Dealing With Dangerous Dogs

Originally written by Jeff Durham, updated by the editorial team on 20th May 2026

Two types of dangerous dog

When dealing with a dangerous dog in your area, it helps to understand that the law treats two separate issues. The first involves specific breeds that are banned outright in the UK. The second covers any dog, regardless of breed or size, that behaves dangerously or is out of control. Both situations fall under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, but they work differently in practice.

If a neighbour's dog is causing ongoing problems through aggressive behaviour, escaping repeatedly, or threatening people and other animals, you have several options available. Understanding which legal provisions apply can help you determine the appropriate actions to take.

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Banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it illegal to own, breed, sell, give away or abandon certain types of dog in the UK. This applies whether the dog is pedigree or a cross-breed with characteristics of a banned type. The banned types are:

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro

The government announced in late 2023 that the XL Bully would be added to this list, with restrictions introduced in phases. Owners of registered XL Bullies may keep them under strict conditions, including obtaining a Certificate of Exemption, but breeding, selling and allowing them in public without a muzzle and lead are prohibited. Check GOV.UK for the current status of these restrictions.

If someone owns a banned dog without proper exemption, they can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to six months. The court may also order the dog to be destroyed. For current penalties and exemption requirements, check the GOV.UK website, as rules and thresholds can change.

If you believe someone in your neighbourhood owns a banned breed illegally, you can report this to the police. Where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, police have powers to seize dogs suspected of being a banned type, though this process may involve court orders. The dog will usually be assessed by experts to determine whether it meets the physical characteristics of a prohibited breed. This assessment focuses on physical features rather than DNA or documented ancestry.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Dogs that are dangerously out of control

A separate part of the Dangerous Dogs Act covers any dog that behaves dangerously, regardless of breed. A dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or if there are reasonable grounds for a person to feel they might be injured.

This applies in public places and, since 2014, on private property as well. So if a neighbour's dog attacks someone in their own garden, or even inside their home, the law still applies. The only exception is if the dog attacks a trespasser in the owner's home.

Owners can face serious consequences if their dog injures someone. Penalties depend on the severity of the incident and can include prison sentences of up to five years for causing injury. Fatal attacks can result in sentences of up to 14 years. The court may order the dog to be destroyed or impose a control order requiring the owner to keep the dog muzzled, on a lead, or in a secure enclosure.

If you have been threatened or attacked by a dog, or witnessed an attack on someone else, report this to the police. They can investigate and take action against the owner. Collecting evidence such as photographs of injuries, witness contact details and notes on when and where the incident happened is crucial for any potential legal action.

What you can do about a problem dog

Not every problem with a neighbour's dog rises to the level of a police matter. Some situations involve dogs that bark constantly, escape regularly, or intimidate people without actually attacking. These cases can still be addressed, but through different routes.

Your local council has powers to deal with dogs that cause nuisance or anti-social behaviour. Many councils have dog control orders or Public Spaces Protection Orders that set rules for dog behaviour in certain areas. Contact your council's environmental health or anti-social behaviour team to report ongoing issues. They may issue warnings, fixed penalty notices or take court action against persistent offenders.

If the dog's behaviour forms part of a wider pattern of anti-social behaviour from your neighbour, this can strengthen your case. Keep a diary of incidents with dates, times and descriptions. This record will be useful if you need to make a formal complaint.

Speaking directly to your neighbour may resolve the problem, though this depends on your relationship with them and whether you feel safe doing so. Some owners do not realise their dog is causing problems, though others may be defensive or dismissive when approached.

For situations involving injury or serious threat, always contact the police first. For ongoing nuisance behaviour, your council is usually the right starting point. If your complaints to the council or police do not produce results, you can escalate the matter by requesting a formal review of the decision or contacting your local councillor or MP.

You can also seek advice from Citizens Advice if you are unsure how to proceed or feel your complaints are not being taken seriously. For more complex disputes or where you have suffered injury, consulting a solicitor may be necessary to understand your options for civil action.

The law gives authorities real powers to deal with dangerous and nuisance dogs. Using the right channel for your specific situation will give you the best chance of getting the problem resolved.

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111 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/05/2026 at 9:17 am

@Sadie This sounds serious, Sadie, and you need to act fast before someone gets hurt. Report it to your local council's dog warden and to the police on 101, as a dog that attacks or is dangerously out of control on private property is a criminal offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Keep a written log of every incident with dates, photos of the damage and any injuries. You can also ask the council about a Community Protection Notice forcing the owner to secure their side of the fence.

Sadie 09/02/2024 at 3:07 pm

How can I stop a neighbours dog from smashing through my fence to attack

Debbie 31/10/2023 at 8:21 am

This bill dog chased my kids this morning as they were about to get out of the entrance, they ran the other way and the dog came round to mee them, they ran in different directions away from their route, in terror.
This is not the first time but today was the scariest.
The dod was roaming around on its own and they let it knowing that it has the tendency to attack people especially children who won't know what to do. It has come to me before even when the owner was there and didn't stop it

Mo 26/09/2023 at 12:11 pm

Hi, I’m a support worker. The person whom I support has a neighbour with a very large Rottweiler dog. Every time I pass it, it gets really aggressive, growls and shows its teeth. The owner has it in a lead but has to constantly restrain it from attacking me. Any advice please?

Sharon 05/01/2023 at 2:19 am

Dog barking all night what to do . I don't know the address and it's at the bk of my house

Ang 04/12/2022 at 1:49 am

Dog or foxes left lots of poo on next doors grass, it's full of poo people can see it when walk buy told him nicely he leaves it, what can we do.to help the neighbours remove this it causes germs and smells and anymore to see looks bad on our nice area, he dont want to do it, home is rented l dont know who with he said he uses back door so don't see it please help it worrying me as getting worse each day.

Lina Golaj 21/07/2022 at 7:28 pm

My neighbor dogs have been barking non stop for 3 day's. I went to check to see if I can talk with my neighbor but no one answered the door. I am getting worried now. I think the dogs are left by themselves.

Trace 13/06/2022 at 6:27 pm

Hi I live on top floor of a flat (renting )
The people below us have a little courtyard which is covered in dog poo.
They refuse to clear it up and I can't open my Windows in this heat as the smell is bad.
Also the grass which surrounds my front door is almost 4 feet high. They refuse to cut it. Who can i turn too . I've asked them nicely but got the door slammed in my face

Space 06/05/2022 at 6:36 pm

Hi we have two large dogs in the garden to the back of our garden. There is a fence. But we are frightened to sit on our decking area. Everytime we go up there the dogs keep aggressively start barking. So we have to move. You can see the fence moving as they try to climb the wood. The dogs are outside at night and constantly bark. We have dogs. But we are frightened to let them out. I did go round to speak to the people. He told me they wouldn't hurt me they are just protecting there space. Even when they are barking at us they never come outside to see what is happening.

Shaz 04/05/2022 at 9:07 am

This neighbor dogs they barking all the time and she got three dogs she leaving them 5 hours we live next door to her I have been bad I got anxiety disorder and my mam got it as well me if you don't write her letter iam just letting you know we have problems with them

Dani 05/07/2021 at 7:55 pm

Hi, wondering if anyone can offer advice please. I have lived on this address for 2 years with my cat who is neutered and form the day we move the neighbour cat is keeps attack mine. Is coming inside my back garden even and he is hiding under the cars, but the worst part is that he was making weird noises and today morning attacked myself and I was on the A& E Department for over 4 hours. I got tetanus injection and I have needle phobia, I am in antibiotics and pain killer. I am afraid to even thrown the rubbish or the go to the car. I have all my life pets and I love them all, but this is unacceptable. Please help, thank you.

ClareB81 29/04/2021 at 10:35 pm

I need some advice.

5 doors down from us there is a lady who has 2 dogs. These dogs are in the garden most of the day and they bark every time someone walks past the back of the house. And it’s a real aggressive bark.

Today we walked along the backs of the houses to school as it’s quicker, and again the dogs barked and one of them actually jumped up the fence and got it’s front paws and head over. You can hear it growling too. My children were really scared by it today.

My next door neighbour had a dog attacked by her dog three years ago and said she’s a nasty piece of work and didn’t accept any responsibility.

WWYD? We like walking the back way to school as it’s quicker mainly. And I should feel able to walk down my back path without fear of a dog attack. I don’t think it will take long for the dog to get over the fence as it’s already broken at the top. But equally I’ve heard from others she’s a nasty woman.

I’m scared for the safety of my children if the dog were to get out as it really sounds aggressive and we know it’s attacked in the past. ??

Charxx 06/01/2021 at 8:51 pm

I’m worried about my next door neighbours German Shepard, he’s extremely aggressive and I have a baby. Every time I walk up to my house he goes on the attack and tries to get us, if he’s on the lead he will try to attack everyone around him to the point my neighbour has had to wrestle him on countless occasions to the floor by wrapping herself around him. She has high fencing around her garden but he’s bitten through the metal many times and climb over. I can’t even go into my own garden as there’s no way of me getting any kind of fencing of gate so I can’t keep my child safe. She knows he’s out of control but refuses to get rid of him. She’s also quite elderly and if he does attack someone she would never be able to get him off. I’m scared if he attack me or my child it would be fatal. What do I do:(

KingArthur 22/11/2020 at 11:59 pm

my boyfriend and I were walking our miniature poodle and we were having a wonderful time but on our way home we came across a large dog and it began sniffing our dog she started to pull obviously she was shy and didn't want to play so as when I saw this random dogs owner I picked up our dog and walked away but now every time we walk our little girl we run into this awful dog and it's terrible she always barks and wags and pulls when she sees it clearly she is scared and hates this random dog but I can't move somwhere else yet as we just moved in a week ago and we can't buy a new house yet.

Anxious 22/09/2019 at 5:47 pm

Dog next door keeps running and chewing my fence trying to get at my dog

Lb 18/08/2019 at 12:16 pm

My neighbour got a cat a couple of years ago. A larger breed cat. The breed is known to be highway territorial and has been attaching my cat for the past 6 months as well as the neighboured cats. Neighbours are putting up fences and constantly having to pay vet bills for their cats. We have spoken to the neighbour and she says cats will be cats and also says she doesn’t believe it’s her cats, she refuses to keep the cat indoors. What else can we do? this cat is becoming a pest within the neighbourhood.

Richyrich 10/07/2018 at 8:05 am

My neighbour has 4 great Danes which aren't really the issue it's more to do with the stench coming from their green bin as the owner thinks it acceptable to fill it with dog poo. The council havnt emptied the bin for a while and the smell is getting unbearable . I cannot have my Windows open to the front of my house as the smell comes into the house and with 3 young kids , it's all fun and games until 1 of them is sick because the smell is that bad. I'm just worried it's only going to get worse and I am at a loss as to what to do after asking my neighbour if it will be moved and being laughed at and told to mind my own business.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 02/07/2018 at 11:58 am

It's not your responsibility to provide a fence strong enough to keep out a determined dog, it's the dog owner's responsibility to keep it in. Talk to the neighbour and ask them whether they are going to secure the dog since it has bitten someone. If you're very concerned that you are at risk/ the dog is dangerous, contact your local community policing team or the council's dog warden.

Lk88899 01/07/2018 at 12:21 am

We have had new neighbours move into to a council property.

They have a bullmastiff which has bitten the neighbour to the otherside

I have a 6ft fence between my garden and theres but i am concerned by the dogs behaviour towards other neighbours

Big smithy 24/05/2017 at 11:56 am

I have a problem with an aggressive dog. Ive had to deal with it ever since i met my wife. Its called the mother in law.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 16/05/2017 at 2:27 pm

He should make a complaint. If his dog was on a lead and the other dog rushed up to it, he cannot be blamed. The other dog owner has clearly not given the correct information.

Lm 16/05/2017 at 9:28 am

My dad recently rescued a lovely dog who is loving to people she is a big lab cross but the sweetest dog. A lady down the road rescued a grey hound who has to stay mussled. My dad had just entered the field with his dog on the lead when the grey hound rushed up to them circled my dads dog growing to which she swiped at the greyhound with her big foot which left it with a tear. Owning greyhounds myself there skin is like paper and tears so easily! My own had the same injury from a foot during play so I no how easy this can happen. My dad then received a letter from the dog warden stating my dads dog was apparently threatening to the owner of the grey hound & it will be on record. This is a complete lie and the woman usually spends time stroking my dads dog & stating how lovely she is, and how she's so glad my dad resued such a lovely dog. How can they do this with no evidence of what happened? How can it be my dad got the letter when his dog was on the lead & it was hers that charged over acting aggressively? Plus it's her dog that has to be mussled due to its aggression towards other dogs! My dad is so upset can he do anything about the pack of lies which have been told as the dog warden said it's tuff & it's staying on record for 3 years

ProblemNeighbours Editor 22/08/2016 at 2:40 pm

Go back to the police and ask them?!

Jc 21/08/2016 at 2:10 pm

my daughter was attacked and mauled by a dog a couple of days ago suffering horrific injuries the person who was with the dog made no attempt to get the dog off my daughter. If it wasn't for two workmen who were there I can't bare to think what might of happened. The police were called by witnesses who knew where the owner lived but the police were unable to find the dog as the owner was seen putting the dog in a Range Rover and driving away. I don't know anything else as the police have made no attempt to contact us. Please if there is someone out there who can help us with some advice as to what to do next that would be great. My daughter is very scared, she's traumatised. We have heard from locals that the dog is a Turkish kengal. It is a very big dog, my whole family is very distraught. We don't know what to do. Please can anyone help?

I see nasty people 17/06/2016 at 9:25 pm

A year ago I rented a Town Home. I have a dog and had no problem until a couple with a baby moved next door with one dog a first. Problem is our yards are approx. 18'x 18' each with only a privacy fence to separate. As small as it is, I'm retired and enjoyed setting in my back yard or cooking out. I walk my dog twice everyday rain or shine, however they let their dogs (three at times) do all their business in the on the gravel in their yard.. I spoke to the wife, nothing happened. My daughter spoke with the husband and he pushed all the gravel against my fence without cleaning the poop up. Now he cleans obvious piles by his back door, but between urine and that gravel pile the dogs still use, the stench takes your breath away. Also, it has taken away my use of my back yard, my potted plant, flowers, and Bar-B-Ques. Several open fields and a park are accessible across and up the street out our back gates. So there's no excuse.

We spoke to the owner who allowed one pet and their property manager with no results. Called City Hall who told me to call Animal Control since there is not a property association. Animal Control said there's nothing they can do. I'm elderly and concerned about having to move because of the possibility of rain run off and disease (the urine has killed the grass by the fence). It must be nasty for her infant too. I live in Hampton Roads. VA. HELP!!!

Sandi 25/05/2016 at 4:13 am

I have had my dog for ten years, she is a very well trained slightly large dog, everyone in passing compliments her obedience and/or over friendly nature, I appreciate the initial intimidation factor of bigger dogs and as mine's a pig I like to keep around a 4" lead. More importantly me and her have a mutual understanding of love, respect and acknowledgement of who provides the food and home, in our whole time together she's had a wonderful sence for people and tends to kindly repel those who drink or seem under the influence/ affected by drug use. I left her tied up outside my local shops to get evening food as I usually do; (searching for advice on this matter I am only just realising what a stupid idea this is as even dogs aren't safe from being snatched and also this problem) I am normally anywhere from 15 -30 minutes and will only hear her bark on very rare occasion. So 7-10 minutes at most into my shop, I'm gobsmacked by a very very unkempt 55ish year old man, with what looks like a puncture to and blood running down his cheek, I was about to say to my boyfriend looks like the pub lot have been fighting again when the man walked straight up to me and my partner and said "is that your dog outside, I was walking next to a kid n it just jumped up for nothing and bit me" I was just so shocked I couldn't make words for a second and I replied "yes omg I'm so sorry, are you okay?" The man calmly replied " I want the cctv for out there, I'm going to ask the shop because it could of been a kid n I was just stroking her" then immediatly turned around and started walking back outside the shop right up to where my dog was still sat and still quiet, I asked again "are you okay? What happened? I'm so sorry" I was almost in tears he replied "I was passing and sje was sat like now all quiet so I bent down n started stroking her (and did a motion of vigorous, what I assumed to of been ear rubbing) and turned my head to say what a lovely dog, and she bit me" I apologised again but also felt slightly compelled to ask why he was not only approaching but bending down to eye level and laying hands on an unknown big dog, he replied "coz she was sat there all nice like now, I didn't think she would bite me I literally turned my head and she nipped" I apologised again and told him she doesn't do that ever, at this moment his girlfriend who seemed abit drunk tried starting an argument by shouting abuse calling me stupid because she did bite.. After trying to reason with her for about 2 wasted minutes I turned my attentions back to him as he was the one who mattered, he then said again " I dont know why she did it, I bent down n was just rubbing n as I turned my head shr just nipped, still I apologised and tried to explain and ask for an explination as to why it seems a good idea bending down, touching and then taking your eyes off whilst still invading the personal space of a 7 stone unknown dog, he then asked me would I not touch or never touched a dog t

Kill nick 06/03/2016 at 5:46 pm

The address of a man named nick at 61 STORES HALL LANE IS A JOKE,he believes he owns the field behind the houses behind storthes hall lane, is his field, we discovered no one is renting that property to him, nor do the people that own the rent on this land agree with him being there, he erected boundaries across public footpaths and removed access to others

Scott 24/12/2015 at 8:41 am

My partner and I moved into a semi detached bungalow in suburbia four months ago. My neighbour who is in his fifties has two German Shepherds who frequently bark whenever someone comes near either my house or his. He lives with his mother who is 90+ years of age and she can not control them when he's out. This has been a nuissance to delivery drivers who sometimes refuse to deliver his parcels for fear of getting bitten, and resort to asking me to get his mail over to him. Often I have been on the recieving end of their frustrations. They bark at me whenever I am returning home or stepping out into my garden but I have learned to ignore it as I understand dogs are territorial creatures and some have a hard time understanding boundaries.

The bigger problem here is that I caught one of his dogs skulking around my property. I have a 6 month old cat who is eager to get outside on her own for the first time and spends much of her time on the window sill chattering away at everything outside. At this point the dog was stood outside my front window, on my property, and lunged at my kitten who bolted. I confronted the dog, shouting at it and ordering it to go home but it then turned it's attention to me. The dog actually moubted my window sill and snarled at me when I was in my own livin room, the kitten on he other hand was petrified and refused to come out from behind the sofa. After 10 minutes his mother let out the 2nd dog and after a quick play fight she beckoned them back inside, although she has to persistently call them for 5 minutes unil they listened. Coming from someone who prefers dogs to cats, I can admit that the experience was extremely intimidating while the dog was trying to come through my living room window.

I'm really annoyed that there was no apology and I am second guessing about letting my cat out at all. It's a shame that I'm even thinking of denying her access to the outside world just because the dogs next door are feral and cannot distinguish my turf from theirs. We haven't been here long and in that respect I don't want to cause any drama but this does not sit well for me. If I let my cat out she may come back a corpse and what's stopping his dog going for me or my partner if it sees me outside my house? It is clearly not intimidated by anyone other than it's owner.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 30/10/2015 at 11:39 am

Have you tried making a noise complaint to your local environmental health office?

annie 29/10/2015 at 5:44 pm

I live in an area where we have a communal patch of grass in front of our houses, recently a family moved in with a massive American bulldog, it is always on the grass off its lead. I am terrified of dogs and cannot even walk in my own street anymore. The dog doesn't seem too aggressive, but its sheer size could knock you over, they neighbours seem a bit intimidating and I don't want to approach them. Is it a crime to have a dog off its lead in a public area? is there anything I can do? I have already complained to the council as it is fouling on the grass and they didn't clean it up - they have also just bought a puppy American bulldog and they often have a large pitbull that visits them. They have small children and so do I, I haven't witnessed any aggressive behaviour from the dogs but I think its only a matter of time. is there anything I can do about this?

dale 29/10/2015 at 1:00 pm

when my neighbour go out to the nightclub till 3am 4am her dog will keep me awake by barking and whinning and the woman don't care that some times I sleep in my shed

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/10/2015 at 2:46 pm

You can report this to your council or the local police. They have the power to issue a control order...see more in our guide to problem dogs.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/10/2015 at 2:43 pm

Unfortunately this is part of the new control of dogs legislation that means if your dog frightens someone, the order can be put in place. We have more about this in our Guide to problems with neighbour's dogs

boo 11/10/2015 at 10:00 pm

Hi
Me and my partner recently brought a house which has a shared access to our front garden and our neighbours. But our neighbours have two Staffordshire Bull dogs that they let out in to there front garden which is linked to our shared access way. Normally I have to shout to ask them to put the dogs away before I walk through, but it's got to the point at times they don't hear etc so yesterday I walked through to where the dogs are and knocked the door, as soon as I did this the dogs both started snarling and barking and jumping aggressively at me, although they did not bite me as the owner came out to remove the dogs before it went any further. I am now quite anxious about approaching these dogs and obviously our shared access way. The owners of the dog tried to say it's because the dogs don't no us and aren't used to other people living close.... but I don't think this is valid. I'm unsure what to do next as I am worried that they may attack visitors or myself ir my partner.

Anonymous 11/10/2015 at 8:48 pm

I have a nasty neighbour who we used to get along with until we built an extension on our home. She called police a lot about rubbish in our garden and the damaged fence. Our dog did get in her garden and I apologised .. My neighbour later became abusive and ended up getting arrested for public order and received a caution. 3 was later the police turned up with a warrant saying she was scared of our 2 year old Amercan Akita who is not aggressive in any way shape or form . He doesn't even bark when someone knocks neither will he get up and be fussed if someone walk in the house.
We have not seen our dog for over 3 months, the police have stated it is not dangerous but wish summons me to court. They want me to agree on a court order to maintain the fence between mine and the neighbour and also to never allow our dog off the lead in public ever. This is very unfair to say our dog can never run free or socialise with other dogs again. It's very disproportionate in the circumstances. Like I said the dog is not dangerous not aggressive and my 3 year old and we all are missing him very much. In these circumstances the law has been abused by a malicious neighbour. Any advise welcome ...

ProblemNeighbours Editor 09/10/2015 at 11:46 am

Even if it's not actually dangerous, you should not be feel threatened by someone else's dog, nor should it be allowed out lead on & accompanied by its owner etc. You can report this to your police or the local authority with a dog control order in mind - see more information in our Guide to Problems with Neighbouring Dogs.

Cezza 08/10/2015 at 6:32 pm

Hi , in my street there is a nasty aggressive dog an it's a big dog labrador mixed mungral I walk to the bus stop every morning for work an I can't leave my house an walk down the street because he won't let me walk down the street he sees me as a threat but I'm no harm to him but he shows his teeth an barks at me an comes towards me I run back to my house and it's getting to stage I'm scared of leaving my house for work it's every morning between 7.00am till 7.30 so the owner let's it out have no idea who the people are or were he lives I dont know what to do anyone got any advise thanks

ProblemNeighbours Editor 24/09/2015 at 11:58 am

If a dog has killed you cat, the police should be able to act under the Control of Dogs legislation. What exactly did they say?

laura 22/09/2015 at 12:46 pm

so on saturday a dog that my next door neighbor is looking after got out and killed my beautiful cat in front of me and my 3 young children, the neighbors wont pay to have the dog destroyed. and the owners refuse to take the dog back after what its done. i have 3 other cats which im too afriad to let out anymore, the police, the rspca, the dog warden and local council wont help me. 12 years i had my cat, she was my world :'(

ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/09/2015 at 12:40 pm

Report this to your local police. Action can be taken under Control of Dogs legislation.

Dixie 20/09/2015 at 3:23 pm

I have 3 nasty dogs that live in a house next door to my block of flats.

These dogs are left wondering the streets and sometimes only taking care by a young girl that cant really control them on her own. They are never on leads. This is not the first time these dogs have attached my dog all together. I have mentioned to the young girl they need to be on leads but she took no notice.

I have had a row with the mother over this as I told her that its not fair my dog gets attached my her dogs and all I had back was verbal abuse.

They have 2 gardens back and front (covered in car stuff and other). I have asked for the dogs to go one leads twice but nothing was done about it. What can I do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/09/2015 at 1:54 pm

You could try the police or the RSPCA as well?

Andry 10/09/2015 at 4:18 pm

HiMy neighbour has a female huskey when I firstet him he said is a pure wolf and he has the papers for her.I've herd neighbourhs complaining about the dog as she can't stand other female dogs and will try to attack them, she has had an incident with 2 of my neighbours one from my block and the other from the next one.Today a friend that lives on the next block from me invited me for lunch, when we herd someone shouting I could clearly recognise this man voice so we look over the balcony and her dog was attacking something, is a dogs park right in the middle of our estates. As is a hill in the middle we couldn't see if he was attacking a cat or fox. He manage to get the dog away and gave it to one of the cleaners that was waiting for him outside in one of the gates and he went back and had a look. He straight away put his hands on his head and said: oh my God!. By that we though the dog killed the cat/fox and he left. The cleaners that helped him went in the park put the animal inside de bag and at this stage we realised it wasn't dead as one of the cleaners started to slum the poor animal on the floor.I scream so loud as I was shock and my friend asked them what they were doing and that we were coming down to talk to them. By the time we got there that it only took us not even 5min. It wasn't a trace of the cleaners or the bag. We reported to the council but I'm so in shock that I'm still crying and I feel I should report it somewhere else.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 01/09/2015 at 2:37 pm

Yes there is guidance on what you can do in our Problem Dogs article here.

cconnolly 01/09/2015 at 1:09 pm

I have 4 kids three below 10. My neighbour allows his dog (a cockerpoo) to run loose out his front door and it chases my kids, barks at them agreesively and acts as if it going to attack. When this happens my kids scream,
We have asked the neighbour repeatedly to put the dog on a lead, it has also went for me twice and my partner 3 or 4 times. It actually chased my 7 year old up the road one day with him screaming.
My neighbour said we antagonise the dog as we are the only people it does this with. My son was simply sitting on a summerseat at the front of our house and the dog ran out and started on him, the last incident happened with my partner. He was standing at our back door and the dog again escaped and ran around the side of our house and started on my partner again. How were we antagonising the dog.
Any advice would be appreciated.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/08/2015 at 12:58 pm

Gosh this is a difficult one to advise on. For now, dispose of it yourself, but drop a friendly note to your neighbour. In the note say (just as you have here) that your dogs are always in a lead until you are out of the residential area and if they do go to the toilet you always pick up. Ask them that in future they only raise the issue, if they actually witness one of your dogs in the act. Be sure to add a comment about remaining friendly neighbours etc.

Annie 23/08/2015 at 12:41 am

I have 2 small dogs ..
Today ,my next door neighbour saw some dog poo on her lawn .My husband ,who is not well said "Its not our dogs,they are always on a lead until we get to the fields,etc.
5 minutes later ,I saw our neighbours partner, with a shovel,getting the poo up ,and putting it on our lawn.!!!! It is NOT our dogs poo,as I ALWAYS pick up.I am livid .I have left it there for now .Am not sure what to do next ..Dont want to make it worse.BUT am NOT gonna take blame.......I walk the dogs ,and ALWAYS have poo bags,and would certainly NOT leave it on anyones garden
Neighbours eh? Hate em..... : )))
They have a cat,and only reason it has not pooed in our garden,is because its all gravel..

dog owner 11/08/2015 at 11:37 pm

My neighbour has got an Akita. It keeps looking over my back fence. Because their garden is higher than mine, it can lean right over. I have an elderly, blind golden retriever and a border collie puppy. Their dog growled at me once so my retriever doesn't like it. When we were out walking once, mine barked at hers. Now she says that mine has provoked it and hers is not aggressive with anyone else. But he has snarled at me and both my dogs. Today he was nearly over the fence (he broke through the last fence). I have asked her to stop him but she just says she doesn't know how to and can't I do something. They have a large back garden, I have a small back yard but she doesn't want to deprive her dog of the 2 square meters it would take to keep him away from my fence. There are large trees on her side of the fence and she could easily construct something to block that part off. I have even suggested how she could do it. She put a bit of chicken wire across part of it, but the dog just goes round it. Any suggestions?

Jon 11/08/2015 at 9:34 am

My neighbour has recently acquired 2 german shepherds. They bark in the morning, at night, when I open the gate, when another dog down the street barks, when a pigeon flies overhead.
The problem is that it barks in the morning, waking us up, when we are in the garden having a barbecue, it scares our gardener and he's a strapping bloke!
It has taken the neighbourhood from being quiet to horrible!
What is the best course, I don't want to confront the neighbour

trax65 07/08/2015 at 2:45 pm

can someone advise please?
My neighbours dogs come to the adjoining fence with aggression n sniffing for my dogs. When mine are out or not!
When they are out and it kicks off between the fences it's quite frightening, even though we try to get our dogs away from the situation sometimes this proves difficult.
We are more concerned now as we have small grandchildren and if this happens whilst hey are around , I'm concerned for the children
Any suggestions please

ProblemNeighbours Editor 27/07/2015 at 12:36 pm

@ryan. If you can prove that the dog in question was definitely the one to have attacked your dog, then the council will indeed be able to take action against the owner under the dangerous dogs and control of dogs legislation. As for compensating your for the vet's bills, you would have to seek that via a private legal action.

ryan 24/07/2015 at 3:34 pm

My 5 year old Jack Russel was attacked by to my knowledge my neighbours dog. I personally was not present when this incident took place, my 21 year old brother was. My brother answered the front door when my dog had come just outside our garden, which is disputed by our neighbour and was viciously attacked. By a particularly large male Staffordshire Bull terrier possibly pit bull cross. As a result a part of my dogs left ear was bitten off, I immediately took him to the vets. I now have a £170 vet bill which I believe I should be reimbursed for. Most importantly I would like to know what I do from here legally to get justice for this incident. I may add my Jack Russel is neutered and micro chipped the other dog in question is not neutered. I would welcome any advice or information regarding this incident. I have reported this to the police to which they advised me to speak to Portsmouth City council dog warden.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 27/07/2015 at 10:26 am

@Itsadogslife. These dogs should be suitably fenced off, contact your local dog warden for information about your options under the Control of dogs legislation.

Itsadogslife 23/07/2015 at 8:52 am

My neighbour has 3 dogs. 1 small terrier type and 2 large Dogs. I have 2 dogs. The neighbours terrier type has on a few occasions ran out of the house and attacked mine (it makes a beeline for the staffy). The larger ones then come out and whilst not showing any aggression, they do run around and almost 'interfere'. Would this be a crime under not having their dogs under control? Mine are always on short leashes. They also leave their dogs to roam on their open plan garden meaning they can bolt at any time if we come out. It's really stressful as I don't want my dog attacking and nor do I want theirs hurting when my dog fights back

debz 21/07/2015 at 12:47 am

my neighbour has three staffy dogs and any time night or day has then all off the leash and running on the road and chasing other animals. the owner even encourages them to jump another neighbours fence (who has cats) and go into her garden to chase the cats. he takes them out at night and points out animals for the dogs to chase including the local foxes. when challenged about it all he does is give you abuse. not sure who to phone!?!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/07/2015 at 11:58 am

@sara. Yes complain to the local police or the council. They have powers under the Dog Control /Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. We're in the process of writing a complete guide to the new Control of Dogs rules, to help with our readers' questions on neighbour's dogs (anything not to do with barking) so keep an eye out.

sara 10/07/2015 at 6:16 pm

My neighbours dog is not only constantly barking but last week went to bite my 2 year old nephew through the fence and three days ago attacked my cat who passed away last last night the owner was aware of the dog going for my nephew and still didn't do anything about it she has no control over the dog what so ever what can I do about it I have another cat who is also an outdoor cat and I'm terrified of letting him out again as she still has the dog in the garden

spacey 02/07/2015 at 3:31 am

Our cat went missing and it was reported by a neighbour as killed by someone goading their dog to kill a cat in their front garden. The dog then carried the cat in its jaws down the road, dropped it and they then saw a fox making away with the cat's body. They witnessed the incident but did not call the police and will not give any description of the attacker or dog, except that the dog was a fighting/pit bull type. Despite contacting the police and RSPCA, they have been no help and just fob me off. 8 months later, found out by chance a second incident happened on same night, same time, same location - whereby a drunk man reportedly ran out of car acting suspiciously in people's gardens, the car screeched off and when police attended, a dead cat found in road. Police took cat's body to a vet and we found out it had been our cat. In my opinion, the first incident with the dog was a fake statement and they had been involved. Please do you have any advice?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/06/2015 at 2:25 pm

@princess. We have a guide on what to do about barking dogs, here.

princess 14/06/2015 at 12:54 pm

I have a neighbour who has had a large rottweiler dog for the last few months. However, the dog constantly barks both day and night. My husband and I both have to be up early for work all week so on weekends we enjoy a lie in. Today however that dog was insesently barking and woke the whole house at 5 am. It also woke my other neighbour aswell. I don't have anything against dogs as my other neighbours have them and we don't hear a peep out of them. This is getting to the stage now where we have tried to speak to the neighbour but he will not answer the door. Please can some one give me some advice on what to do

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/06/2015 at 12:34 pm

@readytoflip. Here's our guide on what to do about barking dogs which should help you.

Readytoflip 12/06/2015 at 7:46 pm

We have a neighbour who has a dog from morning until late night all it does is bark, when you shout to it they give you abuse back, there is other dogs in gardens by us who bark continuous also, I have not been well lately so been in bed and that's all you can hear, who do I need to get in touch with?? X

ProblemNeighbours Editor 11/06/2015 at 2:17 pm

@Nads. The police and your local council can take action against this kind of behaviour under the Control of Dogs Act. There is more information here.

Nads 08/06/2015 at 2:27 pm

We got new neighbors 6 weeks ago, they have a terrier dog, it chewed through the fence last week and chased my cats indoors, then chewed threw my cat flap. They came round, apologised and fixed the fence, only for it to happen again yesterday. This dog growls at me every day when I enter my own property and it keeps digging under the fence, I truly feel its a matter of time before I land in hospital and my cats in their graves. They have no control over this dog and previously we had dog owners as neighbours with no such issues. What can I do as we live in fear every day. I keep thinking that Im going to go home to 2 dead half eaten cats?Please help

ProblemNeighbours Editor 05/06/2015 at 11:48 am

@Wagner. We have an article here on how to deal with this.

Wagner 03/06/2015 at 2:18 am

My neighbour got another pet last month and them make nose all night, hi have two pet in one small place, What I can do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 03/06/2015 at 11:50 am

@Sue. It's against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, eg: in a public place, in a private place (e.g. a neighbour’s house or garden), in the owner’s home. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or makes someone worried that it might injure them. You can report this to the police (on a NON emergency number) or your council dog warden.

Sue 01/06/2015 at 11:22 am

Our neighbour has been looking after his sons dog during the day, an entire shar pei male dog. I have dogs and this dog has always antagonised my dogs by constantly running up and Dow the fence. It has however got worse, it constantly attacks the fence, they had badly maintained fences so it broke the fence down once, has torn numerous holes in it. They replaced but let it do it again to the new one. It attacks the, fence and gate as I try to leave for walks with my dogs and now twice has broken the gate down. Do I have to wait till it has bitten me or the dogs or can I report them now and to whom??

Many thanks.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/05/2015 at 11:10 am

@Dollbird. The police, the council and even registered landlords now have the powers to deal with this kind of thing. They will be able to demand that owners take action to prevent a dog attack and order them to do any or all of the following: Attend dog training classes Muzzle the dog or require it to be on a lead in public Require the dog to be microchipped and/or neutered Repair fencing to prevent the dog leaving the property So, if you're afraid to go to the police, you should try your local council.

dollbird 11/05/2015 at 10:15 am

Every time we let our dog a elderly staff out our neighbour let's her 3 dogs out who then proceed to attack him through the mesh. He has scars all over his face now. This morning She did it again. The jack Russel has bit his neck which was bleeding and also my daughter's finger. Council have told me to report to police,but I'm worried because he is a steady and they get a bad deal. Even though he's gentle and he's met police in my house and have them toys. Its making my illness worse and I've just had to max out my credit card to put a 6 ft fence up. I'm sick of it

ProblemNeighbours Editor 14/05/2015 at 12:44 pm

@becky. New laws have recently been brought in allowing police and local authorities to demand that owners take action against owners of threatening dogs. If a complaint has been made about a dog to the council or police, its owners could be ordered among other things to muzzle their dog and to repair fencing to prevent the dog leaving the property. So talk to the police or your local authority about this.

Becky 10/05/2015 at 11:32 am

my.fence.between my neighbours and ours broke a while ago we patched it up.even.tho.its classed as.her.fence... my.dog was i garden when.she let her dogs out.they nastily pushed through.the.fence.and started attacking my dog they then the woman.from next door came out n.stood there with.no intention to.help ... also she lets them out the backyard to roam.free which means they.foaling every where

ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/05/2015 at 11:53 am

@tumpa. try your environmental health officer first of all.

tumpa 02/05/2015 at 8:17 pm

My neighbour got a pet dog, since last year. We are facing the problem of bad smell and dogs hair which they intentionally scattering infront my door. I complained them twice, they first started to quarrel and then tried to defame me but didnot solve the actual problem. Rather it increased. What should i do?

ProblemNeighbours Editor 01/05/2015 at 12:05 pm

@Leigh. Report it to the police under the Control of Dogs Act if it is getting into your garden.

Leigh 26/04/2015 at 9:27 pm

Hi, I have told their mother severaly times as they are teenagers however they have not stopped. Our cats are house cats and only go into out garden when we are outside with them so they don't go into anyone else's garden. The dog is in our garden we have a fence up but there is a hole and that's how the dog gets to our kitchen window

ProblemNeighbours Editor 30/04/2015 at 1:59 pm

@worried. Report this to the police! The Dangerous Dogs Act and the Control of Dogs Act will allow them to take the necessary action.

worried 25/04/2015 at 6:29 pm

our neighbour has a dog which in the last three weeks has attacked our cat, killed a sheep in a near by field and killed a cat today, what can be done? Frankly it scares me and I am 42 and 6'2".

She tells her previous partner and its previous owner used to encourage this behaviour.

I am terrified for our own two cats, and much as she is a nice lady her dog is a serious danger in my opinion to people never mind animals as it can obviously turn at any moment.

I don't want to call the police, but other cats in the neighbourhood have suddenly gone missing since she moved here a few months ago.

Help Help Help

ProblemNeighbours Editor 20/04/2015 at 12:24 pm

@Leigh. Could you talk to your neighbours about this to see why they're doing it? Has your cat been in their garden/fouling etc? If the dog is not getting into your garden there's not a huge amount you can do about it, but if you fear it may get over and injure you, then you could consider reporting it under the Control of Dogs Act.

Leigh 17/04/2015 at 7:52 pm

My neighbours are encouraging their dog to get my cats. Everytime the dog is out in the garden they are telling it to jump up at my kitchen window to "get the cat". Yesterday the cat got stuck outside my window and almost got attacked by the dog because they were telling it to. The dog pays no attention to cats when it is walking around the garden itself, it only acknowledges the cats prensence when they shout at it to go for the cats. Is there anything I can do about this as the cats are becoming very distressed in their own home.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/04/2015 at 2:21 pm

@Sez. Express your concerns about the dog (if you feel it as potential to harm you) and the following behaviour to your local community policing officer. He /She may be able to have a word with the neighbour or be able to keep an eye on it. If it becomes worse, it will then be on record.

Sez 17/04/2015 at 11:22 am

Hi,

My neighbour had a mental and physical disability (which she has informed us about) and has had two large very exciteful dogs who are not on their lead when they leave the house. As we live in a flat, the landing is a narrow one where their is no where to escape from a running dog heading your way.

The issue is, that after hours of discussions requesting that my neighbour keep their dog on a lead. It is apparent for some reason she doesn't like us (me and my family). She is in and out of hospital but when she is out of hospital she is persistent in opening her door when we do and follow us to bus stop/ shops/ gym etc with her dog! She is really close as she follows with her dog to intimidate us and I don't know what to do. She has the freedom to do as she pleases and so should we. I don't know how to provide evidence of what I can only describe as harassment and how to not provoke the situation even further (after the hours of mediating).

I fear her dog will harm me one day! Any help would be very much appreciated.
Kind regards,

Sez

Any help would be very much

ProblemNeighbours Editor 16/04/2015 at 12:29 pm

@Ollie. No the police should do something more positive about this...the Control of Dogs Act states that it's against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control...in a public place, a private place (eg a neighbour’s house or garden) or in the owner’s home. Your dog is deemed to be out of control even if it makes someone worried that it might injure them (eg. It doesn't have to actual injure someone first).

Ollie 15/04/2015 at 3:55 pm

Hi, I sshsre a drive way sccess with some neighbours who own one Rotweiller and 2 bull mastifs. The owner looks after these dogs very well like children but he's not of very nice character. We are an elderly couple and wish to sell up to be near family as i have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. We have been trying to sell now for 3 years now and people pull out because of these dogs barking at
them as they enter the shared driveway. He has also intimidated some with threats of them attacking them if they buy. Please tell me what i can do legally, the police just say someone needs to get hurt first before we can take legal action.I desperatly need to sell to go back to England from Wales for life saving surgery and to be cared for by family.
Also our house value is affected.

c19671 10/04/2015 at 9:33 pm

we have 3 dogs, 3 ducks, various guinea pigs and 6 hens my pets are not perfect by any means and our dogs do bark if they think there is an intruder or the postman calls. m neighbour above me has a staffy which howls all day long (and night if they are out) when i confronted her about the howling she commented that i can hardly complain as "you and yours" make plenty of noise i do have 2 boys 11 & 12 we are below them and even hear them fill their kettle! i can't move i can't afford to..

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/04/2015 at 11:46 am

@Lbutch. Yes there are steps you can take to deal with neighbours' barking dogs. Here is a link to our guide.

Lbutch 10/04/2015 at 8:35 am

Hey, my neighbour has a small Lhasa aspso and then my next next door neighbour has recently got two large dogs that look like a cross between a great Dane and a greyhound. The barking is constant and when one starts it provokes the other. You can never hear the neighbours telling the dogs to be quiet so it's constant, been 11pm at night and later and 7:30am in the morning which is simply out of order, it's out of order to let them bark at anytime of the day like that really... Is there anything I can do with this because it's causing me to wake up hours earlier and not be able to get back to sleep when I'm working shifts until 12 at night! Really starting to take it's toll.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 26/03/2015 at 2:44 pm

@sandi. Contact the RSPCA, they will conduct the necessary investigations and take any action as appropriate.

sandi 24/03/2015 at 4:48 pm

My elderly next door neighbour has recently gone into a home and his son has moved into the house, with at least 9 dogs, 4 of them are pups. They're working dogs, but they're never taken out. The yard is about 10' x 12' and is covered in dog mess, the dogs are also covered in their own mess and the smell is getting worse. There seems to be a pecking order and one of the smaller ones yelps when he's attacked by the others. They're mainly Cocker spaniels and they're lovely dogs. Heart breaking to see them left like this.

Amyxx90 20/03/2015 at 10:49 am

Hi, we moved into our home 9months ago. Our neighbours have 2 dogs, a small terrier and a big husky. They constantly bark in the house which can be heard loudly through the connecting walls. They have never been walked since we moved in. The only time they go outside is when they get tied up in the garden for 5mins just to go to toilet on a rope which is no longer than about a metre. Then straight back inside. They bark at all hours of the day and night and more than anything I feel sorry for them, especially the husky who is getting no exercise whatsoever and is overweight. They don't get on either and the terrier barks at it constantly provoking the husky to bark and howl back and bare his teeth. It's a horrible noise to listen to, especially at 3am! And lasts for around 10mins!
What would be my next course of action.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/03/2015 at 2:40 pm

@msanti. It's against the law to own a pitbull in the UK. You should call the police and give the breed of the dog.

msanti 16/03/2015 at 7:34 pm

My neighbor ties his dog in my fence or near my fence close where I park my vehicle. Its been several times i get out of my veheicle and he barks too close to me some times he digs under my fence and im afraid he will hurt my family. I have address this issue to her many times and nothing is been done. This dog is a pitpull sometimes he unleashes himself and is out in the street. The smell is awefull i ha e contacted the police, barc, and nothing has been done. What are my options so that the neighbor can put her dog away from my fence? Can i take legal action? Also the dog most of the time is tied up in a leash cold rain or shine is this animal negligence? Thank you in advance.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/02/2015 at 10:43 am

@DOG LOVER. You should report the fouling to the Environmental Health Department if you feel it's a health risk. If you're concerned about the welfare of the animal itself contact your local RSPCA. If it is actually a pit bull terrier, then contact the police...it's against the law to own one.

DOG LOVER 16/02/2015 at 6:14 pm

Hi I need some advice. My next door neighbour has a red nose pit bull, the dog has never seen day light as the curtains are drawn both upstairs and downstairs. The dog is let at night, (we think) to defecate in the owners garden, which is absolutely full of poo. I have approached the neighbour regarding the poo in the garden over two weeks ago and till date no attempt has been made to clean up the poo.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 12/02/2015 at 11:09 am

@geegee. If the owner does not want to take steps to control his dog after you asking him to do so, then the police/rspca are your only other options. It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere and this applies to all dogs.

GeeGee 09/02/2015 at 11:33 am

My neighbour has an American akita, my back garden is communal but this dog has its own little space. On 2 Occasions the dog has tried to attack my dogs, first time was my 1. Year old puppy but she was fast enough to get away, the last time it was both her and my 7 year old boxer, my boxers ear was bleeding for the whole night and he is very shaken up, the dog was out with its older owner who rather than try to hold it on it's leash and harness he just lets it go!!. I didn't call the police as my partner doesn't want this to back fire onto me getting bother from neighbours. But what can I do, I am terrified to take my dogs or myself out as I couldn't stop it, if my partner hadn't been there (which he isn't always) I don't known what would have happened? Please help!!

ProblemNeighbours Editor 10/02/2015 at 12:04 pm

@Jon. It's against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, including in a neighbour’s house or garden. This law applies to all dogs. The police should really be informed about this. The least your neighbour can do it to pay the costs of your cleaning, all the repairs and a replacement guinea pig. He should also give his reassurances that he will carry out any work necessary to ensure his dog cannot enter your property again. If necessary, and if you do not want to involve the police, just draw up an agreement detailing the above and get an impartial 3rd party to sign it.

jon 06/02/2015 at 8:25 am

HI, my neighbours dog yesterday gained access to out property through a private yard at the rear of the house, ransacked our kitchen and killed one of my childrens guinea pigs. The dogs owner phoned me at work to tell me and I gave hime permission to break a window to enter our property to get the dog out. The dog also defecated in our bedroom. The owner has partially cleared up the glass that he broke and he has said that he will replace the pane of glass today but there is still glass on the carpet he has failed to clear up. To this point the owner hasn't offered to replace the guinea pig for my distraught son, but I am most concerned about his dog gaining entry to our house again and killing the other guinea pig as I feel he can't control it despite us now locking the cat flap. The dog isn't a listed dangerous breed.

Where do we stand onb this and what precautions could we reasonably expect him to take to ensure that his dog doesn't gain access to our property again?

Any advice would be really appreciated,

Regards,

Jon.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/11/2014 at 2:46 pm

@Wolvowander. The owner of the dog could be liable under the Animals Act 1971 for damage caused by their dog. You shouldy seek professional legal advice about what to do next.

wolvo wanderer 24/11/2014 at 7:22 pm

A neighbours dog got into my house and killed my young kat. The owners refuse to accept responsability and are abusive to me and my wife. The police say I should take out a privtate prosecution, is this correct.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 19/11/2014 at 11:37 am

@rambo. The police may be unwilling to respond until the dgos have actually caused damage. However, if you feel they are causing a nuisance with their barking or that they are potentially dangerous, your local council should be able to help you. Try contacting them by email at: environmental.health@trafford.gov.uk or for dogs barking you can call 0161 912 4509 or email noise@trafford.gov.uk.

rambo 18/11/2014 at 5:16 pm

For about 5 years now there has been a dispute going on with my next door neighbour. The dispute is over two pit bull terror dogs he has got, which falls into the catagree of being illegal breed.The problem I am having is the dogs almost nearly climb over the fence and nearly comes into my garden, sometimes they nearly come in the garden when I am there, barking, growling and snarling, sometimes it becomes a scary situation and sometimes I feel I shouldn't be out in my own garden.In the past I have informed the police about this problem and they have done nothing about it.Sometimes, he lets the dogs out in the night and lets them bark all night, it is not right and not fair when normal people like myself is trying to sleep and live a normal life.As far as I see the situation the government and the law in this country has failed in trying to control this particular issue with illegal dogs.The only time when people will get of their arse and do something about it is when something very very bad happens.If it was upto me all illegal dogs in this country would have all illegal dogs taken of them and then shoot them.The problem with the law nowadays, it doesn't do the things it use to do and that's why people are getting away with all sorts.I just hope that when the general election is next may that labour gets in and makes a law where people can no longer have pit bull terrors or any other type of illegal dogs.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/10/2014 at 11:04 am

@grandma. If the dog is securely fastened up/kennelled then the owner has probably taken the right steps. Does the friend also walk the dog or just let it out to the toilet? It sounds as though the dog is lonely and suffering from separation anxiety more than anything. Mention this to the neighbour...he may be able to arrange for a professional dog walker or sitter. If you are concerned about your safety then you should contact your environment health officer or the police (on 101). If you feel the animal is genuinely being neglected then contact the RSPCA.

grandma. 19/10/2014 at 9:34 am

My sons next door nieghbour has a large out of control dog.he works away and just has a friend come and let it out once a day, the dog goes mad when let out racing up and down barking at my 2 small grandchildren if they are playing in their own garden.my son has had to build a higher fence because it tries to jump over.to add to the problem the gardens have shared access so to get to my sons back door you have to walk past the dog, the nieghbour has now started leaving it in a kennal which means it now barks and howls all day too.im worried about the my grandchildrens safety, we have tried talking to this man but he does nothing to help.

Stew 29/09/2014 at 6:41 pm

I have reported a dog under the dangerous dog act 1991 to our local dog warden,after the dog was loose on our grounds and pinned to old ladies,
The warden has replied if i have not sent any more incidents to him in 21 days he will assume the dog is no longer a problem.
The dog can escape any time in the future and harm someone,

"Is this normal practice to close a case after 21 days"

ProblemNeighbours Editor 22/09/2014 at 11:38 am

@ginny123. It depends on the breed of the dog. The police cannot seize a dog (unless it is a dangerous breed) and a course case has to ensue before an order to put down a dog. From the dangersous dogs act there is also this: "Nothing in subsection (1)(a) shall require the court to order the destruction of a dog if the court is satisfied:(a)that the dog would not constitute a danger to public safety" So there is no 'presumption' of destruction when a dog bites.

Ginny123 18/09/2014 at 9:07 pm

I warned ny friend in our house not to stroke my dog who has had a painful illness. She did anyway, got bitten and was hospitalised. She admits it was her fault and does not want to take it further but her family want my dog put down. Can they do this?

Dog tired 12/07/2014 at 10:09 pm

I have been harassed threatened, and bullied by my neighbour and his friends for over two years now. The latest incident was a on Thursday 10/7/14 ...as I went to take my dog out for his last wee this dog came from nowhere !! It was so quick I managed to get my dog back in home followed by this Alsatian hell bent on killing my dog ( who is is a chihuahua x) I defended my dog as best I could during which time the owner set about me rather than getting his dog under control. I asked him to leave my home immediately with his dog...but he refused , instead he took great delight in verbally abusing me and coming so close to me and spitting in my face . Guess what the Police say he was just trying to get his dog from my home and there is no case to answer.....how can this be ???? I am utterly at a loss ...this dog has been complained about to the police and the dog warden regarding its aggressive nature and they still say the dog and the owner have committed no crime ....I live in fear for myself and my dogs safety 24/7 ....by the way I am a 63 year old pensioner...I am also a female being bullied by these bullies daily ...they are also drug users known to the Police and yet they do nothing ....life is just not worth living !!!! I have also been under the doctor and on prescription drugs. All this to help me cope with the constant threats from these animals....I despair.

on-the-edge 19/01/2014 at 10:38 pm

I must say i found the police to be a total waste of my time. I reported what i consider to a serious attack and nothing, absolutely nothing has been done to rehome this vile creature or reprimand the feckless owners. Me and my 12 month old daughter we walking our pet dog on a lead through the housing estate on a short 2 minute walk to a park, when out of no where hurled this snarling biting white spotting Staffordshire bull terror thing who went straight for my daughter, so as i scooped her up, my dog let out a rumble in warning to leave us alone, it then attached itself to my dog around his neck. I had to then kick this vile creature to let go of my dog while shouting for help, tetherd to my dog and trying to keep balance. Finally, an drunken owner shouted at it. It stopped, but wouldn't move untill its own had waddled up to beat it some more and offer me verbal abuse and threats to our safety and home! So, while the police did nothing, after discussing the problem with a lass at work, i discovered this dog is famous around the area for all the wrong reasons. I was told this dog had jumped her daughters fence to sit watching her 4 year old granddaughters guinea pigs which is then pulled through chicken wire and devour while the poor shell shocked toddler tried in vain the save them and shoo this dog. Nothing was done when that incident was reported either. I was told this is because these scummy people were police informants and to be careful, as they seem above the law!! Well, add insult to injury, after all this had happened, i dubiously snook out with my dog to a meadow popular with dog walkers. And as we were nearing the end of our thankfully peaceful walk, a gentleman i recognised to be a police officer made a snide comment about my dog being a 'savage creature' by appearance. My dog, being a well behaved gentleman who has been well trained and loved is a Japanese akita, with a black mask. This is the dog who depended his family against a savage sudden, out of the blue attack, no no lead or owner insight. He didn't even retaliate against this dog. Not one bite. This was the uses less policeman that did nothing to protect our highly populated by children area. But looked down his nose at me. While i was out responsibly walking my well behaved gent, on a lead, poopey bags in hand. I'm furious. All these deaths and mauling of children buy these dogs kept in hellish conditions and the police do nothing?! Just ad guilty in my eyes
ignorance and laziness. Why should a parent lose a child before any action is taken? Disgusting laziness. I don't pay my hard earnt taxes for this crap.

worcester 18/06/2013 at 5:29 pm

We have this dog near us that today has been barking nearly all day and does most day's it start's early in morning even when they are at home it still keep's barking i live in a block of flat's i am a pensioner as are the rest of us and as you see it is not good

henry123 02/01/2013 at 11:21 pm

we have 3 acres of land which we have fenced off the whole of the perimerter over the years to keep in our dogs which are jack-russells , one of who romed lookinkg for rabbits and foxes, as a consequences she was caught returning home by our neibours dogs on his land and was mauled and damaged on at least two occasions, resulting in very expepesive vet bills

we then took the advice of our vet , to fit a dog=track fence around the whole parimter of the garden to keep our jacks in.

unfortunetly this week two of our neighbors rockvoiler jumped our fence and one of them went for Bonny our Jack Russel picked her up shuck her ==dropped her == and the second rockwhilerr did the same.

this was late in the evning , the vets patched her up, we called the police , there is nothing that can they can do because it is a civival matter

I now have to cover my wife with a shot gun, when she lets the dogs out into our own garden and feeds the chickens a cleans the donkey paddoxs , in case theses dogs come over our fence and strike again.

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