I have two dogs, Zoé (18 months old) and Bidouille (7 years old), who aren't spayed and are kept tied up in my yard (the landlords won't pay the costs to install a gate).
I live in a tiny village of 50 people and for a while now, a male dog (probably a spaniel) has been roaming the streets because his owners (who live about 500 yards from us) aren't keeping him in.
The thing is, Zoé is in season at the moment.
Because of that, yesterday, this male spent the whole day mounting my dog (10 to 15 times during the day). Every time I tried to shoo him away, the damage was already done!
I then spotted him mating Bidouille, a little Beagle!!
Today, I'm worried that both my dogs will have litters that I won't be able to cope with.
I know the owner's name and address but I want to find out about my legal options before I go to see him.
Can I report this? Who is responsible if there's a litter?
What should I do if they are pregnant? Have them terminated or hand the puppies over to the male's owners? Can he be made to pay for the vet fees for the termination? etc....
I specifically chose two females so I wouldn't have any trouble, and they are tied up, so I'm actually really fuming. If I go to see the owners now, I think I'll lose my temper and things will escalate.
So if you have any info, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Translated from French
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I’m with you on that, Mimi – being tied up isn’t ideal, but she’s probably doing the best she can with what she’s got. And if they're on a long lead, maybe they can still run around and let off steam just as much as if the garden was fenced off? We don't really know, so maybe we shouldn't judge too quickly without having all the facts... you know?
I'm sorry, but leaving a dog tied up on its own for 12 hours isn't exactly great, even with a long training lead.
Coco33150, please don't be rude! Maybe your dog can hold it in for 12 hours or more, but mine certainly can’t, and I didn't rent a house with a garden just to keep my dogs cooped up inside day and night! Whether my garden is secure or not, it’s private property, and I’m not going to stop letting my dogs run around out there during the day just because some male dogs might get in! If that happens, I’m not responsible for the actions of a dog that’s TRESPASSING on my land.
I agree with you that a dog can't hold it for 12 hours – at least, I’ve never heard of one that can, and it's really bad for an animal to have to wait that long. but in that case, if you can't be there for 12 hours, you shouldn't have pets, or at the very least you should ask someone to look after them while you're away.
I have a girl (registered with the American breed stud book and unspayed) who is currently 7 months old. I’m not getting her spayed because I’m planning on breeding from her later, but not until I’ve got my dog breeding qualification (I’m doing the coursework at the moment and I’ve actually just reached the chapter on reproduction). I’ll only breed her once I’ve gained all the necessary knowledge and after I’ve had all the health screening tests done.
I’m not against hobby breeding as long as the person knows what they’re doing and everything is handled seriously with the right follow-up care and so on. But more than anything, there needs to be a certain level of safety for the *****, and I’m just not seeing that here.
I'm with you there mimi, tethering them isn't ideal, but she’s probably doing the best she can with what she’s got. And even if they are tied up, it might be on a long lead that lets the dogs really let off some steam, just as much as if the garden was secure. We don't know for sure, so maybe we shouldn't be too quick to judge without having all the details... See what I mean?
Malye22, I'll keep you updated on how things go! Things will definitely be much better once I've got a fenced-in garden!
As for the rest, I'd rather close the discussion now as it isn't really helping anymore, especially since most of the replies are totally off-topic! Thanks to those of you who did provide some helpful advice.
Hope you all have a lovely rest of your day! 👋
Anyone who cares even a little bit about their dogs' well-being would take the initiative to bring the bitches inside when they're in season, even if it means having to clean up after them afterwards.
Oh yeah, I'm sure they're loving being mated all day, every single day, are they?
Malye22, as someone who wants to breed a litter (KC registered and well-planned) and knows what that involves, do you really think it’s responsible for a ***** to be left mating for days on end just because someone won't bring her back in?
