Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[newcountrygirl]

About 6 months ago a new family moved in up the road from us. They have a young dog which is a Bull mastiff crossed with a Rottweiler. In the past two months this dog has appeared in my garden 3 times. It was racing up the garden and pestering my chickens. It also came and pressed its nose up against my patio doors staring at my dog who was not happy. This happened again yesterday afternoon. I decided to go and see her about it but as I got to my front gate she was walking up the road. I told her that it was in my garden and that I was not happy. I explained about the chickens and said that at this time of year they are in an enclosed run but in the nicer months they would be free ranging and it isnt fair that her dog is roaming around. I also explained that I would normally be coming back down our fields with my dog off the lead and she shouldnt have to be frightened on her own land (Ziggy is frightened of other dogs after being attacked as a puppy). I also mentioned the fact that I didnt want to be clearing up her dogs massive poos.

She was really apologetic and said her kids keep leaving the door open. (She has 4 kids under the age of

 

She said the dog wont come back when called and the only way they can catch it is to round it up using the car. At this point her husband appeared. He went up our garden and into the field to bring it back. When he walked back I said the same things to him and he said - "its not our fault - the kids keep letting him out". He then said - "if it happens again - call the dog warden" and stormed off.

My other concerns are that we are starting a caravan site (we have just been granted a Certified location) at Easter and dont want this dog causing bother with our campers dogs. Also - in some of the surrounding fields there are sheep and cows with calves. If this dog gets in with them - the farmers could possibly shoot it.

 

Dont really know what to do next.

 

 

Dog warden rang me today (4/2) She told me she had visited the people across the road on Friday. She was pretty annoyed with them and says she has warned them that if it keeps happening she will take steps to get the dog removed. She was really good and told me to keep her number on my phone and if it happens again to ring her immediately. She was annoyed at the adults lack of concern .

Edited February 4, 2014 by Guest

[Patricia W]

I think I would call the dog warden - for advice if nothing else. They are responsible for their children as well as their dog, so they can't simply pass responsibility down to them. Could you give them some advice on how to fence in their garden more securely?

[Grandmashazzie]

I agree it is their dog and their responsibility.They have obviously not trained it and it is too big to be roaming through your caravan park.Perhaps dog warden is best person to speak to them.If they can't keep dog on their own property they should get a pen for it.

[Charlottechicken]

I agree with others about asking the local dog warden for advice. If you have a decent warden it would be a good place to start. I would also warn those farmers with livestock in the nearby fields, they will take matters into their own hands if their sheep are worried by it.

[newcountrygirl]

Patricia - their garden is fenced but the problem is the kids come out of the house, leave the door open, then out of the gates and leave those open too. Hence the dog excapes. Our garden has fencing and a huge front gate but the adjoining properties dont so the dog just goes through them and into our back garden which then becomes a 3 acre field and we cant fence the whole thing. Our own dog doesnt get out - even thought technically she could. I was not keen on getting the warden involved as i didnt want to seem to be causing trouble.

[soapdragon]

Personally, I don't think you would be causing trouble merely safeguarding your property and livestock. I may very well be wrong (unlikely, as OH will testify with raised eyebrows!) but I believe allowing a dog to be out of control (ie; loose in this case) in a public place is an offence. You could argue that it is a public area if you have a caravan park so maybe this is an avenue to go down.

 

As you rightly point out, there could be other livestock at risk and I would feel , if I were in your place, a duty to report this in order to safeguard said livestock. Alerting local farmers is certainly a good option.

 

This dog should absolutely not be allowed to roam at will; its owners are and should be responsible for its actions and, if they are unable to train it and it continues to roam, should at the very least muzzle it so that it cannot attack livestock(or people!) I don't know very much at all about breeds but it sounds as if it could be/is quite intimidating!

 

If the owners cannot 'be' responsible then I don't think that its unreasonable for you to raise the matter with the dog warden/council. Maybe this sounds a bit harsh from a 'non doggie' person but better to sort this out now than have the dog shot by a farmer for worrying livestock or having it attack/worry your chickens! Hope you are able to sort this!

[The Dogmother]

Absolutely! Call the dog warden, who needs to have a word with them; it is their duty to keep their dog under control so that it isn't a nuisance to others, and also too keep their garden secured so that it can't stray.

 

The dog needs to wear ID tags by law, and should also be micro-chipped (not law at the moment) so that it can be returned when/if it does get out. If the dog gets on the road and is causing problems with traffic, then the police should be called out.

 

If they don't want the dog, and aren't prepared to look after it, then perhaps they ought to offer it up for adoption.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Guest

[sparkysmum]

Totally agree with everyone else, you absolutely must call dog warden. There is little worse than having to pick up other peoples dog poo from your garden. Revolting. And much as I am an animal lover I cant imagine anything much more intimidating than a mastif x rottweiler. I certainly wouldn't want one casually straying into my garden/field. You have too much to lose - own dog, hens, children (?) . I am afraid that by adopting the " if you dont like it, call the dog warden" approach, your neighbours are showing just how irresponsible they are. I would have no hesitation, call them now.

[The Dogmother]

Also, keep a log of all the incidents; it is worth its weight in gold when you speak to the DW, or need to involve the police. Catalogued times and dates mean so much more to them.

[Patricia W]

I know you don't want to cause trouble, but that dog is being neglected.

 

Maybe if the dog warden has a word, the children will realise the impact of their actions. You can get self-closing gates/doors, or ones with alarms on that go off when left open so there are other steps they can take.

[newcountrygirl]

Thanks everyone. I am going to call the dog warden and see what they say.

[The Dogmother]

Let us know how you get on.

[kinsk]

The kids are their responsibility as is their dog so yes it is very much their fault if they can't control either!

 

We have a rottie and spent £100's in fencing, not to mention OH's time to make sure he can't get off our land.

 

I definitely agree with logging all incidents, and take pictures if you can. Hope the dog warden can help.

[The Dogmother]

How did you get on?

 

We currently have a similar problem; a property, which backs onto our side access alley, doesn't have a secured garden, so their dog is always running up and down the alley and into any gardens it can. The dog is friendly and not destructive, but doesn't have a collar or tags I got fed up with putting it back in the garden, and once took it back to their front door when it had got onto the road (got a sullen load of no thanks from the owner).

 

I reported it to the DW as it was only a matter of time before the poor thing got run over... the owners are on a last warning, but have since secured their garden.

[newcountrygirl]

I have emailed the dog warden and set out all the issues. They confirmed they will reply within the next 48 hours so we shall see. From now on any more incidents will definately be logged. Thanks everyone for your wise advice.

[The Dogmother]

As has been said, photos of the marauding dog would be useful too. Poor thing; I can't help feeling that it could have a better home.

[newcountrygirl]

I know. It seems pleasant enough - but you never know. Poor thing must be cooped up a lot. Only a small house too plus the 4 kids. No word from the Dog Warden yet. I will take pics if it happens again.

[The Dogmother]

Does your camera have the facility to have the date on the photos?

[newcountrygirl]

ooh not sure i will have to check

[newcountrygirl]

Have put the update on the bottom of the original post!

[The Dogmother]

That sounds promising; she will now probably wait to see how often it happens before acting.

 

Is it worth passing her details onto other neighbours who have been affected?

[Lavenders_Blue]

Three cheers for your dog warden

[newcountrygirl]

I have passed on details to neighbours. Also I am a Parish Councillor so shall be making it a point at the next meeting. Hopefully - they will control it and if not then they will have to take the consequences.

[The Dogmother]

I feel sorry for the poor dog

[bluekarin]

So glad something is in motion now, and at least the DW are aware. Such a shame for the dog, but sounds like he needs to live somewhere he will get lots of love and attention. That's what I feel when I hear he is running around the area and peering at your dog through the window. Hope this is resolved quickly for all concerned.