Dogs - not mine scaring my horses.

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Halfpint2

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We have just moved our horses home and everything is great bar one thing, bloody dogs.

A neighbour who lives nearby seems to think he can use my paddocks as an exercise yard for his black labs, even though he has his own fields for them to play with.

I don't have a problem with the dogs they can't help being owned by this rude man, he just seems not to give a monkeys.

Yesterday I was bringing in my youngster when out of nowhere these dogs came charging towards us, my horse freaked and as hard as I tried I just couldn't hold on and managed to unclip him and off he went. The dogs followed, by this point I was screaming at this chap to get his dogs under control or suffer the consequences as he just seemed to stop and watch the proceedings.

After what seemed an eternity he called his dogs I got my horse in, and then I went to tackle him, he seriously couldn't give two wotsits. I could have wiped the smirk of his face.

Now what I want to know is what can I do about it, I have run electric tape alongside the fencing which is post and rail, but the dogs always find a way in, I don't want to put sheep wire at the bottom of the fencing.

My OH says he'll get his catapult out, but not for the dogs but for the owner.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened but certainly the worst , I keep thinking what would have happened if my 10 year old was with me getting his little pony in.

Why are people so thoughtless.

Any ideas gratefully received.
 
Tell him that he is not welcome on your land - and that he is trespassing if he continues.

His dogs must be under control around livestock - and you can shoot them if they are not.



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The bloke sounds a right T***t
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He has been told at least a couple of times, he is under no illusion he and his dogs are not welcome.

I must say I've thought about my OH air rifle just to frighten the dogs, but not sure if its legal.
 
Pedantic, yes you are right, he gives you the impression he owns the village, especially when he lands his helicopter in his fields.
 
Firstly, speak to him nicely and explain that it isn't on, explain the dangers involved, both for you, and his dogs. I don't think his dogs would come out of a fight with horses hooves very well... His attitude sounds like he won't listen to it, but you have to try nicely.
If that isn't listened to, tell him that the next time the dogs stray onto your land and he doesn't call them back, you will assume they are strays as he isn't taking any responsibility for them, and you will take them to the local police dog pound.
 
Trespass charges can only be brought if the Trespass causes damage. Trespass has now caused damage, by scaring your horse so you had to let go. Maybe time for a word with the police?
 
The annoying thing is that it is the owner at fault not the dogs, but it is the dogs that will suffer if they are kicked or shot.

I have a rather exuberant black lab, but I would never dream of letting her loose around horses, cattle, sheep, etc It is my understanding (but I could be totally wrong) that the landowner does have the right to shoot a dog that is worrying their livestock - but I know that is not what you want to do.

How about phoning your local council and talking to the dog warden? He may be able to come up with some ideas, perhaps talk to the owner - not sure if they have some powers to remove dogs that are causing a nuisance.
 
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Trespass charges can only be brought if the Trespass causes damage. Trespass has now caused damage, by scaring your horse so you had to let go. Maybe time for a word with the police?

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I agree - if he insists on trespassing, involve the police.


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Sally Smith is right, you do have the right to shoot them.
Of course you wouldn't,(well i hope you wouldn't!!!:P) but thats a pretty seriously remark that would make most dog lovers no matter how ignorant tremble in their hunters.

It might just get the point across, if not all i can think of is RSPCA or police on a non-emergency number.

Good luck x
 
Hi - I had the same problem (black labs again - praps this is a theme!
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) - he seemed to like the dogs to go out of his garden into the field to do their business and so encouraged the behaviour
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While I am happy for the youngsters to get used to dogs - the dogs were seriously at risk - soooo - I already had electric fencing to keep the horses away from his garden and I ran 2 lower strands at labradog face and belly height. It seems to have worked
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This particular neighbour held a barely handled colt foal for 3 hours in the rain in the early hours of the morning while the foal's mother died out in the field from colic. Even when the mare had had to be PTS and he handed the foal over for us to load in a lorry and take to safety - I still didn't know who he was or that the dogs were his!


It probably isn't worth upsetting the neighbours over if you can put a stop to it without - neighbours can be very useful and can also be very vindictive.

Good luck whatever you decide to do ...
 
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Sally Smith is right, you do have the right to shoot them.


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Horses don't count as livestock so you only have the right to shoot them if you are a) a farmer and b) have livestock on your farm (that is sheep, cattle, pigs - but mostly sheep as they are at most risk)

You risk getting into trouble while the other guy sits back and enjoys the show
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I could give you a mare who would solve the problem pronto by going in and killing them (I am not joking either). However, I wouldn't be so cruel or stupid to allow dogs around her, as we found almost to our cost.

What a bleedin' idiot!!! However, if these dogs are being a nuisance then report it if after talking to him nicely does not work. It will only be you, your horses or his dogs that suffer otherwise and it always to helps to back your case up with your attempts at being reasonable.
 
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and you will take them to the local police dog pound.

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AKAIK - the police have had their "stray dog management" money removed and it has been given to the council to manage stray dogs through the dog warden. If you want any action from the council then you need them in attendance while the dogs are on your land OR you need to catch the dogs and make the call - they are very unlikely to get involved in the dispute otherwise.

From a trespass point of view then NO damage has been caused - you would need a vet's bill attributable to the dog's presence or a similar doctor's note - just having to let the horse go doesn't (of itself) constitute damage.

This guy sounds like a complete git by the way - he gives dog owners a bad name
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I empathise entirely. Our recently acquired ponies are regularly being chased by a pair of boxer type dogs, that go over a stock proof fence in the park next to us into the rabbit warren no mans land, then under our fence. They are encouraged to 'chase rabbits - I've heard the owner call 'go get 'em' long before we got the ponies, they sometimes used to chase our chickens up and down the run too. This was happening daily about 8am, but seems less in the Christmas holidays or maybe they're doing a different time. The horses kick out at them and chase them as a pair and I throw stuff at them (often a lump of horse poo) and shout and chase them off. We just got loads of electric fencing delivered! Tee Hee Can't wait, I'll be out listening for doggy ouches every morning!

However it's especially annoying as we live in a doggy area adjacent to a big estate and the younger of the 2 ponies has got a bit scared of barking dogs - despite coming from a home with 3 lab/rotty type barking dogs and we have a quiet elderly dog. We were out for a walk on the local bridleway/byway behind the housing estate near us, and a man coming back from the other park had let his 2 large retreivers off the lead 200m up the road that leads to the bridleway - so out of his sight/hearing. They yapped and bounced at the pony while my daughter was calmly keeping him out of the way, and in the end he'd had enough and bolted for home (daughter bailed before an icy corner but was OK, other walkers further down stopped pony who was also OK). Bloke turned up and caught his dogs (who ran back to him as didn't know what to do when half their quarry landed on the ground next to them then wailed and ran towards me) and he didn't hang about so I don't know who/how to complain to about him as I don't know who he is! What a muppet. Grrr!
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(sorry to hijack post, but could have been nasty and now pony and daughter have a complex about yapping dogs)
 
I would second the low strands of electric tape but attached below/between the rails, if they get 'stung' they will avoid it like the plague, just make sure you have a good charge through them. Murphy got caught on ours and screamed like mad before panicking and charging across the fields, he stayed well away for weeks before trying again and then being reminded why he stayed away. Perhaps try some offset up top to get the arrogant owner too!
 
Steal his dogs away every time he comes near you on your land. Train them to come with by using positive reinforcement or dog treats. I've done it several times when chased by dogs when I'm running. Then hold them captive for a few hours (ie not long enough for the police to come out) and release them. He'll soon get fed up.
 
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