My next door neighbours have an extremely aggressive large dog which has attacked my dogs several times. Its bitten Midge 2 and made her bleed. Jumped through the fence and grabbed doug round the neck or tried to 3 times and is very aggresive when I'm in the garden. Its destroyed the opposite neighbours fence and pinned the guy who lives there to a wall and he only got away with being bitten by wedging a door on the dog. I have spoke to the dog warden and he was useless. I have given my neighbour fencing to use to stop the dog jumping through the fence, but he did not use it. I have also spoke to him explaining the situation and how dangerous things are getting with no real improvement. I have to be careful in my own garden and the constant fear of attack has made my dogs very sensitive to huskies understandably. Last night I was walking Rory and the teenage girl who lives with the dog had it out for a walk (it usually muzzled but was not) with a group of teenages. I saw it coming so crossed the road and just concentrated on getting out of the way. One of the teenage boys rode his back over to us and started to abuse us then the nasty husky started to jump and launch his usual frenzied howling snarling barking. the kids thought it was funny but its not going to end well is it? I got away and the girl just managed to hang on to the wildly jumping dog. I think she realised who it was and tried to stop him, but she can only just managed. I was scared Rory was scared. I don't really know what to do and am considering a concrete block fence as we have improved all our fencing and don't see any other way. The dog is aggresive towards me when it sees me without my dogs and I know its stalks me when I'm in the garden. Its in the garden all day every day its kills hedgehogs and pigeons because its bored and lonely. It attacks every dog it sees and every person other than the members of it household. any ideas? is it the police next I live in the UK
Oh what a truly dreadful situation , it's appalling what you and your neighbours are going through but what a desolate situation for the poor dog. The whole neighbours thing is very tricky...they don't sound nice people at all but if you were verbally abused and essentially 'threatened' by the dog in the street I would call the Police.Not living in the UK and knowing the process I'm not sure of the action they can/will take.I would also start keeping a diary of events as evidence if it is needed. This is a dangerous situation...someone is going to get terribly hurt ,you take good care of yourself and your dogs and I hope that something can be done x
Yep I feel very sad about the dog he's loosing weight and his muscle mass is beginning to deterioate due to lack of exercise. I will keep a diary and I know my neighbours on the other side have photos off his paw prints on the doors. Their daughter is/ was a nice girl but i don't like her dad much but we have always tried to be good neighbours. I have helped with dog lent nail clippers and leads collars and helped as much possible. they seem bored with him now and he looks so lonely
How long have they had him?I got the impression this was a new situation ....but it sounds like an escalation in behaviour? Neglect is a very strong word to use but if they are being neglectful of his needs then he will act out.You sound like you've been really supportive to them ....would they accept any advice from you do you think?x
He mysteriously appeared when i got back from my holiday in August last years he's about 6 and I do think he is being neglected in the way he is just shoved into the garden and ignored. We wouldn't treat our dogs like this, he has lots of time on his hands to gt into trouble. I tried to be really supportive but it hard because he really is one of the most dangerous dogs i have every meet he's more like a wild animal. I think he's bout 6 and they've had him for about 1 year. I think i may ring the dog warden again and then speak to my dog trainer who works in welfare and then I may speak to the police.
Ultimately, if you want to know where you stand from a legal perspective then I think you will need to consult with somebody that is well versed with the law - most likely a solicitor. However, before going that far have you tried speaking with somebody from the Citizens Advice Bureau?
Under the amended Dangerous Dogs Act, this dog would be classified as "dangerously out of control in a public place" and this now includes gardens. See below for advice from the National Animal Welfare Trust on what this means. As it is a criminal offence to have a dangerously out of control dog, the police will take an interest. The amended Dangerous Dogs Act came into effect in England and Wales on 13 May 2014. This law applies to all dog owners no matter what size or breed, whether your pet is a Chihuahua, a Cockapoo or a Collie cross. [h=5]Which elements of the existing Dangerous Dogs Act should dog owners be aware of?[/h] Section 3 of the Act applies to every single dog owner in England and Wales. Under this section, it is a criminal offence for the person in charge of the dog to allow it to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place. A dog doesn't have to bite to be deemed dangerous in the eyes of the law Generally if a dog bites a person, it will be presumed to have been ‘dangerously out of control’, however even if the dog does not bite, but gives the person grounds to feel that the dog may injure them, the law still applies. Not many dog owners are aware of this, and it is important to hold that thought when looking at the changes. [HR][/HR] [h=5]What’s changed?[/h] While owners need to be fully aware of all the changes, the biggest difference from now on is the Act also covers incidents on private property in addition to public spaces. This includes your own house and both front and back gardens. In addition: It will now be an offence for your dog to attack an assistance dog (Guide Dog, Hearing Dog etc). Prison sentences will be increased for those convicted of some offences Police or an appointed local authority now have powers to seize a dangerously out of control dog in a private place. The existing legislation already covers public places. [HR][/HR] [h=5]What should dog owners be doing now?[/h] Ensure your gardens are safe The most important point to consider is how to keep unexpected visitors or delivery drivers safe on your property. The requirement for the law to cover private places as well as public ones has long been campaigned for by the Communication Workers Union. Numerous Royal Mail and other delivery services employees are injured by dog bites each year and up until now there has not been the legislation to enable action to be taken to ensure their future safety. You need to make sure that any visitor can safely access your front door without encountering your dog. There is a slight grey area in these changes in that if the person attacked is a burglar or trespasser your dog may not be considered dangerously out of control if it is in a building that is your private dwelling at the time of the attack. However, this does not cover incidents in your back or front garden so while the law is yet to be tested, all dog owners should ensure that all areas of their gardens where their dogs could encounter unexpected visitors are secure. If necessary it is also worth talking to your neighbours and asking them not to let their children climb your fences to retrieve balls etc to be on the safe side. Manage your dog when someone knocks We all know that fewer letters are being sent through the post, but the rise in internet shopping means that more parcels and especially signed for parcels are being delivered, which requires the delivery person to knock at the door. This change in legislation should be a wake up call to all dog owners to ensure their dogs are under control when they open the door otherwise they risk committing a criminal offence. It is not unusual for a dog to be reactive to any visitor to your door, so you need to decide now how you are going to manage that situation. The easiest thing to do is to shut your dog in another room or in the garden, provided of course the dog cannot access the front door from the garden. If that is not an option, then you will need to seek the services of an experienced or qualified dog trainer or behaviourist to teach your dog some new behaviours around the door. You also need to consider how your dog greets people. What you view as a dog being friendly by jumping up at visitors may be seen as threatening behaviour by a stranger. Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and should not be taken lightly, however by taking some time to think about what these changes mean to you and your dog, you will be taking steps to keep everyone safe and avoid ending up in a position that no one wants to find themselves in. Download this advice sheet (PDF-29KB)
I think a visit to the police is in order after the last episode. I have to admit I would have been making a report to the police the first time the dog attacked mine, especially when in my garden. Good luck with what ever course of action you decide upon but I suspect it will be not easy with your neighbours. Could you have a word with the neighbour on the other side and perhaps make a joint complaint? It might carry more weight......
sdegg what a horrendous situation it does seem to me the only option is the police. Hopefully it will be resolved soon not only for yourselves but also the poor husky. Please keep us informed. Best wishes Claire xx
Don't make the mistake I made. I spoke with the eejit owners before calling Police. THREE times and they did nothing, I mean the owners. Same as with you, the dog was threatening me. Threats to humans make a it a police matter here, I suspect in most places. The owners were told to make an enclosure for the dog, which they did. Out of chicken wire. Of course it easily escaped and I had to call Police a second time. The second time I first contacted everyone I knew who had experienced trouble and they all agreed to back me up. One was the mother of a little boy who'd been bitten. Did I mention this dog weighed 120 pounds? I suggest you do the same but be warned, once contained the dog in my case then barked for hours and hours and hours and hours. Then I worried if someone decided to poison it what if they got the wrong yard and got my dog instead? It was right next door.
Thanks everyone you are all stars I was worried i was over reacting and can now see that I am not I have aready spoken to some neighbours and they will back me up. I am going to do something today.
sdegg let us know how you get on, will be thinking of you and have everything crossed or a speedy solution.
Horrible, horrible situation. Firstly I would contact the RSPCA and report them for cruelty towards their poor dog, what an awful life he leads then I would call the police to register what has happened for future reference and great that your neighbours will back you up. Log everything and video the poor dog if possible as all evidence is of course extremely useful. I hope you are OK and coping with such a difficult situation. xx
This sounds pretty awful. I remember discussing the change to the Dangerous Dogs acts preciously now Lochan has reminded me. I think the police are going to be the way forward unfortunately. Wishing you luck - hope this is sorted out for everyone very soon - before any permanent harm is done.
Hope you got a response out of the police / dog warden? I contacted the dog warden recently due to Harley being attacked in a field. They said the more people who phoned about a particular dog, the more chance there is that it will be dealt with. They usually need a minimum of 3 complaints before they act, unless someone is bitten. Good luck and let us know how you get on x
Hi the dog warden has been a total waste of time he's not even rung back so I'm going to ring the police. After out last encounter the dog has disappeared its in the house but its not been in the garden much and not been atacking the fences. They do this when they are expecting touble. The daughter is very polite and meek all of a sudden so they know I furious and that this keeps happening.
Well don't let them get away with it. Go to the police. It could be a child the dog attacks next. Good Luck.
