Neighbours dog on the loose - legalities?

M

MagicMelon

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 November 2004
Messages
16,386
Location
North East Scotland
Visit site
Does anyone know if in Scotland a dog is allowed to roam loose? We moved into our house last year and we're currently in the process of getting permission to build stables so I can move my horses here from my mums. My main worry however is our next door neighbours. We live in a very rural area, they're about 1/4 mile away. They have a massive greyhound type dog who they just let wander about. The dog is lovely, I have nothing against it as she is a real sweetie and the neighbours are also very nice. However, I'm really worried that my horses will freak out when they see her messing about up and down the road and trotting through their field etc. They aren't used to dogs and are pretty spirited / spooky types. I know they'll get used to her but I can't risk them galloping about especially as one did his tendon really badly last year and its been a year of rehab to get him to this point!

I don't know how to kindly ask the neighbours to fence in their garden or keep an eye on her more. I really don't want to upset them, I've vaguely mentioned it before but they just said that she wouldn't chase them or anything but as I said, even just her messing about up and down the road and going into their field is enough to upset them. She's a huge dog that resembles a wolf! I assume legally it is up to them to keep her under control? I do intend to get a dog eventually but I'll be breaking it in to the horses very gently and I'd never let it run off like they do!
 
Definately no money will be left to stock proof my field (and it would need to be deer-proof so stop this dog jumping it). I also don't feel I should have to! I'll be putting electric round all the top but I doubt that'd keep it out. It also won't stop the dog milling about round about and upsetting them in the first place which is what I have to avoid (see bit about my injured horse).
 
No idea about scottish law, but in deepest Worcestershire the local farmers would shoot it if they saw it in with their stock.

The NFU helpline would give you the best guidance I think.
 
The quick answer is no, legally the dog is not allowed to roam loose off their property as in doing so it is not under their control and this contravenes the DDA. However pushing the neighbours on this point may prove difficult and get nasty unfortunately. If it were me I would be very clear from now - pave the way for the future. I would tell them when your horses are moving to your property and tell them nicely but firmly that from that date, their dog will not be able to roam on your land. No if's, no buts. Then just let them deal with it.

I feel your pain as we have kennels and in our last house, the farm along the road allowed their dog to roam and it was continually in our paddock and sniffing about the kennel runs, peeing up everything and causing our dogs to go nuts:mad:
 
Why don't you ask them to come down one day and introduce your horses to the dog as after all, horses should be able to see any dog without getting upset so you will have taken the necessary steps to acquaint them then and the owners might realise how important it is for you. What will you do if another dog from out of the area upsets them?
 
agree with maesfen-its very precious to worry about a dog running around upsetting the horses unless it is chasing them.. how do they cope with cars/moving objects!
 
and as you[ve just moved you don't want to be the neighbours from hell. it's quite normal for country dogs to roam a bit, even if not quite right. In terms of dealing with it, why not go round and say you just want to check they know you're moving horses on and obviously just to check their dog isn't going to chase/
 
and do say your horses are not used to dogs and are flighty... which then puts their dog at risk from being kicked..

As I have dogs of my own, I would not be impressed if someone thought it was alright to let their dogs wander over my land but thats probably because I would be very concerned at the potential for a real bunfight!
 
SusieT said:
and as you[ve just moved you don't want to be the neighbours from hell. it's quite normal for country dogs to roam a bit, even if not quite right. In terms of dealing with it, why not go round and say you just want to check they know you're moving horses on and obviously just to check their dog isn't going to chase/
Click to expand...

I think this. Noone wants someone elses dog on their land. But as you don't want to put peoples backs up (not that a request for them to control their dog is unreasonable - more that they've probably spend the last however many years with their dog happily roaming about quite happily) I would go round and tell them that your moving your horses, who aren't used to dogs, into your fields and as their dog roams everywhere (i.e. your fields!) then it may get kicked!

good luck!
 
Ive lived in the country in various parts of Scotland all my life and yes there has been the odd one, but it certainly hasn't been the norm for dogs to be allowed to roam.
 
My two nags are fine with our own dogs roaming in the field........ but with a dog they don't know they will chase it out - particularly the mare.

We do have a similar problem with neighbours dogs too: they're allowed to run free sometimes and come through into our field. There are sheep there too (not ours) and the sheep farmer wouldn't hesitate to shoot a dog if he saw it chasing the sheep.

So there might be mileage in going to see your neighbour and saying words to the effect that you're a bit worried that their darling dog is gonna get hurt should it stray into your field etc etc. coz you're not quite sure how your horses will react. Sort of thing.

Bleddy people, bleddy dogs, WHY can't owners be responsible??
 
Surely you can spend the time before the move getting your horses used to dogs? I can't believe your horses are that bad that one dog is going to upset them that much - they must have seen at least one dog in the past...
 
MagicMelon said:
Definately no money will be left to stock proof my field (and it would need to be deer-proof so stop this dog jumping it). I also don't feel I should have to! I'll be putting electric round all the top but I doubt that'd keep it out. It also won't stop the dog milling about round about and upsetting them in the first place which is what I have to avoid (see bit about my injured horse).
Click to expand...

Your call.

Either you put up with visiting dog on occasions or fence accordingly. If you do not want it (or others) in, then find some money to fence it out - simples :)

But in the mean time, I'd have a friendly chat with the owners & mention that you are going to be putting horses out on the field soon & that 'Rover' might get hurt if he wanders in when they are there as horses will be horses.....
 
Rather than using the arguable point about the horses since they may just say fence it out then, it might be better to say you are planning to get sheep and are concerned about the dog roaming since not only might it be kicked by the horses but clearly if it was in with the sheep you would have no option if you couldnt catch it other than to shoot it.

That ought to concentrate their mind....even if you don't end up getting sheep they might start keeping it on their property.

If it doesn't then really I think you do need to think about fencing the property - a pain but having land sometimes involves unforeseen expenses and otherwise you have to just put up with it. We spent £7k we didn't have to fence 7 foot high to make sure Our non livestock friendly Doberman does not threaten local livestock when we moved up here, local farmers very very appreciative and actually the favours they have done us and the goodwill since we came up has probably more than repaid the cost of the fence over the years, mind you some people did think we were planning to farm llamas!
 
Thanks everyone - think I'll try telling them I'm concerned about the dog getting kicked and my horses going nuts. But will also suggest to them if I could introduce it to them once they arrive. Some people have asked how they can be scared of a dog and not cars etc. but they are of course going to be wary of something messing about in the undergrowth, the only dogs they see are at horse events and there they're always on leads so they're not bothered by them. They may well be fine, I just don't want my grey to re-injure his tendon or that could be the end of him!

We've just got a puppy so I will be making sure it is used to the horses, but then it's going to be trained from day one that it stays with me. We chose one that is very trainable, already it knows not to leave our garden. It will never be allowed to roam!
 
Somewhat at a loss that a lot of people seem to think it is up to OP to get her horses used to someone else's dog straying on her land! Rather think it is up to the owners to keep their dog safe!
 
It's up to the dogs owners to ensure that the dog isnt causing a nuisance, however she's going to have a major problem if her horse freak and injure themselves every time they see one wandering about!
 
orionstar said:
It's up to the dogs owners to ensure that the dog isnt causing a nuisance, however she's going to have a major problem if her horse freak and injure themselves every time they see one wandering about!
Click to expand...

In which case I would be pointing out to the neighbour they could be liable! It's not safe for the dog to be roaming around.
 
orionstar said:
It's up to the dogs owners to ensure that the dog isnt causing a nuisance, however she's going to have a major problem if her horse freak and injure themselves every time they see one wandering about!
Click to expand...

Completely agree - what if it sees a fox or a badger ?

My dog has free range of our land. She is well behaved and chases nothing. She mooches and goes wherever she wants to in our boundary. There is a bridle path crossing one of our fields ......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top