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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Every time, you start with the same observation: "A dog has absolutely no right to be roaming free on its own and entering other people's property." If that first point were followed, there wouldn't be a problem.
So, if I’ve got this right, it’s just the gate that’s missing, is that it? Worst case scenario, if that's the only problem, maybe you could rig something up with a bit of wire mesh or fencing... just for peace of mind... Because in my opinion, if the dog is just wandering around off-lead, the owner clearly doesn't give a toss, and you'll have a hard time getting anything out of them.
Don't worry, I totally get it—my dogs are my whole world as well. I once made the mistake of mentioning breeding my non-pedigree Rottie, and oh boy, I got called every name under the sun. There was even one post where a guy was told to drop dead and go to hell! It really gets out of hand! So...
This thread is going to end badly, but everything that’s been said is true.
A dog has absolutely no right to roam free and trespass onto other people’s property. However, you are the one in the wrong here because a dog is an animal and will inevitably follow its instincts—specifically, he isn’t going to stop himself from trying to get to your dogs while they’re in season. It seems you don’t actually realise the danger you’re putting your dogs in. You don’t want to get them spayed; that’s your choice and you’re entitled to it, but don’t come on here starting a thread like this when you’re at fault and refuse to hear the truth.
Your dogs must be miserable being tethered in the garden all day anyway (dogs aren’t slaves and deserve some freedom), but if they also have to deal with males constantly pestering them, I really feel for them. Just put yourself in their position—would you be happy?
You say your dogs can't hold it for 12 hours, but if you can't look after a dog and take it for walks, then you shouldn't have a pet, simple as that. It’s up to you to dedicate your time to them and look after their needs. So, I’ll say it again: if you don’t have time to walk a dog, don’t get one.
On top of that, you say you’re planning on having puppies with one of them later on. I think that’s incredibly irresponsible of you, given that you’re away for a large part of the day and you leave your dogs tied up outside. Are you going to tether the puppies in the garden as well, where anyone can get to them?
Don’t come here complaining about your problems if you don’t want to hear what people have to say.
Thanks Malye22. I can see they’re just harping on about that one thing, even though my question was about the law regarding what happened. Everything else is completely off-topic. What really winds me up is that some people are practically implying I mistreat my dogs! They are my absolute life! I love and respect them so much – and not just the dogs, I have other animals too. I can’t afford to have three-quarters of an acre of land with fancy fencing systems for them to roam free right now, but money isn't what makes you love your pets more!
And to answer your question, no, my landlord refuses to put up a fence...
Malye22, as long as rescue centres are overflowing and so many animals are being put down, then yes, we will continue to advise neutering regardless of whether the cats or dogs are pedigrees, and whether you like it or not.
If you think it's okay to leave bitches in season at the mercy of any passing male that might mate with them for hours on end over several days, then we clearly don't see eye to eye.
Ultimately, between letting dogs be mated with indiscriminately and keeping them shut indoors during their season but having to clean up the mess when you get home, it’s pretty clear which one they'd choose...
I didn't say it happened at night... that's just my personal take, I wouldn't leave my dog outside when I wasn't around... and besides, he didn't go to the toilet in my garden... I used to take him out so he could do his business elsewhere...
Good luck Aloha! You’re in for a bit of a rough ride with this post! The only buzzword on this forum for this kind of topic is NEUTERING! Apparently, private owners are all idiots and irresponsible, and we should all have our dogs neutered, even more so if they aren’t KC registered! That’s the motto on here for these sorts of threads! It’s all you’re going to hear!
So, good luck actually getting any information!
Personally, I don’t know anything about it, and you’ve already had a fair bit of info from people who actually understood what you were asking. Close the thread now, otherwise you’ll never hear the end of it!
Anyway, I do feel for you; you’re renting and you’re doing your best with the means you have. Maybe try having a word with your landlord though, they might be willing to put up some fencing.
