Neighbour's dog keeps escaping into our garden...

[FUNM]

and I have a fear of dogs. It has entered our garden several times (and pooed and dug up borders/flowers that I spent a long time on) Would IBU to get a solid wooden dog fence on their side so it cannot escape?
It has also gotten into the other neighbour's garden but they secured that side now. Our side has a wire fence which it keeps digging under and gaining access to our garden. It has been temporarily secured but the dog still knows how to 'escape' . On another occasion i saw the dog run out of their house and they were looking for it up and down the street. It seems they do not really know how to properly care for their pet and I think they got it just for their young child.
Would any of you report it to the RSPCC or is that OTT?

• to ASK them to get a solid wooden fence

Next time it's in the street ring the dog warden to report a stray..
Collection fee may make them improve their dog owner skills.

Whilst technically its their responsibility to fence their pet IN... if it will cause you less distress to fence so you keep their dog OUT I would do that.... because often whats best for you might not be whats the letter of the law!

However I would ALSO speak to the dog warden, because asides from being a nuisance, and not legal (out of control in a public place) the poor dogs welfare is at risk too.

The outcome is likely a chat with the owners and reminding of their responsibilities, if further complaints need to be made then control orders can be given, they may be ordered to improve fencing, take training classes etc etc and a rehoming order is a possibility though a long way down the line.

They may of course decide to rehome as its less effort than putting in teh work and being responsible which might be the best result for you AND for the dog if he/she gets an owner upgrade!

Legislation

Thanks for the legal info. Will try to have a reasonable chat with them before making an official complaint - not that I want it to really get to that stage. But they are not really responsible dog owners and it is the poor dog who is suffering.

Really, it's their responsibility to keep their dog in their property. So they should put up a secure fence.

However, I had this problem with a neighbour who wouldn't do anything about it. So, I paid £300 to have a secure wooden fence put up (with 3 bars, one too low for the dog to get under, one too high for it to get over, and one to prevent it getting between the first two).

I shouldn't have had to do this, but I could afford it and it gives me massive peace of mind, so I recommend it if that's an option.

is there any reason you can't put up a fence if they won't?

It'll give you more privacy too.