Great Dane loose in my garden

[SylvesterTheCat]

A couple of mornings ago a massive Great Dane chased my cat onto our property. Our front boundary is quite low and there is no gate so it was able to make its way to the back of the house. I'm not annoyed at the fact it chased my cat, just amazed that the owner had decided to have no leash for such a big animal and he no control over the dog whatsoever. I have a newborn and it frightens me to think of what could have happened if I was out there at the time. The owner was very apologetic and clearly embarrassed but I just wondered, aibu to be angry at the dog owner or is it my fault for not having a higher fence and gate on the front?

It isn't your fault but later down the line you might want to get some secure fencing and a gate as your newborn will be a toddler and will want to enjoy the garden.

I would install a sprinkler system at the very least.
6 foot fence +even bigger ddog at best!!

I love Great Danes, why do I never get one in my garden?
Joking aside OP, if you aren’t used to big dogs and have a cat it must have been scary but as a general rule they are pretty soppy dogs

I swear to god MN is like an alternate universe.

Where does all this stuff happen?!!

I used to get two visiting my garden. I’d glance up and they’d be staring at me through my patio door. They were beautiful. I never did find out where they lived

I’d get a higher fence

If you’ve got no gate and a low boundary I’d want to make my garden secure.

If it's a one off, try not to get carried away, your baby was fine, probably would've been, even if outside.

You might want a fence in the future, but I wouldn't personally worry about this event.

Neighbour's lurcher thing chased our cat around garden & I feel sure would have killed it if caught. I like dogs but I was not pleased (doesn't help neighbour & I don't like each other).

Great Dane sounds soppy & easy to deal with if it's not your cat to worry about it.

Pretty sure a sprinkler would just extend the dog’s visit, they love chasing the water 😂

Pretty sure a sprinkler would just extend the dog’s visit, they love chasing the water 😂

^^so true! 😂

Definitely the owners responsibility but you will probably need a fence and gate for your toddler.

Sit toddler at window and ddog chasing sprinkler =home entertainment, better than Justin!!

Thanks for the replies. Yes I suppose it might be even more risky with a toddler as I wouldn't necessarily be on close supervision.

I felt bad for being annoyed because I know my cat goes into other people's gardens. Though it's not as massive as this dog was

It was a beautiful creature- just massive and therefore I was rather startled.

What do you think this dog would have done to your baby?

I would upgrade your fence. It's very stupid of the owners, the dog could end up in the road.

If you’ve got no gate and a low boundary I’d want to make my garden secure.

All the new houses built around here have strict rules about boundaries, no fences, no hedges higher than a couple of feet, no gates its bloody ridiculous. You cannot protect your gardens from the world and his wife's dog crapping on it or kids running onto you front garden.

I’d be livid. It probably would have killed your cat if it caught it. If your newborn was outside they could have been trampled. I say that as a dog owner and lover btw.

Starcrossedseahorse I guess I've had worried thoughts that if I were outside carrying my baby, even breastfeeding, and it were to jump on me it would knock me over and I could have dropped my baby, baby trampled etc.

SnuggyBuggy We live down the end of a no-through road with a field at the end so we do get lots of dog walkers around here. Owner wouldn't have worried about cars because there's barely any.