Dogs and The Law!

[TheresaW]

If a dog came into my garden and worried my animals, what action could I legally take?

 

[foxviewstud]

i know if a dog worries sheep or livestock i think you can shoot it????not sure if you have to give the owner a warning first though, i would have a look on dog law on the internet????

 

[TheresaW]

Ok will do, thanks. Think OH would have shot it if he'd been at home.

 

[gemmaw]

you cant shoot it unless you have tried several ways to get rid of the dog and can prove it, very difficult to do!! i did lots of research on the law of this last year, it would be much easier to report it to the council and police if you know whose dog it is, not a very nice position if you shoot it without a good enough reason

 

[Tia]

Legally you could only shoot the dog if it was worrying livestock and it is general etiquette that you don't do this unless you have given the dog owner prior warning.

The Law says that if you wish to stop animals coming onto your property then YOU are the one who has to erect suitable fencing to keep the animals out.

 

[TheresaW]

Don't worry, I wouldn't let OH shoot it anyway. These dogs are walked off the lead and are always chasing our cats. (There are 2 of them). A few times now the dogs have actually come into the garden after the cats, and then this morning, one was in the garden trying to get into the ferrets hutch. They are pushing open the gate. To me, they shouldn't be off the lead if they can't be controlled. Didn't actually see their owner this morning as I would have said something to him.

 

[Tia]

You are right they shouldn't be off-lead if their owner can't control them....however the Law states that as you are the one who doesn't want these animals on your property, then you are the one who has to have it suitably fenced to keep them out.

 

[TheresaW]

Thankyou. Will have a look at gate and make sure it is shut properly at all times.

 

[ouzebeck]

Dont know where the law stands but last year a farmer near where i live shot a dog that was chasing his sheep. He did not give warning and in fact shot the dog after he had chased it of his property and into an area that was full of children on a park. The park is on the other side of the fence to his land,he was not prosecuted.

 

[Oneofthepack]

Can you keep something handy, like one of those gas canister claxton things, and set it off when they appear? That'd scare the crap out of them!

I'd contact the local police and ask what you can do legally.