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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to report these dogs?

86 replies

lunar1 · 04/02/2016 21:52

I walk my children to school and back every day. Due to a road with no footpath on one side and a canal on the other there is only one way to go, the only alternative is about a 4 mile detour.

Part of the path we walk down is about 1.5m wide with fences at one side to the house and railings to the other where the stream that runs off the canal is. I'm just giving the detail to highlight that there is no way to move further away from these dogs without swimming to school!

One of the houses on the corner/start of the path have removed their wooden 8ft fencing and replaced with iron railings. They have two huge dogs, and every time they see anyone they continuously bark and growl. They always seem to be in the garden with no owner in sight.

My children love dogs, but these two are starting to terrify them. My youngest is 4 and is asking not to go to school and crying. I reassure them that the dogs are fine and can't get out, but honestly they scare me too!

Would I be unreasonable to report them? And who too? They are going to have to either keep there dogs in or put the panels back up so they can't see the path.

OP posts:
Neverpolishghillies · 04/02/2016 21:54

If the dogs are in the garden and can't get out, I doubt anyone can make someone keep them in.

willowsummers · 04/02/2016 21:59

I sympathise as I remember some very frightening dogs hurling themselves at fences and gates when I was little and scaring me, but the dogs are kept in a secure garden: demanding they are kept in isn't something that can be insisted upon, I wouldn't have thought.

maybebabybee · 04/02/2016 21:59

Many dogs do bark at people going past. My mum's dog is the most placid creature on earth but still goes mad if someone walks past the window. It doesn't necessarily mean they're aggressive.

It doesn't sound like the dogs can get out, in any case, so yes yabu.

Friendlystories · 04/02/2016 21:59

Ring the council in the first instance, I would think that comes under either noise pollution or anti social behaviour but they might also refer to the dog warden. I have dogs and would never want anyone to feel intimidated by them, nor would I want them constantly working themselves up barking at people so it's in the dogs best interests to do something about this as well as people walking past. Sounds like it would be easily rectified by solid fencing so no, YWBU to report it.

Friendlystories · 04/02/2016 22:00

That should read YWNBU sorry Blush

Seeyounearertime · 04/02/2016 22:01

maybe it would be worth writing a letter to the house and letting them know? leave it anon if needs be.

Original poster
lunar1 · 04/02/2016 22:07

I would speak to the owners if I could but I have no idea how to get round to the other side of that row of houses. It's a really odd setup because of the canal and stream.

I wouldn't be bothered if I couldn't see them, and there is no way they could get out. But it feels like they could as you have to get so close to them to pass and the railings are so thin. Maybe I should start taking sausages to throw up the garden! 4 times a day would get a bit expensive though.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 04/02/2016 22:07

I would suggest a friendly word with the owners, but if you're scared of the dogs I can see why you might not want to knock and speak to them.

I like seeyounearertime's suggestion of writing a letter, although I wouldn't make it anonymous as that can come across as a bit hostile.

Just a friendly letter explaining that you can see the dogs are well contained, but that their barking/growling is scaring some of the children who need to walk past on their way to school.

Worth a try anyway.

Lurkedforever1 · 04/02/2016 22:16

If the dogs are secure then I don't see what the problem is? Objecting to the fact you can now see as well as hear the dogs is slightly ott. As is suggesting they could be put in kennels while you pass.

Perhaps go find the front of the house and politely ask the owners if your dc can meet the dogs properly so they don't just continue to copy your fear of dogs?

Floralnomad · 04/02/2016 22:22

If they are in their own garden the only complaint would be the noise and as you are only walking past a couple of times a day it's a bit unreasonable to report them for that , if they're barking a lot all day someone who lives nearby will probably report them eventually .

Original poster
lunar1 · 04/02/2016 22:24

I'm not scared of dogs. But these two are bloody scary. They claw at the fencing bark and growl as we pass. My children love dogs normally, the way we have to walk is perfect for dog walking so they see a lot of dogs every day, know lots of the regulars so play with them most days. These two dogs will make my children scared of dogs if this continues, my youngest is 4 and the dogs are so much bigger than him and are so aggressive.

I think I will try and find the house front tomorrow. I just worry that if I end up still having to report it they will know it's me.

OP posts:
Choughed · 04/02/2016 22:31

I've had a similar scenario but on our regular dog walking route rather than to and from school. I made a game of the of it with DD, "how loud are the dogs going to be today? etc.

As long as they are really secure in the garden you should be okay.

Original poster
lunar1 · 04/02/2016 22:33

That might be a good idea actually coughed, thank you.

OP posts:
dodobookends · 04/02/2016 22:38

If the dogs are secure then I don't see what the problem is

Little children being scared out of their wits every day by two large aggressive dogs?

tealady · 04/02/2016 22:47

Apparently "It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere"
www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

What you are describing sounds like out of control behaviour to me and as a dog owner I would be horrified if my dogs were scaring children (or adults) in this way. I think you should talk to the dog warden and get some advice.

tealady · 04/02/2016 22:49

Note that my previous link says being out of control includes making someone worried that it might injure them.

AnotherNc · 04/02/2016 22:51

I would be terrified and unable to walk along the path (dog phobia!) What if they escape?

I think you should contact the owners and explain the situation, that the children are so scared they don't want to go to school. In the meantime could you take a taxi or bus?

Lurkedforever1 · 04/02/2016 23:09

dodo while that's unfortunate, as op says they are secure then it's the type of fear a parent should be working on overcoming, not avoiding.

Op- I disagree, if you and your dc weren't frightened of dogs it would be a none issue for you.

tealady · 04/02/2016 23:15

But lurked, op said that her children love dogs. It the aggressive behaviour of these dogs that is scaring them. I love dogs but would still find it intimidating if a dog behaves in the way op has described regardless of whether they are behind a fence.

Lurkedforever1 · 04/02/2016 23:41

tea being fearful of dogs and liking dogs aren't mutually exclusive. I both like dogs and have no fear of them, which is why I wouldn't give a second thought to dogs barking behind a fence. Neither would my dd at any age as she's not scared of them either. Hence I suggested op see if she could meet them with owners to conquer that fear.

ExitPursuedByABear · 04/02/2016 23:45

Find a big stick and bang it on the railings. Then throw it in for them.

Original poster
lunar1 · 04/02/2016 23:57

I think it's a natural and essential response to very aggressive behaviour to be scared of these two dogs. As I put before they are not scared of dogs, but these two are not just barking they are growling and trying to get to us.

My children know which dogs they are allowed to stroke, they know to be still and calm if a dog runs over to them and they know to ask an owner before striking a new dog.

I'm not scared of people but if someone shouted abuse and behaved threateningly I'd be scared of them. That wouldn't make me scared of people, just that person.

What I need to avoid is the behaviour of these two dogs affecting how they feel about all dogs. I will try to find the owners tomorrow after I drop them off.

OP posts:
Friendlystories · 05/02/2016 00:38

Ultimately barking and growling at passers by to the degree the OP describes is undesirable behaviour in a dog and the owners should be noticing and trying to rectify it, as much for the dogs' sake as anyone else's. If the authorities were to deem their behaviour 'dangerously out of control' the dogs could be at risk of pts and aside from that it's not good for them to be allowed to work themselves up to this extent. The owners have a responsibility to both the dogs and the general public if they're allowing the dogs to cause a nuisance and a word from the council and/or dog warden may well be enough for them to reinstate a solid fence which would solve the problem. I wouldn't approach the owners OP, the proper authorities will carry more weight and are more likely to get the desired result, your local PCSO is another route you could try and a quiet word from them or the dog warden may well be all that's needed.

Alisvolatpropiis · 05/02/2016 00:47

I really don't think dogs in a securely enclosed garden, barking, is ever going to be considered "dangerously out of control". Hmm

kawliga · 05/02/2016 01:03

Here is what the link says:
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

  • injures someone
  • makes someone worried that it might injure them

OP, YANBU. I suggest the four-mile detour. Because this sounds to me like a twattish dog-owner scenario, the characteristics of which are well known on MN. The owner will say

  • oh, they don't mean any harm, they only want to play
  • my dogs can't get out, don't be silly
  • have your dc actually been hurt? No? Then piss off, who cares
  • Teach you dc not to be scared of dogs, yes, I get that your dc are not scared of dogs usually but maybe you need to give them remedial lessons
  • The dogs love kids, they just want to play

You will get nowhere. Take the detour.

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