what do you think of this -victimised and dog attacked - rant long

Storminateacup

Storminateacup

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A few months ago I posted on here details of how my JRT was accused by the farm labourer, where I keep my horse, of bringing down a doe deer and ripping its throat out. Most people considered it to be highly unlikely that he could do this coupled with the fact that he had not a drop of blood on him and has never killed anything more ambitious than a mixamatosed bunny. He was found by passers by running circles around the maimed deer barking at it, but about two feet away obviously alarmed by it.
Anyway to cut a long story short at the yard today the farm labourers dogs, two fat labs, were let out of the car and one of them pounced on my JRT and was holding him down by the throat. My dog, one quarter the weight, was underneath howling and squealing in terror. The owner did nothing whilst I and a friend attempted to pull the lab off my JR. When I got him free and held him above my head as I attempted to take him to my car, the lab continued to bark aggressively and jump up at me. The owner did nothing to stop the dog just stood there smirking, I put my dog in the boot of my car and enquired if the lab was injured. In response I got a hurl of abuse about their dogs were pack animals and were defending their territory, they had been here ten years and that my JRT should be on a lead as he was a deer killer!!! May I add all the dogs owned by other horse owners at the yard run around loose and my dog had been playing happily with one of them when the two labs turn up.
The owner had seen my dog and knowing what would happen let their dogs out of the car without letting me know they were there or giving me time to remove him to the car. - So it was fairly deliberate, as he was playing with the other dogs adjacent to the parking bays ( I was listening to my dressage test on my MP3 player at the time and did not see them arrive)

I tried to be rational and peaceful with the owner to resolve this ongoing issue but she, the girlfriend of the farm labourer, was screaming about how she hated me ( I don't even know her so I don't know why she should hate me) and how her dogs were here first, and that my dog should not be allowed to run around as other do quite freely. Obviously I challenged her rational and she raised a hand to me that was holding a dogs lead and made to threaten me with it, close to my face. I told her that if she hit me I would have arrested for assault. She then screamed more abuse and started saying that my dog was a deer killer. I explained to her that it normally required a few deer hounds to bring down a deer not one scrawny JR that had not a drop of blood on him. Then my husband turned up to do some work one the gate to my field ( I had been waiting for him) and having been briefed as to what had happened, tried to talk quietly and in a non-challenging way to her to resolve matters.
Well it seemed that the crux of the matter is that I am English and I am a newcomer to Scotland and regarded as an "incomer" and really any excuse will do to seek to intimidate or get rid of my prescence here if it can be made to fit.
My hubby is a born and bred local so he tried to reason with her and offered to have a meeting with the farm labourer and the farmer, but they maintained that they hate me and they will do as they please with their dogs ,and for no other reason than that.
So hows that for a modern day democracy eh!

Anyway has anyone got any info on precisely where I stand legally, if at all with aggresive dogs that attack my dog or attack me whilst I am trying to hold him above my head to protect him.
He has never attacked another dog in his life and is known to all as a dog that is friendly to other dogs he meets on walkies in the local parks and in the town where I live. This is the third time he has been attacked by this particular beast and every time the lab pounced on him. I believe the owner in not attempting to stop or contol his dog, is actively encouraging it to do this as they just stand and watch whilst I plough in between them to rescue the JR,and they are doing this so as to intimidate me to leave the yard, as she said to me as I wrestled him away from her labs, "I hope you enjoy being here".
She was abusive and screaming at my husband too but he just said to her you have to control your dog as well, wherein she insisted that her dogs were here first and that she was not going to make any changes to her routine, or attempt to stop her dogs attacking mine and if I didn't like that then I could ***** off.

What a world we sometimes have to live in.

I am devastated and truely gob-smacked by this attitude and genuinely cut up about it.

I am 53 years old, and always try to be fair and rational to people and would always try to help anyone or any animal in distress, in fact this same girl, I tried to help with her horse a year or so ago when she had problems with finding a saddle for it.
I do not feel I deserve this escalating aggression towards me and my beloved little doggy who is the nicest, well behaved and obedient dog I know. He comes to call, and does as he is told, always. He jumps through hoops, does dog agility exercises, somersauts on command, says please, jumps in the bath or shower or the back of the car when asked and is a delightful companion.
He is my best friend in an strange land.

I have recently lost most of my family, my daughter and grandaughter and came to Scotland to start a new life, now I am getting all this because I am not a native of Scotland.
I feel victimised and despised.

Advice please if you have any, legal or psychological I would be most grateful, - thats if you managed to get to the end of this essay.
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Have you spoken to the farmer/YO about it? I had a problem with someone who rented a building on the farm where I kept my horse a few years ago, shouting abuse because I had the cheek to be in his way, theatened to run the dog over and such like. I went to the police, and to my surprise, they said they could arrest him for harassment. I asked them if they could have a word with him and see how we get on from there. The man never gave me any more trouble.
 
Thank you maramalade76, I think that is possibly now my only option. I feel so upset I think I will just have to stay away from the yard tomorrow, but yes, perhaps I should have a word with the farmer and the police. The trouble is if the farmer asks me to leave (because its easier to get rid of me) there are very few places for me to go with my horse and my youngster coming next summer, that are not 30 miles drive away.
What if the farmer takes his employees side not mine?
 
I have no advice to give, the only thing I remember reading several times on HHO is that the laws are different if you're in England or in Scotland.


I only wanted to offer my sympathies and some {{{Hugs}}}. I really wish I could write something more optimistic but considering the loss you've already suffered, you probably know all to well that life isn't fair and sadly even if you have some law on your side or if you could prove what killed the deer, I would say the easiest, best solution of this is that either you or the farm labourer and his girlfriend leaves.
The only other real way out of this mess that I could see is if your husband, since you said he was born and bred local, knows some people who can "defuse" the situation for you.

Sadly I think it would have made your position better if the lab actually had bitten you, even if only accidentally while trying to reach your dog or if you have any veterinarian evidence on that your dog was attacked.
Either way I hope it is possible for you to avoid taking your dog there anymore, nothing of this is fair but it is not worth putting your lovely dog at risk of being attacked again.

I'm really sorry to hear you have such problems.
 
I think the best thing to do if you don't want to move is to tell the farmer everything that has gone on and ask him to have a quiet word with his employee. If he is a reasonable person, he should just pull rank and tell him to lay off and keep his dogs (including his girlfriend) under control. You don't want to get stuck in a situation where you are unable to enjoy your horse. Are there any liveries who would back you up?
If you intend to leave, then I would go to the police and report them for harassment, threatening behaviour and not keeping their dogs under control.
 
Poor you. You should not have to put up with this behaviour.
Can I suggest that you get "references" for your dog from as many people as you can. Do you go to a training club? They might help. your vet also may be able to make a statement re your dog's temperament, people you meet regularly on walks, others from the yard whose dogs your runs around with.
Then you will have "evidence" which you may be able to take to the Police or if you go down a civil route.
Good luck and I hope things improve for you and your dog.
 
Is there are another yard you could move to or even land you could rent? It would put me off completely if someone did that to me and my dog.

If you cannot move maybe leave your dog at home for a while and try and get to know some of the other owners for backup?

Hope you get it sorted, hugs.
 
As far as getting liveries to back me up, I think they are also somewhat wary of her and the farm labourer. He also does work on their field shelters etc so no one is going to want to upset him. As to not taking my dog to the yard, my dog has come to the yard with me since he was 6 months old and actually comes out with me on my horse for his walks. He is the long legged type and he keeps up with me. One of my friends at the yard who rode out with me the first day I was there ( I only moved there last week) was amazed at how brave her horse was having my jack russell running slightly ahead flushing out all the scary birds from the hedgerows. She saw it as a positve advantage.
She thought it amazing that we could canter along with the dog running alongside us and she did not have to worry about him being trampled, as he is used to it and keeps him self safe. It would be very sad if I couldn't take my JR to the yard as he goes everywhere with me. I would move elsewhere but where I live in the Scottish Highlands there is no yard that isn't a 30 mile round trip, and where I would have to visit twice daily ( the rules of DIY livery here, as no morning feed or turnout is offered)
I suggested that if I see the girl with the labs arrive I will put my dog in the car and asked that she would do the same if she sees my dog is out when she arrives, or sees my car, but she just told me to ***** off.
You see she is an ignorant aggressive person as is her man, so I am going to get nowhere with any rational suggestions.
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I don't know if it's the same in Scottish law, but from what I know I think that if she raised her hand to you in a threatening way as if she were about to hit you, that would actually be classed as assault. (I think "assault" is threatening behaviour and "battery" is actually beating someone up). If I were you, I wouldn't want to leave and give her the satisfaction of "winning", but then again I'm not the smartest or most diplomatic person in the world!
 
given that harvest is due to start very soon, I wouldn't be too confident that the farmer will back you up. farm labourers are a valuable commodity for the next few months.

can only agree with the advise to leave your dog at home, and review the situation after harvest.
 
If you can't leave him home, maybe you could consider keeping him in the car and just let him out before you ride out or get one of those backpack's designed to carry dogs in and just let him down from it before you ride out.

If you can't do that, if you've made really sure the police can't help you and if you can't move your horse, then what I honestly think I might do is that next time I saw that lab looking at my dog I would charge right towards it, roaring and yelling. Or get one of those sound alarms that women can buy, on the internet if nothing else, and have in their purse in case they get attacked and use that on the lab if it got close.
That might be idiotic advices, that could end up with you being sued by her. But I always say that if anybody want to hurt my dogs they have to take me first and although it sounds as if your dog has gotten away without harm this far, you never know what might happen to him if it is allowed to happens again.


I'm really sorry you're in this mess, {{{Hugs}}}.
 
Yes there was a witness, a very kind pleasant person who I have known a while and also keeps her horse there. It was her little dog that mine was playing with happily when the woman with the labs let her dog out to attack my fellow.
She witnessed the whole thing and later the conversation that the girl with the labs had with my husband when he arrived. and was obviously very uncomfortable about it as I am sure she does not want to be in this posistion as a witness. Understandably I suspect she is worried for herself as well. She tried to mediate mostly to me, telling me that the two labs were farm dogs ( we were not on the farm proper - just the bit where people rent field for their horses) and that they were not castrated and that because mine was not castrated that was the cause of the problem. (I do not see why I should have to castrate my dog if he is not a protagonist or in anyway aggressive or Alpha male in behaviour. He never even humps toys or a leg!!) She did not say much to the lab owner and was genuinely trying to deter me from discussing the matter further.

I have now reported the matter to the police following the comments and encouragement I have recieved from forum members for which I am very grateful, and the police are taking the matter very seriously and making their enquiries.

I do not know what the outcome will be at this stage but suffice to say that they agree that it appears to be about more than just a dog fight and pehaps could be classified as a racial attack on myself.
 
That seems like a good idea the backpack, because then if the labs jump up to get him they will be effectively attacking me too and the lab can be classed as a dangerous dog and I can call the police. Trouble is I may get hurt too.
I will get a sound alarm and keep it on me and maybe a water pistol to fire at it when it comes near me or my dog.

He was squealing so much when they were biting him I was sure they had drawn blood, but none. If I really thought they were so fat and had such rotten teeth I would leave him to stand up for himself but sometimes it has been the two on him and they get him by the neck so maybe they could crush his throat even if they have weak blunt teeth. They really trample him underfoot and he seems unable to inflict a response that will see them off. ie he cannot retaliate or is not vicous enough in his nature to even get mad enough to attack, paralysed with fear I suspect. He just lies there like a puppy.

How could anyone hate me so much as to be happy that their dog whould do that to my defenceless little animal. He does not try to bite back, otherwise I would feel it when I was trying to retreive him from under the attacking dogs.
That is what racial hatred makes people capable of.

I have experience the same thing before when in the company of black friends in the 1970 s who were on the recieving end of racial abuse.
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You poor thing! There are some truly vile people out there and you just have to be the better person here I feel. I hope the farmer doesn't give you notice at the yard for going to the police as he is bound to take the farm hands side. Could you perhaps go and explain to him what happened and without accusing or debating the rights and wrongs ask for his advise on how to resolve the dispute and prevent you and your dog being accused and attacked again
 
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How could anyone hate me so much as to be happy that their dog whould do that to my defenceless little animal. He does not try to bite back, otherwise I would feel it when I was trying to retreive him from under the attacking dogs.
That is what racial hatred makes people capable of.

I have experience the same thing before when in the company of black friends in the 1970 s who were on the receiving end of racial abuse.
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For what it's worth I doubt it's all about race, in this I think it matters that the farm labourer knows the other liveries needs his help and that puts him in a position of power. He and his girlfriend wouldn't be the first ones to take advantage of that.
Bullies doesn't always really hate their victim, mostly they just do it because they can.
 
I think it is very true that the farm labourer is in a position of power as he has helped the other liveries fix their field shelters etc . He also drives around in a jeep with a shotgun shooting mixi bunnies wearing an expensive cam jacket, the burke.
He clearly thinks he is a big noise.
Unfortunately, I think that there is a lot of "racial" hatred in the area where I live( for racial read social, cultural and dialetic variation). It is about anti- English behaviour towards what is known as "incomers" or worse still the term "White Settlers" and it is not uncommon.
The police classify it as racial hatred and take it very seriously.
The woman that owns the dogs says she "hates me" for no other reason than I have come up here from England when she has been here all her life.
She even said exactly this to my husband, a Scotsman himself!( though not a Highlander - he came up from Glasgow 30 years ago so is still classed as an incomer) - what a load of nonsense you may be saying and I agree - its laughable, but for the fact that I am on the recieving end of this "Hatred" and so is my dog.

Many folk have also pm'ed me in the past two days, of their similar experiences in this region.
Anti - English behaviour is rife in some parts of the UK and it can be equivalent to living in the middle ages.
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Oh I have just discovered another reason why this woman hates me, according to my husbands she says she hates me because one day when I was riding my then, new horse down the road, she was driving and she slowed down for me, and I failed to acknowledge her!!!!
Actually perhaps I was too scared of new horse to let go of the reins etc etc!!!!

Honestly, how bloody daft and small minded can you get??

I always slow down or even stop for all riders, and as a considerate driver and rider know that it is not always possible for riders to express their gratitude directly to me, neither is it a legal highway requirement to express grateful thanks.

Nor would it expect it from any rider.

After all I am the one with the brakes.!!!!!!
 
QR I am sorry you are getting all this aggro from this woman, but it is a risk we all run when dogs, the backgrounds or characters of which are unknown to us, are allowed to mingle off lead.
Mine are not allowed to do so because I do not trust them 100% with other dogs.

For future reference I would also not hold him above your head, you risk an injury to yourself and you could better protect him on the ground.

Re the labourer shooting mixi rabbits - they're better off dead than alive.

However I do know how you feel, we are also blow-ins to our area, and without going into too much detail, for several historical reasons, I don't think we will ever be truly accepted as fully paid up members of the local community!
 
[ QUOTE ]
There are always two sides to a story.

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try telling me a different version of two heavy labradors jumping onto a small JRT and attacking it, and then the owner of those two labs waving a fist in the JRT owners face, holding a dog lead, asking the witness "is she antagonising me?"obviously looking for justification for furthering her aggression, when the JRT owner enquires as "to how we can prevent this happening again" in an adult, rational way.
 
They sound like a right pair of psychos, but presumably you are a source of income for the farmer so he has some interest in keeping your custom?

I am Scottish myself, though I live in England now, and there are certain types of people in certain areas who are brought up to despise newcomers - it doesn't surprise me that your husband from Glasgow is still trying to fit in! The White Settler thing is fairly recent and seems to have coincided with the rise of the SNP. It is very disappointing and I'm sorry you've experienced this. I was also shocked when I got to the bottom of the post and saw your age - it's outrageous that this girl should be talking to you like that.

I'm glad you've informed the police - let us know how you get on.
 
I would like to add that all matters discussed here in the above posts, have finally been resolved today.
There were misunderstanding on both sides and all parties wish that things had not escalated to the level they did.
I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt apologies to anyone who felt they were misrepresent by what I said, and I also appreciate that they too have expressed their apologies towards me either directly, or indirectly through other persons.
Unnecessary pain had been caused on both sides and we have all suffered as a concequence.
I am hopeful now,that all parties will wholeheartly wish to make amends for past events and misunderstandings and try to move forward together into happier times.
 
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