What should i do, im gutted.

[Goldenstar]

Good chin up keep going

 

[misst]

I have only just seen this. Well done to you for managing to stay focused in such a traumatic situation. Going forward I really hope this will resolve well for you. RIP Ronnie. Condolences to you x

 

[dreamcometrue]

I am so sad for your poor cat. What a terrifying and painful way to die. I would be incandescent with rage on his behalf.

 

[Ratface]

I'm impressed by your forbearance. I would find it very difficult to keep a civil tongue in my head in such circumstances.
RIP Ronnie.

 

[Asha]

I'm impressed by your forbearance. I would find it very difficult to keep a civil tongue in my head in such circumstances.
RIP Ronnie.

I’ve had my moments ( behind closed doors) I can assure you , but i just didn’t think losing it with them would solve anything. But taking it down the legal / official route will /should focus their minds.

The look on Ronnies face will stay with me forever . I’ve tried to get justice for him , but sadly the police and the council aren’t interested. I don’t know what else
I could do .

 

[Winters100]

I’ve spoken to the neighbours .

I called around earlier but she wasn’t in , so I left my number .

The lady was in tears apologising , saying she hasn’t been able to think about anything else all day . She was going to muzzle the dog and keep on a lead at all times going forwards .
I said that I need to outline the facts and remove the emotion from the situation. There’s nothing I can do about Ronnie now , what I have to do is think of the safety of my other animals and acknowledge the fact we have a dangerous dog living nearby. Her dogs behaviour has escalated over the years and I simply cannot stand by and wait for something else to happen.

I asked that In addition to the muzzle and the lead she stops walking her dog in the farmers field. She said ok .
I explained that I will be sending a solicitors letter outlining the implications of her dog chasing my foals / horses ( whether muzzled or not ) which is still a risk .
I explained I have incident numbers from the warden, so that there is a formal record of the incident . I asked that she send me her email address so I can send the letter that way . So she’s going to text it to me tonight .

Thank you everyone for your kind messages and your advice . Especially FL & CC as I wouldn’t have thought to send a solicitors letter . I will get that organised in the morning.

I am so sorry about your cat, what a horrid thing to happen.

Well done for your reaction. It sounds as if you have dealt with this in a very sensible and level headed way. I love dogs, but I simply cannot understand how some owners behave.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You can't do anything else through officialdom. However if I were you, I would put up very visible signs warning that dogs in your field will be shot, even if you don't own a gun. Dogs do not have to actually attack stock to be legally worrying, they can just be running about in the field upsetting the stock, which does not only encompass sheep.

 

[Asha]

You can't do anything else through officialdom. However if I were you, I would put up very visible signs warning that dogs in your field will be shot, even if you don't own a gun. Dogs do not have to actually attack stock to be legally worrying, they can just be running about in the field upsetting the stock, which does not only encompass sheep.

thats a great idea. i did consider getting my gun licence , but that seems a much easier thing to do. Thanks PAS

 

[vhf]

thats a great idea. i did consider getting my gun licence , but that seems a much easier thing to do. Thanks PAS

You don't need a license for a basic air rifle, and to anyone in the distance, it would look the part if you strutted about carrying it!

 

[Asha]

thought id give you all a little update.

The solicitors letter is going across today. It took a bit longer than i expected to get it done. In the meantime ive asked around, and it appears the same dog also bit another neighbours dog, resulting in the poor dog having surgery as it had ripped the muscle away from its neck.
I asked the question if i was legally allowed to protect my animals ( shot gun) . Unfortunately, you are only allowed to shoot a dog if its chasing livestock and sadly our horses dont fall into that legal definition. Which is quite frankly disgusting. The letter informs them that we do have CCTV which covers our field and any further trespass on our land by them or there dog will result in court proceedings.

Maybe i should keep a couple of sheep in with the horses

 

[Cortez]

I'm so sorry about your cat, it's not nice living with a dangerous dog next door and I completely understand your worries about your foals. And just in case your neighbours plan to continue to use an electric shock collar to control their dog, they are now illegal in the UK.

 

[cauda equina]

I don't think the ban on shock collars applies to fences

 

[MurphysMinder]

I'm so sorry about your cat, it's not nice living with a dangerous dog next door and I completely understand your worries about your foals. And just in case your neighbours plan to continue to use an electric shock collar to control their dog, they are now illegal in the UK.

Currently they are only banned in Wales I think. Ban was supposed to come into force February 1 2024 but it hasn't been debated yet.

 

[Clodagh]

I'm so sorry about your cat, it's not nice living with a dangerous dog next door and I completely understand your worries about your foals. And just in case your neighbours plan to continue to use an electric shock collar to control their dog, they are now illegal in the UK.

They aren’t illegal here.
OP, I would definitely get a sheep or two, ask a local farmer? You could get a cull ewe or two for very little money. You would need to register a flock number (I think it’s called).
Have you seen it off lead since the incident?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would put a couple of sheep in with your horses but I thought they were broodmares/youngsters, which are livestock. You will need a holding number from DEFRA just so that they know where your sheep are

 

[Asha]

They aren’t illegal here.
OP, I would definitely get a sheep or two, ask a local farmer? You could get a cull ewe or two for very little money. You would need to register a flock number (I think it’s called).
Have you seen it off lead since the incident?

No I haven’t seen it since . But rather worrying is that I was chatting to their next door neighbour today and she mentioned how fed up she was with there dog too , and how shocked that they still haven’t dog proofed their garden and the gate is always open . It’s another accident waiting to happen

 

[Asha]

I would put a couple of sheep in with your horses but I thought they were broodmares/youngsters, which are livestock. You will need a holding number from DEFRA just so that they know where your sheep are

They are just Youngstock and broodmares but my solicitor confirmed that they are not classed as livestock . This is what she sent me :

Please be aware that the definition of livestock is an animal that is used for meats and farming. Therefore, if the horses are used as studs, recreational or equestrian, you will not be covered by this law.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

They are just Youngstock and broodmares but my solicitor confirmed that they are not classed as livestock . This is what she sent me :

I would check that out with DEFRA/BHS tbh. I read only recently that horses can be considered livestock if they are farmed/kept for breeding or used in farming. I can't remember where I read it though, sorry.

 

[Asha]

I would check that out with DEFRA/BHS tbh. I read only recently that horses can be considered livestock if they are farmed/kept for breeding or used in farming. I can't remember where I read it though, sorry.

I will get in touch with BHS tomorrow. Thank you

 

[skinnydipper]

I don't think the ban on shock collars applies to fences

IMO it should.

 

[ycbm]

IMO it should.

Why?

Surely that should also mean banning electric fencing for horses,, and farm animals?

 

[AmyMay]

Why?

Surely that should also mean banning electric fencing for horses,, and farm animals?

There’s quite a big difference.

 

[ycbm]

They are just Youngstock and broodmares but my solicitor confirmed that they are not classed as livestock . This is what she sent me :

I'm not sure your lawyer is right.

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

An Act to provide for the punishment of persons whose dogs worry livestock on agricultural land; and for purposes connected with the matter aforesaid.

www.legislation.gov.uk

“livestock” means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, camelids, ostriches, farmed deer, enclosed game birds or poultry, and for the purposes of this definition “cattle” means bulls, cows, oxen, buffalo, heifers or calves, “horses” includes donkeys and mules, “farmed deer” means deer of any species which are on agricultural land enclosed by a deer-proof barrier and kept by way of business for the primary purpose of meat production, “enclosed game birds” means any pheasant, partridge, grouse (or moor game), black (or heath) game or ptarmigan that are being kept enclosed prior to their release for sporting purposes, and “poultry” means domestic fowls, turkeys, geese or ducks;

 

[skinnydipper]

Why?

Because they inflict pain, that's how they work.

 

[ycbm]

Because they inflict pain, that's how they work.

You cut my quote.

So you would ban electric fence for horses on the same basis that you would ban them for dogs?
.

 

[ycbm]

There’s quite a big difference.

What difference, except for the animal? An electric fence that shocks when the animal goes too near, is just that. It has no effect unless the animal goes too near.
.

 

[skinnydipper]

You cut my quote.

So you would ban electric fence for horses on the same basis that you would ban them for dogs?
.

You are posting on the dog section of the forum. My reply was about dogs.

 

[ycbm]

You are posting on a the dog section of the forum. My reply was about dogs.

And I asked a completely reasonable question about whether your ban of electric fencing applies to all species, because if it doesn't I want to know what you think is different about electric fencing for DOGS.
.

 

[skinnydipper]

And I asked a completely reasonable question about whether your ban of electric fencing applies to all species, because if it doesn't I want to know what you think is diffeent about electric fencing for DOGS.
.

I am sure there are many differences in dog management and horse management. I know nothing about caring for horses. I do know something about dogs.

 

[Clodagh]

There’s quite a big difference.

Why? (Genuinely curious). If you think electric fence is cruel, then it’s cruel for everything. So my chickens shouldn’t be protected from the fox by electric as it’s cruel to the fox.