What Are My Rights If A Dog Comes In My Garden?

[Swiper]

What happens if a dog comes in my garden?
1) What if it does nothing but i'm worried that it is going to attack me, my kids or my other pets and i keep hold of it, would the owner of the dog be able to legally take it away before i contacted the police?
2) A dog does get into my garden and attacks my chickens?
I just want to know as selfish people feel that it's a bit of fun when their dog/s get into my garden (through the hedge) which they do quite often, but it's upsetting to me aswell as my chickens, cats and rabbits. I did actually have a dog that got in the garden that nearly mauled my cat to death and cost hundreds of pounds in vet bills. All i got from the owner was a meek apology. Surely it is illegal for dogs to be off a lead. I am sick of it!

[bednobs]

sorry i don't know that answer to your questions, but why not just make the hedge secure?

[bednobs]

by the way, it's not illegal for dogs to be off the lead, however in public places they must be "under control"

[Swiper]

I try to. I have a very long garden on a country lane, but surely i wouldn't have to if dog owners were more responsible.

[RATTER15]

Dogs must be on a lead on the "public highway" Yes the owners of the dog could take the dog back, it is their dog, just get the details off the dogs collar and give the dog back.

Contact the dog warden or just pick up the dog and take it to the nearest pound/animal shelter, where hopefully the owners of the dog will have to pay to get their dog back.

[Swiper]

so if dogs are straying into my garden they are not under control

[bednobs]

no, you are right you wouldn't have to if some dog owners were more responsible. However, you are where you are, and unfortunately some are not. I get it's probably a bind, but if it's happening "quite often" and costing you "hundreds of pounds", it might be worth your while and peace of mind to just secure your garden

[Kassee]

can't you put a fence up to stop it happening. a cheap chicken wire fence would do the job. Of course its not illegal for dogs to be off the lead. but it is inconsiderate of your neighbours.

I might be inclined to stick the dog in my car, and run it along to the nearest pet rescue centre, telling them its a stray that has been abandoned, if it became too much of a nuisance.

But the chicken-wire fence seems a better idea !

[chelle7272]

Agree with ratter, not guaranteed but potentially a fee, questions asked, or at the least the incident recorded is your best way forward.

[Swiper]

sorry bednobs, but why should I have to pay for my cat to be mangled on my private property?

[RATTER15]

bednobs

"Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is a criminal offence to cause or permit a dog to be on a road, which has been designated by a local authority as a road to which the Act relates, without the dog being held on a lead."

[bednobs]

that's ok if you can leave to take a dog to the pound, feel confident to handle the dog (without lead) AND get them in your car without the owner seeing AND/ OR"hide" the dog in your house till the owner has finished looking for it AND/OR in it's a weekday/office hours

[Bbbananas]

Not sure about a dog, depends on how friendly it was, and i like dogs as a general rule. But i would have no hesitation in shooting the cat that craps on my own lawn on a regular basis....

[bednobs]

which all seems a lot of bother, when you could just let the owner take it back (or secure your garden so it doesn't arise in the first place).
Who says the OP lives on a road ratter?

[Swiper]

well i have several guns and from now on i am going to shoot anything or anyone that trespasses on my property. Thanks everyone.

[bednobs]

don't get me wrong swiper please, i haven't said you should pay to get your cat mangled have i? (and it's appalling the dog owner didn't Pay)
in all fairness though, i guess your cat isn't always in your garden, and could quite easily be mauled by a dog outside of your property boundaries, couldn't it? even a dog on a lead could get a cat quickly

[RATTER15]

Very true bednobs :-)

[rsvp]

at the end of the day, I'd check that my fencing was secure - if the animal still gained access, I'd do what has been suggested, take it to the pound, the owners will have to pay a fee to recoup thir dog, (assuming it is tagged and/or microchipped.) if it's not claimed within a certain period it may be euthanased or offered up for adoption. I'm assuming you've spoken to the owners on this? What do they say? This may be the best option imo.

[bednobs]

interesting - i look forward (?) to seeing you on the teatime news shortly then

[joko]

why not put a fence up along the hedge? it doesnt have to be high, just high enough that theyd struggle to jump over

there are many dog deterrent things on the market

[pastafreak]

The dogs,nor their owners will change. So your best bet is to secure your property. Anything else you do may just antagonise your neighbours,and make the situation worse. Also-the chicken wire option is probably the cheapest.