Unleashed dogs

[flossletsfloss]

Hi,

I'd really appreciate some advice. We live quite rurally and have a small puppy. We are relatively experienced dog owners and have had dogs before. However, I now have small children, a preschooler and a reception aged child. There is a lane that we love to walk down near our house but there is often a dog roaming unleashed down it. I know whose dog it is, I know the dogs name and it has always seemed friendly (in fact it's a lovely dog). However, it follows us and the only route home for us is back onto a country main road. I am very worried each time that it is going to follow us unleashed near the road and get knocked over - all for my young children to see! Quite frankly I'm pissed off with the owners and I have knocked on their door to take the dog back a few times now. They chuckle about it and say sorry and then the next time the dog is there again. It's ruining that walk for me and I think they are irresponsible to leave it roaming like this. But I am more bothered that it's affecting my safety for my children. Part of me wants to take a spare lead and take it home and call the rspca. What would you do?

The RSPCA won’t take any action but the dog warden might - try contacting your local council to report.

The dog warden was exactly what I was going to suggest as well. Although, they tend to be a bit few and far between nowadays.

Dogs must be under their owner's control when out and clearly this dog isn't. The days when you could let your dog out to roam around all day are gone.

The next time, and there will be a next time unfortunately, that you have to return the dog it might help to point out that if the dog does go as far as the main road and causes an accident the owner will be liable and could be prosecuted if someone were to be injured or killed.

Like others have said, ring the dog warden. Dogs need to be under control in public (that doesn't necessarily mean on lead) and this dog clearly isn't if it's just roaming about.

Good advice, thanks 👍 I'll see about the dog warden!

This would really make me mad too. I grew up on a sheep farm & know the harm that uncontrolled dogs can cause. I know I won’t be popular with this view but, personally, for this reason, think all dogs should be on a lead in countryside where there is livestock.

Report it to the council. If its a rural area that's even worse due to livestock. Also people seem to race down country lanes more the dog could get bumped by a car.

Yup Doc Warden. Every time. It’s so irresponsible.

Dog warden - alternatively, if you don't mind driving the dog, take it to the local dogs home (one will have the "stray contract" with the local council - it needs to go to that one).

Key advantage of this is that they'll be charged a fee each time they collect the dog, so they'll either mend their ways, or lose a lot of money (or not collect the dog and it'll be rehomed after 7 days).