Aggressive Neighbour's dog

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 3:41pm #1

Hey folks,

Looking for some advice on my neighbour's dog.

Our neighbours have an extremely aggressive dog, it's a collie/pitbull Cross I think.

It has been an ongoing battle over the last two years with them but this week it reached a new level and we just don't know what to do.

A quick summary is every time the dog is in the garden it goes ballistic barking at us, growling etc. This has been going on for two years and we have complained numerous times. In fairness the neighbours have started to call the dog in a bit more but it is still very annoying and down right stressful every time we are in our garden as it goes ballistic and is so aggressive. We have tried to get on with our lives. We are well used to dogs and have had many over the years.

We have suggested all sorts of things to help over the last two years like introducing us to the dog, treats etc but it just goes mental at us every time the dog see hears or sees us. These Neighbours are just not bothered.

The dog is never walked and has attacked other dogs in the neighbourhood when it got free out the front gate a few times. It's all a bit crazy.

Anyway we just had a newborn baby and just started to venture into the garden. Today the dog was out and nobody home. The dog heard the baby crying and proeceduded the jump in to the fence like crazy growling and barking like mad. Really scary stuff.

My wife ran inside with our baby. She was obviously very upset at what just happened. I stayed out next thing the dog pushes its head through a small gap and it's it was going mental aggressive. Teeth showing barking etc. So so scary. I firmly believe it would have killed our baby had it got in.

I blocked up the hole in the fence. It's a small hole as we have secured our garden really well buts it's mature and sometimes a little gap appears near a tree etc .

Now we just don't know what to do as if we approach the neighbours again, they will not do anything. It am 100% certain of this and its just so awful having to deal with them.

I am thinking of contacting the Gardai as I am genuinely concerned for our baby's safety in our garden and even if the dog gets out the front again and we are with our baby there. Still I just don't know what the Gardai will do. It's stressful enough have a newborn even though it is so amazing.

Really is so crazy to think we have neighbours like this.

Any advice?

SuperBowserWorld · 04-05-2022 3:54pm

Sounds like a terrible situation waiting to happen. The dog sounds very dangerous. Not it's fault, but the way it's been socialised. The Gardai need to know the situation and need to help here with dog warden. Record all incidents you can.

Ireland asleep regarding dangerous dogs and treatment of animals. It's gotten worse over the pandemic. More clueless people getting animals they can't or won't control.

Hope everything works out ok for you.

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 7:38pm

Thanks appreciate it. Ya we are keeping notes and recoding what we can.

Scary stuff.

Thanks for your help. I think the Gardai is the best approach at this stage.

callaway92 · 04-05-2022 7:41pm

Jesus Christ that is frightening

Can’t help here but it really struck me reading it

magicbastarder · 04-05-2022 7:52pm

Mod edit: nope

and yes, i know it's the owners ultimately at fault, but that is a dog which would appear to have severe temperament issues.

Furze99 · 04-05-2022 8:11pm

I presume the neighbours know you have a new young child? But regardless call Gardai & dog warden. You can't have that.

And I've enjoyed keeping a dog for many years.

MakersMark · 04-05-2022 8:14pm

That dog will kill your child if it gets a chance.

I know what I would do.

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 8:17pm

Ya they know but don't care. They care very little for us.

I was onto the Gardai. They said nothing can be done unless the dog gets in. They said contact the dog warden.

maestroamado · 04-05-2022 8:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244451/aggressive-neighbours-dog

Post deleted by mod. Way, way, way out of line for this forum.

Furze99 · 04-05-2022 8:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016642#Comment_119016642

Sure that's ridiculous, who gave that answer. Write to the local station and escalate it.

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 8:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016631#Comment_119016631

That's obviously my worry. It's amazing that the power still seems to be with my crazy awful neighbours.

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 8:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016696#Comment_119016696

Said no criminal offence committed.

maestroamado · 04-05-2022 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016642#Comment_119016642

Put your concerns in an email to Gardai, HSE/Tusla/Warden and anyone you can think of... you will be surprised how quickly things will happen especially with child involved...

You will have flagged the possibility of extreme danger ... i think prevent incident part of Gardai remit... but its handier to write up a few tickets for speeding etc...

Jequ0n · 04-05-2022 8:49pm

Why don’t you just ensure that the fence is secure and solid? It sounds mad to have had a hole in the fence in the first place when you brought your toddler out and knew an aggressive dog could have gotten access.

Your neighbours sound irresponsible and if I were you I would not rely on them to take on responsibility.

Squatman · 04-05-2022 8:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244451/aggressive-neighbours-dog

For a start, you absolutely must tell this story to your neighbours. theres no-one in the world that would think such a risk is worth the reward. Chances are that they wont believe you (when i was bit, the owner said "well if he did bite you, then im sorry" as if i was making it up, and 3 puncture marks on my leg.

hit them up with a face to face visit and word it like the below.

H, i had an extremely worrying situation the other day. we were playing in the back garden, and max jumped over the fence. he was in a frenzy and he was gunning for kiddo. i really believe max would have mauled and killed kiddo. I am asking that you rehome max for the sake of kiddo. i will be escalating to the gardai, dog warden, and local politicians. i really hope you understand that this is not a vendetta against max, however, we cannot control when kiddo may wander out into our back garden, and it appears max cannot be stopped when he is in a frenzy. the risk, as youll understand is far too great to ignore. there may be a community liason officer who may broker a conversation between the two parties after this conversation - but im really shooting from the hip on that one

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 9:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016843#Comment_119016843

We built a whole secure timber fence and secured all the property. There are sections that sit between another house with an old tree. Very difficult to secure from our side and was done with wire. It's a small section but this dog was so aggressive it found it. I am 100% sure I will try it's best to get over a 2m fence. This dog is so unbelievably aggressive.

We tried numerous times to get this neighbours to fix from there side as they have way easier access but refuse. Their garden is like something from a a dump.

The neighbours refuse to repair any damaged caused by their old sucking trees and this crazy dog tried to get in over a near 2 metre fence. It continued to run at it .

And another thing, this dog has attacked other dogs out the front of the house where boundary walls cannot exceed 1m due to planning. I am not accepting responsibility for this. No way. This is not my fault. We have done more than enough over the last two years.

enricoh · 04-05-2022 9:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016631#Comment_119016631

Post deleted by mod. See warning below.

Get Real · 04-05-2022 9:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119016696#Comment_119016696

Not sticking up for the guards here, but I was going to advise OP to contact the local council dog warden and didn't see any point going to the guards.

I'm not sure how it's ridiculous. I sympathise with the ops situation, but can't see for a second how it's a garda matter tbh.

In fact, reading the Act, the only power it gives a Guard to get a warrant is AFTER a dog attacks someone (Section 26). So it's a stupid Act, but that's not the guards fault that OP spoke to.

Op - get onto your local councils dog warden, this is exactly what their job is.

They'll be able to at a minimum call around to the owner and demand a licence (and proceed from here if there is none) . They can also look into the dog not being walked etc and it's general aggressiveness.

There's also a provision in the Control Of Dogs Act for a Dog warden to go before a court and apply to take the dog if it's dangerous.

Unfortunately, as the dog is in its owners garden and from reading your OP (which is heartbreaking) I can't actually find a direct offence in the Control of Dogs Act.

You know best and perhaps you could have a browse and see what part of it is being broken https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1986/act/32/section/25/enacted/en/html#sec25

Then outline in an email your concerns to your dog warden.

I do see there is one section that says you can go to court to apply for a dog warden to take a dog in the case of nuisance barking (and throw in the other stuff too) however you need to notify the owner of the dog you're doing this. (found in section 25)

Its unfortunate the law is old and doesn't cater for these situations, but my advice would be, get onto dog warden first, and if no recourse, consult a solicitor and do above as per section 25.

A dog warden is exactly for this type of situation. If they're going to know anything, it's going to be Dogs and using the Control of Dogs Act. See what they get back to you with.

enricoh · 04-05-2022 9:12pm

Some people are just scumbags, they'd get a good laugh at a letter. Some of these dogs are big money also, there's no hope they'll pay heed.

Problem is now that you've complained numerous times <mod snip>

Mod note: Your veiled references are not veiled. Please see mod warning below.

callaway92 · 04-05-2022 9:26pm

I suppose I can understand things from a Guards point of view. Them 'taking action' would set a precedence for anybody really who doesn't like dogs to start saying things like this have happened.

It's a tough one

Degag · 04-05-2022 9:30pm

OP, do you own the home?

Obviously no one should be forced away from the home they live in and i know it's not a renters market at the moment but.... it might be worth considering a move if there is potential to do so.

04-05-2022 9:39pm

Vets bills are expensive. they usually chasten bad dog owners, when their mutt sustains injuries from you defending yourself/property/family.

if the dog has attacked other dogs in the area it is defacto out of control in a public place and a criminal offence is committed

DBB · 04-05-2022 9:41pm

For crying out loud, folks... does nobody even glance at forum charters before they post?

Under no circumstances may people post to advocate poisoning/harming/injuring/doing anything illegal to an animal in this forum. To do so incurs a PERMANENT BAN from this forum.

I'm giving people some small benefit of the doubt, and deleting/editing posts that have crossed the line.

However, if we see one more post advocating anything that could harm the dog, we will issue bans with no further warning.

Thanks,

DBB

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 9:42pm

Ya we own it and it's in a lovely area. People are so nice here but not our neighbours

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 9:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119017250#Comment_119017250

The most recent attack I witnessed and did another neighbour.

The women was old and so was her dog. She didn't want any hassle when I asked her was she okay.

Sammy96 · 04-05-2022 9:57pm

Folks thanks for all your input.

I will contact the warden and let you know how it goes.

maestroamado · 04-05-2022 10:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119017391#Comment_119017391

Whoever you decide to contact put it in writing...

Squatman · 05-05-2022 6:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119017391#Comment_119017391

why wouldnt you talk to your neighbours as i suggested above?

10000maniacs · 05-05-2022 6:57pm

There was a law brought in in 1992 called the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 to help deal with these problems.

If the dog is out of control and is a danger to your family and the neighbour is not doing anything to remediate the situation, you can take your neighbour to court to resolve the situation under this act.

Vittu · 06-05-2022 12:56pm

An option might be to build a block wall between you and your neighbour. Or to erect a chain link style fence with it going below the level of the ground, dogs when bored will dig. It could take a long time before any authority makes a decision on this and the sooner a strong permanent boundary is installed the better.

Sammy96 · 06-05-2022 9:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119023562#Comment_119023562

That's all well and good but the dog has attacked other dogs and an old women out the front of the house.

I cannot do anything about the front walls as it is restricted by planning etc.

Next time that dog is out the front it could easily jump the wall and going on this week attack my baby.

I am just so sick of this now really amazed that my neighbours seem to be getting off stock free.

On the other comment about why I won't talk to my neighbours about this. I won't even bother, they are nasty and won't do a thing about it.

Will write to the dog warden tomorrow as the next step.

I am also now going to warn other neighbours about this dog as they also have young children.

Vittu · 09-05-2022 9:02am

I meant to build the block wall at the back of your house so at least if the child is outside in the back garden it is safe.

893bet · 09-05-2022 9:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119023562#Comment_119023562

This. Secure your fence properly as you can’t rely on them. And it’s in your interest.

Sammy96 · 09-05-2022 12:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119035258#Comment_119035258

It is secure but I cannot secure the front. Therefore I am going down the route of the Warden, Gardai and speaking to my solicitor this week. Taking no chances with my baby and j have zero concerns now for my crazy selfish neighbours

TheChizler · 09-05-2022 12:44pm

You say the dog has attacked other dogs and people, what happened and what was the outcome there? If there were injuries the warden could get involved from that perspective.

Igotadose · 09-05-2022 12:58pm

Take videos of the dog's behaviour. Include them in an e-mail to the Dog Warden and follow up with a phone call. Also, give the Warden the EIRcode of the aggressive dog's house. The Warden can visit the home and talk to the owner about it, and then should get back to you about it. Follow up if they don't.

The Warden can't take the dog right away, but you need to build a case against the owner with the Warden. If you don't get satisfaction in this round, you can swear out a complaint in Court and the Gardai can follow up. My experience is that even scrote owners with bad dogs don't like attention from the Dog Warden and do something about it.

Here is a letter we sent to the Dog Warden last year, who visited the house in question and the dog has since not been around.

---

Dear <dog warden office>,

My wife and I walk our local area for exercise. On Sunday, 25 April, around noon, walking a local laneway, we were set upon by an aggressive dog who came at us barking and snarling. It attempted repeatedly to bite us. We fended it off with walking sticks. The dog’s owner came out to investigate but said nothing to us nor to the dog.

The dog attacked us again on the afternoon of Tuesday, 27 April. On that day, it also attempted to come around behind us to bite. We fended it off yet again, and when the owner came out I asked him if he was going to restrain or confine the dog, as the dog has free access to the lane people walk on. He made no comment, just waved a stick at the dog who ran off.

On 30 April, we walked on the main road, across the street from the house. The dog, who had been in the front yard, ran around to the laneway side and came out walking very aggressively, barking and snarling. It stalked towards me, walking stiffly while staring into my eyes. We didn’t get very close, and the owner eventually came out into the lane and brought the dog back into the house.

The owner didn’t answer my request to restrain or confine the dog. This animal is dangerous, a hazard to people and to other animals

The house's location is

<etc>

I've attached a photo of the house and here is a link to the video <...>

Thank you,

....

Aggressive Neighbour's dog

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