Legal advice - How do I stop dogs chasing my horses and cats?

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JoBird

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A footpath runs along one side of my land and people walk their dogs on the golf course (although it is not a footpath) on the other side. Dogs keep running in off the lead and chasing my 3 cats, the wild muntjac deer and also my horses. One of the horses is a jack russell and known to attack cats which is very worrying as he would probably kill one if he gets it (he has had to be dragged off the cat belonging to his owner in the past and wild deer) so his owner KNOWS what he is like.

I cannot fence the entire 4 acres to dog proof it (it just has wire and hedging) so cant electrify it either.

What rights do I have to INSIST dogs are kept under control and must not worry my animals. Are horses classed as livestock (in which case I could threaten to shoot (I wont dont worry) the dogs if they do bother them. Please note these are broodmares who will be in foal in a couple of months so it is a serious problem.

Thanks
 
Shoot the b*******s.

eta: a sheep farmer friend HAD to do this once as one stupid owner kept letting thier german sheperd x kill his lambs.
 
YES!! Your horses are classed as livestock under several acts that cover the issue of dogs worrying livestock (sorry I'm in a rush and don't have time to look them up). I would contact your local dog warden re the footpath, and the owner of the golf course if it is private land. If they are allowing these people to walk their dogs on there (ie by not physically stopping them) then they could be liable for any accidents that happen on your land by allowing them access, Dog warden will speak to owners and warn them to keep their dogs under 'close control'

You might also be able to get them on the dogs chasing the wild deer too if there is more than one (I think) dog at a time.
 
I think under the 1971 animal act all dogs MUST be on leads on public footpaths and UNDER control.

Think this is an easy one for you to enforce. Speak to your local council and find out who is the dog warden there. they should be able to come out and see what the problem is and best advise you on how to go about enforcing the laws
 
foraday said:
I think under the 1971 animal act all dogs MUST be on leads on public footpaths and UNDER control.

Think this is an easy one for you to enforce. Speak to your local council and find out who is the dog warden there. they should be able to come out and see what the problem is and best advise you on how to go about enforcing the laws
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They do not have to kept on a lead, but they must be deemed under control.... If they are chasing your animals they are obvisouly not. The law does state that they must not worry livestock, which horses are.

Have you spoken to the owners of the dogs when they have done this? Getting on to the dog warden is a good idea. Do you have any idea where these dogs live?
 
foraday said:
I think under the 1971 animal act all dogs MUST be on leads on public footpaths and UNDER control.

Think this is an easy one for you to enforce. Speak to your local council and find out who is the dog warden there. they should be able to come out and see what the problem is and best advise you on how to go about enforcing the laws
Click to expand...

Under control yes. On lead no. Please don't tar all dog walkers with the same brush - some dogs are under control even when off-lead. If I could not let my dog off lead on a footpath, I would have to have him put down - he is under control and does not chase stock or horses, but he needs free running exercise as all dogs do.

Under the act that you mention animal owners are liable for any damage their animal causes, so that would include a dog chasing another animal, or indeed a horse that escaped and trampled someone.
 
Thanks everyone. I do understand that many dogs and their owners are perfect and I, too, used to have dogs that would come to heel perfectly (they were border collies so I did have an advantage I admit!).
I think I will firstly put up a sign stating they are in-foal broodmares and request that dogs be kept off my land and under control. If the owners persist I will have to resort to the dog warden having a chat but I am reluctant as it is a neighbour and I hate to cause "nastyness". Having said that they need to appreaciate the risk they are taking and I certainly dont want any accidents to happen to my horses.
Any ideas about the wording of my sign - polite but informing them that they must keep their dogs under control ..... or else!?!?
 
"Polite Notice - This is private land - these mares and foals are protected under the 1971 Animal Act. Failure to control dogs will lead to formal proceedings - CCTV under operation for legal reasons"
 
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