To report my neighbours XL bully, it is ruining my life

[TheLangyers]

I’m 14 weeks pregnant. Me and my partner currently live on quite a rough council estate as we are saving up for a house deposit. Won’t be able to move for another couple of years.

Our next door neighbour has an XL bully. I am usually a dog lover but feel really uneasy about these dogs. My mum was a dog walker for a few years and I got bit by a pit-bull and repeatedly witnessed incidents involving them. My childhood best friend was left with lifelong facial scares after her rescue pitbull randomly decided to bite her face off during a game of fetch.

The XL bully hasn’t personally attacked us yet but it’s been involved in several incidents. It’s been known to get in fights on the local field with other dogs on the estate but owner insists it’s always the other dog’s fault. She leaves it unattended in the front garden, gate is usually closed but it could easily jump over. My partner doesn’t understand the danger that these dogs present and often encourages it to come over to stroke it when we go out. Our walls are very thin and I know from overhearing domestic arguments that it’s bitten the owners autistic grandson before when they’ve been playing.

She often walks 2 minutes the road to another friend’s house and doesn’t bother muzzling or leashing it for this as it’s a short walk. It just runs down the road in front of her. For proper walks it’s on a leash but no muzzle as it “doesn’t like a muzzle.” She often moans to be that she’s suspicious that people on the estate will “snitch” on her so she tries to walk early morning or late at night.

Being pregnant I’ve been a lot more cautious and try to only go out when my partner can give me a lift - I can’t drive. However an incident today has left me terrified. I was on the road in front of our house at lunchtime cleaning the car and they come out to walk to the friend’s house. It jumps on my back trying to be friendly and lick me - this dog weighs 70kg. I froze and was terrified and she didn’t pull him off, she just kept shouting its name until it ran to her and they left.

It’s really starting to ruin my life and my partner doesn’t care as he just thinks it’s a funny, goofy big dog. He always brings up my parent’s cockerpoo as an example as occasionally nips at people when it is guarding food but the difference is that a cockerpoo isn’t capable of killing a healthy adult, and a cockerpoo usually will bite once then back off. XL bullies generally are genetically wired to try to kill and could turn at any moment.

I’ve now fallen out with my mum too as she’s very worried about mine and the baby’s safety and she says we should look at private renting somewhere else until we can afford to buy. This annoyed me as we only pay £500 a month rent at the moment and if we were to move to another private rental it’d be hundreds
more and we would lose a load to our savings to moving costs. I don’t see why we should have to do this. My mum says I’m putting money over my baby’s safety and has become angry at me. I feel like I can’t win.

I want to report as she’s breaking the law letting it out unleashed and unmuzzled but I’m concerned that the neighbour would know it’s me after the incident today and make my life hell. She is somewhat unhinged, nice enough on a shallow level, will invite you in for a cuppa and chat to you etc bit get on the wrong side of her and she’s as rough as a bears arse and will get family members to bang on your door etc. Police have been called before when she’s had disputes with another neighbour about rats in the garden. I hate confrontation and really don’t know what to do.

any advice appreciated

I saw the video of that man (who tried to help catch a loose xl bully) be mauled to death. Four people tried to get it off with sticks and stuff. Most horrific thing I’ve ever seen. They just tore at him until he died. He was just a passerby

Yup, Ian Price. Poor man was conscious and in horrendous agony for the duration of the attack. He would drift in and out of shock and then screaming in pain. XL bullies don’t register people hitting them to get them off. People end up having to stab or shoot them as it’s the only things that stop them.

Lovely to know that that fate could be awaiting me every time I leave the house.

Don’t know how I’m supposed to enjoy going out with my newborn or going on walks during maternity leave.

You clearly know nothing about these dogs. They are unpredictable and genetically inclined to attack when frustrated and to do so until the victim is dead.

so stop with the wows and start actually thinking - should these animals live with and around humans who can’t/wont control it? Is it a good idea for this dog who lives with and has attacked a child to be humanely put down, or should we wait for the inevitable ?

You’re right and maybe the OP is thinking more than normal about the dog because of being pregnant, but I think thats entirely understandable. She will soon have a baby to consider, and baby aside, who wants to live next door to an irresponsible dog owner full stop, let alone an XL bully owner.

I agree that it would be awful to be made to have a dog pts, but the owner doesn’t seem to care much if she isn’t keeping it under control, on a lead and muzzled - as is the law. That law is to protect the dog as well.
If the dog has to be pts then I’m afraid I hold the owner 100% responsible as there are steps she can (& should) take to avoid being put in that situation.

I also agree the situation with the Cockerpoo is also a risk, I wouldn’t keep a dog that has bitten anyone regardless of the size of it, & there is no way my child would be in the same house - ever.

You could ask her politely to keep a muzzle on the dog and explain that you feel uncomfortable, that the law states that the breed requires it to be muzzled and on a lead outdoors or just report her to the police and to the council. If she becomes hostile or threatening towards you don’t take any nonsense and immediately report her behaviour or threats to the police. You don’t want any of that crap and stress, especially if you are pregnant and/or a new mum. Ask your partner to be more supportive and considerate and explain how you feel extra vulnerable whilst being pregnant, hormones etc. Also, if I was in your position I would seriously be looking for another property in a better location if possible.

I’m very conflicted because I absolutely love dogs and am a dog owner myself but I think the situation you have described even I would feel worried/uncomfortable for safety reasons. I haven’t read the full thread but have you tried speaking to the owner about not letting to dog out unsupervised?

To my understanding they would not need to be muzzled on their own property, even if they are in the front garden but I could be wrong?

you definitely shouldn’t have to put up with it. But given you’re well versed in the risks, the only question is why you're asking here when you already know the answer.

I am very afraid of these dogs. My other half is very confident with dogs, he thinks I am overreacting a bit, BUT he never dismisses my concerns. If we see any while we are out, he says let's cross over, he would never invite one over & stroke it. That's because he cares about me and wants to protect me.
There's something up with your fella OP, he should be protecting you, not mocking & frightening you while you're pregnant. I think you have other problems here aside from the dog issue😕

Report it. Include the fact that it's bitten the owner's grandson, walks unmuzzled, is allowed out in the front garden and has jumped on you.

And sorry but your baby will not be safe with a dog that is possessive around food or toys.

I think you have a duty to report it. I'd never live with myself if someone got hurt because of it, and I'd done nothing. That's of course aside from thinking about yourself and your own family.

I don't think you can not report it now. You know it can be aggressive.

That is sad and should never have happened.
PP made it sound like any XL bully out unattended would be shot on sight.

The family begged people not to look up the video and watch it. Why did you?

Can you not get social housing elsewhere? With you being pregnant you should be able to be a priority and state your concerns about where you currently live?
Then once you’ve moved report her and her dog it’s going to kill someone if not.
if you can’t get social housing you have to find another rental even if it costs more your lives are in danger being near that dog and that owner. Good luck

Ultimately your mum is right, your are putting money above the safety of your family, but I can sort of understand why, I think you'll feel different when the baby is born to be honest though, so you should act now.

Don't let people derail the thread, I know exactly the sort of neighbours you are referring to and what some sections of (ex) council estates can be like, your parents dog, while concerning, is not the issue you have right now either.

People may say you are being sensationalist about XL bullies, but the facts are there and well documented that they can turn and kill in an instant, you would be a fool to continue living next door to someone so thick as to let it wander off lead outside their house and in their front yard, that is exactly the circumstances where dogs have attacked and the attacks have been fatal, mostly people just minding their own business. I've had dogs all my life and I hate these dogs and the people that choose to own them for vanity reasons.. they are not a family pet and never have been, and people like her who think they are above the law disgust me, she doesn't deserve to have a dog and would not be able to control it if it attacked someone, it needs reporting again and again until something is done.

I think you should plan to move sometime before you have the baby, take money out of the decision making completely, even if it prolongs your plans, if you are having a child you need to prioritise their safety and wellbeing above all else, I doubt you would regret moving somewhere safer, but you may very well regret staying where you are.

….

Report it, it's a legal requirement to be muzzled when outside, these dogs can climb a 6ft fence, they are not allowed to be loose in public, I bet is isn't registered either.
You know it's always the irresponsible owners who have the killer dogs, please report them, I'm a dog lover and I still would as these owners are not caring or responsible enough, and you should not be living in fear

Your mum is right. Of course you shouldn’t have to move, but your safety and your babies safety is more important than saving a few quid.

This is just an example I’ve found on YouTube but the dog resembles these: https://youtube.com/shorts/MngxkRnigBc?si=UcNYCdVGvQAY8qPt

If anything it’s even bigger and stockier than those dogs.

My partner incenses me when I see him around the dog. All “Ooooh what a big strong soft boy!!!”. I’ve tried to have words with him tonight about it and been shut down straight away with “Oh he’s just a big old softie he’d never hurt you!”. And proceeded to bring up my parent’s dog again.

As I repeated, my parents dog can be managed as it can be put in another room when we visit with the baby. This dog we have no control over and is much stronger, I’m terrified.

He brings up my parent’s dog as an attempt at “Whataboutism” and it drives me nuts as it’s completely irrelevant. Two wrongs don’t make a right. He’s being an idiot on this.

Not bull I'll try and find a link. Owner also ended up in court for verbal abuse towards police.

omg, that is huge!! @TheLangyers

this is obviously a highly emotive topic, for some, but you are understandably concerned.

A couple of resources for you, contact your local Dog Legislation Officer (DLO) whichever area you are in

Other info here

eta; words fail me wrt your partner though 🤦🏼‍♀️

"just a big old softie", does he know about the biting the grandson?
If it wasn't for this I might think you were being a bit paranoid, but this dog is obviously dodgy, owned by an irresponsible chav, and a problem waiting to happen.

I know it might be hard to accept that you might have to put off buying for a bit longer, but honestly I think you have to move before the baby arrives.
Reporting probably won't do anything long term, as you say she will just stick to the rules for a while then relax again.

Maybe look at ways to buy now if possible? Even if not I would spend the extra to rent elsewhere, just for the sake of your anxiety if nothing else.

OP, I would 100% move and I completely get where you're coming from re neighbours dog.

I will just point out that whilst your mum's dog is much smaller than your neighbours, all it needs to do is nip an artery and it can also be fatal. I would not trust that dog for a nano second and I would be concerned that your mum will likely trust the dog as it's her pet.

Very young children don't understand resource guarding or dog body language.

I am a dog lover and dog owner btw, but I wouldn't be happy to have my kids around either dog.

Still smell bull?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxez1kkw57o

There's multiple articles on this case. Look her name up Sophie Zaher.

What is wrong with people having these animals in the first place? What's wrong with a golden retriever or a poodle?