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The doghouse

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Original poster

What to do about a local dangerous dog?!?!

24 replies

VORE · 15/07/2023 20:36

I’m looking for some advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation and knows the right action to take.

We have a 20 months old child and own a 3 year old cavapoo. We live in an area with a huge park at the end of the road and also a giant wooded area.

our dog is the friendliest most gentle dog, like would not hurt a soul. He is very well behaved and we had made a big effort to train him, so when we go to open spaces like the local park or the woods we let him off the lead to run around.

Unfortunately a young couple have moved to the local area with their giant Rottweiler, which they never have on a lead. The dog has a massive chain as a collar - so to me it feels like this dog has been bought as an intimidation dog, why else would you go out of your way to make it look more scary with a big chain round it’s neck. they are constantly walking it in the park and in the woods off the lead. The first time we saw it, it came up to my dog and started growling and barking at him being aggressive and I was shouting at the dog to go away. The owner very nonchalantly told me not to worry and that their dog wouldn’t actually do anything. Since then we have now seen this dog off lead frequently in the park and in the woods and I am genuinely worried about my dog and my child safety walking in the local area because these dogs can and have killed children and other dogs. When we walk past these peoples house with our dog, the Rottweiler loses its mind jumping up and barking at the window.

I know that there can be some lovely’s Rottweilers out there, that when owned by the right people are gentle and kind. My issue is that these people do not seem like they are responsible people when it comes to owning a dog that can and has killed people/dogs.

my question is what can be done? If anything? It’s making me not want to walk my dog and I’m worried about their dog attacking my child at the park, in the woods or when we are just walking down the street as it’s never on a lead.

OP posts:
EraOfTheGrey · 15/07/2023 21:05

Our local menace is also a Rottweiler and it attacked a wee westie and injured him to the tune of £4k in vet fees. Dog warden was rubbish and even though the owner of the Rottweiler has been told that it must remain on lead and muzzled it is always unmuzzled. The owner is a tiny woman who gets dragged around by it. I have 2 small friendly and gentle dogs and she has no problems with allowing her dog to approach mine. Lessons have definitely not been learned.

When I see her I just turn and walk in the opposite direction.

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 21:09

So…..apart from the fact this dog wears a collar you don’t like and has growled and barked at your dog on one occasion….what’s actually happened to designate the “dangerous dog” label?

Thunderisntnicebythebeach · 15/07/2023 21:12

Email photos to the dog warden at your local council.. And police and police as it is an offence not to have control of your ddog in a public place.

thenightsky · 15/07/2023 21:15

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 21:09

So…..apart from the fact this dog wears a collar you don’t like and has growled and barked at your dog on one occasion….what’s actually happened to designate the “dangerous dog” label?

am genuinely worried about my dog and my child safety walking in the local area because these dogs can and have killed children and other dogs

OP is worried because of this ^ I'm amazed these dogs are still living tbh, given their history. Confused

ToBeOrNotToBee · 15/07/2023 21:17

A heck of a lot of assumptions here and very little understanding of dog behaviour.

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 21:32

@thenightsky why on Earth are you surprised that Rottweilers are still living?

thenightsky · 15/07/2023 21:54

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 21:32

@thenightsky why on Earth are you surprised that Rottweilers are still living?

Because the OP says they've already killed!

Original poster
VORE · 15/07/2023 21:55

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 21:09

So…..apart from the fact this dog wears a collar you don’t like and has growled and barked at your dog on one occasion….what’s actually happened to designate the “dangerous dog” label?

This dog has already shown aggressive tendencies by barking and growing at my dog and like I have already said it can if it wanted to kill my dog or my child, which this breed of animal has done in the past. If this was a terrier or a chihuahua I wouldn’t care.

OP posts:
KingTriton · 15/07/2023 21:58

There are private dog walking fields that you can hire

OP posts:
vjg13 · 15/07/2023 22:06

"What to do about a local dangerous dog?" Nothing!

The best thing for you to do is avoid this dog. It hasn't actually done anything, apart from bark at your dog and behave as a guard dog rim within its home which many breeds do.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 15/07/2023 22:07

So this dog you see hasn't actually caused any harm to you, your dog or anyone else, but you want the dog warden involved because of the material of the collar its owner has put on it.

JFC get a grip.

Dogs growl, doesn't always mean aggression. It's just usual communication, and can mean a multitude of things. Those cute noises your small dog makes when coming from a larger dog will sound a heck more scary. They mean exactly the same.

And you say you'd be happier if it was a terrier, I got news for you. Terriers are killing machines, its literally what they were bred to do. Humans, small ferries and other dogs.

Wolfiefan · 15/07/2023 22:09

Some dogs bark due to excitement. Some growl when playing. Dogs don’t have to be on lead in most parks or in the woods. Sure a big dog can be capable of damage but I’m not sure I would jump to red alert. Ask owner to recall their dog?

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 22:11

VORE · 15/07/2023 21:55

This dog has already shown aggressive tendencies by barking and growing at my dog and like I have already said it can if it wanted to kill my dog or my child, which this breed of animal has done in the past. If this was a terrier or a chihuahua I wouldn’t care.

Show quote history

I have never actually said this, but get a grip.

Greenshake · 15/07/2023 22:13

thenightsky · 15/07/2023 21:54

Because the OP says they've already killed!

Show quote history

I think you read that wrongly.

Daisydoodo · 15/07/2023 22:16

Was this my dog? I have a Rottweiler. He wears a big scary chain and barks at other dogs but only with the sole reader of wanting to play with them because he is a big softie! Rottweilers are very vocal dogs and growl when they are happy. How is he dangerous when he hasn’t done anything! There’s more danger in little dogs!

CamCola · 15/07/2023 22:19

I’d call the dog warden repeatedly until they told them to put it on a lead.

I would also carry around this …

Bite Back Non-Toxic Dog Deterrent 50ml https://amzn.eu/d/8YAH6yz

So if the dog came near me I could spray it.

otherwise I would always turn the opposite way when I seen it.

https://amzn.eu/d/8YAH6yz?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-the-doghouse-4849986-what-to-do-about-a-local-dangerous-dog

Thewarrioress · 15/07/2023 22:21

There isn't more danger in little dogs. That's just a silly thing to say. Small dogs may be more yappy but they can't kill grown adults. They can nip their ankles which no matter how many times they do it cannot be considered more dangerous than large muscular rottweiler that can and sometimes do tear people apart.

CamCola · 15/07/2023 22:21

Daisydoodo · 15/07/2023 22:16

Was this my dog? I have a Rottweiler. He wears a big scary chain and barks at other dogs but only with the sole reader of wanting to play with them because he is a big softie! Rottweilers are very vocal dogs and growl when they are happy. How is he dangerous when he hasn’t done anything! There’s more danger in little dogs!

Have you just moved to the area and do you never have your dog on a lead?

There is not more danger in little dogs🤣 A rottie is big enough to kill.

Dogs4Ever · 15/07/2023 22:27

I have a chain collar on my giant dog. It's a joke as he's as gentle as anything. He growls on occasion though, it's his way of saying please stop, I don't like what you're doing, or I'm nervous.

Next time you see the owner ask them to recall the dog and see what happens. If the dog is always off lead it could be because they've got it superbly well trained. You could also talk to the owner.

IngGenius · 15/07/2023 22:28

OP legally you can report any dog that " can be regarded as being dangerously out of control on any occasion where it causes fear or apprehension to a person that it may injure them"

Your first stop would be the Dog Warden (if your area has one) be prepared to fight for them to look into the issue. It may be that the dog already has history with them.

However a barking dog may not be a threat and the breed does not determine the dogs likelyhood to be aggressive.

However the law does state that if you are fearful of the dogs behaviours it is an offence even if the dog has not injured anyone.

Daisydoodo · 15/07/2023 22:28

Just because they are capable doesn’t mean that they WILL people’s attitude towards the breed needs to change yes there are some irresponsible owners but many Rottweilers live as family dogs and I 100% trust mine. Jack Russells are prolific biters but you don’t see people screaming to get them on a lead

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 15/07/2023 22:31

I don’t think you can do anything. I live in an area with “weapon dogs” being the majority and they are nearly always off lead. I’ve met some adorable big dogs but they won’t be very adorable when my little chihuahua is barking in their face. There are regular dog attacks but the dog wardens don’t do anything other than give warnings and the police couldn’t seem to care less. I avoid most parks now near me, I either walk my dog away from parks or drive to ones with dogs that don’t scare the shit out of me.

Prescottdanni123 · 15/07/2023 22:41

@thenightsky

Yes there have been incidents where a rottweiler has killed a child. There are many more rottweilers who haven't though. Should we exterminate an entire breed each and everytime one of them attacks a human? The sane answer = no.

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