Whilst taking Monty out for a stroll, we headed down a public footpath that leads across our local fields and through a small wooded area. The path through the wooded area was lovely - about 2 miles long, narrow, muddy with dense woods either side and above. Lists of lovely new sniffs for Monts to enjoy! Monty has his harness on but I kept the lead in my pocket should another dog or person appear. He's still Young and stays very close all the time. Since he's still only little, we didn't want to go too far and as we approached the end of the path, we decided to turn and head back. Toward the top the path appears to reach a road and some houses and we were enjoying staying away from civilisation. It turns out the top quarter of the lane actually backs on to two huge properties either side. We discovered this as just as we were turning to double back, the was some russtling in the woods to one side and all of a sudden two HUGE Tibettan Mastiffs ran towards us and lunged. They were very aggressive. Monty was terrified and ran away squeezing. Luckily he still didn't go far. Luckily also, the dogs appeared to be fenced in, but intially we were not aware of the chain link fence. Since Monty had run 20 or so yards further on, running away from the dogs and back towards home, the Mastiffs chased him, on their side of the fence. It was horrible. We did not know if the femce was continuous and wee obviously worried that they might suddenly appear on the path further down. For Monty's sake we tried to stay calm and just walk as normal, but we were all very, very intimidated. I n a lul of the very aggressive barking, I did Monty's recall whistle and he came bounding as he normally does, but as he got about half way, the two Mastiffs started on him again and he stopped, whimpered in absolute fear and decided against it. Maybe I shouldn't have called him, but as I said, I didn't know if the fence was continuous or whether these dogs had escaped from somewhere. We decided to carry on back home as if nothing had happened, and tried to distract Monty with fun stuff. He was probably less traumatised by the encounter than we were. We felt VERY I timid acted by those two dogs. I feel I should do something or say something. We should not feel intimidated on a public footpath. Those two dogs were extremely aggressive towards us. My wife says I am to not ever take Monty that way again, but that is not fair. Maybe that's what the property owners want? Is this a police matter? What are the rules and regulations regarding aggressive dogs, albeit they appeared to be contained - although we did not, and still do not know if they are. There were no warning signs of guards dogs which is clearly what they are, but the owners could probably argue that they are just pets. Very very scary and angry pets. What should I do? Thanks James
Re: Intimidating dogs and the law Are you in the UK? There are obviously different laws and regulations depending on where in the world you are. In the UK with the recent changes in the dangerous dogs act people can be prosecuted for having dogs that intimidate people, they don't actually have to bite someone to be labelled a dangerous dog. I believe the law has also changed regarding attacks etc on private properties. However I don't know where you would stand with dogs that are being like that on a private property that you are walking past. I think your wife may be right in that it's best if you avoid that area, especially as your pup is still very young and you don't want him to have any bad experiences with dogs that could scar him for the future. You might be able to get the dog warden involved as the dogs behaviour is clearly dangerous and intimidating to anyone who walks past. They might be able to go and speak to the owners.
Re: Intimidating dogs and the law I feel your pain. We have much the same situation in my street, where two aggressive dogs were until recently allowed to terrorize pedestrians by snarling, barking at flinging themselves at their garden fence (you have to walk past their house to get to the woods). We live in Germany, so the laws are probably different - but I can tell you that complaining to the local police, both by phone and by letter, by lots of local people, has resulted in a marked difference. The dogs still bark when they are outside, but the owners no longer leave them outside alone for any length of time. Things have got a lot better. Take some action - there is no way that can be acceptable. Good luck. Poor little Monty, hope he is ok!
Re: Intimidating dogs and the law Hi we are in UK. Unfortunately we have some experience with the Dangerous Dogs Act after a local family at my previous house decided that the best way to exercise her two AGerman Shepherds while she went to work was to let them out of the front door in the morning to roam free. In one day they killed one of my cats in my garden, attacked a neighbour (she was in her car with two young children), chased another neighbour back into their house. The following day they attacked two little dogs being walked by an elderly woman. I just wasn't sure how/if it applied to dogs in peoples' gardens. Forgot about local Dog Wardens. I will contact them. The are a few dog walkers we see who must use that path. I will ask the, if they've experienced similar. Thanks
Re: Intimidating dogs and the law Monty must have been really scared as were you by the experience. You've been given some great suggestions to follow up on but I fear that if they are in a private fenced property there is not much that can be done. Unfortunately Tibetan Mastiffs were bred as a guarding dog so may have been responding to their instinct. I would leave it a while before you go past this area again but then gradually reintroduce Monty being very positive, it may also help if he's on his lead, so that you don't re-enforce any fears that may linger. .Here in France it is just something you learn to live with. Dogs are left in their gardens all day while owners are at work or are used as hunting dogs so are left out. We have a dog which hurls itself along it's boundary fence barking like loon every time a car goes past or someone walking. Another couple who are free in their garden with the gate open and come charging and barking when they see someone or a dog; luckily neither dog will cross the boundary of where the gate would be if it was closed. Juno has learnt to walk past them without making a fuss, it's the dogs that whine at her that cause more problems. As the mayor lives virtually next door to these dogs there is really no point in having a word as it will only cause problems in a small rural community.
Re: Intimidating dogs and the law How annoying, poor Monty. I would try to complain to the local Council or dog wardens, even if the chances of it doing any good are slim - you never know, other people might also have complained. I agree that dogs hurling themselves at fences is scary for both humans and dogs and just isn't on. I blooming well hate things like this - I've met several nasty dogs recently, and find it really annoying. A growling bully was picking on poor Charlie yesterday (who was just trying to leave, not retaliating in any way). I'm afraid I swung at it with my lead and chased it off. The owner said "sorry, sorry" but didn't do anything to intervene and collect her horrible dog.
