Next doors dogs bouncing on fence where do I stand when they break it?

[Llewellyn]

Sorry to do two threads so close together but today our new neighbours moved in.
They have two huge staffies both entire males, very bouncy and playful and generally very friendly looking dogs. They were investigating their new garden yesterday and bounced on the fence and have made a paw sized whole in the fence. (we are in rented properties and it is a wooden 5' fence) I'm not too concerned about the fence itself it is £17 a panel (the fence is quite new just these dogs must weigh a bit jumping on it.). But if they come through the fence and cause injury or worse to Pippin or the rabbit are they responsible? Equally if Pip did some damage to them having come into my garden am I responsible (not that I believe she would as she is a chicken and never shut out so would always have somewhere to run to).
It's really not the breed the last people had a lovely staffy which completely converted me. It's that the new dags have been there one day and they have already started breaking the fence they are huge and bouncing at the fence like that when hubby, Pip, baby and the rabbit are all in the garden playing on the grass is just scarey. And the owner said nothing to them or us.

So just if they come into our garden and desimate it and the contents are they responsible and am I responsible if Pip bites back.

PS If I am responsible I WILL put holly bushes on this side of the fence or similar.

 

[AmyMay]

Have you spoken to the neighbours??

 

[Llewellyn]

We've tried offering to help unload and saying hi over the fence usual neighbourly stuff (all the neighbours chat over the fences.) But they mumble and scurry away 'no thanks mate' sought of way. I think the dogs will calm down once they settle in but it was a 'just incases' question (Love Actually not spelling mistrake). I was just surprised they didn't ask their dogs not to do it as they have to jump in their raised beds to get to the fence. Unless they aren't garden orientated of course. As I said they seem quite bouncy friendly dogs playing together so doubt there will be a problem but I can't guarentee Pip would be happy with a canine invasion uninvited and I doubt dogs generally are as not bothered about the rabbit as Pip has turned out to be.

So ye tried talking in a friendly way but not intrested maybe they are stressing about moving. They will learn how things work when the old guy george next door offers to water their garden for them, he is our watering fairy!

 

[bluehorse]

Legally the boundary of your garden, the fence, will either be the responsibility of your property, or the neighbouring property.

I would suggest you contact your landlord to find out who 'owns' the fence. Your landlord will have the responsibility of maintaining he fence if he owns it. If it is being damaged by the neighbours, it's up to him to deal with them to sort it out (appreciate this may be easier said than done, depending upon your landlord!).

If the fence is owned by your neighbours, it's up to them to maintain it so if they are not inclined do do so, there is very little you can do about it other than to erect your own fencing.

I would think that if the dogs got into your garden and caused injury etc then the dog owners are liable.

Hope that helps.

 

[Luci07]

I think you are being quite restrained! and I do say this as the owner of 2 bumptious staffies!. Check with your landlord as to how has the responsiblity for the fence and I would keep the rabbit very secure at the moment. while the dogs should settle down, I am a firm believer in the adage " good fences good neighbours make!" so I would leave it a couple of days and then go over and just chat that the dogs are making serious efforts at coming through and could between you you work out a way of safekeeping the dogs?

My neighbours have 2 small boys who use the fence as a football goal and frequently send balls into the garden but my neighbours are great and a; repair the fence reguarly and b: encourage my younger staffie to eat the balls to stop the boys sending them over the fence!

 

[Honey08]

Love your answer Luci07. Wish that everyone was so sensible regarding their neighbours! (No reflection on anyone on this thread by the way!)

 

[gunnergundog]

Ditto above.

Once you have spoken to your neighbours, if you can ascertain that the staffies are friendly, it may be an idea to arrange an encounter on neutral territory for your dogs. You may find that the staffs calm down once they know who is on the other side of the fence.

If this is successful, I would however recommend that you try and encourage your neighbour to maintain regular off-site contact between your dogs to ensure a harmonious future!

 

[lizness]

Not much help but the two staffies that live next to me still atren't used to us after a year and a half! Lovely having two dogs throwing themselves at the fence yapping whenever I go outside. Fortunatly, I have very solid fences!

 

[Llewellyn]

Update: Pippin met dogs on the street coming back from walk and she was nervous but they are friendly just big and bouncy. They have for now stopped bouncing against the fence choosing to play fight instead . Pippy isn't using that side of the garden so my plants have a chance . The neighbour is a young guy but loves his dogs to bits and comes across as sensible and friendly. He apologised for the fence but as I said they've stopped now. (it was his mum not telling the dogs off when helping him to move in).

smiley faces and thank you for the advice (same landlord owns both houses and as I put my foot through the bathroom floor over a month ago and nothing has been done I'm not optimistic about a fence tbh)

 

[EAST KENT]

They may need to re-enforce their side with weldmesh,we do that as our bullies don`t find overlap fencing very resistant.