Proposed law-If your dog bites a burglar you could get PROSECUTED?

Actually its the law now in England... UNLESS you have a sign up warning about the dogs. Same as if an intruder breaks into your house or yard, if they injure themselves, say because you have left a large hole while building... you are liable. Stick a sign up saying beware of the dog and that would cover you in England. Might be worth asking if the same would apply if the welsh law goes through.
 
My solicitor advised against putting up a sign stating "Beware of the Dog" because it is an admission, in law, that the dog is dangerous. That was years ago and the law might have changed. Anyway, my signs say "Guard Dogs" and "Guard Dogs Patrolling". Not sure how I stand on that.

But, yes, something needs to be done about dogs that bite postmen. As a student I used to work as a temporary postman at Christmas and, even without the uniform, they knew and I'd get targetted! It is not nice at all and I am a dog person.

On the other hand, if my dog bit a burglar, it wouldn't be out of control. It would be acting on instructions!

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Ive also heard that it is not advisable to have a 'beware of the dog' sign as its an admission that you have a dog that could be dangerous. Only thing is I have never found anything legal to confirm this, its always been hearsay.

Its ok to have a picture of your breed of dog and a note under it saying 'I live here' or 'dogs running free'
 
Agree, although we were advised not to have a 'beware of the goat' sign.

We just have lots of signs saying either 'caution' or 'private' and a couple of pictures of a GSD's head.

Someone actually explained the new legislation really well on another thread.
 
Ahh ok, I didn't see the other thread, I caught the news this morning and was surprised..
I've got a pic of our Rottweiler in the front window with 'be aware I live here' on it.. I think people should be more aware of our crazy guinea pig though.. :D
 
Dry Rot said:
My solicitor advised against putting up a sign stating "Beware of the Dog" because it is an admission, in law, that the dog is dangerous. That was years ago and the law might have changed. Anyway, my signs say "Guard Dogs" and "Guard Dogs Patrolling". Not sure how I stand on that
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I think you may need to be careful as there is such a thing as the Guard Dogs Act, which stipulates that guard dogs must have a handler with them or be tied up. If they are running loose and you have a dirty great sign proclaiming that they are guard dogs on patrol then I think you could be breaking the law (as opposed to merely laying yourself open to being sued by somebody being bitten). Perhaps it is different in Scotland, though?
 
We have a sign that says "Warning, dogs running loose. If you are afraid stay in your vehicle and sound your horn or ring XXXXX". The police have seen it and said it's perfectly legal.
 
I am going to get clarification on this as it was the police who told us that if someone injured themselves on the yard (as in a lowlife thief) we would be liable if there were no warnings posted.

My dogs love the 2 posties we have. In fact I had a new one before Xmas who wanted to say hello as he had been told about them and the great welcomes they give. I don't need a door bell or alarm as my dogs will always tell me when someone is coming up the path!
 
Ludicrous law.
We have a rottweiler, to be used as a guard dog. If we put a sign up saying that is what she is, that's us admitting she's dangerous?! So suppose we are burgled, and the burglar gets bitten, we are liable to have her PTS for doing her job?!
 
There's a legal definition for a 'guard dog' though as mentioned (depending on what part of the UK you live in, of course) which requires a license and for a handler to be present on the premises at all times.
 
Ahh right i see! Should've read it a bit better :P So we can get away with it by just having a sign that simply states a rottweiler lives here? That should deter folks without making it out like shes dangerous right?
I still think its an absolutely ridiculous law. If someone unlawfully enters your property, what happens to them is their own bloody fault!
 
I don't have a sign up. I am now wondering wether I should?
If I don't and the unthinkable happened would it actually make a difference?
 
I was advised by the Dobermann Welfare when adopting my 2 to have Caution Dogs Running Free, Please Shut The Gate as this is legal and covers you for everything. I thought the new law was to tighten up dog attacks on private property as in the Postman and legitimate callers. I think if I caught a burglar that the dogs had had a go at he just might accidently disappear in the slurry pit.:rolleyes::eek::D
 
Dobiegirl quote~ I think if I caught a burglar that the dogs had had a go at he just might accidently disappear in the slurry pit.~unquote

I LOVE your way of thinking!
:eek: ❤❤
 
I don't like the 'I live here' signs as I'd worry about people breaking in to steal a specific breed of dog. :o

Saying that, ours are often clearly visible... :rolleyes:

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I only have it to encourage people to shut the gate and to make them aware that there will be a dog the other side of the door, neither dog would bother an intruder.
 
I'm 73 and live on a fairly isolated farm on my own. I've had unwelcome visitors before.

The last time they turned up, I let the dog out first. She just wanted to make friends but I have never seen anyone get back into a vehicle quicker in my life!

At the time, I had about 20 dogs in kennels and the traveller remarked on that. I told him I train them for the police and most are sniffer dogs. I said I did have some protection dogs but I was having a problem with them.

By this time, my visitor had calmed down and was being quite friendly. So I explained. "They get very bored with the padded suits".:D I think he got the message but wasn't quite sure whether I was serious or not!

Haven't had an unwanted visitor since!:D I don't really care if there is a special law for guard dogs. I doubt if the survivors will sue.:)

Edited to say, this provision isn't law yet. It is up for public consultation. I expect you can add your comments if you like by going to the Welsh government site and doing a search on consultations.
 
Toast said:
Ludicrous law.
We have a rottweiler, to be used as a guard dog. If we put a sign up saying that is what she is, that's us admitting she's dangerous?! So suppose we are burgled, and the burglar gets bitten, we are liable to have her PTS for doing her job?!
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Yes, yes, and yes.

It opens up an interesting debate , perhaps. A mate of mine's 12 yo son was delivering fliers for his local garden centre, walked through a garden gate and up to a house, to be accosted by a GSD. He ran for the gate, he was 12, he would do, and by the time that he reached the gate, the poor lad had pissed himself with fear. The dog caught up with him at the gate. He froze, and thankfully the dog stood off him.

The owner came out and laughed. He thought that it was funny. He didn't think that it was so funny when my mate paid him a visit! ;)

In the event that there's a forced entry and a dog nails a burglar, then he's a Top Dog, and it's tough s**t. That isn't how the Law views it. Dogs should be under permanent control. The guilty seem to receive the same protection as the innocent, and it's wrong, as always.

Alec.

ps. D_R, a smart looking and self assured dog! ;) a.
 
Im sure the law is you can have a dog and beware of the dog signs/caution dogs run free etc etc however the if the dog bits a tresspasser then you are at fault

unless

the dog is chained and there is a part of your property ie 1 corner of the garden that the person can get too that the dog cant then its tough....

As far as Im aware....

However there is alot of grey areas here such as there is when you are defending your own property.......

:)
 
My parents have signs all over the place! One by the main gate has a picture of a large dog and says 'I can make it to the gate in 3 seconds.... Can you?' and another by the stable has the same picture but says 'Guard dog on duty 4 days a week, guess which days' The rest of the signs are usual please close the gate ones. But the funny ones really work!!
 
I have a GSDs running free sign. I can remember years ago being told that Beware of the Dog signs could be seen as an admission of liability, and as already said, Guard Dogs are supposed to be under the control of a handler at all times.
 
I've always felt uncomfortable with "Beware of Dog" signs. I've always thought that the signs should read "Be Aware of Dog."

It seems pretty evident that the author of this bill is not familiar with the canine species. Out of control on or in private property? Try territoriality. Even law enforcement advise people to acquire a dog to thwart burglars.

I am reminded of a story told to me by an in-law of an in-law. This man was a composer and had composed the music for an off off Broadway show. One of his performers had been repeatedly burgled in her third floor walk-up flat while she was appearing on stage. He was gaining entry through the fire escape. The police encouraged her to purchase a large dog for protection. She, and her partner, acquired a trained Malamute. One evening, when the couple was returning from walking the dog, they interrupted an armed burglar in their flat. When the intruder threatened the couple with a knife, the boyfriend warned the thief that the dog was attack-trained. Ignoring that information, the burglar lunged at the couple, whereby the dog was released from its lead. The dog went for the robber's throat and killed him. The couple was not held responsible. The performer never had a problem with theft again. Yes, this was in the US, but why should any sane, responsible authority prevent people from putting their trust in the territoriality of their family dog? To suggest that the owner of a dog that bites an intruder be held responsible and be prosecuted is such a backward step in this day and age. Protecting postmen is one thing, but compromising the safety and integrity of law-abiding citizens flies in the face of common sense.
 
Is this the post?

OT but as I understand the consultation doc, there will be protection for legitimate callers ie the postie, binmen, door to door sales, those type of visitors who most people would consider to be coming to the public part of the property (front door or path) Dog owners would have to put in place something, ie fencing that would prevent the dogs getting to parts of your property that callers could reasonably expect to be safe or put up notices warning of loose dogs AND lock the area so people couldn't just wander in so it would become your responsibility to secure the property so that a child for instance couldn't get into your garden easily or ensure that your dogs aren't unsupervised at any time. You could also be prosecuted if your dog bit a visitor that you had invited in - currently that isn't the case and this is the part that I can see problems with as an 'attack' is so subjective and the 'victims' perception of what is an attack (think a large dog flattening a visiting child just as an example)will be very much to the forefront of this legislation IMO.

But rest assured, anyone who passes a locked gate/signage/high fence is still fair game to be used as a full sized tug toy

In RBs case, dog on dog attack is usually treated as a civil issue especially as it happened on A) private property owned by the him and B) the JRT was trespassing. If anybody is on the wrong side of the DDA it is the JRT's owner as technically her dog wasn't in control albeit it wasn't a 'public place'. TBH, RB I would contact the DW first just to ask their advice and get your side of the story across rather than have her ranting and raving to them with maybe some inaccuracies (being polite here) if only to provide a record of the incident in case something else occurs...
 
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