Neighbour's Dog Terrorizing Us!

[codexsmom]

This has been going on for a while, and I don't know how to stop it!

Last week my neighbour's went out to a party around 6 and didn't get home till two or three in the morning. They own a 9 month old great dane / rottweiler mix, and it's freaking huge. I went into my shed to find the dog brush which my niece had left there the night prior, and before I could grab it I heard yelping and screeching.

Before I could grab the dog brush, I looked out and saw the neighbour's dog Ripper attacking my adult collie, who was protecting my 7 month old collie pup. Both of them were realy hurt, and I have a fence that is 4 foot 3 inches high, wire mesh. There were no holes under it, so I can only assume the dog jumped it.

I ended up putting my dogs inside and letting Ripper sniff me out because he recognizes me as him 'auntie' because I take care of him while the neighbour's are gone. I put him over the fence again (gently), and he waited on the porch of his own house.

I called my neighbour's to tell them what their dog had done the next day, and they said they had noticed blood on Ripper's muzzle. They then told me it wouldn't happen again because they had put a blockade near my fence so he wouldn't get over.

Saturday morning, I was heading out to go to work so I let Codex and Bonkers out. Of course, Ripper was out too, but I didn't see him because he was under the table on my neighbour's porch. Of course, he got over the blockade and over the fence, and this time I got him with my hose before he got to my dogs.

Later that night I let my dogs out, and the stupid dog was out again! He nearly killed Codex, who I just brought back from two nights at the vet, and gave Bonkers a good nick or two on his ears and face.

I'm realy getting worried, because their dog is so young, and yet so strong and big. He's so friendly around people, but I doubt it with dogs. I just need a way to tell the owner's to keep their dog in more often. Anyone have suggestions for what I can do with the fence? Ripper is so young, I'm wondering if there is something I can tell his owner's to train him so he don't go berzerk on my dogs? I supervise my dogs 98% of the time, but even still it's nearly impossible to get there before Ripper does, and I'm not stupid enough to pull my dogs apart.

 

[RD]

Step 1: Stop letting your dogs out unattended. Supervising them 98% of the time isn't good enough.

Step 2: Talk to your neighbors, explain that Ripper attacked your dogs and tell them that they NEED to keep him confined or you will call animal control. Personally I would have asked them to cover the medical bills, had it been my dogs that were attacked.

Step 3: Contact animal control if they don't take action immediately. This is NOT okay for them to do.

 

[noludoru]

Step 1: Stop letting your dogs out unattended. Supervising them 98% of the time isn't good enough.

Step 2: Talk to your neighbors, explain that Ripper attacked your dogs and tell them that they NEED to keep him confined or you will call animal control. Personally I would have asked them to cover the medical bills, had it been my dogs that were attacked.

Step 3: Contact animal control if they don't take action immediately. This is NOT okay for them to do.

Not much I can add to that. If you even want to be able to feel remotely safe in your own yard, I would take out the current fencing and put in fencing that's a bare minimum of 5 1/2 feet, preferable 6 1/2 to 7 feet. Dogs can climb chain link, so you might think of wooden privacy fencing or iron bars.

 

[Sush]

I would take to talking to the neighbors about it ONE more time and say that your next step is to talk to animal control. Take it into your own hands to build onto the fence. Build higher with a solid material like corrugated metal or wood. You should not have to worry about your dogs getting attacked in your own backyard.

 

[squirtsmom]

Good advice.

 

[Julie]

I assume your fence is adequate to keep your dogs confined, even though the neighbors dog jumps it. This is their fault not yours. I don't feel for a minute that is your fault. You should be able to let your dogs outside in an enclosed area to relieve themselves etc. and feel relatively safe about it.

Was the vet visit due to injuries from this dog? If yes, you should present them with the bill and ask to be reimbursed. Let them know that their dog is coming into your fenced area and attacking your dogs. Tell them it needs to stop or you will be calling the police. Let them know it is their responsibility to keep their dog on their property and that they should consider putting up a 6ft privacy fence if they can't control their dog. Make sure they know this is totally unacceptable to you.

They really need to get a handle on this dog! In the meantime, for your dogs safety I would get some pepper spray and attend my dogs at all times even in your fenced area. What a bummer!

If the dog is climbing over the top of the fence, the only thing I can think of is to put a string of electric wire on the top.? But I am sure with a dog aggressive dog he will find another way to get into your yard.

Sad situation!

 

[dr2little]

You've already told them what he did to your dogs the first time he jumped your fence. They should have stepped up, you gave them the opportunity...they chose not to.
I'd report them immediately AND make sure you supervise your dogs at all times.

This is completely their fault. Your dogs should be safe in their own yard if you have ensured that they are properly contained with an adequate fence.

 

[Paige]

Talk to them again. If nothing changes call animal control. Better off maybe upsetting the neighbours a bit then coming home to a dead dog.

 

[planet molosser]

HOt wire the top and the fence and you can get extenders for the wire to make it another ft.
Buy one fence charger, wire and the clips .

You will save money on vet bills,if he is a digger get them to hotwire the fence from the bottom.

Or simply send a certified letter with a please help stop this, I like your dog but he is not killing my dogs and my budget. Pls take this letter as a formal request to help secure your dog and our friendship.

Something on those lines.

Best of luck

 

[ToscasMom]

Most everything has already been said, but I would like to add that I am shocked that your neighbor isn't paying for the injuries to your dog. Allowing their dog to go unchecked, untrained, uncontained and unsupervised is just not only not very neighborly, but a recipe for disaster in the future. Also, I really don't think a four foot fence is an adequate height to keep that dog out, or even your collies in. Tosca could jump a four foot fence very easily.

 

[StevePax]

I wouldn't wait until next time - your dogs are in danger in your own yard. Call animal control immediately.

 

[codexsmom]

I did a lot of things that have officially made my neighbour's want to move.

First of all after reading this, I called my neighbour's and told them I'd see them in court if they didn't agree to pay me the medical bills I went through, especially since their dog attacked a puppy and a pregnant dog.

Then I called the SPCA, who'd send they would send someone to drive around our block a few times during the day to see exactly how long the dog is outside for, especially since it's very hot lately.

Fun! My neighbour's hate me now, especially since I told them I'm installing a five foot seven inch fence this weekend.

 

[noludoru]

Oh GOOD for you!!!! I didn't mean to come off as "it's your fault" or something in my post.. just that it seems you have a deadbeat next door, and if they won't even contain their dog, they probably wouldn't do much else. I hope they pay those vet bills.. and good luck with your (preggy?) collie!