I hope someone has the answer to my problem.

I have a 6 month old Border Terrier whom I love to take on walks, we have over the past 2-3 weeks encountered one of my neighbours walking their dogs. They have a new dog from the RSPCA. I am not sure of the breed from sight but I think it is a mongrel. The dog in question is very aggressive towards my BT, straining at the lead and growling. The problem occured a couple of weeks ago when I was attacked by this dog in the park. The dog went for my BT trying to snap at her, I picked her up at this point and the dog then started to go for me. In the heat of the encounter, I reprimanded the owner for not having the dog on the lead as it was aggressive. She lamented that the dog wouldn't have done anything but this was not evident in the dogs behaviour. I let the matter slip, but advised the owner that I would be informing someone of this should it happen again. You guessed it, the dog attacked me again yesterday. This time the dogs owners children were walking it. It broke free of them and again went for my BT. Arguments aside with the owner on how a dog should be kept, I have researched the dangerous dogs act, and have found them to be in breach of a number of laws. I really don't want to be the bad man in this, but I am aprehensive about walking my own dog because of this. I am worried that if the dog went for a child and couldn't be controlled something awful could happen. Of note the dog in question is also deaf, so I can't understand why the ownr would let it off the lead as there is no way of calling it back.

If anyone has any advice they could give me on what I should do, please help as this is really preying on my mind.

Thanks

Andy

Contact your local dog warden and ask them to have a word if they won't listen to you.

You say the dog attacked you - how badly were you bitten as I beleive hospitals generally inform police of dog bites?

Christine

Most rescue centre are supposed to do home checks etc,although alot don't bother,I'm sure when they adopted the dog they would've signed something atating the welfare people could do a follow up visit. You probably have a fair idea which rescue centre it was. I'd give the centre a ring and speak to the manager, they must have some sort of responsibility and may be able to do a homecheck without mentioning your name.
Julie

You've already asked them to keep the dog on a lead, and as far as i'm aware it's a hefty fine for not having your dog under control in a public place. i'd pop round to their house and tell them how you feel. Perhaps their kids didn't tell them that the dog broke loose from them, and they're under the impression that the first time their dog went for yours was a one off?? If they just refuse to listen then if you know which RSPCA centre they got the dog from and you know the names of your neighbours i would go to the centre and let them know what's going on. They seem to have rehomed a special needs dog with people that really don't know what they're doing!!! :( Also, as far as i'm aware most rescues [i don't know if the rspca does] have forms that you have to sign as part of the adoption process, and usually they do say that the dog must *NEVER* be the the sole charge of a child/someone who can't control it. The rspca would be the first place i'd go to....

If they've only had the dog a couple of weeks then it's still settling in, so they're probably hoping the bahaviour will stop. Maybe they were told the dog was ok with other dogs?

Failing the above working i would call my local police station.
i don't think you can be construed as the "bad man" in this situation, you're rightly worried imho!!

Annette

I agree with Speedsmum, try reporting this to the RSPCA. I feel awful for this poor dog that is deaf and is seemingly with a family who don't know how to look after it properly. Please let us know how you get on.