Dogs worrying horses -what can I do-where do I stand?????

[claire1976]

I am getting very frustrated with 2 labradors that keep jumping over the wall from their garden into my field. They do not seem agressive towards the horses but are running around causing the horses distress. My pony got in such a state that she trapped herself between the electric tape and barbed wire fence and couldn't get out.
I can see a major accident happening here- either to the horses or the dogs. I have approached the owners before and asked them to keep more control but they don't seem to bother - they're excuse is they can't stop them jumping the wall and they won't bother the horses.
Well, I've made another makeshift electric fence along the wall and doubled it a few times but they still seem to be able to get in.
I don't want to upset the neighbours backing onto the field but I have a duty of care to my horses and don't want a vets bill coz of an injury.
Defra seems to indicate that the livestock protection act includes that dogs worrying horses is an offence.
Wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to what I should/could be allowed to do (other than shooting them!).
Cheers.....

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

Send your horses in to thier garnden and see how they like?

 

[clipertyplop]

catch the dogs put them in your car and drive them to the next towns police staition tell them you found them wondering on the motorway, they will then go into a pound where the owners will have to pay to get them out once they have had to pay a few time they will soon make sure they cant get out no more

 

[Maesfen]

Have you a local dog warden? If so, have a word with them, they should be able to help. Failing that report them as nuisance neighbours to the police and the council. That way, they have a record of it that you have objected so that if anything does happen, God forbid, they will take action and hopefully your insurance company will be sympathetic.
Might be an idea if you can to take pictures of your fencing, the wall they're jumping and if necessary the dogs in your field; they have no right to let their dogs roam in your field per se unless there is a footpath through it and even then they should be under control, not running loose without anyone.

 

[Skhosu]

I like forget me nots suggestion, and sliprtyclops except wouldn't want an 'accident' happening and the doggy's getting put down.
What about catching them every time and calling the owners to collect them?

 

[Hornby]

Of course, if they chased sheep in the field you could shoot them! (quite legally)

 

[claire1976]

Great idea's there guys, I'll give them a go. My husband is a police officer and he's offered to have a tactful word first and failing this I will try the dog warden and see if they can help. I think the dogs have had years of being allowed to use this field before it became mine and just assume they have a right to use as their house backs onto my field.
There is no public right of way over the land and no access through it, it's fenced all the way round as private grazing land so they should not be on at all.

 

[AmyMay]

Agree with MFH etc. You must take some kind of action. One forum member lost her beloved horse due to a dog bite.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted.

 

[flyingfeet]

If you were more local I could lend you our mare. She actively stalks dogs and has nearly killed a few!

Electric sheep netting is also highly effective with labs (after blundering into it, our lab never went near sheep ever again!)

 

[filly190]

I think, send your husband in, as an off duty officer he can have a little word.

They would soon be screaming if one of their dogs incurred a hefty vets bill.

What ever you do, because of your husbands job you have to be careful in case they put in a complaint against him. They know this, hence the situation. I think its no win, no win.

What you could offer to do is put up fencing behind the wall, making it impossible for them to enter the land and get them to pay towards it. I would'nt be happy with footing the bill, but if you feel your horses are in danger it might be the cheapest and quickest option.

My neighbour constantly lets her animals wonder, due to lack of fencing and then rings us up to complain when our dogs bark at her animals. Some people just dont get it.

 

[MagicMelon]

Id pop the article from Defra about how it is an offence through their door, and politely say they must keep their dog in their own garden. Say you dont want to cause any upset and you realise the dogs arent aggressive as such but they have already upset one of your horses and maybe make up something like you saw one of your horses try to kick one of their dogs. Its not up to you to have to buy fencing to keep them out - its their problem and their responsibility.