How do I deal with neighbours dog on the loose barking and snarling?

[Stropzilla]

Neighbour has 2 dogs. She never puts either dog on a lead. One old, shuffles around and not really a problem. The other is more active. Both escape on a regular basis. Usually she is around, and has an attitude of everyone loves dogs. Background so as not to dripfeed, one of her dogs ripped open and tried to eat the contents of a bag DH was loading into the car to take to the tip. DH loves dogs and he tried to shoo it away gently, she had a go saying he wasn't really a dog lover. He pointed out he didn't want the dog to eat anything that might make it ill, cue an argument about paying the vets bill from her!

Today I was walking home, and the younger dog was out, up our road. Not usual to see it without her. It saw me and went straight into barking and snarling at me, and seemed to be...I don't know, stalking me? Barking and snarling still. I had to cross the road to get away. I don't have dogs, but I can see what's playful and what's not. It seemed to be guarding the pavement! It crossed over, started following me. Fortunately I wasn't far from home. I worry about what would have happened if I'd have had either child with me. DH tells me it's growled at him before now, and Mums said she's had to sit in the car with the kids as it's done it to her.

Neighbour has had to come into our garden before to get her dogs, and really doesn't see why we have a problem. DH wants to knock on her door and explain that it's not on to let a growly dog roam free. I don't think there's a point as she clearly doesn't care!

Posted here for actual doggy experience, as I don't want it to turn into a dog lovers/haters thread. Please don't flame, I'm still feeling a bit shakey.

Ring the council and get the dog warden to come and see her and explain to her that its not acceptable to have loose dogs. You can do that and remain anonymous . If its out and growls at you I'd be tempted to ring the police and tell them you are being threatened by a dangerous dog .

No flaming from me. Your neighbour sounds extremely irresponsible and i'd report her to the dog warden.

I think you should report her and the dog to the dog warden. You shouldn't have to cross the road to avoid her dog, it should be on a lead and muzzled.

Thanks. I'm glad the consensus seems to be to call the warden, there's a lot of kids around here and I worry about what could have happened.

Yes, call the warden
I hope you are okay x it would unnerve me and I have dogs :)

Yep, dog warden. I have a dog but that's not ok.

Definitely no flaming from me either. Contact the dog warden at your local council and the RSPCA. She has a duty to prevent harm coming to her dogs and if it wondering up and down the road or ripping open bags it could hurt itself. Also, where possible take photos or videos to show the council.
I understand that she is going to not appreciate what I'm about to suggest but I think to warn her that I'd she can't keep them under control you will have to report her.
You're doing the right thing.

I've had a similar experience and our dog warden told us it's a police matter. Section 3 of the dangerous dog act. :(

I love dogs, have two of my own, and that would still frighten me. Your neighbour is completely irresponsible and needs a scare imo. Definitely call the dog warden and see what they say re the police. It's not acceptable in any way shape or form to have a dog (ANY dog) roaming the streets unsupervised. It could bite someone, cause an accident, get hurt itself etc etc. Just bloody stupid.

Thanks all. Called 101, they told me it's only police matter if someone's bitten due to cutbacks. I'm best off calling the warden, and they can tell her to keep it on a lead. Her garden isn't secure though, and she's not worried about that. When the dog came into our garden and growled at DH, she slipped on some mud retrieving it and shouted at DH as she could have hurt herself. We didn't even know she was there! I don't think I'll be trying someone's suggestion up thread to warn her as she won't be too receptive!

Police always try to brush off things like this. Good luck anyway OP

It was my suggestion but I think you're better off not, she sounds a couple of sarnies short of a picnic.

Update: Dog warden said not the first to call, and has already been dealt with. Not allowed to give details to me obviously, but he said the aggression issue is being looked into. The area the dog was escaping from has been patched up. So relieved!

Fingers crossed then
People like her are a nightmare :(

She's actually quite nice, when NOT discussing dogs! Just that she's quite entitled when it comes to them. I wouldn't want to see them taken away from her or anything, as I know what pets can mean to people so I hope she can train them up. The warden said they'd be keeping an eye, as the level of aggression I'd had was "significant".

Well that sounds hopeful ,let's hope she makes sure they are kept securely from now .

Jesus Christ. People like her really give normal people a bad name. If my dog had got out and was wandering about outside, a) he'd get a bollocking for being out and b) I'd be extremely grateful he hadn't been run over, attacked by another dog or even stolen.

She has no idea what it means to be a responsible owner, clearly. I hope the poor dog is alright and I hope it doesn't give you any more trouble.