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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's not me that needs to dog proof my garden?

73 replies

TheCarrotsDontWork · 06/03/2015 23:52

Next-door neighbour's dog keeps darting through the hedge when it hears my dog in the garden.

Neighbour thinks it's my problem and I should put up a fence if I'm bothered.

My dog is always supervised in the garden and has never gone through the hedge.

AIBU to think that she needs to put up the fence if she can't keep her dog in, not me?

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 07/03/2015 00:03

YANBU, but if I were you I do it because she isn't interested in controlling her dog.

Collaborate · 07/03/2015 00:04

It is the responsibility of the pet owner to keep their pet in their garden.

Bakeoffcake · 07/03/2015 00:05

Yanbu. I would be fuming if a dog kept coming in my garden, she should sort the fence.

Original poster
TheCarrotsDontWork · 07/03/2015 00:10

What can you do if a pet owner doesn't keep their dog in their garden? Is it a by-law or something?

Neighbour told me that I should 'socialise' my dog more. My dog is very good with other dogs, I just like it to be on my own terms, and not in my garden!

OP posts:
NeedABumChange · 07/03/2015 00:29

You can leave a big pile of fox poo in your garden for her dog to take back to her house? Obviously carefully arranged near hedge when your dog is off on holiday.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 07/03/2015 00:55

Helpfully let it through the other side of your garden and let her deal with those neighbours?

Tobyjugg · 07/03/2015 01:00

Who owns the hedge? It's their responsibility.

TheAnswerIsYes · 07/03/2015 01:03

I'd leave chocolate lying around the garden for the neighbours dog.

I don't like dogs.

Original poster
TheCarrotsDontWork · 07/03/2015 01:27

We own the hedge. But that doesn't mean it's our responsibility to make it dog-proof does it? Surely it's each person;s responsibility to keep their dog on their own property by whatever means - supervision (what I do) or dog-proofing (wha they should do if they're not going to supervise)

OP posts:
Adarajames · 07/03/2015 02:13

If social housing then find out who their landlord is and ask them to sort it as their tenancy should require it if allowed to have dogs.

If private owned then you'll just have to sort the fencing, however unfair that seems, i you don't want their dog getting in your garden as they obviously won't

MidniteScribbler · 07/03/2015 02:36

YANBU as I'm having the same problem with my neighbours dog (except it's aggressive and keeps trying to attack mine. I shouldn't have to, but I'm building a great big solid fuck off fence on my property line. It may be her responsibility to keep her dog in her yard, but it's also my responsibility to keep own dogs safe.

sanfairyanne · 07/03/2015 05:21

if she isnt bothered she wont do it. you are bothered so you are probably best off just fixing the boundary. maybe she would pay half? it isnt right or fair but probably the easiest solution. otherwise, you could perhaps speak to the council for advice but it might end up as a neighbour dispute

MythicalKings · 07/03/2015 06:31

If it's your boundary I think it's your responsibility to make it dog proof.

Andrewofgg · 07/03/2015 06:43

Strengthen the hedge with a few lines of barbed wire at the strategic height. It won't cost much.

When Fido gets caught ignore the yelping - let NDN deal with it. From her side. Her dog, her problem.

TheAnswerIsYes You don't like dogs. We are siblings in the soul!

EponasWildDaughter · 07/03/2015 07:40

Are you in the uk, OP?

If so it is very simple: if you own a dog it is your responsibility to keep it under control. ie: within your own property when off the leash.

Even if there was NO fence at all on OPs boundary, it would still be the dog owners responsibility to keep it on their own property.

EponasWildDaughter · 07/03/2015 07:46

This info is current advice from our council's dog warden, btw. We were having similar issue with a dog allowed to escape and charge about in the fields around our village and was consequently getting into some people's back gardens. Owner said they 'had trouble controlling Fido. Couldn't everyone just get a decent fence'' !?!? ShockAngry

er, no. YOU get a decent bloody fence, it's your dog!

SteppeAwayFromTheKeyboard · 07/03/2015 07:49

who owns the boundary is irrelevant.
It is the dog owners responsibility to keep their dog in their garden.

Do a google search on the law, print it off, and then give it to them. Tell they that if they don't fence their garden, you will be taking RSPCA/legal advice.

hippoinamudhole · 07/03/2015 07:52

Next time it comes into your garden call the dog warden and say you found it loose

SteppeAwayFromTheKeyboard · 07/03/2015 07:54

Do you have a side gate?

I would open it and herd the dog out through it. Then when neighbour complains that his dog is loose on the road, shrug and say you can't guarantee your garden is secure for HIS dog. It isn't your responsibility.

MaxPepsi · 07/03/2015 07:57

I'm undecided. My parents look after my dog for me sometimes. They have new neighbours, who have ripped out their 50 plus years established front garden and left gaping holes all over and made a right ffing mess of it I think they should be paying to re dog proof it as it's their fault he can now escape....They have also damaged my parents hedge in the process. We haven't broached it however because it's my dog so I will be paying but I'd sincerely like to be giving them the bloody bill.

popalot · 07/03/2015 07:58

In theory she should, but in reality she's already said she won't. I'd go ahead and fix the fence myself (if you can afford it) behind the hedge so you still get the nice hedge to look at. Try a wire fence, rather than forking out for a big wooden one. When it comes to neighbours who are difficult, you just have to find a way that involves the least agro from them.

ragged · 07/03/2015 08:06

Neighbour doesnt have a problem, in their mind, you're the only one who has a problem, so you should fix it.

If neighbour refuses to do anything, Why wouldn't you put in some fencing when you're annoyed by the neighbour's dog?

Collaborate · 07/03/2015 08:10

Agree with popalot. If the hedge is yours the boundary must be on the other side of it. It doesn't matter who bought the plants, it matters who owns the land underneath it. Is the boundary clearly defined? Put in the cheapest ugliest fence you cann get (chainlink I think would do) and put it up on your side of the boundary, right up to it. If next doors dog starts jumping up at it next door will have to pay for it to be repaired or replaced.

SteppeAwayFromTheKeyboard · 07/03/2015 08:14

Max - the thing is it is THEIR garden, they can pull it all out and tarmac it if they want. Just because you don't like it, that isn't their problem. It isn't their fault the dog can now escape at all. They have made perfectly legal changes to their house. The changes impact you, but that isn't their problem in this case (would be their problem if it damaged your property in some way.)

If your parents have your dog then it is your parents responsibility to create a safe place.

This isn't just opinion, in law it is the responsibility of the dog owner. If eg your neighbour happens to have a great fence, so you don't need to fence proof your garden, great. If that fence blows down in a gale and they don't repair it, then it is up to you to create a dog safe space.

Debinaround · 07/03/2015 08:39

What about a bucket of cold water over the dog every time it comes in your garden? Bet your neighbour won't want a soaking wet stinking dog running back in the house and shaking it's self all over her walls and floor.

I personally couldn't put it out my garden and onto the street incase it got knocked over and hurt. I would feel too guilty.