Dangerous dog, advice needed please
Discussion
Hi all, This doesn't directly involve me, but it might do if my fears are realised.
Next door neighbour has a Bull Mastiff,lovely looking animal, but very aggressive to all except it's own family. It does have a habit of literally trying to demolish the fence between their garden and the neighbour on the other side. This has been going on for the two years that I've lived here. Said other neighbour had a dog, a dog I'd known for the time that I've been here, and know it to have been a soppy thing, getting on in years and totally laid back. No bother to anyone even on the odd occasion it got out.
......Removed incorrect information.......please see update below
We have a small terrier, who barks at anything, and naturally my immediate concerns are surrounding our dog's safety in our own garden. Further to this, my 7yo daughter plays with the daughter of the neighbour who's dog was attacked. We encourage our kids to be outside, even if in the relative safety of our own gardens, but following recent events I'm rather concerned to put it mildly.
Can anyone offer some words of advice regarding what to do next?
ETA, I do speak to the neighbours, but haven't spoken to them yet. To be honest I don't know how to get across my concerns without "demanding" they do something to reign the dog in.
Next door neighbour has a Bull Mastiff,lovely looking animal, but very aggressive to all except it's own family. It does have a habit of literally trying to demolish the fence between their garden and the neighbour on the other side. This has been going on for the two years that I've lived here. Said other neighbour had a dog, a dog I'd known for the time that I've been here, and know it to have been a soppy thing, getting on in years and totally laid back. No bother to anyone even on the odd occasion it got out.
......Removed incorrect information.......please see update below
We have a small terrier, who barks at anything, and naturally my immediate concerns are surrounding our dog's safety in our own garden. Further to this, my 7yo daughter plays with the daughter of the neighbour who's dog was attacked. We encourage our kids to be outside, even if in the relative safety of our own gardens, but following recent events I'm rather concerned to put it mildly.
Can anyone offer some words of advice regarding what to do next?
ETA, I do speak to the neighbours, but haven't spoken to them yet. To be honest I don't know how to get across my concerns without "demanding" they do something to reign the dog in.
Edited by Amused2death on Monday 17th November 15:52
Edited by Amused2death on Monday 17th November 17:15
hornetrider said:
I'd expect the police to investigate and maybe have the offending dog destroyed, unfortunately.
This. It's only a matter of time with an animal like that, though the blame for its behaviour almost certainly lies with its owners.If the neighbour hasn't reported it, though I would be very surprised if he hasn't, then you should. Now.
The owners of the BM definitely need reporting to the police.
Unfortunately they haven't brought the dog up correctly and it is now out of control ( has been for a while by the sound of it.).
This is 100% the owners fault not the dogs but sadly as a result the dog will quite probably be PTS.
Unfortunately they haven't brought the dog up correctly and it is now out of control ( has been for a while by the sound of it.).
This is 100% the owners fault not the dogs but sadly as a result the dog will quite probably be PTS.
Right, I've just got back from the neighbour who's dog died. He's told me the following:
His dog was attacked in the street outside our homes, his dog wasn't on a lead, but is old and can't walk far let alone run.
Next door neighbour was out with his two dogs returning from walking them. One a Bull Mastiff (uncertain if actually a BM, but very similar to in size and shape), the other a Black Lab. BM definitely on a lead, uncertain if Lab running free or slipped it's lead. Lab attacks elderly dog, neighbour comes running with BM on lead, then when within range BM joined in the attack. Neighbour unable to control both dogs so retreats with BM to hold him off the attack. Neighbour with elderly dog wades in trying to separate dogs, eventually after several boots to the Lab they separate them. Elderly dog taken to vets, patched up and given painkillers. Condition of dog deteriorates over the next 48 hours, decision made to put dog to sleep to end further suffering.
Those are the facts of the attack itself, further to this when in their own garden both of the neighbours dogs observed throwing themselves at the fence attempting to get into elderly dog's garden. Both dogs have been seen occasionally running free after escaping out the front somehow. Apparently during the summer there was a time when neighbour felt safer in their own home rather than in their garden because of free running dog.
As mentioned in original post, I'm concerned for our own dog, and more importantly our children. I know it's an owner problem rather than directly a dog one, but what can I do? It's now known the dogs are dangerous, but they haven't attacked our dog or daughter....yet. Call me paranoid if you like, but I think it's a question of when, not if, it happens again and I'll have done nothing wrong other than allow my daughter to play with their friend either in our own garden, or her friends.
His dog was attacked in the street outside our homes, his dog wasn't on a lead, but is old and can't walk far let alone run.
Next door neighbour was out with his two dogs returning from walking them. One a Bull Mastiff (uncertain if actually a BM, but very similar to in size and shape), the other a Black Lab. BM definitely on a lead, uncertain if Lab running free or slipped it's lead. Lab attacks elderly dog, neighbour comes running with BM on lead, then when within range BM joined in the attack. Neighbour unable to control both dogs so retreats with BM to hold him off the attack. Neighbour with elderly dog wades in trying to separate dogs, eventually after several boots to the Lab they separate them. Elderly dog taken to vets, patched up and given painkillers. Condition of dog deteriorates over the next 48 hours, decision made to put dog to sleep to end further suffering.
Those are the facts of the attack itself, further to this when in their own garden both of the neighbours dogs observed throwing themselves at the fence attempting to get into elderly dog's garden. Both dogs have been seen occasionally running free after escaping out the front somehow. Apparently during the summer there was a time when neighbour felt safer in their own home rather than in their garden because of free running dog.
As mentioned in original post, I'm concerned for our own dog, and more importantly our children. I know it's an owner problem rather than directly a dog one, but what can I do? It's now known the dogs are dangerous, but they haven't attacked our dog or daughter....yet. Call me paranoid if you like, but I think it's a question of when, not if, it happens again and I'll have done nothing wrong other than allow my daughter to play with their friend either in our own garden, or her friends.
Not sure you can really blame the BM for this. Your neighbour can report the Labrador but the BM only joined in when dragged close enough by his stupid owner. If you were dragged into a fight would you stand there or would you join in to protect yourself? It's instinctive.
The owners are clearly not that bright but it could have been the aggressive lab causing the BM to be aggressive as well. Still unfortunate that it happened, they should have been on secure leads but no point losing both dogs if only one is to blame.
The owners are clearly not that bright but it could have been the aggressive lab causing the BM to be aggressive as well. Still unfortunate that it happened, they should have been on secure leads but no point losing both dogs if only one is to blame.
Anonamoose said:
Not sure you can really blame the BM for this. Your neighbour can report the Labrador but the BM only joined in when dragged close enough by his stupid owner. If you were dragged into a fight would you stand there or would you join in to protect yourself? It's instinctive.
The owners are clearly not that bright but it could have been the aggressive lab causing the BM to be aggressive as well. Still unfortunate that it happened, they should have been on secure leads but no point losing both dogs if only one is to blame.
Hence the comments about BM being on a lead. Sadly the fact remains the attack did happen, and my concerns still remain. Given the facts above (And god knows I wish they weren't true), what can I do about it?The owners are clearly not that bright but it could have been the aggressive lab causing the BM to be aggressive as well. Still unfortunate that it happened, they should have been on secure leads but no point losing both dogs if only one is to blame.
You can't get rid of the BM just because you are scared of the breed. Your neighbour can report the lab attacking his dog but that's all. You can't make your neighbour get rid of his dogs and unfortunately unless the dog does someone or some animal damage then the law can't either. The lab might get PTS on court order but doubt the BM would.
Make your fence stronger, put some chicken wire or something up as an extra precaution if you think it's that bad, make sure your dog is on a lead when walked and cross the road if need be to stay out of what of the other dogs if they are out being walked. Keep your daughter out of neighbours garden although they might not be bothered now the dog has sadly gone.
You haven't said that they actually bother about your fence or your dog.
Make your fence stronger, put some chicken wire or something up as an extra precaution if you think it's that bad, make sure your dog is on a lead when walked and cross the road if need be to stay out of what of the other dogs if they are out being walked. Keep your daughter out of neighbours garden although they might not be bothered now the dog has sadly gone.
You haven't said that they actually bother about your fence or your dog.
Anonamoose said:
You can't get rid of the BM just because you are scared of the breed. Your neighbour can report the lab attacking his dog but that's all. You can't make your neighbour get rid of his dogs and unfortunately unless the dog does someone or some animal damage then the law can't either. The lab might get PTS on court order but doubt the BM would.
Make your fence stronger, put some chicken wire or something up as an extra precaution if you think it's that bad, make sure your dog is on a lead when walked and cross the road if need be to stay out of what of the other dogs if they are out being walked. Keep your daughter out of neighbours garden although they might not be bothered now the dog has sadly gone.
You haven't said that they actually bother about your fence or your dog.
As I said, it hasn't affected us directly, but I'm concerned it may do at some point. I'm not scared of the breed,I totally agree it's not the fault of the dog, more of the owner, but the neighbour knows not to attack random people or animals. Their dogs don't, and when it has happened his actions, however well placed, served only to make a bad situation worse.Make your fence stronger, put some chicken wire or something up as an extra precaution if you think it's that bad, make sure your dog is on a lead when walked and cross the road if need be to stay out of what of the other dogs if they are out being walked. Keep your daughter out of neighbours garden although they might not be bothered now the dog has sadly gone.
You haven't said that they actually bother about your fence or your dog.
The fence situation on our side is a hedge on our side and a six foot panel pence on the neighbour's side of the hedge. The other side neighbour also has a six foot fence, but no hedge.
With regards to where my daughter plays, I'm concerned as much for my own garden space as much as her friends garden. Why should I have to fear for my daughter's safety in our own garden?
In terms of the aggressive dogs not bothering because the other dog is now dead.........How about if they take a dislike to our dog and start on our side? Telling me not to worry about it won't really cut it.
I don't want anybody to destroy any dog, to their owners they are pets, but to others they've shown to be very aggressive both in behaviour and actions.
It's not just as simple as destroy the dogs, I'm trying to remain impartial to the actual attack, but combine this with their aggressive nature in their own back garden leads me to question if there is anything I can do to ensure the safety of my own. I appreciate your comments regarding making my boundaries stronger, but even that will only get me so far. It won't change the dog's nature. Am I supposed to check outside my own front door to see if I can allow my daughter out, perhaps I should follow her with a shotgun...you know just in case like?
StuntmanMike said:
Why are you afraid of the BM when the Lab killed the other dog, you have not once mentioned your scared of the Lab, why do people do this?
Well, if it was a Rottie or a GSD the position would be the same. People fixate on the dog they perceive to be dangerous rather than the one that actually attacked.....StuntmanMike said:
Why are you afraid of the BM when the Lab killed the other dog, you have not once mentioned your scared of the Lab, why do people do this?
Who said I was afraid of the BM? I said I was concerned about the safety of my daughter and our dog, as much in our garden as in her friends. I did not witness the attack on the dog, but have gone to great pains to ensure the facts as told to me are accurately presented, and outlined my concerns because of this. I've heard the dogs throwing themselves at the neighbours fence and assumed it was the BM. Initially it was, but the Lab has learnt this trait and behaves in a similar fashion.Look, I've got a dog, I like dogs, I don't fear them. I am a concerned person and I feel my concerns are valid. I'm asking for advice on any approach to this that will help to alleviate those concerns. Though I must admit I now leave a garden fork just outside my back door and will have no hesitation in using it however I see fit if something should happen that involves their dogs and my garden.
ETA...The lab initiated the attack, the BM jumped in when within range........Perhaps I should retitle the post to "Dangerous dogs, advice needed please"
Please don't think I'm jumping on the big scary dog bandwagon, I'm not, but surely my concerns regarding their behaviour have merit? Or should I really just "Keep my nose out of it as it hasn't affected me"?
Edited by Amused2death on Monday 17th November 18:47
Why not talk to the Police first and get their view on things? I think you need to be clear about what you are trying to achieve before you do anything substantive. I understand your concerns but I'm less clear about what precisely you want to achieve. You say you don't want a dog destroyed but you are concerned about your dog's and daughter's safety, so what needs to happen to alleviate that concern? Once you get specific then I think you'll get suggestions about the best way of achieving what you want.
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