Dogs worrying my horse - Can the Police do anything about this

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caths

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Does anyone know if the Police can do anything about two dog walkers who for the last fortnight have been letting their dogs into the field where my mare is and letting them chase her. They are Huskies, collies and a rhodesian ridgeback so its not just a case of a bit of fun its actual cornering her and snapping at her legs and trying to get up to her throat. I had wondered what was wrong with my mare as she was very nervous which is not like her as we have dogs and she doesn't mind them one bit but I discovered what wasgoing on by accident when down at the field later than normal on a saturday evening - in fact it was almost dark. The dogs were actually turning on me when i was trying to get her headcollar on to lead her away so all in all its not pleasant. i spoke to the owner politely and he agreed they shouldn't be doing that and that they;d stop however same again the next evening. Its the laziest most dangerous way to exercise your dogs i Know but not sure what we can do to stop it. We have an electric fence and increased the strands but the dogs don't bother and just squeeze through. If it were sheep or cattle then the law would cover that but I wondered about horses.
 
Phone your local police station and ask for advice. If you and your horse have both been threatened by these animals then you need to do something quickly before one of you gets hurt.
 
Shoot the dogs, if you live 'out of the way' shoot the stupid owners.

Examine the horse and bill them for any injury no matter how slight, some idiots only learn when it hits their wallet.
 
I'd report it definitely, and make sure you tell them that the dogs were threatening to you too. They ought to warn the owners about their behaviour.

Also, are these people trespassing with their dogs? If so report that too. They shouldn't allow their dogs onto private land.

I'd also put a notice up outside the field saying no trespassing and no loose dogs. If you see the owners again speak to them and tell them (strongly but politely) that they are causing your horse distress and that if your horse is injured in any way you will be forced to sue for vets bills.

Good Luck
 
My farrier did that. He got into terrible trouble, yet the dog owner escaped without so much as a caution, and his dog had chased the mare through a fence and rippd her legs to shreds.
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Thats awful. I would tell the police about it, then yes if there are any injuries bill the dog owner- perhaps put a sign on yard stating Tresspassers will be prosecuted for damages or No dogs off the Leash just to show the police you are trying to ward them off.
 
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My farrier did that. He got into terrible trouble, yet the dog owner escaped without so much as a caution, and his dog had chased the mare through a fence and rippd her legs to shreds.
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Really? Why?
 
Is there a public footpath or right of way on your grazing? If so I would also get in touch with the local Council/Rights of Way Officer and report your problems there too.

Please, DO NOT shoot someones dog, that sort of suggestion isnt exactly helpful.
 
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Please, DO NOT shoot someones dog, that sort of suggestion isnt exactly helpful.

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Why Spans?
 
we reported a nuisance dog walker like this and the police knew who he was and threatened that if he didnt walk his dogs on a lead in public areas, he would be issued with an ASBO
 
I think the dog owner reported him to the police and they took a very dim view - presumably because it was his word against the owner's that the dog was actually chasing the horse.
 
Do you know where the dog walkers live? If so, report the incident to the local dog warden who will go round and give them a lecture. We have had several incidents locally and the dog warden has sorted them out every time.
 
Sorry to hear this.

As having 'words' does not seem to be helping. I would like others have suggested put signs up & also if you can get a friendly farmer to put a few sheep in your field. If they do not keep them on a lead then & run through the sheep tp get to your mare they they can be shot. As running through sheep is classed as 'worrying' & there fore punishable.
The dogs are not just worrying but ctually attack this mare
THIS IS NOT ALLOWED & must be stopped.
 
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Horses come under the legislation for stock worrying and is a criminal offence. Report it to your local Police station.

BTW - you are allowed to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock as long as you can justify it!! Might not be helpful or pleasant but is allowed in the circumstances.
 
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BTW - you are allowed to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock as long as you can justify it!! Might not be helpful or pleasant but is allowed in the circumstances.

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And has happend around by me twice in the last two years, totaling three dogs. No criminal charges were brought against the farmers for their action. And one case included the worrying of horses.
 
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Horses come under the legislation for stock worrying and is a criminal offence. Report it to your local Police station.

BTW - you are allowed to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock as long as you can justify it!! Might not be helpful or pleasant but is allowed in the circumstances.

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You don't have to 'prove/justify' it.
In the old days a dog had to have "made contact" eg a bit of wool stuck in its mouth.
They do not now. Worrying or just making ewes run whilst in lamb can cause masses of complications & twisted lambs at lambing time.
We use to put a sign up on the public footpath that ran throug one of our sheep fields at lambing time.
"KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD OR CARRY IT HOME"

P.S. Yes I am a dog lover & give mine soppy kisses!
 
As under the Animals Act, as we are liable for the actions of our horses, dog owners are liable for the actions of the their dogs. I can't believe dog owners are allowing their dogs to do this, it's disgusting ! This definately wants reporting as soon as possible and for the police to take action. I would keep on at the police co
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nstantly to do something.
 
Im a dog lover too but I would not hesitate to put a bullet in any dog that was attacking my horses. Do you not have a friendly farmer who can be waiting with his shotgun when they arrive. You can then tell them that if their dogs chase your horse the farmer will immediately shoot them, let them make the choice.

This is absolutely disgusting and they should not be allowed to just get away with it, you could be injured trying to catch your mare if she is wound up let alone by the dogs.
 
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Does anyone know if the Police can do anything about two dog walkers who for the last fortnight have been letting their dogs into the field where my mare is and letting them chase her. They are Huskies, collies and a rhodesian ridgeback so its not just a case of a bit of fun its actual cornering her and snapping at her legs and trying to get up to her throat. I had wondered what was wrong with my mare as she was very nervous which is not like her as we have dogs and she doesn't mind them one bit but I discovered what wasgoing on by accident when down at the field later than normal on a saturday evening - in fact it was almost dark. The dogs were actually turning on me when i was trying to get her headcollar on to lead her away so all in all its not pleasant. i spoke to the owner politely and he agreed they shouldn't be doing that and that they;d stop however same again the next evening. Its the laziest most dangerous way to exercise your dogs i Know but not sure what we can do to stop it. We have an electric fence and increased the strands but the dogs don't bother and just squeeze through. If it were sheep or cattle then the law would cover that but I wondered about horses.

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<font color="blue"> Personally I would go straight to the police. The dogs are worrying livestock and also can be classed as dangerous if they were showing agression towards you. I would NOT shoot them, I think this would be totally the wrong way to handle it.
It does sound like it needs to be sorted yesterday..... so maybe speak to the police and also speak to the owner again, tell them you have spoken or will be reporting the dogs to the police and any damages will be billed to them.

If it still continues, I would speak to the owner again........ saying you have been polite and tried sorting this problem and more than patient.... if you catch the dogs again you will have no choice &amp; well within your rights to shoot them!.... I would say that in its self is enough to scare the owner....... (however, do triple check your rights yourself before shooting, as you would be held responsible! - maybe just the scare of mentioning it to the owner will be enough)

Good luck &amp; hope your little lady is okay
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As well as reporting it to the police, I would take an independant witness if you can and a camcorder. Waving a camera around in front of miscreant owners might just give them the idea that this is serious. Failing that I seriously hope your horse catches them good style and punts them over the goal post!!!! I really hope you resolve this. I was a concientious dog owner and was appalled at the general lack of consideration some people had!
 
A few years ago the farmers where we liveried our horses asked us to move them to another field so he could put the cows in for a couple of weeks or so. Were we glad he did that same afternoon a dog attacked one of them and it was hanging on its neck and had locked its jaw.
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The farmer picked up a massive plank of wood and hit the dog on the head. It fell to the ground stunned. Then got up and attacked the cow again so he hit it again it eventually ran off. He reported it to the police who must have checked local vets as the dog was bleeding from the mouth. Found the owners and they had to have the dog pts and pay the vet bills for the cow. I wasn't there but saw how badley the cow was bitten. So report it now. If they can't do anything they may advise you of how to deal with it.
 
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As well as reporting it to the police, I would take an independant witness if you can and a camcorder. Waving a camera around in front of miscreant owners might just give them the idea that this is serious. Failing that I seriously hope your horse catches them good style and punts them over the goal post!!!! I really hope you resolve this. I was a concientious dog owner and was appalled at the general lack of consideration some people had!

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<font color="blue"> Brilliant idea with the camera! I would do this too! </font>
 
We recently had a pony badly bitten by a dog and it needed 17 stitches and cost me £300 plus. The police were not interested at all at first, but because the dog had bitten the child rider on the foot, the dog warden got on to them and then they came out.

So you may not get much joy from your police, but worth a try, and definitely get the dog warden on board. I would certainly let the owner know that you have taken advice.

Even if you would not wish to shoot the dogs, I would point out to the owner that you would be prepared too and would also sue for vets bills. But take a friend with you - don't approach the owner on your own for your own safety. Also then you have a witness.

Do you know where they live? Try to get a car number if they drive - back your case up with evidence - write down dates and times etc.
 
The reason I say get some sheep or cows in as I didn't think that horses were classes as 'livestock'?? Not in the sense the sheep &amp; cows are.
The camera is a brilliant idea plus film the dogs &amp; their owners so that they are' tied' to the dogs.
 
camcorder, then a shotgun......we have used blank cartridges as a warning shot in the past, don't know who [****] themselves more dog or owner, i am dismayed at the selfish attitude of some dog owners today, i have dogs too and i wouldn't dream of letting them chase livestock of any sort, just a tought, can you not put and inner boundry of electric fence up?? at least 4 low wires so the dogs cannot get through without getting a shock (don't forget a high wire for the horses) worked on my terrier that used to chase my chickens!!
if none of that works borrow my mare, her aim in life is to maim any dog entering her field!!
 
I wouldnt advise shooting anything, but your local police "should" have an officer that is a designated wildlife officer. Ask for them to give you a visit. If you speak to the "bobby on the beat" you will most likely not get much joy *sigh* but the wildlife officers i know would definalty try to help you.
 
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I didn't think that horses were classes as 'livestock'?? Not in the sense the sheep &amp; cows are.

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Horses are covered as livestock under that particular legislation (protection of livestock 1953). Livestock is defined as being "cattle, sheep, goats, horses or poultry".
 
I used to work for the police and they would consider this low priority and would more likely send a PCSO around then a PC.

The police nowadays seem to be chasing statistics so unless they can see a way of getting a result out of this they are not going to be too bothered by it.

By all means report it and find out who your local beat officer is to speak to
 
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