to not want neighbour's dogs in my back garden?

[Ewemoo]

For the last year our neighbour's two dogs have increasingly found their way into our garden via gap under the rotting fence between the two properties. Last summer we approached the neighbour to see about replacing the fence (going halves on the bill). They replied that they couldn't afford it so we compromised by saying that we'd leave it until this April. However, our financial situation has now changed and we can't afford to fix the fence. However, is it right that I have to put up with two dogs defecating on my land when I never chose to have dogs? I also have 2 18mo dcs who would think nothing of putting their hand in dog poo. Is there not a law regarding the safe enclosure of domestic animals or aibu?

Yep i agree with leaving your back gate open. Your neighbours have got used to the fact that their dogs are quite safe in your garden and can just send their kids round to collect them.

They are not your responsibility and quite frankly i wouldnt lose any sleep over it!

I'd put chicken wire at the bottom of them fence and buy a shovel every dog poo you find chuck it over the fence back to them.

We have a similar situation, except that about five different neighbours' dogs come into our front garden. There are no fences between any of the gardens - all open lawns and driveways so there's nothing we can do to stop them coming in. They crap in the garden but we're never really sure which dog did it or which dog belongs to which house. It's SO annoying and unbelievably rude in my opinion. They all have back gardens so why do they let their dogs run around in the street? I'm secretly hoping one of them will get run over (sorry to all the dog lovers on this thread!) and then people might start keeping their dogs inside/in their back gardens.

perapera speak to the council technically the dogs are running free.

Wouldn't be comfortable with throwing the poo but have considered 'leaving the gate open' although not entirely comfortable with this either for obvious reasons. It's not an uncommon sight to see the neighbours running up and down the street looking for their dogs so they obviously escape somehow. They've been lucky up till now that no harm has come to them. Btw the dogs were again in our garden today. It's getting to me now and I think the issue will have to be raised with them again at some point. Either that or carry out some of the suggestions on here about chicken wire, etc. Thanks for all your views

Poo lob to your heart's content, but please, please don't leave the gate open and risk the dogs' lives. It's not their fault, what a sick suggestion.

I doubt if the same advice would be offered if the neighbour's children were to encroach onto your garden!

hey valhalla i would have NO problem lobbing some of my neighbours kids over the fence.....

Come to think of it outnumbered, I've met some kids I've felt like that about too...!

I've just started having the same problem. But it's all hedge, no fence. How do I attach wire to a hedge? The dogs are quite aggressive and barking but run back when I chase them off.

My elderly neighbour has a young dog who is constantly coming into our garden. My children are nervous about it, especially as Poppy (the dog) can be snappy.

We also have pet rabbits who are obviously petrified.

I've tried speaking to my neighbour who says he's sorry and that we should 'let him know when it happens' but when I do he just stands there looking confused. He has no control over the dog and at 82 has no chance of catching her (she's a 2 year old black Labrador).

What can I do about this? The (neighbours) fence has wiring at the bottom and poppy works at it until she makes a gap.

Our garden is 150ft long. Any suggestions how I can stop this??

Assuming you're in England even if it's your boundary, it is not your obligation to ensure the fence is sufficient to keep their dogs in. It's the dogs' owners. You could put up a post and rail fence if you wanted which is wholly permeable. Taking it to extremes, if they wanted to keep snakes they would not expect you to make the fence adder-proof.

If it continues, you can speak to environmental health at the council who may send them a letter reminding them it's their responsibility.