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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Who's fault is this and what should I do? - Dogs

68 replies

Lonelydaisy · 10/11/2021 15:11

One of my neighbours fence panels is partly down at the moment, enough for their dog to get through to our garden. They have a female, we have a male, neither have been done (my female dog is done so didn't do the male)
I left the back door open a few hours whilst I was busy cleaning and I think they were outside together!!
Next door apologised and sorted fence when he realised his dog had gotten out.
I asked if she was done and he said no she's in season!!
What now?? Who's fault is this? Worried the dog will now be pregnant.
Any advice welcome!

OP posts:
SW1amp · 10/11/2021 15:59

Did you actually see them tied?

Or just having a sniff of each other?

Briarshollow · 10/11/2021 16:00

I haven’t got my male dog ‘done’. His is a breed that becomes massively more at risk of bone tumours if castrated, so with the advice of a breeder, I chose not to. It’s not illegal/irresponsible etc so long as recall is impeccable. And mine’s is. If someone had their unspayed bitch on heat out off the lead, I cannot attest to how good his recall would stay, but I’d hope to be able to intercept in those circumstances, and that an owner of a female dog wouldn’t be so daft. I think this is a watch and wait, situation. Was the bitch on heat? And also, get the bloody fence fixed.

Thecathouse · 10/11/2021 16:01

Get onto him ASAP, the shrug means he is probably hoping she caught and he doesn't plan to get the mismate jab or emergency spay for his bitch. Probably quite looking forward to trying to make a profit with the price of pups as they are at the moment

Tell him he has three choices- he gets the vet for a mismate jab and you pay half (it's not expensive and this might make him feel better about it, not your responsibility but means you can feel less responsible)

He gets her spayed - you can help with this too by contacting the dogs trust who will cover if it means he will get it done to prevent this litter and future accidents

Or you ask for £2000 pounds to cover the stud fee he should have paid if he wanted your dog to cover his bitch in the first place - if he refuses say you will be taking him to small claims

Can guarantee he will choose one of the first two options rather than shell out cash.

10yearwarranty · 10/11/2021 16:04

It's his fence, his bitch, his fault.

MadeOfStarStuff · 10/11/2021 16:04

Neighbours fault but YABU for not getting your dog neutered.

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 10/11/2021 16:08

@MadeOfStarStuff

Neighbours fault but YABU for not getting your dog neutered.
Why? Mine isn't. For many reasons to do with his health and I don't want to.

There's nothing wrong with not neutering a dog, or a bitch. But if you have a bitch in season you are supposed to be hyper vigilant for her.

OhGiveUp · 10/11/2021 16:08

It's not your fault OP.
If the fence belongs to your neighbour and he hasn't kept it in a good state of repair, nor taken steps to ensure that his dog isn't kept secure while in season, then it's his fault if his dog becomes pregnant, not yours.

HarrietsChariot · 10/11/2021 16:10

His bitch got out in season, it's his problem. He can deal with the fallout if there is any. It's possible he new his bitch was in season and wanted to get her pregnant, dog prices were through the roof during lockdown, not sure what they are now, so he may have seen the potential for money.

Arren12 · 10/11/2021 16:12

Its possible they mated but not a garuntee. I used to think dogs mated easily and at the drop of a hat but now I have been involved with a breeder and seen dogs breed its not that simple and actually alot if the time fogs need to be held when tied etc. Bitches will not just stand for a stud unless on certain days. Of course they could have done if left alone long enough and the bitch was at exactly the right time and in the right frame of mind.

My dog would run away or bite any other dog trying to mate her even when in season.

Anyway, as he owns the bitch its his shit to sort out. Maybe he's thinking of it as a money maker but he's in for a shock because it costs money initially with ante nstal care and depending on breed could be thousands on a c section.

He dosnt sound very responsible mind you.

I'd just secure your dogs in regardless of who owns the fence and leave it at that.

OhGiveUp · 10/11/2021 16:13

@User1471457751 If it wouldn't have been the OPs dog, it would have been another one.
Dogs catch the scent of a bitch in season for up to two miles away.
I've never neutered any male dog I've owned, only females.
And I've always made sure the female is secured while they have their first season prior to spaying, along with my fence.

mumto2teenagers · 10/11/2021 16:15

*Why didn't you get your male dog done? And the same question to your neighbour about their female dog.

It's both your fault!*

There are many reasons why dogs are not castrated.

Nearthelooplease · 10/11/2021 16:18

@Crisispoint21

Why didn't you get your male dog done? And the same question to your neighbour about their female dog.

It's both your fault!

My male dog isn’t neutered. The health benefits are less than those for bitches (although obviously they do still exist) and neutering a nervous dog can potentially make the situation worse. Mine is nervous so I weighed up the risks and decided not to. My vets agreed with the decision.
ElftonWednesday · 10/11/2021 16:28

Their fence, their bitch, their problem.

Lonelydaisy · 10/11/2021 16:37

When I saw them they weren't tied, just literally sniffing about the garden. My dog wasn't all stressed out huffing and puffing which he has been in the past around another female on heat

OP posts:
Hortonhearsadoctorwho · 10/11/2021 16:39

Not your fault at all. It’s down to the neighbour what he does now.
Ignore people going on about getting your dogs done

caringcarer · 10/11/2021 16:42

I have 2 small female bitches not neutered. They are almost 4 years old. I won't breed from them but don't want them done. They only go out on lead and we have huge garden with 8 foot wall. When on heat they run in garden. Not everyone wants their dogs done. Your neighbour should make sure his fence is properly maintained. This is not your fault.

KittenCatcher · 10/11/2021 16:42

Does it matter to your neighbours if their dog is pregnant.

SW1amp · 10/11/2021 16:43

@Lonelydaisy

When I saw them they weren't tied, just literally sniffing about the garden. My dog wasn't all stressed out huffing and puffing which he has been in the past around another female on heat
It doesn't sound like they were up to no good then...

I've always noticed dogs have a bit of a sheepish look after they've had a cheeky shag

ImUninsultable · 10/11/2021 16:43

It's a dog owners responsibility to secure their dog. Doesnt matter who owns the fence. So this is a bit iffy.
Your dog was in your own garden though. Their dog is the one who got loose and entered your property so their responsibility really.

Hope478 · 10/11/2021 16:52

You are responsible for having BOTH your dogs neutered. Please sort this out ASAP, there are enough dogs in shelters already.

godmum56 · 10/11/2021 16:52

speaking as a dog owner. His fence, his in season bitch his fault.....although when my neighbours fences have been damaged, I have made sure that my (neutered) dogs were kept away from the damage because they would love a wander and a nosey and I can't deal with the stress.

Lonelydaisy · 10/11/2021 17:11

My dog can't get through the fence, he's a big boy!
Well I feel a bit better now, just caught the actual owner (neighbours son) as he was going into his house. He was very apologetic and asked I she had done anything in the garden so I just said you better take her to vets to be checked just incase, he said he will and apologised again.
I've done my bit but will definitely keep and eye on my dog when he's in the garden.

OP posts:
Pumpkinsonparade · 10/11/2021 17:12

Yabvu not to have taught your ddog about safe sex up.

Grin
muddyford · 10/11/2021 17:14

His broken fence, his bitch got into your garden, his problem.

WhoWants2Know · 10/11/2021 17:17

How long was the dog out of your sight? They stay tied for quite some time.