Scared my dogs will hurt next doors dog

[Alittlebitfat25]

I have four golden Labradors who are all family, as in we have the mum who is 12 and dad who is 10 and two of their puppies who are now 9 years old.

One of the puppies had an incident with a small dog when he was only a year old and was bitten on his leg during a training class and ever since then he is extremely aggressive when it comes to small dogs. When he goes out for his walk, he has a muzzle and we walk him early in the morning and late at night to avoid other dogs and of course he is on a lead so can be restrained.
Our next door neighbors moved in around a year ago and unfortunately for us have a Jack Russel who is very barky and snappy. The fence is also falling apart making it easy for the dogs to get through and it is there side of the fence as in they are responsible for it and we do not have the money to offer to replace it. Its also worth noting he is a builder so could easily install new fence panels. We have dropped multiple letters to the house, spoke to them when we have managed to catch them and basically begged them to mend the fence and warned them repeatedly what would happen if the dogs got through. It makes it worst that we have four because of obviously the pack mentality and if one started attacking they all probably would.
The obvious solution is to muzzle the aggressive one in the garden but as summer is here it doesn't feel very fair at all and it would mean muzzling all of them in this heat. Is there anything we can do to almost force them to mend the fence? I am terrified the poor little dog is going to get hurt.

So (a) you think that it's ok for a dog to attack other dogs, whatever the reason and (b) you know for a fact that a dog reactive dog that is known to attack will never ever attack anything other than a dog? And no, far from being a dog hater, I love dogs and have never been without at least one my entire life. What I hate is bloody irresponsible owners and people who think that dogs can do no wrong.

The owner said the dog is aggressive, not reactive, they owners no the dog is dangerous, it’s not about dog haters, and nobody is going on about the dog killing children. Everyone is telling the OP that they need to fix the fence, which they do. There’s only been 1 or 2 dog haters on here.

But not terrified enough to do anything about it. If you can afford to keep 4 dogs ( and insure them presumably) you can afford to fix the fence.

I agree with others , you are responsible for keeping your dog in your garden.

If he is a builder could you buy the fencing and he puts it up free of charge, problem solved

I'm far from a dog hater, I usually stick up for the dog and would pick my dogs over most peoples kids but the bottom line is that they are the ops responsibility to control.

One of mine is aggressive to other males with the result that he is never out of arms reach unless in a secured area guaranteed to be free of other dogs. It's just ownership for dummies.

Or he could buy it at the trade suppliers for cost price, charge you that, and he puts it up for free. Still cheaper than a huge vets bill or a prosecution for keeping a dangerous dog, or being sued if the dog manages to bite a human while attacking the smaller dog.

starting to think this is a reverse

I have thought about that, chicken wire or something of the sort but I have doubt he would just chew through it. Then use barbed wire if you have to.
The problem is your dog and it's your responsibility to keep it in your garden, full stop.
Thinking that you've warned your neighbours won't help you if anything happens. It just proves that you knew you had a dangerous dog.

Why is it the builder-neighbours problem to resolve by offering his time and efforts for free?!

Pallets are freely available , look on pintrest or sites for some ideas , you could either make a small fence to run along on your side . Its a bit og hard work but doable .

The law is not on your side here. There’s no legal requirement to have a fence. There IS a legal requirement to stop your aggressive dog from killing other peoples pets

You’re being totally unreasonable and also irresponsible. If you can afford to feed and care for 4 dogs (vet bills, etc) then you have to find a way to afford a new fence or some form of barrier to stop your dogs getting onto their property. They don’t have to do anything about the fence. The alternative is that you don’t let that dog out into the garden except in a leash.

Why do you assume they are in a position to splash out money on fencing because of your dog? Would you do the same if the roles were reversed?

You’ve clearly got a vivid imagination as I didn’t say that at all, I actually said the onus was on OP to secure her dog and offered a solution.

I have a very reactive dog but I know his triggers and what he will and won’t react negatively to (he is unbothered by children, for example, but petrified of tall men in hats), and it is entirely my responsibility to manage these because I know my dog.

OP also seems to know what her dog will react to (small dogs), and hasn’t insinuated her dog reacts to children in any way. But I stand by what I said, AIBU is generally not pro-dog and there are many people posting here who do not understand dogs or their behaviour.

‘Reactive’ means just that; how the dog actually reacts is another thing. Some ‘reactive’ dogs will just bark, or hide, some will bite. It’s an umbrella term.

I love dogs but four labradors is a lot of dog. Expensive, noisy and so smelly.

Go on Facebook Marketplace, and you should find enough chicken wire fence very cheaply.
Failing that, pallets are free, collect some up, split them and make fencing to fill the gaps.

Any dog can "react" in any possible way, in any set of circumstances. If 4 dogs escape from a garden because it is not secured, operating in a pack mentality, run lose, then get scared, threatened or just hyper they could bite another creature or person. Dogs have teeth. They use them at times, especially when uncomfortable or scared. There is no way that even the most trustworthy, well trained and laid back dog would never bite, given the right circumstances. Just as the most reasonable and calm person might lash out given the right circumstances. Any living creature can become aggressive if they feel threatened. So there is absolutely no way that any dog owner can safely say that their dog would never attack a person. Responsible dog owners ensure that that cannot happen by ensuring a safe environment, positive training and supervision. Not by making excuses about what they can or cannot afford. The OP has made it clear that one of their dogs is aggressive and bites. And that the other 3 could be at risk of piling in as a pack. So they need to deal with that.

A dog that is known to bite is a dog that is known to bite. You cannot ever be certain any dog will only bite another dog, so claiming that a dog that bites other dogs is not the same thing as biting a child is irrational. I am not suggesting that dogs are dangerous to children, or to other animals. But they are not "safe" either. It is the owner who must safeguard the dog and everyone around them by being responsible.

Isn’t it the little dog being able to access the op’s garden that is the issue? Her’s are contained. Little Houdini with his spannible chest is breaching his own security? What if next door’s was a cat? I have a JRx. He is perfectly contained in our garden but if a cat got into our garden I hate to think what would happen …

Op i have some experience of this. Not my dog but a neighbour was told by a court of law that it is their responsibility to secure their dog at all times and if they failed to do so and the dog injured another dog or person they would face time in prison. It didn't matter that the fences are not theirs. The court said they need to pay for one of at least 6 ft if not higher.
Op I caution you to find the money to do so.

I take it back sorry! I thought I read somewhere little dog was getting loose and they were having to return the escapee.

Wouldn't that work both ways though? Doesn't the neighbour have a responsibility to keep their dog fenced in?

It isn't unfortunate for you that they have a JR at THEIR house,

It's unfortunate for anyone having to live next door to a JRT. My neighbour and I hated the yappy little bastard.

If your dogs are escaping into their garden, it is absolutely your responsibility. If their JR is escaping into your garden, then yes, they should sort the fence.

If you can afford to buy, breed and feed dogs, you can afford the cost of a couple of rolls of chicken wire, pins, cutters and a hammer.

Otherwise, maybe you should consider selling one of the pups - the good one - along with neutering and spaying the adults?

Seriously, you have four large dogs, one of whom is aggressive and you think your neighbour should be responsible for fencing them in because he is a builder..

You know If your dog escapes and hurts someone, it's you are liable especially as you are aware he has aggressive.