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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

SHould I report neighbours dog for this?

242 replies

tundrah · 03/09/2015 16:46

On sunday my little boy (2) sneaked in to the neighbours garden. The neighbour let his 5 dogs out and they surrounded my boy barking, snapping and snarling at him. The dogs are not very well trained but usually the neighbour would call them back. This time he made no attempt to call them back, I had to grab my boy who was bawling and shaking like a leaf. The neighbour jsut gave me a foul look.

I am constantly telling my boy not to go in there, he is well aware he shouldn't. THE only good thing is he might not try to get in There again. I am absolutely livid that the neighbour seemed to be letting his dogs scare my child like that!

Should I report it?

there is more to the story, too. We are farmers and our fields surround these neighbours, I have also had 3 sheep killed and 7 aborted since these neighbours moved in. I have reported the worrying to the police (you should always do that) but I don't know for certain it was them. Judging by Sunday I have suspicions now that it was them.

OP posts:
MaxPepsi · 03/09/2015 16:49

Yes, report it.

The dogs should be able to distinguish between a child and an intruder on their property.

I would probably kill my own dog if he behaved that way near a child, his garden or not.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 03/09/2015 16:49

You need to stop your 2 year old getting into someone else's garden, that's the first point.

Your neighbour is an arse and yes report your concerns.

ifgrandmahadawilly · 03/09/2015 16:49

The sheep worrying, sure, you should report it.

As for the other incident. Your 2 year old shouldn't have been in your neighbours garden. YABU.

TenForward82 · 03/09/2015 16:50

I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion, but the guy had HIS dogs on HIS property and your son trespassed. The way you phrased it sounded like he spotted your child then deliberately let the dogs out. Do you have proof of this? Did you see it? Did he come out at the same time?

Original poster
tundrah · 03/09/2015 16:53

i think the point is the owner's refusal to call the dogs back.

You don't have to tell me my boy shouldn't be in the neighbours garden but you try telling him! the problem is the neighbour used to think he was cute and encouraged him but recently they don't want him in there.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 03/09/2015 16:53

Report the sheep thing

You're being silly about your toddler though. He needs looking after so that he doesn't wander onto the neighbour's property.

DawnOfTheDoggers · 03/09/2015 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 03/09/2015 16:54

Try telling a 2 year old???

Why not try preventing him from accessing the neighbour's garden?

Rhine · 03/09/2015 16:54

Are for you real? Keep your toddler under control and don't allow him to trespass onto your neighbours property again!

TenForward82 · 03/09/2015 16:55

clears throat Did you see him let the dogs out in the first place?

Yes, not calling the dogs back is shitty but he clearly wanted to make a point which he felt needed making.

Where they really "encouraging" him coming into their garden or just trying to be polite? (And now they're fed up with it?)

DawnOfTheDoggers · 03/09/2015 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
tundrah · 03/09/2015 16:57

tenforward yes that is what he did- saw my boy then let the dogs at him

my son slipped between the fence and hedge while I was just there talking to someone else. I started asking him to come back through and looking for the gap (I don't want to go in there obviously). next thing, front door opens and dogs go for my son.

Legally you might be technically right about 'trespass' but the dangerous dogs act applies even in your own garden and even if a dog just acts like it might bite someone.

OP posts:
StillStayingClassySanDiego · 03/09/2015 16:57

No, the point is you know he has a habit of getting in there so you should have been making it impossible to gain access.

Rhine · 03/09/2015 17:00

Secure your garden so your son can't get onto your neighbours property again.

Yes the dog night bite someone, but then it might not. It hasn't, so what's to report?

RealityCheque · 03/09/2015 17:00

Dawn, words and Rhine are spot on.

Why on earth would you report your neighbours for your own shit liberal parenting.

He wasn't harmed as the dogs just barked and growled. Perhaps your neighbour is pissed off with his parents for not controlling their kid so allowed the dogs to scare him.

Bottom line: control your child.

Backforthis · 03/09/2015 17:00

'I've also never met a sheep farmer who would "report" a dog worrying sheep rather than just shoot it!'

^ This

TenForward82 · 03/09/2015 17:00

You're kinda glossing over half my questions so ... Biscuit

I think the majority has spoken and in MN's opinion YABU.

WorraLiberty · 03/09/2015 17:01

Just sort the gap in the fence out.

The dogs 'barked', 'snapped' and 'snarled' at him intruding on their garden. They didn't bite him and you can't prove your neighbour didn't call them back.

JeffsanArsehole · 03/09/2015 17:04

The dogs didn't do anything to your child, barking is just talking. Fine to report if they worry sheep, that's terrible.

Obviously you have to supervise a 2 year old much more closely so you all stay out of his property.

Idefix · 03/09/2015 17:04

You need to keep better control of your ds to keep him safe, farms and the countryside are every bit as dangerous (if not more) than urban environments.

How did you know your neighbour saw your child and then let the dogs out?

With the problems you describe with your sheep you shoul report, I presume the aborted foetuses and mothers have been checked for illness?

Original poster
tundrah · 03/09/2015 17:04

lots of questions so here is more info

We do not live next to these 'neighbours'. our land neighbours them. We were bringing the bull to the cows at the time.

Second point, I cannot fence their boundary, the access points are on their boundary with the forestry track, so it is possible that my boy can slip in to their garden when he is playing on his bike.

And who can control their child 100% of the time? Do you lot tie your kids up or what? I have told him countless times not to go in there, I have tried bribery and punishments.

I have always told him not to go in there. Last time he went in there I told him off and the neighbour was holding his hand and alking with him and saying to him 'oh that's alright, it's not a problem' so to go from that to dog attack is a bit strong in my view

OP posts:
Original poster
tundrah · 03/09/2015 17:06

10 forwward I saw with my own eyes that he let 5 dogs out to surround my son- what question am I glossing?

OP posts:
TenForward82 · 03/09/2015 17:06

Also, (devil's advocate) you don't even know for sure the neighbour let the dogs out because he saw your boy, unless you were watching their back door. The timing could have been coincidental.

zzzzz · 03/09/2015 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 03/09/2015 17:07

Stop making excuses.

Make an effort to cover the gaps on your side so he can't get in.

And who can control their child 100% of the time? Do you lot tie your kids up or what? oh please! Hmm