Help! Dog Walkers claim my mare has attacked them!!

Sadly I have had sheep in the field and guess what? Dog are still loose! My husband has finally said that he is going to apply for a gun license but I hate the idea.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I haven't read all the replies so someone else might have already said this. Don't put up a sign, saying 'beware of the horse' that would mean that you were admitting liability. Instead put up a 'please keep your dog on a lead' sign.
I would put sheep in the field. That immediately puts the onus onto the dog owner to keep it under control and if they don't you are allowed to shoot the dog. You probably wouldn't want to do that but the threat might make the owners think twice.
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You don't need to put sheep in (although they make it much easier to complain), horses are classed as livestock under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. If you write to the paper then be very careful how you word anything you write so that it cannot be used against you in the future. If you fence the foot path in electric make sure your lower strand in low enough to catch smaller dogs, ours is at about 18 inches from the ground but I am going to put another at about 10 inches as dogs can still get under it. We have used electric rope and the signs are plastic and attached tightly with the locking plastic bag ties, it would be very difficult for it to be removed without someone getting a shock. I would suggest that any signs asking for dogs to be kept under 'close control' are placed behind the fence so that people cannot get to them easily. Blurdy dog walkers think they have a right to go where they want and bu**er everyone else!
 
If you put enough strands of tape on the fence, the only way for a dog to get in will be to jump it. Since you can get pretty tall fence posts, most dogs wouldn't bother/wouldn't be able to. Then electrify it strongly (mains energiser if possible), sit back and wait! Very few dogs, once shocked even off a decent car battery powered energiser, will risk that again. From a mains fencer that would be a 'shock' never to be forgotten! Lots of signs obviously, both to warn of fence, and to request dogs on lead due to livestock (and fence lol!).
 
Not sure how legal this is but I once walked my dogs through a field with a sign saying "All dogs off lead will be shot". Now my dogs are very good with livestock but I put them on a lead pronto! Not sure many people would take the risk, especially as a sign further on said "We are watching you" :D
 
I think the one responsable is the doghandler. Farm animals in general and dogs don't go together if they aren't trained for it.

I had a simmulair issue once. Horses in the field next to a path/forrest where dogs were allowed to run free. A golden retriever went into the field of my young stallion, who realy hates dogs. The dog didn't survive because the stallion stamped on him with his frontlegs and threw the dog through the field like a ragdoll. This all happend in seconds.

Since then I never have problems with dogs roaming through our fields again. The stallion had every right to behave like that in his own field. The field is fenced with a double fence; one to keep people/animals out and one to keep distance from the first fence. I can't help it if a dog sneaks underneath a cord at 25 cm high. (the second fence is sheepproof)

I felt very sorry for the dog but I blame his owner for not being able to control his dog.
 
We've just turned our pair into another field this week and after this thread I've just remembered that it has a public foot path through. Eek, I hope we don't get the same problem now - If we do my sign will have to read 'feed him polo mints and I will shoot you!' As I have only just managed to get it through to him that constant pawing and rooting through my pockets will not get him food!
 
You need to check out if it ok to use electric fencing. A few years ago we had a problem with walkers with/without dogs. My old horse was a bit of a bully with non confident people and was evil for food. Despite signs saying do not feed the horses it was obvious that someone was, there was a stile at the end of the path onto the main road and the horses used to stand on it, hanging over the fence to see if someone was coming to feed them. Which was odd when we used a gate further down to get in and out. Soon I had complaints that my horse had tried to kill their dog (loose) and had chased them (they ran). A complete nightmare. At my current yard, there was an issue with trepassing dogs, a fresh coat of creosote on the bottom rails fixed that! Although there were complaints that the dogs were covered in creosote but then they were not meant to be loose in the fields anyway!
 
Get a local farmer or someone to turn out some sheep with your mare: then fence off with leccy fencing, or whatever you want to use so the dog-walkers can have their "space" to go through the area, THEN put up a notice saying that "please keep dogs on a lead as any dogs seen worrying livestock are liable to be shot".

IF dogs continue to go in and worry the "livestock" then get in touch with the local dog warden and tell them that you've had problems with dogs worrying the "livestock". Unfortunately they'll probably take more notice if you say that sheep are being worried, than they will if you say its horses.
 
Sounds like you are pretty local to me!

I have had dealings with the dog warden for Amber Valley and she was very helpful. You can contact her by email. Might be worth speaking to her if people are letting dogs run loose in the field.
 
The feisty mare of a friend of mine got fed up of a particular dog (terrier type) chasing her foal, trying to bite it. The mare chased it, caught it by the scruff of the neck and threw it over the hedge!! And of course the dog owner was livid (but didn't bring the dog back that way again). The foal is now in his late teens and has no fear of dogs, amazingly.
 
If the council were to build a new footway (not footpath which is a right of way) the minimum width (going from memory) would be 1.3m. Things are built according to standards found in the DMRB (Design Manual for Roads & Bridges). Google this & footways, to find minimum width for 2 people passing. If you then offer footpath guy to section off (using electric tape with plenty of warning signs) a corridor of this width, it should be acceptable. You are not protecting the people (as your horse is not dangerous), but your stock who are at risk from uncontrolled dogs. Dogs are deemed to be domesticated animals & therefore should be controlled around stock.

When I get hassled by dogs out riding, I ask nicely for the dog to be controlled. When I get the usual 'oh he wont bother you' as doggie is yapping around horses heels, I point out my horse may kick, & she has steel shoes which if they make contact with the dog will seriously harm their precious pooch or kill it if kicked in the head. Then they go white & call dog back. Sometimes people just don't realise the obvious.

If all else fails I'll lend you my mare. Walkers leave her alone, she ignorse them. They try to pet, she will pull the most horrible face & people generally back off quickly. Short fat ladies with platinum blonde hair better start running as she hates them with a vengence (suspect one at previous yard may have attacked her). Joggers better run, she finds it fun to 'play chase' with them (was footpath in adjoining field, some thought they'd make a longer detour through hers as well where there wasn't one - very wrong move). As for dogs, she's been attacked twice (with dog owners present) whilst I've been riding her, so now all are regarded as pests to be swung by the neck & see how high they will fly or kicked into orbit.

The only reason she is like this is because owners failed to control their dogs.
 
Gosh thank you so much for the info re; path width. I am still waiting for the footpath guy to return my call! Might just take you up on the offer of your mare though LOL.
 
This may not be the right wording but, I read the other day that the "law/rules" of countryside land has changed saying that under 2m ALL dogs have to be on leads and if there is livestock in the field should be on the lead ALL the time. If you want I can scan the info and PM you with the details if that helps?
 
picolenicole said:
This may not be the right wording but, I read the other day that the "law/rules" of countryside land has changed saying that under 2m ALL dogs have to be on leads and if there is livestock in the field should be on the lead ALL the time. If you want I can scan the info and PM you with the details if that helps?
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Please, Please can you do this? I am now too frightened to even turn my girls out on the field even though I have put up some electric fencing. I feel like people are trying very hard to get rid of me
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Fantastic News!!!! Footpath guy from County Council has phoned me and basically said that I am doing nothing wrong and he is happy so I am in clear. Will put up a very clear electric fenced path so that walkers know exactly where they can go. YIPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. thank you everyone for your support.
 
Brilliant news, might just be a good opportunity to write to your local newsletter clarifying that the footpaths officer has okayed everything, and you would be grateful if dog walkers could keep dogs on the footpath and not loose in the field worrying your horses (which is an offence.) ;)

Time to relax after all the stress I think!
 
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