Neighbour with dogs should secure his garden

[Jj2431]

So we have a new ish neighbour. He's been here less than a year. He has acquired 2 American Bulldog XL puppies. I have no issues with dogs, I love dogs and have qualifications in animal care. I don't believe in banning certain breeds etc, however, my garden and his garden are wrap around gardens, both with one small gate, no secure fences only hedges. We also live down a small alley and not just myself but other neighbours and strangers have to walk past both small gates to get to where they're going. Neighbour hasn't secured his garden with these pups, not only are they at risk of being stolen or escaping (which they have twice already) but as they get bigger how is he going to stop them running out? How is he going to stop them jumping on people down the alley? The postman coming in with no other way to avoid them? This would apply to any dog but these are going to be huge and there is an element of me that's nervous that someone who isn't considering this already owns this breed right next door to me where these dogs could get into my garden when my kids are playing or get at my kids as we leave the garden to go to the shops. AIBU if I start calling him out on it?

Yes he needs to secure his garden, this has got disaster written all over it, but in your situation i would also be fencing my garden to keep your kids safe, I wouldnt be relying on neighbour to do it.

I'd be very worried. I'd second the suggestion of fencing your own garden, but the problem is that if his garden isn't secure, there's nothing to stop them bothering you or your children (or anyone else) when you're on your way to and from your garden.

You would not be unreasonable to speak to him about this, but someone who hasn't already seen that this is a problem and done something about it probably won't suddenly become responsible and do the right thing when a neighbour broaches the subject.

I'd keep an eagle eye on the situation and be prepared to call the proper authorities at the first whiff of trouble or dangerous behaviour from the dogs.

Not your circus not your dogs monkeys

You could fence in your garden as others have mentioned

You can't force him to act responsibly so you should secure your garden, and I suggest you teach your children to quietly walk inside and shut the door if the dogs get out.

I’d fence your own garden and I’d make a report to the council to start the ball rolling on him having out of control dogs in the sense his letting them out freely and they are escaping his unsecured garden thus out of his control.

As someone who got bitten (randomly and unprovoked) by a pitbull who had escaped someone’s house/garden, YANBU.

Honestly in your shoes I’d move, though that might be the PTSD talking…

yabu nobody like a nosy parker neighbor just mind you own buisness

I'd be very unhappy having 2 American bulldogs next door, unsecured. Absolutely not on. Not for your kids and all other neighbours. Look up the statistics of dog attacks on people. This breed is near the top of the list. Two - as a pack - even more so. Anyone taking on dogs that are capable of seriously injuring or killing other dogs or people needs to be highly responsible, commit to proper training and make sure their garden is very secure. I would absolutely discuss that with the neighbour with the assumption that they are responsible and also expect to do this properly. If they do not intend to keep those digs responsibly I would move house.