My dog bit my neighbours dog. What to do??

[bumblesheep]

My husband took Harry (our dog) out for a quick walk round the street a few nights ago.
It was late, about 12am and dark.

My husband walked past a neighbours house and her dog went mental, barking and scratching at the door. My husband heard the door open and the dog run out, but kept walking assuming that the neighbours dog had his owner with him. This was not the case. The neighbout had let the dog charge out and shut the door behind him (she said she lets the 'see off' whatever/whoever is walking past) The dog bounded up to my husband and Harry.

Harry (still on lead) reacted and put himself between my husband and the neighbours dog (who was still growling) Harry growled and the neighbours dog kind of jumped/lunged fowards, then ran away, bach onto neighbours drive.

Harry and my husband carried on with their walk and I was told about it when they got home.
When told, my first thoughts were that my neighbour was a twit for letting her dog out onto a public area and was glad that my husband had not been hurt by her dog.

The next evening my neighbour came to my house and told me that Harry had bitten her dog, we were bad owners, we owe her £125 for her vet bill and she would run a kind of hate campaign against us (we have only just moved here)
I told her that I hoped her dog was feeling better and although we are sorry that her dog was hurt, it should have not been let out to charge at my husband and my dog was on a lead and just protecting his owner.

I've been told today that she has been talking about us yo anyone who will listen. I'm worried because she works at my childs school and from what i've seen so far, is going all out to be horrid to my family.

I would like to know if the law is on my side and if anyone has any idea how to deal with this.

Thanks xx

[NoMercy]

Your neighbour is responsible for her animal, and should have been with her dog when it was outside. If she makes any more threats re a campaign, I'd consider making a statement at the police station.

[craft1948]

Your dog was on a lead and 'under control'.....hers wasn't and it's your husband's word against hers. Going by the conversation she had with you she sounds like a bully......and I bet the rest of the neighbours know exactly what she's like.....politely tell her to sod off............

[bumblesheep]

I was thinking of droping her a note saying somthing along the lines of
- Glad your dog is feeling better (have seen him out, jumping about. This a day after he was suposed to have had an all day op at the vets.......)
I dont want to cause you any trouble, but will sue if you keep on slandering my family.

She might be worried about her job at the school if she gers in trouble?

[NoMercy]

This person works in a school?

Heavens above !

[Crazychickx]

Oh dear how awful for you, I have to echo everyone on here so far, your dog was on the lead and under control, this woman sounds awful and not responsible to own a animal let alone work at a school, suggest you contact the police and explain the situation (get in there first) and mention her hate campaign threat to them. Also what breed of dog is it? If its on the dangerous dog breeds list she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Good luck!

[dothawkes31]

1) ask to see her vet bill
2) ring the dog warden and tell them she lets her dog out to 'see off' anyone walking past
3) report her to the police for anti-social behavior
4) I assunme at the local school she is none teaching staff, contact the school governors and explain what has happened.

[NoMercy]

And exactly what right does she have to let her dog run wild to "see anyone off". ??

I presume the street you live on is a public right of way, and so therefore it is permissable to walk past her house.

[bumblesheep]

Thanks for taking the time to answer : )

CrazeyChickx - Funnly enough her dog is a collie so not an 'agresive breed' and my dog is a huge German shepard. He's so big people are often scared of him. They wouldnt be if they could see him now, trying to be a lap dog!!

[bumblesheep]

NoMercy - Yep they were on the path. The neighbours dog rann off her drive, across the road and onto the path to get to them.

[mandimoo]

i would keep a diary, starting with detailing these incidents, however small they seem to be individually. hopefully you will never need the notes, but if this nightmare of a neighbour is doing a hate campaign you will already have it fully documented. that said, i really hope its all a storm in a tea-cup, and maybe you will both laugh about it it in a few months over a glass of vino. best wishes to you bumble. i would like to move soon and stories like this terrify me.

[brenda]

You have been given some excellent advice on here , so please please take it. Have been in your position myself almost identical event , at that time I had a GSD as well.
I was worried sick about the event , and my neighbour was a very agressive man.I felt intimidated and rather fearful of the outcome , but went to the police and told them everything that had happened.They were very helpful and told me to inform my neighbour that I had been to see them .I did this as soon as I got home , and I added that unless his agressive behaviour towards me stopped , and that he kept his dog under control I would contact the dog warden about his dog, and i would also seek legal advice about him.
He began to swear and then slammed his door shut.
We have not spoken, since 4 years now , but there were no further problems.
I was absolutely scared stiff of going to the police but am pleased I did because it would have gone on for ever.My dog was also on a lead like yours.
It is a difficult situation , but you are going to need to stand up to them and please don't offer to pay any vets bills.Sincere good luck .Brenda.

[wildwood]

Do you not have a community officer at the local cop shop?
Judging by your sensitivity, this sort of situation can evolve into causing you many sleepless nights, eventhough it is not your fault.
A community officer is experienced in these situations and will sort this problem out for you without favour or malice.

Contacting the school about your neighbour may not be a good idea. It will show you are desperate for support.

[lillyjumpin1]

well its her fault and im glad you said sorry. The law should be by your side as long as your dog was on a leash because it doesnt sound like the other dog was on one. I hoped i helped.

[madmaggot]

Do go to the police about this. I have had a couple of incidents when I have taken no action and decided to put something down to experience when someone had wronged me. In each case the other person went to the police and told a version of the incident that put them in the right and me in the wrong. In my experience the police believe the person who goes to them first!

[tigerlily11]

Do the things that people have suggested in this thread. She is breaking the law by letting her dog loose in a public area no matter what she says. her dog was on the attack.
She has probably tried this before and has been successful at it due to the fact many people wanting to get on with their naighbors. But she is in the wrong. The second she comes up against some one who will not take this sort of thing from her she will back down and pull her neck in.
Unless she can produce evidence her dog went to the vets there is not a lot she can do. If she had that big a complaint she should have gone straight to the police instead of coming to you directly. I know this because we have had a problem dog and owner in our village recently.
If she threatens the police then do her a favor and get your phone out and tell I'll make the call for you and we will settle this now.
She won't want to risk face and her position in the school over it. Ask around and see if any one else had had a problem with her.