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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you report this dog

41 replies

tornoverxl · 12/02/2024 18:29

Il try make this short.

I live next door to an xl dog.
There were two but they attacked someone last year and one was put to sleep. The reason the other remained is because the evidence was unclear on which dog did the actual biting. Both dogs have attacked once before and injured another dog. The latter incidents happened before I moved here. The first one I witnessed.

Before the previous dog got put to sleep our garden was unusable as they would both run at the fence and bark and snarl and it was terrifying.

Since the current dog is alone it's got better. It does still bark but it gives up and the neighbours take it in if I complain.

I don't want to cause issues with my neighbours and I don't want to take away his only friend and pet I'm sure he loves. I love dogs and so I feel torn. However, I have toddlers and I cannot allow them to use the garden unless I'm next to them at all times and even then I can't relax. I feel I may be being slightly ott but I'm scared it will get over the fence or escape and I would be powerless to stop it attacking my dc. I would love to allow my dc to free flow in and out with our patio doors open but I'm on edge the whole time.

Dh and neighbour think the dog won't get over the fence and I have to say it's not in the best physical health because it's not a walked or anything and left alone most of the day.

The police and court previously said there was nothing they could do unless it attacked someone again but that was before the ban. I doubt it's registered given its history.

Would you report the dog? I feel awful for my neighbours and feel perhaps I'm being ridiculous because it can't get over or fence or escape.

Aibu to feel torn. What should I do?

OP posts:
Floraflower3 · 12/02/2024 18:31

Yes report the dog. They can get another dog not known for attacking people instead.

GoldenMeadow · 12/02/2024 18:32

They can definitely get over fences if they're motivated enough. They can also bulldoze their way through and tunnel under.

I would report it, fuck it, why not. It's acted aggressively, snarling etc so as a result you don't feel it's safe for your children to be in their own garden. Speak to your local police station for advice.

Speckledpasta · 12/02/2024 18:32

What are you reporting the dog for? Unless they've broken the law such as by not complying with the xl bully laws or general dangerous dog laws then you can't report

Not that you should have to but perhaps strengthening your fence line would make you feel better?

Dacadactyl · 12/02/2024 18:33

Yeah I'd be reporting this dog like a shot.

TitusMoan · 12/02/2024 18:35

Protect your toddlers. That dog is now illegal and the neighbours shouldn’t have acquired a dog bred to fight anyway. Report it. Don’t admit to reporting it to your husband or to the neighbours. Do it via Crimestoppers if that’s the anonymous way. Tell them you are scared, which you clearly are.

Muchof · 12/02/2024 18:36

I have very little tolerance for this type of dog and even less sympathy for peopler that have chosen them as pets out of all the other possibilities. I am glad that the laws have changed. But I am not sure what you would be reporting it for? There was no requirement to hand them all in?

Borris · 12/02/2024 18:36

I don’t think you can report just for existing. I suppose you could check it’s been exempted and neutered but otherwise unless it’s off lead and unmuzzled in public then legally there’s nothing wrong

MiddleagedBeachbum · 12/02/2024 18:46

For a bit of perspective I own dogs, including a large Dobermann and 100% would report this dog.

Firstly, if my dogs ever growled or barked at someone in the back garden I’d deal with it straight away, however they wouldn’t as I don’t leave them out there alone to do that sort of thing.

Also a dog of this size not being walked and socialised is a massive red flag, poor thing is going to go mental….

lifebeginsaftercoffee · 12/02/2024 18:49

Borris · 12/02/2024 18:36

I don’t think you can report just for existing. I suppose you could check it’s been exempted and neutered but otherwise unless it’s off lead and unmuzzled in public then legally there’s nothing wrong

You absolutely can.

All XL's must be exempted by law. Police can (and do) act on reports about illegal dogs and owner must show papers when asked. If they can't show the required paperwork they will lose their dog.

If they've done everything they need to do by law, there should be no issue with OP reporting.

ticheldreams · 12/02/2024 18:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
tornoverxl · 12/02/2024 18:54

I suppose this is why I posted to get other perspectives.
I'd be very surprised if it registered.
It's not walked as it's too strong and I assume too much of a risk. I have seen it walked once in 3 years and it was pulling the owner about trying to get at other dogs and people so I crossed the road.

Although it hadn't been 'convicted' of the attack, I did see it joining in during the incident but it was hard to tell which one was actually biting as there was lots of noise and commotion. They escaped and attacked a passer by.
So in theory it hasn't done anything wrong. Barking and growling at the fence is not a crime.
We are going to secure our fence asap and only haven't done so due to finances.

OP posts:
thedancingparrot · 12/02/2024 18:54

Yes, it is not being looked after properly. This makes it a bigger risk.

say it's not in the best physical health because it's not a walked or anything and left alone most of the day.

Onthebuckle · 12/02/2024 20:15

I have a sort of similar situation in that a man brings down an XL bully to somewhere I have to go daily. No muzzle or lead. I no longer feel safe, it went for livestock before the ban and I had presumed it would only come down on a lead after this attack but it’s never on a lead. Can anyone tell me how best to report as I think it’s not if but when with this dog.

DinoMummsy · 12/02/2024 20:54

I'm pretty sure it's the police that you report XLs to - if the XL is suspected to not have an exemption certificate, if they're off lead or unmuzzled in public or are out of control. @Onthebuckle

I would definitely report any XLs suspected of the above - better safe than sorry.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 12/02/2024 21:11

Would anyone care to define an xl within the law?

Pigglyplaystruant99 · 12/02/2024 21:27

MiddleagedBeachbum · 12/02/2024 18:46

For a bit of perspective I own dogs, including a large Dobermann and 100% would report this dog.

Firstly, if my dogs ever growled or barked at someone in the back garden I’d deal with it straight away, however they wouldn’t as I don’t leave them out there alone to do that sort of thing.

Also a dog of this size not being walked and socialised is a massive red flag, poor thing is going to go mental….

This. I agree with it all. I too own a large dog but he is exercised 3 times a day and rarely in the garden alone to bark. Also a therapy dog so not on the high priority red flag list whatsoever. Your neighbour is not doing anything wrong, however, the stress you must be feeling is unacceptable and realistically I would be doubling down on your fencing before any child goes outside. I fostered all types of dog and believe me, they can be absolute escape artists, both over and under fences. I'd say a fence of 8ft would be sensible.

Pigglyplaystruant99 · 12/02/2024 21:30

VeniVidiWeeWee · 12/02/2024 21:11

Would anyone care to define an xl within the law?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ba3ade4ec51d000dc9f228/GuidanceforrenforcersApplyinggtheXLLBullybreeddtypeconformationnstandard1.02.24.pdf

Dunnoburt · 12/02/2024 21:33

Absolutely report.... its got form.....

FabFebHalfTerm · 12/02/2024 21:39

VeniVidiWeeWee · 12/02/2024 21:11

Would anyone care to define an xl within the law?

Given it's not A breed, & the law can't actually define one....it's all a shambles.

Laiste · 12/02/2024 21:40

Report it. Do it anonymously, or ask for anonymity, and say what you've said here.

You're worried in case it's not registered and you're worried it might come through the fence at your toddlers because it was involved in a historical attack in public.

IF it's registered the owners have nothing to worry about will they ....

LostInPoetry · 12/02/2024 21:40

I’m glad the ban came in and I sympathise with worrying about your children’s safety, but I don’t think you can really report a dog for being in it’s own garden because you’re imagining it getting over the fence.

If it’s their fence and it’s not high/strong enough then ask them to sort it. Or do it yourself for reassurance. I wouldn’t let your children out there until that’s sorted.

If you feel it’s not being looked after properly then I would definitely notify the RSPCA. I wouldn’t expect much from them though.

LovingLoveIsland · 12/02/2024 21:44

Definitely report, I know of a Dalmatian who went straight through a fence and bit the neighbour who was in her garden. Perfectly possible for this dog to get to you or your kids. Huge dogs that get no exercise are an accident waiting to happen.

Windydaysandwetnights · 12/02/2024 21:46

Xl bully in general mind your business.. One with known history just a fence away from a shrieking dc def report.. Ddog toys have squeaks in to replicate dying animals and make them 'toy' with it even more.. Don't let that toy be your dc playing...

Zanatdy · 12/02/2024 21:52

If the fence isn’t secured then I wouldn’t let the children out no way. I think the ban is going to cause more attacks in homes like the lady who was attacked in Essex was it 2wks or so ago. People aren’t registering them, or maybe they are registered but they don’t go out as they won’t wear a muzzle. It’s an accident waiting to happen. They are big dogs but you rarely see them getting exercised much. I’ve had to change my morning walking route as there’s one that lives in a block of flats. My dog hates it and it hates my dog. Owner is a young lad and he looks quite strong but this dad pulls his like mad when he see’s my dog. I’ve not been up there since 30th December so not sure if he’s muzzled but I’ve got a feeling he won’t be as he’s popping him out for a wee. Again I doubt this one gets much exercise and is in a flat so even less exercise

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 12/02/2024 21:55

Given its past not only is it a tragedy waiting to happen. Look at what happened on Saturday in Liverpool where an 8 year old boy was attacked by an XLB. The way its being treated is also very cruel. It doesn't seem to getting nurtured at all. Not getting taking for walks, no wonder its going mad. They're not fit to have a goldfish by the sounds of it much less a dog.