Neighbours Dog Was In My Garden

[phleb]

I opened back door to get my mop and saw this big thing run towards me, growling, i quickly ran and shut my back door...it is massive, and i swear it would have jumped me/bitten me etc. So glad it was me and not the kids that were out.

I have time and time again mentioned to them to repair the gate as the dog can jump over it and go through the gap on side of it. They continue to ignore me, she did come out and it took her 20mins to get the dog under control. It just would not go to her. It was going wild.

What really got to me was it leapt onto my decking to get me, that is my space, how dare it do that.

I am thinking of taking legal action, as my children s safety is compromised. Where do i stand and where do i start. It shook me up. I nearly slipped when i ran in, decking was wet, and i'm pretty fat at the moment.

I have even stopped using my right of way through their garden because of the dog, which again inconveniences me and my family. (see post about this)

[China Doll]

Have you properly secured your own garden? I ask because I seem to recall threads like this in the past where if there's a gap in your own fence or something that you haven't addressed then actually that means you're not safeguarding your own property.

You'd probably be better off reporting the incident to the local plod via 101 or something in first instance so there is a record of the incident.

[phleb]

I hsve. They decided to rip the gate out as they were building and then they didnt replace it properly. Thats the gate it came from. Everything else is secure in my part.

[EDDIE51]

Is this the type of house where there is a right of way along the back of the houses past the back doors?
If so the dog should not be loose in the area, it is an offence to impede a right of way and having a large aggressive dog loose is definitely an impediment. Report them to the police. A right of way means it is in effect a public place and a dog can not be out of control in a public place.

[boxtops]

Yep, report it to the police. You don't need this sort of confrontation - if you had fallen, it could have had all sorts of implications.

[phleb]

Boxtops, if I had fallen it may have attacked me and the fall could have caused me problems. I am so angry about this. I will not allow my kids out till its sorted. The dog is mad. She said it wont hurt a fly.....it didn't look like that from where I was standing.

I will speak to her tomorrow and tell her to sort out adequate fencing and also shelter away from public right of way. (I have told her this before) her hubby is always away on lorries so she deals with everything. I will give her the last chance and then take legal action if not sorted in a week.

[phleb]

Or do you think I should just report it before its too late? And forget talking to her again.

[boxtops]

I'd report it now, you have had a very near miss today by the sound of it.

[phleb]

I agree. Thank you. X

[phleb]

Its cross between german shepherd and alsation. ( I believe)

[THEMOTLEY1]

///German Shepherd, a breed of dog known as an Alsatian in some countries///
not too much of a cross there then

[phleb]

It would be cross. They lock it in a cage most of the day while they work and it howls and bangs the cage against the wall. I hear everything as im home all day.

[viv38]

My God no wonder this dog is so uncontrollable. Useless owners who lock it up in a cage all day and obviously have no idea whatsoever how to look after it. If they lived next door to me, I'd report them to the RSPCA and also have strong words with them. This poor dog is a nuisance because of them !!

[boxtops]

I agree with viv. Ring the RSPCA and ask them to come and look at the set-up, during the day while your neighbours are out.

[phleb]

I made some calls and awaiting legal advice. Rspca are just too inquisitive and I don't need the stress at the moment. The last time I contacted them they kept ringing me everyvday for more info before they came out then they were pushing for a donation....which I pay anyway. I will now wait and see.

[viv38]

phleb, I have rung the RSPCA when I've been concerned about an animal treated badly and they have NEVER rang me every day like they have you, rather I have to keep checking on them to make sure they have done something about the animal I have reported ! I still maintain this poor dog needs help, it's not his fault the owners are total rubbish.