Dogs not kept securly

[EvianBaby]

If a dog owner fails to secure their garden and their dog escapes then enters another property and attacks animals on that property, is there any come back on the dog owners? Do they have a responsibility to ensure their dogs are kept securely in their premises?

[mumsie_wumsie]

I know of some one whose german shepherd jumped their fence and went into a neighbours garden, picked up a guinea pig ( very gently) and these neighbours took the other people to court over an 'unruly dog'. They were bound to keep their dog under proper control. ( the guinea pig did not suffer at all and was perfectly OK )

[Carakeel]

Dogs must always be kept "under control" at all time, regardless if they are at home or in public. I think you will find that the owners do have a responsibility to keep they dogs securely on their premises. I would ring the police if what you describe happened to me. The dogs that got out of that person's garden could just as easily have attacked a child or an elderly person in the street. The police will have a few things to say about this, I'm sure! The difficulty might be in proving that the other person's dogs got out and attacked yours on your property.

[islasmum]

I don't know about any laws, but I would think there must be some ruling somewhere the the owners should take responsibility for any damage their dog/animal makes if the garden is not secure. I'm sure that someone will be able to tell you if there is any law about this. Has this happened to you?

[Frank97]

I'm pretty sure that any dog owner is responsible for ensuring that their pet remains on their property, I had a dog that was covered under the dangerous dogs act when it first became law, in there it clearly states that the owner must keep the dog securely on their own land or fall foul of the act. So I assume this would apply to other dogs especially as it's attacking other peoples pets.

[Frank97]

I would report it to the counsil as well as the police.

[RATTER15]

Im fairly sure that the law says the dog should be under control and on a lead when on the public highway, if it hasn't even go an owner with the dog I imagine the same rule applies. No control.

[sallybb]

Ratter15 yours looks a bit dangerous :0) Hope you keep it well fenced in. EvianBaby not sure about domestic pets but with livestock its up to the owner to make sure he has sufficient fencing to keep animals in, if any animals onto other land , the landowner can charge a reasonable amount for grazing and water and claim damages ( if damage done to property).

[sallybb]

Also meant to add if dog attacks other animals ( dogs, cats etc) and isnt under control then the offending dog owner may be liable for the vets bills its dog causes. If dog attacks livestock it may be shot by farmer.

[EvianBaby]

In this case the dog (not sure of breed) went into a neighbouring garden and attacked 6 chickens, killing 4 of them and leaving the other two requiring treatment from the vet. The owner stumped up the cost of the vet and a small amount extra to cover the cost of replacing the chickens. I felt as though it should have been reported but just wondered what the outcome would be if it was.

Thanks for all replies.

[heathfield]

http://www.thecourier...dundee-dog-c-jay.html

[lankeela]

http://www.defra.gov....ou-leaflet-080515.pdf

[EvianBaby]

Thank you Lankeela, that's interesting. It seems the dog owners got away lightly with a bill for £160 then.

They were also lucky the dog didn't go in the opposite direction which would have put it on a farmers field and I know the action he would have taken.

[JonnyBoy12]

Glad to hear that the guinea pig was okay after its' ordeal, mumsie wumsie. I wish all dogs were so gentle.

[lankeela]

My sister had a dog that got into a neighbours garden and attacked their goat, which was tethered. Apart from having to pay a hefty vet's bill, they were taken to court and had to provide evidence that the fencing between them had been repaired and brought up to an acceptable standard. I think the courts consider an attack on another animal as less serious than an attack on a human, and so don't usually make a destruction order. Of course owners are responsible for keeping their animals secure, but unfortunately dogs will be dogs and given half a chance some will attack smaller animals or poultry. My GSD will take a pigeon out of the air if he can catch them and I don't think I would trust him to bring the chickens in!
To be honest I think provided the owner paid the vet's bill and the cost of replacing the chickens and does ensure the dog is secure in future then you can't really expect any more. You can't blame the dog for doing what nature tells it to do.