Unwanted dog in garden?

MetalBren

We live out in the country and our dog has free run in the garden. She's a bichon frise, and is quite small. Lately, there's been a dog coming into our garden (a jack russell mix) that we don't know the owner or where it comes from. Its bigger than our dog, and it worries me that it will turn nasty toward our dog. What legal rights do we have to keep this dog out of the garden, and what could we do to keep it out? The layout of the and is such that we can't block under the gate as it has to open, so that is not an option, which complicates things.
Whoever owns this dog obviously has absolutely no control over it, and I'd prefer if it didn't come into our garden, especially as it seems to leave a deposit here as well.
Any advice would be great.

aonb

Is your dog neutered? could she be coming into heat?
Is the JRT a male? Is he neutered?

If hes been coming in with no aggression so far, I wouldnt worry too much on that score - he's obviously 'local' coming to visit - has he got a collar/tag on? Look for a tag/phone number? You could attach a note to his collar asking owner to phone you?? You could follow him home?

Assume he is owned and not straying/hungry looking/in trouble?

intheclouds

Next time he is in your garden contain him and call the dog warden?

Felexicon

intheclouds wrote:

Next time he is in your garden contain him and call the dog warden?

Bit drastic as a first step I think

Lady Haywire

Felexicon wrote: »

Bit drastic as a first step I think

Why would that be drastic? If there's any sheep or lambs around I'm sure they'd appreciate the dog being curtailed.

njs030

Lady Haywire wrote: »

Why would that be drastic? If there's any sheep or lambs around I'm sure they'd appreciate the dog being curtailed.

It's drastic because the dog will be put to sleep 5 days later if the dog warden picks him up.
Perhaps he's escaping without the owner knowing or perhaps he's a stray and calling a rescue (if no owner can be found) will help him find a new home.

slavetothegrind

bring him to your local vet he might be chipped?

intheclouds

Felexicon wrote: »

Bit drastic as a first step I think

Really? The OP said they live out in the country. I'd have thought it was standard practice.

If people can't keep their dogs under control then they have to expect they will be picked up. Safer in the pound than worrying livestock or getting knocked down.

I've a neighbor who shoots strange dogs on his property on sight so I think the dog warden is mild by comparison.

MetalBren

I think its male, I don't know if its neutered. I didn't see a collar on it.
My dog has been neutered.
I'm puzzled as to where this dog is coming from. My neighbours across the way have a dog that stays in the garden, that fine. Apart from that, no one close owns a dog that could get out, so I assume its a stray.

infogiver

notjustsweet wrote: »

It's drastic because the dog will be put to sleep 5 days later if the dog warden picks him up.
Perhaps he's escaping without the owner knowing or perhaps he's a stray and calling a rescue (if no owner can be found) will help him find a new home.

I don't think it's drastic at all. If the dog attacks a small child or other animals, or gets knocked down or causes an accident, then it'll be too late then to call the dog warden

aonb

MetalBren wrote: »

I think its male, I don't know if its neutered. I didn't see a collar on it.
My dog has been neutered.
I'm puzzled as to where this dog is coming from. My neighbours across the way have a dog that stays in the garden, that fine. Apart from that, no one close owns a dog that could get out, so I assume its a stray.

If you assume its a stray, the kind thing to do would be (1) give him food and water (2) call the nearest rescues to see if they will take it or where you can take it to (3) take a photo and post it on the many facebook pages for lost/stray dogs - e.g kildare pet detective etc. Imagine if your little dog strayed - how scared and stressed she would be, be kind to this little chap and help him on his way

MetalBren

aonb wrote: »

If you assume its a stray, the kind thing to do would be (1) give him food and water (2) call the nearest rescues to see if they will take it or where you can take it to (3) take a photo and post it on the many facebook pages for lost/stray dogs - e.g kildare pet detective etc. Imagine if your little dog strayed - how scared and stressed she would be, be kind to this little chap and help him on his way

I think I'll do that next time I see him

clfy39tzve8njq

aonb wrote:

If you assume its a stray, the kind thing to do would be (1) give him food and water (2) call the nearest rescues to see if they will take it or where you can take it to (3) take a photo and post it on the many facebook pages for lost/stray dogs - e.g kildare pet detective etc. Imagine if your little dog strayed - how scared and stressed she would be, be kind to this little chap and help him on his way

This exactly

Skyfarm

i sense dog class wars, put it this way op,if it was your little cupcake roaming free what would you like your neighbour to do?

my suggestion is to go with your heart..

All this nonsense about sheep and dogs and dog wardens are not where you want to be going,for the most part, country people like animals and also see purpose in keeping them, sheep/money/meat terriers/rats etc

The last thing you need is heading up to a farmers door / Mrs no-nonsense murphy and complaining cupcake was being worried and stressed by the mix terrier,make friends not enemys

the type of dog/s mentioned re-sheep are dealt with without the intervention of wardens.

muddypaws

But what if the dog was stolen and has now been dumped? How are the original owners meant to find the dog if the warden isn't involved? By law a rescue can't just take a dog in and rehome it, well they can, but they have to notify the warden and Gards, and then the dog won't belong to anyone else until 366 days later. Sending a dog to the pound isn't an automatic death sentence, it all depends which pound it is. And unfortunately even if the dog is pts in a pound, it may be a kinder outcome than having it being knocked down or shot.

intheclouds

Does the dog warden not check strays for microchips?

Fakediamond

How about trying to follow it to see where it goes when it leaves your place? Owners could be at work and not know that their dog has found a sneaky gap in the fence to escape when they're not around. I'd certainly like to know if that was the case.

Alternatively, I'd follow advice of poster who suggested food, water and maybe take it to vet to check for a chip. It could be somebody's beloved lost pet.

clfy39tzve8njq

Any vet can read the microchip. I would avoid any action that could end up with the dog going to a pound.

ganmo

this is exactly what dog wardens are meant to deal with!
give the council a buzz and the warden can guide ya in what the next step should be

Ms Doubtfire1

aonb wrote: »

If you assume its a stray, the kind thing to do would be (1) give him food and water (2) call the nearest rescues to see if they will take it or where you can take it to (3) take a photo and post it on the many facebook pages for lost/stray dogs - e.g kildare pet detective etc. Imagine if your little dog strayed - how scared and stressed she would be, be kind to this little chap and help him on his way

Well, i echo this - with the addition to INFORM the dog warden about the dog and the steps you are taking. The warden here has no problem with that at all and will take note of the description of the dog. Not saying they are all like that but it would be an option to think about....