Neighbour's Dog ?!

[LuluGuinness]

I really don't know what to do about this situation. I have nc as don't want to out myself.

We've lived here for 10 years and have a dog ourselves. 2 weeks ago new neighbours moved in, a family with a dog of their own. We have a 7/8ft hedge and wire/trellis 6.5ft all the way along to separate the gardens. During our 10 years here, our dog has been perfectly fine. In the last 2 weeks, we have had their dog get into our garden 5 times.

Twice in the dark - it's a big dog - and it scared the absolute shit out of us. Once when we were out, we got back to part of our property damaged where their dog had got into our garden and then smashed through our back gate to get away. The neighbours offered to pay for a new gate, but we said not to, just build a fence on their side to stop her.

A few night ago, I was letting my dog out for a wee before bed around midnight and their dog ran at mine in our garden and I screamed not knowing WTF was going on as it was black dark. The owner heard my screams and came round and the dog went back through the hole she's made in the hedge. We blocked that up and they said they'd try to do something their side too. All sorted I hoped.

Tonight the dog has terrified a very elderly relative as it was sitting right outside the back door. I bought a slip lead just in case after the first time, so grabbed it. Tried to put it on her and she growled and it frightened me. So I just went and got the neighbour who thought her dog was in the house. She definitely didn't get in the blocked up hole either.

I'm at the end of my tether, and don't know what to do. I made it clear that this can't go on and neighbour is full of apologies but it needs to stop. For 10 years my dog has never found these 'holes' that never existed before this dog.

I'm a huge dog lover but this really isn't on. I can't be scared to open the back door and have a dog that's growled at me/I can't control there. I don't even really know what I'm asking, I'm just alone this evening and still a bit shaky from the shock of her appearing again!

That's another thing. They're lucky my dog is so chilled. It could be a very different story, a strange dog coming into another dog's territory.

If she wasn't so large/understood English and didn't find a slip lead growl-worthy I'd be slightly less concerned. Not for the dog's sake, but I almost wish that she went to the other neighbours. They are NOT dog people and they would get a very different reaction. I don't know if the fact we were understanding at first has screwed us over.

If they don't respond to your letter, the dog warden might be a good second step. He'll come talk to them and motivate them to act.

Thanks for all of your replies - I bumped into said neighbour in the street today and he assures me he's bought something to stop her coming to us...fingers crossed it works!

Jesus. Can do without posts advocating violence against animals, cheers

Siberian huskies are notorious escape artists and even a solid 6ft fence isn't an obstacle to some of them. Hope your neighbour is prepared to install said solid fence on their side, possibly with additional wire or trellis on top, and to supervise their dog at all times while it's outside. They are working dogs and an absolute liability if left bored and unsupervised.

I second reminding them of their obligations under the Dangerous Dogs Act and also informing the dog warden (you can often contact via local council website).