Aggressive dog - who should it be reported to?

[Meowy Catkin]

There is a property in my area with an aggressive dog. If the gate is shut, it's not an issue, but the owner often leaves the gate open, so the dog runs out from the garden into the road. It snarls and launches itself at walkers, cyclists, horses and even cars. The owner has been asked to keep the gate shut, but the request seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

If the owner leaves the gate open again and the dog launches itself at someone, who should it be reported to?

 

[Dry Rot]

Police or council dog warden. Very helpful in my experience. Apparently, there is new legislation and even if a dog causes justifiable nervousness it can be classified as dangerous dog when there are escalating penalties.

 

[Lunchbox legend]

I wouldn't wait for something to happen. I'd be reporting it every day until someone came and made the situation safe - whatever form that took.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I keep hoping that they'll just be sensible and keep the gate shut.

 

[_GG_]

I keep hoping that they'll just be sensible and keep the gate shut.

I can understand this, but all it would take is a child to be bitten or fall off a spooked pony and you'd feel awful.

I would, as has been done, start by communication with the owner, but when it has fallen on deaf ears, I would report to the police and council dog warden.

 

[lastchancer]

Have the dog warden collect the dog next time the gates left open. That might help it's owners remember to shut it behind them. In fairness though maybe there's thoughtless postie or milkman leaving the gate open?

 

[dollyanna]

But even if it was a thoughtless outsider leaving the gate open, if the dog is not safe in public then they shouldn't be letting it out without checking the gate. I know I always check my gate before letting my boy out, just in case.

 

[_GG_]

Have the dog warden collect the dog next time the gates left open. That might help it's owners remember to shut it behind them. In fairness though maybe there's thoughtless postie or milkman leaving the gate open?

I used to live off a very busy trunk road and the postie used to leave the gate open. When I called them one day to say that my dog got out because the gate was left open the guy at the sorting centre was fantastic. He took it seriously, took my address and spoke to the postie that had been doing it. I had a little note of apology two mornings later with our mail. The next morning, I left a cupcake with a "thank you" note.

 

[lastchancer]

I used to live off a very busy trunk road and the postie used to leave the gate open. When I called them one day to say that my dog got out because the gate was left open the guy at the sorting centre was fantastic. He took it seriously, took my address and spoke to the postie that had been doing it. I had a little note of apology two mornings later with our mail. The next morning, I left a cupcake with a "thank you" note.

See, thats how easy life can be when people choose to cooperate with each other

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Sadly this situation is a little bit more complicated. They only have the dog due to the father's death (suicide) and this is certainly causing everyone/the neighbours to be reticent to report the dog. It's definitely not the postman leaving the gate open. The dog has always been dreadful but it was mainly kept chained up when it lived with the father due to this behaviour, unless it was working (it's a sheep dog).

 

[_GG_]

Sadly this situation is a little bit more complicated. They only have the dog due to the father's death (suicide) and this is certainly causing everyone/the neighbours to be reticent to report the dog. It's definitely not the postman leaving the gate open. The dog has always been dreadful but it was mainly kept chained up when it lived with the father due to this behaviour, unless it was working (it's a sheep dog).

The dog is probably deeply unhappy. A working dog in a residential environment is a recipe for disaster.

Maybe you or someone in the street could speak to a few collie rescues and see what possibilities there are and then pop over one night with a bottle of wine and ask if you can sit down for a quick chat. You can be very empathetic and be there just as a friendly neighbour to help them and say that you can't imagine how they must feel, but that there are opportunities to re-home the dog safely if they want to give it a happy life. This is obviously dependent on a rescue offering a place, but I do think you'll find one.

What a tricky situation it is

 

[Meowy Catkin]

The dog is still working as a sheep dog, they just need to keep it contained (when it's at their property).

ETA - we're out in the sticks here, it's not a residential area.

 

[_GG_]

The dog is still working as a sheep dog, they just need to keep it contained (when it's at their property).

ETA - we're out in the sticks here, it's not a residential area.

Not sure what else to say then other than try and talk to them maybe and be vigilant. I understand the need for sensitivity, but there is a risk factor here so something should really be done. A difficult one, I'll grant you that xxx

 

[Dry Rot]

Sadly this situation is a little bit more complicated. They only have the dog due to the father's death (suicide) and this is certainly causing everyone/the neighbours to be reticent to report the dog. It's definitely not the postman leaving the gate open. The dog has always been dreadful but it was mainly kept chained up when it lived with the father due to this behaviour, unless it was working (it's a sheep dog).

That is pretty much as I guessed. Some people cannot be told and they certainly won't take gentle hints over a cup of tea. They "know best".

The professionals handle these sorts of situations every day. They are not personally involved and if the dog owner gets emotional about being told, the professional is not on the scene to get the inevitable sour looks and emotional blackmail. He will also know the law and can evoke it if necessary.

Leave it to the professionals before someone gets hurt or the dog gets run over.

Edited to say that if it is a working sheepdog and anything at all useful, someone with sheep will want it and give it a home.