Well, if anyone remembers my thread about the neighbour who lets his collie hurtle about the street off lead.... heres an update...

I asked him politely a week or so back if he could just cross the street before he passes my house - that was met wtih 'no one tells me where to walk love'.

I asked him even MORE politely, again, nothing, i can stick it up my b um apparently.

So then i pointed out the legality of walking a dog off lead on a public highway and he agreed to keep it on lead, although it appears he only meant that when he THOUGHT id be looking.

Today, is the final straw. My OH was wakling past his house with two of ours, both on lead, coming back from the fields.
His dog SHOT out of his garden, hurled itself onto our dogs and then bit my OH on the leg.

Its not the worst bite in the world, its a deepish scratch with a bruise but its been done through a pair of heavy jeans, adn when we went round to talk to the man he hid in his house and wouldnt come out (could hear the dog whimpering and him telling it to shuttup quietly).

So........ im phoning the police, i cant think what else to do!

Still shaking as well.

Em

As you say, the last straw. Take photos of the bite and the damage to the jeans so that you have evidence. Ideally also go to the doctor or A&E so there's evidence that there's a record of medical treatment required. Good luck in sorting this.

I fully agree with JG.  There's nothing else you can do now -what if it is a child wearing shorts next time?

ARGH, hes been round here now, saying 'what do you want me to do, say sorry, give him a sticking plaster and a there there'

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeez if one of my dogs had bitten someone, accidentally or not id be GROVELLING at them!

So ive told him ive called the police and they can deal with it, there are kids round here who, rightly or wrongly walk dogs on their own, what if its them next time.

I am SO angry and hes telling me its MY fault apparently, despite the fact he admits he was opening the door to come out, left the door open, went back in to get something and the dog wasnt on a lead, and he wasnt there and didnt see anyting so was not in control of his dog.

Need a drink now and i dont flipping well drink!

Em

You also need to get cover for Tetanus! It won't help with this bite...but really needs a good clean if it's broken the skin! I would also be going to the Police! All the best, Dawn

How can it be YOUR fault No, its not your fault. I've been reading this saga with interest however didn't feel i knew enough to comment but this just makes my blood boil. As said take photos and write down everything he has said so far about his dog getting loose from the house and promptly attacking your OH. Sorry to hear of OH getting hurt but it was just a matter of time something like this would happen. Luckilly its not worse (dread to think if he was wearing shorts though ) but now you have evidence of this dogs behaviour. Also i would knock on the neighbours doors to see if there were any witnessess of this attack. Feel sorry for that little dog though all hes been taught is aggression
Forgot to say phone the doctors and explain the dog attacked him and ask for a tetnus shot.

Hes gone off up to A&E now to get a tetanus jab.

I feel sick here, he was hurling accusations like my dogs are not the best trained dogs at all, totally untrained etc.... Now no, they dont have that cowering drop to the ground roll eyes behaviour HIS has, but they arent collies trained with being thumped either, so they wouldnt have!

Flaming next door neighbour has got involved, claiming i never walk mine and dont even let them out for a pee... and that he has since hew as asked, kept his dog on the lead... well ive witnesses who can state he has NOT kept it on a elad (only on when he t hinks ill notice), and obviously i take my dogs out and let them otu for a pee or id be knee deep in sh1t by now! (i walk em late at night and sometimes if its too frantic for the loony pup, we do training instead in the garden..... on a lead....)

Grrrrrrr why do i feel i have to justify myself, this is horrid, i wish id never packed OH out to walk that pair of dogs now then this would never have happened (but hed still be bitching that i dont walk my dogs!!!).

Em

The issue here is not how and when you walk your dogs but that his dog has bitten your OH, the police will only be interested in that issue. Don't worry.

Horrible thing to happen :(

Don't worry the police should sort it :)

Keep a diary if you get any hassle of times and what was said just incase :)

Hope your OH is ok :)

Lucy
xx

I agree with LJS, keep a diary of when things happened, including when your OH went to A & E etc, when the police come to you, you can present all of this. I hope the people you know that would back you up with this t**t  not putting his dog on a lead will back you up to the police.
  People like this drive me MAD, I hope you are both Ok. Try not to think about it too much, if your dogs are under control, which they are. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

Let us know what happens

I think you have to treat this as a separate issue. His dog has bitten your other half and the police will deal with that. To be honest, as annoying as you find it, I don't think you can ask him to cross the road when he goes past your gate! Yes, you're right, dogs shouldn't be off lead near roads but thats not really anything to do with you. I would simply ignore this person, not get involved in any arguments or discussions with him.

Oh y eah, i am, the walking thign is entirely seperate, what i actually said regarding that was, could he, for a couple of weeks, cross sthe road before my house - not permanently. If you saw the set up here youd see how thats not hyoooooogely unreasonable, he has to cross 50 yrds down to get to the shop anyway, its nota  busy road or owt like that but.... the other side of the road the pavement is lower meaning you cant see dogs going past from 'dog  height'.

In any case, todays update is rather garbled as OH doesnt really take a lot in when he has someone shouting at him on the door step.

Petitions were mentioned and dogs being assessed by experts were mentioned, no idea in what way though. But apparently 'we' have escalated this and now he's going to make our life a misery... Great. And my 'friend' next door (lady in her late 60's ive been doing her shopping and washing for nearly 3 years now...) has decided im the child of the devil or something and shes laying into me as well about the dogs barking out of the window.

This would be fair enough (and it still is, they DO bark its VERY annoying), except for the alst two years sehs said it doesnt bother her and she likes it because 'dodgy' people will be warned off.... (shes also shouted at me for shouting at the dogs to shuttup, and for putting dark paper over the windows so they cant see to bark at anything!!)...

Grr.

Em

I think ill just crawl back under my duvet and hide

Poor Em what on earth did you do to deserve that whose dog bit whom nasty people. If it had been a child there would have been an uproar.

God knows....

Todays update is that apparently, according to him, im the scum of the estate, everyone hates me, ive been telling everyone his dog savagely attacked Mike, as opposed to 'bit him by accident whilst intending to bite the dogs'.... and hes, and i quote 'going to drag  this out as long as possible'... which translates to 'make your life hell'.

He says there was no mention of a petition (not a clue, that was a conversation mike relayed to me) but then went on about dogs being assessed by a dog behaviourist, although when i asked who and qualified with what body he didnt know anything.
There was also mention of teh RSPCA, again why i have no idea.

Havent a clue how im gonna sort this out, but after the veiled threats hes been making (and ive heard his unveiled ones made about other people in the past, involving physical stuff), i dont want to go out of my house alone, i feel sick and i cant sleep, i want to Self Harm again (note, want.... not will!!!), i want to flaming well run away, btu theres no where to run to and even if there was, tahts not a way to sort things out.

Oh god, its like a merry go round going too fast and i cant get off!

Em

Em, I don't know why you speak to this person. It's not like you can reason with him so just ignore him. The police will deal with the biting issue, you've no reason to speak to him. Easier said than done I'm sure with everything that has been said but I would try and distance yourself from it all now.

Em, I'm so sorry for you that you have to go through this. I moved house to get away from people like that. Have you been to see your doctor about this? You are obviously very stressed out and need some extra help. Once you have seen the doctor you can then go back to the police and tell them that you are undergoing medical treatment for stress. They will take this a bit more seriously than just someone shouting abuse at you.

Sending lots of {{{{{hugs}}}}} your way. Keep your chin up.

Hi Em first of all {{{bg hugs}}}

When this pond life comes to your door next, say "sorry, but its all in the hands of the law" - and SHUT THE DOOR!!

Then telephone the police and tell them that your neighbour is making threats against you.    Your OH has been to the hospital, they will have records of his being bitten by a dog - this can be used as evidence to the police, if it hasn't alrerady been reported to them.

This is NOT your problem Em - it is your Neighbour's problem - so don't let him hand it back to you.   Just say "sorry - out of my hands" and close the door.   Don't get into conversation with him - he will try and make it your problem again which it certainly isnt!

Keep the thought in your mind "he is NOT going to win - I am strong" and if you feel that you have to self hamr - have you tried the elastic band around the wrist?    When the urge does get to strong - ping it hard!   I know it has worked for quite a few people!

Hugs & much cyber support

Margot

Em sorry this is getting out of control just remember you are not in the wrong.  He is harassing you and probably enjoying upsetting you don't give him the satisfaction ignore him and he will soon get bored.  Don't let him get you down Em

I think Margot is right, you shouldn't enter into any dialogue with him.  He is in the wrong and knows it but is trying to transfer the wrong onto you to make himself look better.  He is also venting his anger by coming to you and shouting and threatening you so don't give him the satisfacton.  Keep above his level and stay calm in front of him and say what Margot suggests.  Once you have shut the door on him you can always scream into a cushion ;)  Don't let the "B" grind you down.

Will try the lacky band plan.

If he comes back to my door im going to politely say I have no need to speak to him and close the door yeah.

I dunno if i COULD call the police regarding his threats, they are all veiled, and in all honesty I think that would just make him MORE mean and vengeful :(

I keep swinging between pathetic snivelling wreck (two panic attacks at a friends and ive not even SEEN mr blokey today), and 'what CAN he really do anyway'.

In all honesty, ok theres one or two things that the council may say 'oi get your act together' like being more vigilant about dog poo in the garden, and not letting the dogs bark out of the window (going to ask if it IS a problem if i cover up the window), but beyond that... i dont drink, i dont do drugs, i dont play loud music or have parties or anything else that may cause a problem here.

He IS out to cause trouble though, a friend of mine has heard that this man wants to report me to the benefits agency for working whilst claiming benefits (its fairly well known that i work from home, and he knows from my immediate neighbour that i suffer from depression)..... he was apparently VERY unhappy to discover i dont claim any benefits at all! :)

Just wonder what ELSE hes going to try and say about me. :(

Em

You could always ring the police anonymously, explain the situation, the veiled threats etc and see what they say.  You might be surprised.

How about mentioning to him if he doesnt back off you will sue him or harrassment or slander - that might shut him up. 

Keep a diary, can you set up a camcorder in your house to video if he comes and has a go at you?   

Did you report the bite to the police? If you have then I don't see any reasaon why you shouldn't phone them again to say that he has been round and acting in a threatening manner. I think you should phone them, if you don't he'll keep bothering you.

Try to stop wondering what else he is going to say about you. If you've done nothing wrong it will just drive you mad, even if you anticipate what he'll say it won't stop him.

Have an appointment with nice lady tomorrow - she works for the community centre which is opposite my house and is a mine of useful information + Not Scary :D:D

Will indeed look into action re harrassment... he hasnt been around today, although he visited lady next door and was making some rather pointedly loud comments which i could hear.... (nothing specific just 'comments')...

Am a bit more chilled out this evening, although thats possible the promazine i picked up today still working (knocks me out a bit that stuff but it beats the heck out of panic attacks!), what the hey, im not gonna give up and let him drive me outta here or anything!

Em

Ooops, yes the bite was reported to teh police, policeman who attended was made clear on the fact that it was in my opinion an accidental bite, the dog in question is not 'nasty' he is just frequently off lead and unsupervised.

Em

Em my friend is going through a similar thing not to the level of harasment you are getting try and stay positive

Good luck wth your appointment Em.

More of an update....

Well, hes still going around bitching about me to anyone who stands still long enough, lady at the community centre says even if he DID complain about my dogs barking at him, or there being dog poo in my garden (which aside from my dogs there aways is as its open plan... and a lot of dogs use it! grr), it would have to be causing a problem to my immediate neighbour, who is now speaking to me again and says she has no plans to complain to anyone about me!

She said to get back to her if i think this man is telling any seriously nasty lies about me... so far all ive heard is htat he has made up a nickname for me..... 'scary mary who lives in a dog kennel'..... wow, s'got such a ring to it....

He's apparently been told by a couple of people that he is just being childish, so we shall have to see what he does next. He says there are 'people watching me'... oh well, they obviously havent got much to do with their lives!

Im feeling a lot better, its still getting to me a bit but not nearly as badly (no promazine for 2 days now)...

Thanks to you all for listening and providing a saner outlook on this!

Em

Hi Em,
I am an ex self harmer to get me through bad days i used to do the ice thing, (hold an ice cube tight in your hand has a kind of pain release type thing) this has worked for me loads in the past... Don't let this idiot get to you like this and I would definately phone the police again and try to get him done for harrassment aswell.
You are a better person than him, just remember that.
Hope you get this sorted out soon.
{{{hugs}}}
Emz

Cheers Emz, i never thought of that idea will do that when i need to, thanks :)

Been to shop on my own! Woo. Shop keeper (who ive always got on with, beyond the normal 'shop keeper, customer' relationship was perfectly nice and normal and says that dog owner can bitch and moan as much as he likes the people who NKOW me are who matter and they all know im not evil. lol and hes told the guy not to come in the shop to moan, hehe!

Em

Hi,

Sorry to hear of all your recent troubles and problems.

Let's just get a few things straight for you.

Firstly, you have done nothing wrong,

Secondly, there is nothing to report about you, let him gossip and point fingers at your dogs and lifestyle, what is the worst that can happen? Ok, he might try to cause trouble, call the RSPCA, try to get neighbours on side,  make up stories and complain, but at the end of the day, if and I am highlighting the if any proffessionals do come, what is there to worry about?  They will be annoyed at being called out under faulse pretenses.

Thirdly, perhaps you come across as vulnerable, men like this don't like to be blamed and try to twist things to be someone else's fault, he won't accept he does anything wrong, so will try to blame you and make you feel guilty.

He is doing a damn good job isn't he?

Please hold your head up, look in the mirror and tell yourself over and over that you are strong, no-one is going to bring you down.

He can not touch you in any way, you are self harming yourself now, you are beating yourself up and giving into fear, he can't hurt you, he would not dare, he is all mouth. Try to ignore the pathetic creature, the best revenge is to look unbothered to show it, force yourself to act happy and soon you will feel happy.

Everytime you start to think of your troubles or worries distract yourself, play with your dogs, read a book, do anything to take your mind of it, the longer you distract yourself the less you will think of it, live your life as usual. And remember no-one can make you miserable unless you let them.

Get that head of yours back up girl. :-)

Thanks,

You are so SO right... im getting there, still a bit wobbly but much much better and yeah, ok im not perfect, im a scruffy git and i have more dogs than most people would have (uh, thats most people round here, not most of US lol), but im not a bad person, im not doing anyone any harm and those people who know me know that - those who DONT can do what they like really! If they choose to believe a sad old mans whinging and bitching, then i dont really need to know those people anyway!

Em

ok im not perfect, im a scruffy git and i have more dogs than most people would have (uh, thats most people round here, not most of US lol), but im not a bad person, im not doing anyone any harm and those people who know me know that - those who DONT can do what they like really! If they choose to believe a sad old mans whinging and bitching, then i dont really need to know those people anyway!

Now THAT'S positive thinking! :D  Read it out loud again! ;) :)

Will do! :D

Feeliong SO much better that i dared go outside to do some silly stuff..... on another forum we are doing a 'how many silly ways can you tow a wheelybin'.... so we went out and towed one from a mountain bike whilst i filmed ti.... grumpyoldgit was out there nad obviously didnt ilke ti, BUT we were being careful and safe and not hurting anyone and he can Sod Off :)

A week ago i wasnt going to the shop, never mind daring to have some fun outside!

Em