Would you report this dog

[tornoverxl]

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?

Report!

In this context, with that history, I would report.

There is a good chance the neighbour will suspect you though, so be prepared for that!

Also be prepared for him to have exempted the dog, and if he has, there is nothing you can do until it/he breaks the conditions of the exemption.

Report it. You can do it anonymously

If it’s an unregistered XL Bully and you are concerned for your kids safety then report it. Like an earlier poster said, they can get another dog that isn’t illegal.

Yes report.

Tbh I don't know how seriously you'll be taken reporting a dog for being in it's own garden - especially when you don't actually know if it's registered or not and from what you've said it's not actually broken any of the rules. At the same time you shouldn't have to deal with this or worry about your child's safety. What kind of relationship do you have with the owner? Could you speak to them about keeping the dog inside certain times of day/taking the dog in the garden on lead?

We don’t have to. That’s the police’s job.

The police couldn't tell which dog did the attacking so they couldn't put both down but just randomly put one of them down?

Im not sure what you are reporting it for? It is in a secured garden- which it has never escaped from-but you a frightened it might? It has barked (but all dogs bark), and a few years ago there was an attack that it may or may not have been involved in (but there was never any proof the dog was involved). What exactly do you want the police to act on?

@Herdinggoats @GanninHyem I saw both dogs attacking the person with my own eyes, as did other witnesses. The person was so badly injured that it went to court. Everyone was asked in court which dog had caused the severe injuries and which dog did we see bite down. Everyone said both but because the owner said it was just one biting and the other was just pawing the victim there was not enough evidence to say both dogs bit down so only one was court ordered to be put down. The victim and witnesses were gutted because the injures were life changing and it felt that the decision was unjust. I work in court and it is not uncommon for this sort of thing to happen. The line between out and out evidence and a technicality is fine.

Also just thought I should add the fence is definitely not secure. It's a makeshift thing that the previous owners did. It's leaning over and parts are rotting and held up with bits of wood and our trampoline. Part of it came down recently due to the wind so neighbours leaned an old broken panel against the house and fence to prevent the dog jumping over because they are higher than us so their decking is level with the top of our fence. We obviously need to sort it as a priority but we have had other stuff to pay for

Report anonymously. I bet your neighbour hasn't registered and complied with law. The garden fence situation doesn't sound secure at all and even if you were with your children in the garden, you probably couldn't stop an attack.

This ^^

I'd throw it a "tasty" steak, that would sort it.

These bloody things should be destroyed.

I am a dog lover but I hard agree with this. It could and probably would kill someone.

Given that the fence sounds like it could blow over if you looked at it sideways and the dog is not cared for properly I think it’s in everyone’s interests if you do report it. Poor dog. I just don’t understand people that continue to get them assuming that theirs will be “different” - expecting it to go against what it’s bred to do. They continue to keep the dickheads breeding them in business and this is just barbaric.