The first incident happened in early summer. The dog, Bliss, got out of the fence and was walking down the alley. I grabbed her collar. She slipped out of the collar so I put her in a headlock until I could get the collar back on. The dog took off down the alley with me riding on her back like I was in a rodeo. Mildly entertaining for everyone involved.

The second incident happened mid summer. My boys were going next door to hang out while my husband and I went out. For being such a fabulous friend and watching my kids I had a bag full of lemonade slush for my neighbor. My boys accidently left the gate open and the dog comes running towards me. I grab the dog by the collar with my free hand. Bliss decides “Fuck this shit. I want to head down the street.” So she takes off full steam ahead with me hanging onto the collar for dear life. She pulled me across my front lawn before my common sense took over and I let go of the collar. It must have been a sight because a man stopped his car and asked if he could call me an ambulance! I was fine and proud to say that I didn’t even drop the booze! My 10 year old goes down the street grabs the dog and walks her home without incident.

The third incident occurred a bit ago. My wash machine broke and my neighbor has been letting me do wash at her house when she is at work. Since I am over there I take the dog out, sometimes feed her and play with her. She came running outside and didn’t want to go back in. It was cold and she had already taken care of business, so I was ready to go in. I went for the collar and she head butted my fist. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I thought she broke my hand. Once again point goes to the dog.

The latest incident was today. I went next door to get my clothes out of the washer and I realized that I forgot my laundry basket (it’s been one of those days!). I shut the door and go back home for the basket. I come back and the dog is in the backyard playing. The dog managed to get the backdoor and the screen door open and let herself out. Once again I had hell getting her back in the house. So it is a battle of wits and I am very sad to say that I think I’m losing!

I have lived in the East Bluff for 9 years. You can’t swing a dead rat in the East Bluff without hitting a pitbull. Yes, there are loving responsible owners who take care of their dogs and don’t train them to be fighters. Then there are these people who walk their pitbull with weights attached to its collar. Anyone who thinks this is “doggy bling” needs to have their head examined. I have seen people who ride bikes in front of a pitbull to piss it off and have it drag a cement block behind it as it chases the bike. Not exactly training out of the book of Cesar Millan.

Dog fighting is a reality in Peoria. Most people want to bury their heads in the sand because it isn’t done openly or in the “good” end of town. This doesn’t make it exist any less. Once again the city needs to pull its head out of its ass and face reality before this is as out of control as the rest of the crime in Peoria.