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Original poster

Is it their fault or mine!?

60 replies

ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 16:47

We have a font and back garden that is joined together, so there is a secure fence that goes around the whole property. We let our 2 dogs out there at various points of the day and at this particular time, there was a lady walking past with her dog and her dog was barking a lot standing on the fence, which obviously meant my dogs went over there and then her dog seems to have pushed his head under the fence, which in turn has moved the box I had there blocking a whole that is just a little bit too big for my liking (it is hard to see what exactly happened, as it is a ring doorbell and quite far away but that is exactly what seems to have happened) she pulled her dog, so his head was back from under the fence and then my little dog pushed her way under the fence! She is not a fan of people and when the lady kept trying to get close, she was running further and further away. The lady did walk around my property but I'm not sure why she didn't just come in the gate and ring the doorbell to let us know? DH says that it is probably because our other dog was out and she didn't want to risk that one getting out as well/was worried it was aggressive (it is a husky) but I think he is being extremely understanding.

Anyway, after walking around the fence/property and doing some half ass attempts at getting the dog back, she just walked off. Didn't knock at a neighbour, didn't do anything! I was a bit shocked as she had a dog herself and would surely not want someone to just leave her dog out. We only realised this is what happened when we called the dogs in and obviously she was missing. Proceeded was a frantic search for hours, followed by a call that she had been handed into the vets with a leg injury. Who is actually at fault here? We are very shaken up about the whole thing but very thankful she is ok, as it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 27/08/2023 16:49

Your dog. Your garden. Your fault.

Hiddenvoice · 27/08/2023 16:51

It’s really difficult to say. It’s a shame she didn’t knock your door but I understand your husbands point of she maybe was unsure entering your garden not knowing how your other dog will react.

She tried to get your dog back and if it was me, I’d then have knocked on your door to let you know.

Not trying to be nasty here, I also have a little dog who tries to escape through little gaps under the fence, you’ll just need to make sure the gaps are better covered and that your garden is secure. All it would take is for a cat or fox to nudge that box and for the dog to get out. I try not to let my dog out without watching her. It’s difficult with a family but either we all go out or I sit in the room just keeping an eye on the dog.

Hope your dog is okay!

Middleagedmeangirls · 27/08/2023 16:52

Your fence wasn't properly maintained. Only you are responsible for that. If that ladies dog hadn't moved the box a fox might have done it or even your own dog.

WhateverMate · 27/08/2023 16:52

I'm surprised you have ask.

Your dog
Your fence

She had her own dog to worry about, which would've made it difficult to take care of yours when it got out.

Original poster
ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 16:54

The box is on the other side of the fence and was only moved when it was pretty aggressively pushed with her dog's head. My dogs have never moved it before and like I say, one is a husky! It is my garden and my dog, yes, but her dog is shoving it's head into my garden... fair enough if it is actually our fault and we will be getting that part replaced but it just felt a bit unfair she just went about her day, knowing my poor scared little white dog was now out and about near a road.

OP posts:
Howdoesitworkagain · 27/08/2023 16:57

I think you’re at fault if anyone. I wouldn’t have entered a garden with a dog in it to ring your bell. Your garden wasn’t secure.

Loopytiles · 27/08/2023 16:58

Primarily your fault, although she should’ve prevented her dog from touching your property boundary, and it would’ve been better if she had tried a neighbour about the escaped small dog.

Unsurprising she didn’t want to enter your garden or shout to see if anyone was in if her dog was difficult to control and the remaining dog in your garden was a husky!

Hungryfrogs23 · 27/08/2023 16:59

If you are letting your dogs run loose on your property then it's up to you to ensure it is properly secured. Putting a moveable box there (which is actually outside your property) would not count as properly securing it.

IhearyouClemFandango · 27/08/2023 16:59

Presumably she assumed your dog would come back.

Ennyyy · 27/08/2023 17:02

Your garden wasn't secure, and she didn't want to go into it with dogs running free - I don't blame her. Your fault entirely.

FionnulaTheCooler · 27/08/2023 17:02

Your fault. If you knew there was a gap big enough for your dog to potentially escape then you should have secured it properly with something that couldn't be easily pushed out of the way.

Original poster
ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 17:02

The box is literally in my garden and was only covering a small gap, the rest is all very secure. I'm just disappointed her dog was the one to move it and then she just left my dog and it subsequently got hurt, it just feels unreasonable

OP posts:
foolishone · 27/08/2023 17:03

Mostly your fault tbh. And I get why she didn't knock on your door but she could have knocked on your neighbour's in case they had your number.

NoSquirrels · 27/08/2023 17:03

I can see why you’re upset she didn’t make an effort to come in to tell you, but honestly I’m not sure what I’d do in that situation. You’ve got a husky free-roaming the garden and no way of knowing if it will aggressively defend its territory. You’ve got your own dog to consider - where do you tie them up? - who might well be wound up by the excitement.

Original poster
ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 17:04

I think she should have just tried my neighbour, that's all... or maybe shouted to see if we were the bit of the garden you cannot see

OP posts:
foolishone · 27/08/2023 17:04

Can't you block the back so your path and front door are clear. Doesn't it stop other people knocking too like deliveries?

Original poster
ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 17:05

foolishone · 27/08/2023 17:04

Can't you block the back so your path and front door are clear. Doesn't it stop other people knocking too like deliveries?

To be honest, they just come through the gate and ring the doorbell, we don't always have the dogs freely out there

OP posts:
IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 27/08/2023 17:05

Your fence shouldn't be fucked. I would have knocked to let you know tho.

Hiddenvoice · 27/08/2023 17:07

I understand why you’re upset and I’d be upset too if it was my dog but she isn’t really at fault here. The box wasn’t properly secured if a dog was able to move it. It might have been an okay temporary solution but as said, a cat or fox could have easily moved it out of the way. It doesn’t matter how aggressive the other dog was, it was still able to be moved by an animal. This could have easily happened at a time when your dogs weren’t outside too.

She didn’t feel comfortable entering your garden. She would have been unsure how your husky would have reacted.

towriteyoumustlive · 27/08/2023 17:08

You have a husky so it's not surprising she didn't want to come to the door as they're not always the friendliest with other dogs, and she had a dog with her.

The hole in your fence was not sufficiently patched unfortunately so entirely your fault.

LubaLuca · 27/08/2023 17:09

Your fault. Your fence isn't secure enough, you'll need to repair or replace it with something better. You had a husky loose in the garden, which would make most people reluctant to go in there, so I understand why she didn't go to your door.

Lucyccfc68 · 27/08/2023 17:12

Stop making excuses.

Pretty much everyone has said - your fence, your dog. I wouldn’t have come and rung your bell with another dog running round the garden either.

Just fix your fence and it won’t happen again.

Original poster
ChangedQuickly · 27/08/2023 17:13

Not trying to make excuses, I will fix the fence. Just cannot imagine an animal lover leaving a poor dog near the road, I would 100% have tried the neighbour...

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 27/08/2023 17:14

I wouldn't have come into your garden if there was a loose husky in there. Especially not if I had my own dog with me!

Createausername1970 · 27/08/2023 17:14

It's your fault, the hole is in your fence, so you should have secured it to keep your own dog safe. Having said that, as a dog owner myself I would have done more to try to alert you that your dog was out. Even if it meant knocking on a neighbours door.

I had a silly situation a few years ago. Neighbour had a dog (we didn't at that time) it was their fence, poorly maintained, dog kept getting into our garden. It was a small snappy dog and the only time I tried to get it back into its own garden it snarled and curled it's lip back. We put up some temporary barriers, mainly for our benefit as DS was quite young and I didn't want him to get bitten. I did say to them I couldn't guarantee their dog would be contained in our garden, as we used to leave the side gate open for DS to scooter from front to back via the side path. Then one day this exact thing happened, the dog came through the garden and then straight out the side gate. It was missing for ages. The first thing I knew was when they came round to ask us to send the dog back through the fence! I said there was no dog in our back garden, but the gate had been open for most of the afternoon. They were annoyed with me!!

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