Last Sunday caught a dog that had been running loose non stop for over 4 hours in the heat, phoned the owner and when she turned up, very abrupt, no thanks, said it kept getting out and would give it 'a good telling off' when they got home.  Since then it has been loose most days this week, so yesterday with the help of a friend caught it again and left a message for the owner. No response, so we decided with the help of someone from the council to ring for the dog warden. As we were sitting there waiting, a chap turned up in a car to collect the dog, gruff and not happy. We explained what had been going on and left him talking to the chap from the council.  I headed for home and soon he was driving up behind me,  swerved over to my side of the road literally pinning Lucas & I against the bank and started yelling at me, non of my f...ing business, didn't like my f...ing atitude, I was to leave the f...ing dog alone and much more. This may sound silly but it was threatening, so my question is what would you do next time?

poor you, you think you're doing someone a favour and saving their dog from harm when all they do is throw abuse!
It would make me wary of catching it again but i think i would phone the council/dog warden or police and still report it, ask to remain annonymous perhaps.

I would contact the police as he has threatened you and you don't know what he would do next time.

> This may sound silly but it was threatening

No its no silly, he has no right to speak or treat you in such a way. If you want his actions dealt with they can be..

As for the future, i'd not even bother with contacting the owner, straight to the dog warden and explain why you don't want to contact said owner, they will collect dog and deal with owner..

A few fines to get the dog back will maybe make them think it is cheaper to dog proof the garden.

> As for the future, i'd not even bother with contacting the owner, straight to the dog warden and explain why you don't want to contact said owner, they will collect dog and deal with owner..

Agree here..... there will be a charge if it's taken into warden custody which increases every day it's kept. If the guy can't or won't pay, then the dog has a chance to be rehomed to a more conscientious owner. Though I would first check that your local DW doesn't have a 7-day pts policy as some do in certain parts of the country. If the latter then I'm not sure what would be the right thing for the dog.

dog warden every time its loose. do not contact owner.

frankly even if he is taken and put down that is better then the road traffic accident that is going to happen at somepoint where a human life could be lost.

Agree with the others - and if you find him driving up behind you like that, drive to the nearest police station, don't go to your house whatever you do or who knows what else he might do.

Think I would at least make a report to the police about his threatening you not only verbally but also with his car - they may do nothing but give you advice but if you have any further trouble they may well speak to him. As to the dog I would report it to the Dog Warden and not become directly involved as its owner is no more in control of the dog than he is of his temper.

Thank you all for your replies. I believe the female owner is not well and as I've never seen them out walking presume the collie is kept at home full time. I shall find out if the dog warden is available 7 days aweek but knowing on the Island there is only one working at a time think it's unlikely they are around at weekends - but I will find out. I am somewhat reluctant to contact the police as I have found out from past experience that they have little time/interest in dog matters. Again unfortunately when you have  BH's in a small community, it is very easy to find out where we live. I have been surprised at peoples negative reaction to informing the dog warden, if ever our's got out (which thankfully they haven't) I would be devistated if no one did anything and whoever brought them home would have such a welcome and thanks.

It has nothing to do with dogs, you were threatened by this man and he used his car to endanger you, the police have to note any complaint and I would be surprised if they were not concerned that you had been threatened in such a dangerous manner.

^^^^ agree with Nova on this, though your decision if you wish to notify them or not. Problem is you can't just log it, it is a crime which this man has committed on you, so it would be dealt with(this should be the case in England and Wales)

yes Id contact the police,and the dog warden.some people just dont deserve dogs,that mustve been horrible,when youre only trying to help.

Agree with nova that the police need to be informed that you were threatened.  Even if they do nothing, it is on record, and (heaven forbid) it would be taken more seriously if it ever happened again.

> I am somewhat reluctant to contact the police as I have found out from past experience that they have little time/interest in dog matters.

I didn't realise you're on the Island, but the police here just over the water are exactly the same. In which case it has to be the Dog Warden. Though I would try to get the police interested if you can; as others have said, this man's actions are scary. Use words like 'intimidated' and 'fearful for your own safety'.... they usually make the cops' ear prick up. It's verbal abuse at the very least.

It wouldn't be a 'dog' matter you were taking to the police - it would be threatening behaviour from the owner so I agree with what others have said - report it!

I would ring your local council/dog warden every time you see the dog out lose.   So far neither the dog or another other road user has been hurt but if the dog keeps getting out sooner or later the odds are that either it will get hit by a car or someone will swerve to miss it and get hurt in an RTA.

The owners may be going through a tough time but they need to either take responsibility for their dog themsellves or if they are unable to do that then they should turn responsibility for its welfare over to others even if in the short term.