Not an AIBU but a vent, need advice!!

[frownieface]

Well dp got home last night after being gone for maybe 3 1/2 hours (I was at work) to find a police notice saying that our dogs had jumped out the 1st floor window and had been 'aggressive' even though the police managed to put the dogs in the back garden (and any hint of aggression and the dogs would have gone to an animal shelter).

Now I got home maybe an hour after him, he had shut the window but not taken much notice of the room, it was absolutely trashed, we keep our tumble dryer, ironing board, and clean clothes waiting to be ironed in there (big pile ). It was everywhere and the ironing board was turned over, the tumble dryer was about a foot away from the wall.

Our dogs are big (Labradores) but they do not possess the dexterity to be able to open a door, and open a window FULLY (our windows are old single glazed jobbies think rusty fixings on the hinges) not to mention that the doors are locked internally by way of latches.

I think someone was in the house and the dogs scared them away which explains the room and the dogs JUMPING out of a 1st floor window!!!

Dp isn't convinced. I have tried phoning the attending officer but to no avail.

Actually AIBU to think that maybe someone was in my house and my dogs scared them away?

Sorry so long!!!

Is anything missing?

I'm not sure I understand fully, but I think YABU for keeping 2 big dogs in one small room?

Could the dogs have caused the mess?

If not then I do think you need to speak to the attending officer. Don't move/ touch anything until then.

i don't think she kept the dogs in the room!
think the op is saying that perhaps burglars got in through laundry room window, opened door of said room, dogs ran in everyht9ing got into a mess, burglars jumped out of window followed by dogs?

it's a possibility!
also possible that the door was accidentally left open by you and they got in there and trashed it themselves and just jumped out? bizzarre buy could be possible

Sounds quite possible. Thank god your dogs are okay. I can't see why two dogs would be leaping out of a first floor window for no apparent reason, particularly if they're not given to escape artistry, which I presume their not?

A bit of advice if I may - please don't underestimate the risk to your dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act. If the Police suggest any measures to prevent a recurrance regardless of how you think they got out, DO IT, for the sake of your dogs. Be SEEN to be cooperative as an allegation of "aggressive dogs" is a very serious one and in worse case scenario could cost them their lives.

We have trouble getting the police to turn out here, but if things have been stolen, it is a burglary, if not maybe the dogs just had a mad half hour?

*They're, not their. Tsk!

So how does your dp explain the open windows?!

No nothing is missing, the dogs are NOT kept in a small room, we have a 3 bed semi and when the dogs are alone they have free run apart from the upstairs rooms. They are not alone often because dp works from home 90% of the time.

OP, did you start out intending to vent about DP not clearing up and then suddenly realise you may have had intruders?

Valhalla the police said nothing apart from the fact that there had been 'suggestions' that the dogs had been aggressive.

They are not escape artists by any means, and that window had been opened for the best part of 2 months. Without sounding like a complete arse, I know my dogs they would not do anything like this unless provoked.

Know exactly what you mean there, frownieface. I have dogs of my own and would be equally convinced that there was an unusual reason for such behaviour... mine just simply wouldn't do that under normal circumstances either.

I'm involved in rescue and am a campaigner against the Dangerous Dogs Act so I get to learn of quite a lot of draconian actions on the behalf of the authorities when dogs get out and allegations of aggression are made. It's drawing on that experience that makes me warn you to be very proactive about dealing with any allegations regardless of whether or not there's any truth to them. Should, heaven forbid, you have any problems as a result please post on the Doghouse topic for the attention of ScuttleButter, who will be able to recommend a dog law expert for you to contact as I can't for the life of me remember the man's name at the moment and besides, ScuttleButter knows more than I do about him.

If you leave a window open for 2 months, is it not likely that you may have accidentally left a door open?

Serious question - why do people have big dogs when they live in smallish, suburban houses? Wouldn't small dogs be better/happier? I'm a horse person, so I never understand this, as I go to a lot of trouble to ensure that my horse gets at least 8 hours turnout a day in a field in winter and 24/7 in summer.

Good for you nijinsky, I'm sure that you are the epitome of responsible horseyness but as the OP said, her husband works from home and the dogs are not often left alone. She sounds like a responsible dog owner to me.

nijinsky, my house isn't exactly huge yet I have 3 large dogs. Granted, not in suburbia but in the country (though I've lived in cities too) but regardless I would still have time for them and they'd still get walked and lots of play and attention all the same. It all depends on the individuals really, doesn't it? Whether they have time and willingness to make the effort for their dogs, regardless of the dogs' size. It's just as possible to be less than committed with small dogs as large ones.

Providing the dogs get reasonable exercise daily, the size of a house is irrelevant. Op has a garden for them to go toilet in.