Several years ago a grade schooler named Joey made front page news when he was badly mauled by his neighbor's large dog. A picture of Joey showed hundreds of stitches and a face swollen so badly you could'nt tell there was a child beneath it.

In all fairness to the dog and neighbor, Joey and his friends had gone on to the property and teased the dog. Joey had gone to his friend's rescue when the dog took after him.

The people had an underground electrified fence.
The dog, a large Rottweiler had a special collar on that is used in conjunction with the barrier to give him a shock when he gets close to it.

There was much debate about the true effectiveness of the fence. The manufacturers admitted that in some cases and especially with larger dogs these fences aren't reccommended. The shock is not enough to stop a larger dog. Once he's through that barrier there is nothing else to stop it.

At one time here in my development people who had these electrified fences were sent letters by our association cautioning them that they still need to make sure their dog is properly restrained. Now I see small markers on many of the homeowners lawns advertising the fact that a "barrier" is in place or stating "Dog in Training, electrified barrier."

Have these electrified fences been improved and have you had any experience with them yourself?

[ November 22, 2005, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: ladybug ]