Dealing With Dangerous Dogs

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 22 Sep 2019 | *Discuss Tweet

In considering this issue, it’s important to make a clarification between two distinct issues. Firstly, there are certain breeds of dogs which are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and then there are dogs which could be of any breed, big or small which, for one reason or another are simply nuisances and are, by their nature ‘dangerous’. These are also covered by the same Act.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

This bans anyone in the UK from owning, breeding or selling (whether that be here in the UK or to somebody from overseas) specific breeds of fighting dogs whether they be pure bred or cross-bred. The Pit Bull Terrier is the most obvious example but there are a number of other breeds, too.

You can be fined up to £5,000 for contravening this law and you could even receive a jail sentence of up to 6 months. The dog could also face being destroyed.

Another section of the Act is aimed at any breed of dog which becomes out of control when out in public places. If any dog acts in such a dangerous manner which results in an attack, then this constitutes a crime for which the fine, potential jail term and the fate of the dog could be the same as above. It’s usually the police who will have responsibility in dealing with a dangerous dog, although they can often work in conjunction with a dog warden in this regard.

However, it’s the police you should call if you have been attacked or intimidated by a dangerous dog. You should give them as much information as you can in terms of what happened, where the incident took place, and the breed of dog involved if you know it, or at least a general description of the dog and its owner if possible.

What to do if Confronted by a Dog

If you feel a dog is about to attack you, you should stand still and not make any sudden movements. While keeping your eye on the dog (but not staring at it as that could provoke the dog), you should slowly back away from it. Try to remain calm and move backwards and away from its ‘territory’ and towards a place of safety.

If it’s About to Attack

If an attack from the dog is imminent, then you need to face it head on so you can see the point of attack coming. If you’ve got any deterrent on you, use it. It could be a bag you’re carrying or even a mobile phone or another heavy or sharp instrument you may have on your person. If you’ve sufficient time and you are wearing a coat, wrap it around your weaker arm as that’s the arm you’ll want to use for protection, while keeping your stronger arm available to club or hit the dog if need be.

If it’s a large dog, be prepared to brace yourself so that it doesn’t knock you to the floor if it pounces. Two important things to remember is to try to stay on your feet and, if possible, keep the dog away from your legs. If the dog does attack your legs you could fall to the floor and once grounded, you are far more vulnerable, especially to facial attacks.

However, if you do find yourself on the ground, roll onto your front and use your arms to cover your face and head.

If it turns out to get really serious, you’ll have no option but to try to fend the dog off by fighting back. A knee in its chest, a solid thump on the nose, or even poking it in the eye can cause the dog to back off. Shout for help and shout at the dog, too. These are all tactics that can prove useful and can prevent you from serious injury.

You should be careful, however, about using excessive force far beyond what might be needed to make the dog back off. If you find the dog is starting to retreat then, once again start backing away from it slowly. Don’t be tempted to wreak your revenge upon the dog, as that could not only provoke it into another attack. You will also be unnecessarily inflicting physical damage on the dog, beyond what’s required to fend it off and to make your escape, and you could face court proceedings.

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Anxious - 22-Sep-19 @ 5:47 PM Dog next door keeps running and chewing my fence trying to get at my dog

Lb - 18-Aug-19 @ 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-Jul-18 @ 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.

Lk88899 - Your Question: 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 Our Response: 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. ProblemNeighbours - 2-Jul-18 @ 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 - 1-Jul-18 @ 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-May-17 @ 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.

Lm - Your Question: 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 Our Response: 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. ProblemNeighbours - 16-May-17 @ 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-May-17 @ 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

Jc - Your Question: 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? Our Response: Go back to the police and ask them?! ProblemNeighbours - 22-Aug-16 @ 2:40 PM Go back to the police and ask them?!

Jc - 21-Aug-16 @ 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-Jun-16 @ 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-May-16 @ 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 headand 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 - 6-Mar-16 @ 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 stortheshall 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-Dec-15 @ 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.

dale - Your Question: 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 Our Response: Have you tried making a noise complaint to your local environmental health office? ProblemNeighbours - 30-Oct-15 @ 11:39 AM Have you tried making a noise complaint to your local environmental health office?

annie - 29-Oct-15 @ 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-Oct-15 @ 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

boo - Your Question: HiMe 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. Our Response: You can report this to your council or the local police. They have the power to issue a control order...see more in ProblemNeighbours - 12-Oct-15 @ 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.

Anonymous- Your Question: 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. Our Response: 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 ProblemNeighbours - 12-Oct-15 @ 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-Oct-15 @ 10:47 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-Oct-15 @ 10:45 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 unfairto 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 ...

boo - 11-Oct-15 @ 10:12 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-Oct-15 @ 10:01 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 unfairto 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 ...

boo - 11-Oct-15 @ 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-Oct-15 @ 9:47 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 unfairto 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 ...

Anonymous - 11-Oct-15 @ 9:18 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 unfairto 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 ...

Anonymous - 11-Oct-15 @ 9:12 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 unfairto 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 ...

Anonymous - 11-Oct-15 @ 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 unfairto 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 ...

Cezza- Your Question: Hi , in my street there is a nasty aggressive dog an it's a big dog labourer 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 Our Response: 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 ProblemNeighbours - 9-Oct-15 @ 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 - 8-Oct-15 @ 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