Next Doors Dogs - WWYD?

[SomeonTookMyAnonymousUserName]

This is a WWYD, what would you do, post. I’m upset and don’t know if I am overreacting. I’m just looking for a sense check please.

NDN family has 4 dogs. Usually they don’t affect me or my family but, from time to time, we have had issues:
⁃ lots of dog mess in our garden (can’t always be sure it’s them but always in the same place and same size as when we’ve seen them do it)
⁃ Annoying barking at times, often very early morning (pre 7am)
⁃ Occasional aggressive behaviour (one of them backed my child up against a car whilst barking at her; she was terrified)
⁃ They are allowed to run free when their front door is opened. I have never seen any of them on a lead. They tend to come back when they are called.
NB we live in a new-ish estate with no garden walls, fences or hedges.

I have spoken to them about the dogs over the years but only in the midsts of the issues, ie, shouting to them to come and get their dog when my child was feeling under attack, telling them when they’ve fouled the grass, etc, nothing changes.

I work from home in an office at the front of our house and this morning saw all 4 of them on my grass. 2 of them were peeing on my grass, looked like 1 was pooing. So I went out, assuming NDN was around. She wasn’t but her front door was opened. I was a few feet from my front door when they surrounded me and started barking at me (in my garden).

I’m not overly scared of dogs but this terrified me. They are mid-sized dogs; taller than my knee height, and their barking was so loud and aggressive. I was terrified.

She popped her head out her door and called them. I wasn’t aggressive but raised my voice and said, ‘they’re shitting and peeing on my grass and barking at me. It’s so frustrating!’ Then I scurried indoors to get away from them. She didn’t say anything but to be fair, she didn’t get a chance to.

I was shaking with adrenaline and quite tearful afterwards.

I know I can report to council or police but is that an over reaction? WWYD?

Report them.
You shouldn't have to put up fences or spikes just because your neighbours don't control their animals. Fences are an unnecessary barrier to hedgehogs, foxes and small mammals that already struggle to navigate our hostile housing estates.
I'd be furious with these neighbours. Four dogs is excessive unless you live on a farm, and ridiculous on an estate. Their barking alone would drive me nuts.

Very irresponsible, Id report them.

Or you could go a more passive aggressive route and set up a sprinkler in the front garden....let the neighbour deal with soaking wet dogs running back in the house all the time!😎

Get a camera. Every time there's dog poo on your grass then you can get the council to fine them. They'll soon keep them to the back garden and keep them off your grass. Next time the dog corners someone ring police about an uncontrollable dog, they'll have to keep it inside, on a lead and muzzled in public. When they're running around with no one there ring dog warden. They'll have to pay a fine when they collect their dog. Hit them where it hurts, in their pockets. I feel for the poor dogs being let roam gardens and allowed to be unpredictable cornering people by inadequate owners. If they bite or get run over it's the owners fault. Get the camera all evidence needed would be on that.

report to the councils community protection team - those dogs are a menace

Dog wardens are very hot on fouling, it’s part of their job to deal with it so that would add to the case.

This. I would try dog warden and police but be prepared for them to be less than helpful. A solution that keeps them off your property is your best solution

I would tell ndn that Ive had enough and they've to keep their dogs off my land, including using it as a toilet, and away specifucally from my child and me, explaining that their barking is scary. If they ignored me, they'd end up with shit posted through their letter box, for starters.

Put up a ring doorbell camera, tell NDN that you're fed up of her out of control dogs fouling your garden and that in future footage of them running loose and fouling will be passed on to the Police and Dog Warden.

Apologies if I'm missing something but I've never heard of dog wardens in real life, only ever on here. I've googled for my area and they only have contact details for stray or missing dogs.

Does every council have a dog warden and what do they do?

Sorry to hear your situation OP. I'm terrified of dogs and would be unable to leave the house in your position.

Yes, most people plant a hedge when they can’t have fences.

No they used to, but just as the numbers of dogs has soared, they've decided to cut back. It's why we need dog licences so councils can afford to employ them. It's not just for the benefit of neighbours, it's for the welfare of the dogs as well.

First of all I would try to have a chat with your neighbour first - when you’re feeling calm. Ask them to not allow the dogs to roam free out the front as they scare your children and to stop them from going to the toilet on your grass. I’d also put some hedges/fence in regardless. If that doesn’t work then report to dog warden/ police as appropriate.

If you're not allowed a fence, can you make some sort of barrier with bamboo in plant pots along the border? Stop the fuckers that way.

I'd be furious as I don't like dogs. Or people tbf

Call the dog warden, and whoever deals with noise nuisance in your area.

Quite often if it's a new build estate there will be a covenant saying you cannot put up walls/fences/hedges.