash big dogs. Too many idiot dog owners out there who could give a dam about you are your small dogs safety.

Chip of SB
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Mar 10, 2020 01:11 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Thank goodness they did not attack a child. Some dogs do not realize children are human, and strictly off limits. Could have been a terrible tragedy.

PitMix
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Mar 10, 2020 01:05 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

These dogs were the subject of an incident reported on NextDoor a few weeks ago. There were part of a pack of dogs brought to Douglas by a dog walker and they had bitten a smaller dog. I believe they knew the walker's name and car license and reported it to City Animal Control. Hopefully this will be the last time these dogs and this walker are threats to other people and dogs in the City.

PitMix
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Mar 10, 2020 02:55 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Further info on NextDoor indicates that these were 4 ridgebacks belonging to a resident of the Mesa neighborhood near Douglas, and these are different than the 2 ridgebacks being exercised by the dogwalker. Will need to clarify.

SBREADER
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Mar 10, 2020 12:37 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

I used to live at the first home address on Mesa Lane across the street from the steps. Between the Steps and Douglas Preserve, dog central. I saw it all. 99% of SB people who own large dogs are idiots who cannot afford dog training and do not have a big enough house to exercise the dogs. The dogs get to the Beach and go wild. Not their fault, it is not the dogs, it is the idiot dog owners. How many 19 year old City College coeds did I have to deal with, with their doberman pinchers and whatever else untrained big dogs who these people had no business owning in our Community. I had a trained Beagle who never pooped on the Beach!

Minibeast
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Mar 10, 2020 03:37 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

SBREADER: Feel better now that you got that off your chest? I walk that beach and other stretches of local beaches quite often, and have done so all my life. I have yet to witness even a teeny percentage of anything coming close to the 99% of idiot large dog owners with their wildly out of control dogs of whom you rant. Coeds as opposed to young males with dogs? It makes one wonder at the source of this deep disdain aimed at young females. Sure, there are some people who do not train their dogs or pay to have them trained. I have met many dog who was not formally trained and yet was still mellow and obedient. Whatever in the world large houses have to do with a lack in the exercise of dogs is patently unfathomable. For a self-proclaimed once-upon-a-time dog owner, the tenor of your diatribe is astoundingly dog averse. I highly doubt your Beagle had the happy life so many beach-going, beach-pooping dogs have had in the past or are having right this minute ----- or will have, once the rain lets up.

Curmudgeon
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Mar 10, 2020 02:13 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

SBREADER - Good for you and the training! We had a German Shepherd whom I took through several levels of obedience training as a pup and it really paid dividends when out in public (always on leash.) She was trained to do business in a specific section of our backyard which kept the yard (and neighborhood) cleaner than the boors do today. Many dog owners let their charges poop on our front lawn. Most pick up and some don't. Even when picked up I resent having smeared residue where it can be walked on. I have confronted a number of the defilers over the years with mixed results.

sbrobert
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Mar 10, 2020 12:30 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Dogs are a leading cause of injury, yet people worry about much lower risks like sharks and snakes. What will it take before existing leash laws are enforced?

SBLetsGetAlong
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Mar 10, 2020 12:29 PM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

Owners should be arrested. It’s night he first time these dogs have attacked. More self centered people who are oblivious about others. “ neighbors confirmed these same dogs have gotten into fights with other dogs on the beach and the Douglas Preserve.”

SB_TAHOE
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Mar 11, 2020 09:53 AM
Dog Killed on Mesa Lane by Ridgebacks

There are breed specific rescue organizations that rehabilitate these poorly trained dogs and rehome them with people that can control them.

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