Hi all

Wanted to air this issue as it's been bothering me for some time.  Last May I was house/pet sitting for friends whilst they were on holiday.  They have two St Bernards who are an absolute joy to be with and to walk. One evening returning from a walk with the dogs,  I was confronted by another resident of their street.  He was rather angry that I was walking past his house with the dogs.  I was polite and explained that this was the usual route the dogs were taken with their owners, but I would walk another way if it bothered him.  I advised him to take any long term gripe up with my friends when they returned from holiday. 

He was going bananas and seemed to be venting all of his anger at dog owners on me. Ranting on about 'the mess they leave' (Every dog owner I know uses a Poopy bag - myself included) , 'the noise they make' etc etc...  The St Bernards didn't utter a peep while I was there - well apart from their loud snoring!!   Anyway - The thing that really shocked me was that he threatened to poison the dogs and then 'I'd be sorry' !!  I was horrified at this threat and took it seriously. 

Our family fell victim to a malicious attack like this ten years ago.  Rat poison and slug pellets were disguised in mincemeat and fed to our pet dogs by a vindictive neighbour.  Sadly we lost one to this agonising death. At the time it was reported to the police but because a human wasn't hurt, there was nothing they could do. 

I reported the new threat to the police as this man clearly had the intent to cause harm to the dogs while I was there, but although they paid him a visit, it was still a case of it only being a threat to a dog and not a human?!?!?

I was a nervous wreck every day until my friends got back - meticulously checking the garden every day.  I'm looking after them again next Easter and just hope my friends have 'had words' so this situation doesn't arise again. 

Has anyone else experienced this?  Is there really nothing that can legally be done to stop people wantonly poisoning dogs? 

Victoria :(

What a dreadful situation - do the owners usually clean up after their dogs do you know?

Not sure about the legal side.

Lindsay
X

Hello everyone - I am positive the owners always clean up after them - they sure left enough bags for me to cover their vacation time.  They were as shocked as I was when I told them of the threat and as far as I am aware, the man has made no further attempt to harm the dogs. It just really annoys me to think people can get away with it eh!!  Grrrr

Vick x

I would approach the 'person' and inform him that the police are aware of his threats and that you have taken legal advice and should anything happen you will take proceedings against him. It doesn't matter what the law will or won't do...just the threat should be sufficient to put him off.
I would also try and make other dog owners aware ...don't want him picking on other peoples dogs either
Archer

It's such a shame that people are 'allowed' to behave in such a manor towards animals.

I don't know if you've seen Miami Animal Police, or Animal Cops Detroit? They're on the Animal Planet, they have 'Police' which basically arrest people for cruelty to animals!

In the States, you can be jailed for cruelty and threats, fined at the very least, laws like this should be enforced in Britain.

Akita_Lee,

Even in the states you cannot be fined or prosecuted for threats against an animal.  For anyone to do anything about verbal threats it would have to be part of a case which is about the animal owner  (not the animal). For example, for stalking or harrassment or the like. 

Stacey