Dog off-lead in my block of flats – what are my rights?

Missloute
Missloute Icon representing the flag French
Report

Hi everyone,

 

Here is my problem: there is a neighbour in my building who never keeps his dog on a lead. She is a "handbag dog" – sorry for the term, but I don't know the breed. Just to give you an idea of her size, she weighs maybe 4.5 lbs at most (about the size and build of a Chihuahua), maybe a Miniature Pinscher. As for me, I have a Golden Retriever who is nearly 12 months old and weighs about 5 stone (around 70 lbs).

 

So, back to the issue: whether it's outside or in the communal areas, his dog is never on a lead, and my dog pulls like crazy because he wants to go and play.

 

The problem is that the dog just wanders off, runs everywhere, and winds up my dog who is actually on a lead.

 

When we run into each other in the communal areas, or just in passing – like this morning when he was coming in and I was going out – I was still half-asleep and didn't see them through the glass door. It was absolute chaos again. My dog was lunging to go and play with her, the other dog was darting all over the place, and I almost ended up on the floor and nearly let go of my dog.

 

I already politely told him a couple of months ago that it would be a good idea to put his dog on a lead, and he just replied, "No, otherwise she chokes herself on her collar." 🤪... I mean, there are other types of harnesses and things! I told him that, but he just turned a deaf ear and walked off...

 

Sometimes I'm coming out of the lift with my dog and the neighbour is at the postboxes (which are inside the building) with his dog off-lead, and then it's just total mayhem. I try to control my dog, but he can't control his at all, and it's just running around in circles in a tiny space.

 

When he goes out, the dog isn't even wearing a collar. The owner walks out with his hands in his pockets, not even carrying a lead just in case. There's no way of securing her at all. 🙅

 

I've already warned my landlord several times (well, my partner warned them). At 10:30 this morning, I'm going to the housing office to see the property manager who looks after my building to make a formal complaint. 😠

 

But what recourse do I have? I'm really fed up. I nearly fell, and I have back problems (severe lumbago following a fall, which had nothing to do with this, I should clarify – my ankle didn't like a hole in the grass!) with a twinging sciatic nerve. I've already had two rounds of anti-inflammatory jabs. If I fall again, it could leave me bedridden. One day something is going to happen: either I won't be able to hold my dog back (who is always on his lead), or I'll end up on the floor, or my dog will give the other one a swipe with his paw and hurt her. I know he'll be the one blamed, but who knows what the neighbour might say afterwards...

 

Thanks for any answers. Sorry for the long post and any typos there might be.

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

52 answers
Sort by:
  • Show previous comments
    • Missloute
    Missloute Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    I just said that the law is one thing, but being a good neighbour is another. And demanding that your neighbours put their dog on a lead just to go to the postbox isn't exactly friendly.
    I’ve got absolutely nothing against off-lead dogs as long as they leave me be... And if an off-lead dog comes over for a fuss, I’m not going to kick it away; it'll get its pat... The dogs that keep running back and forth towards mine, though—it’s only natural that my dog gets wound up and wants to play straight away. But there comes a point where it gets on my nerves and I’m just not in the mood; I just want to be able to walk my dog in peace. Or when they literally lie down right under my dog while I’m trying to let him do his business, and then the owner has a go at me on top of it all... Or when I can't even get out of my block of flats because there’s a dog off-lead in the communal areas. I have to hold onto my dog with both hands because another dog is darting back and forth around him. I’m struggling to press the button for the door and pull the heavy door open while mine is pulling because another dog is bothering him and the owner has no control over their dog whatsoever... and apparently, that's my fault? I understand that a dog isn't supposed to be a statue and my dog is definitely a bit hyper—he’s young, and the other little dog is young too—but it takes two to keep dogs under control; it shouldn't just be down to one of us. What if my dog is in a bad mood one day? You never know, he might be feeling a bit off, grumpy, or coming down with a bug, and he just wants some peace and quiet. If an off-lead dog comes over and pesters him and then Ares bites, will that be my fault? Am I supposed to tell Ares off just because another dog is winding him up?
    Translated from French
    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    To me, it’s obvious that Missloute should also let her dog off the lead.

    My view is that staying on good terms with the neighbours is more important than "the law is the law".

    (That depends on the situation, of course, but given what she said in her first post, there’s no need to make a fuss when you can just sort things out amicably. Then again, there might be other disagreements involved, so it might not be as straightforward as it looks.)

    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Mind you, just because you’re only popping out to get the post doesn’t mean you should let your dog bother everyone else’s. It’s fine if he’s off the lead, but the dog should at least stay by his owner’s side. They’re lucky missloute’s Golden is so friendly. missloute, what if you let your dog off the lead in the hallway with the Chihuahua? Just so they can play and the owner realises it’s absolute mayhem when there are two dogs off their leads—that’d certainly give him food for thought! ^^
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi, playing games with your neighbour is risky and could lead to consequences... You should inform your managing agent – check the building’s house rules, as it sounds like they aren't posted up anywhere. If this particular "issue" isn't mentioned in the rules, then your neighbour is technically within their rights – though usually, it’s included in most building agreements. Whether it's in there or not, you should definitely let the management company know. Have a good day.
    Translated from French
    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    I’m just saying that the law is one thing, but being a good neighbour is another.

    And demanding that your neighbours put their dogs on a lead just to pop to the letterbox isn't exactly friendly.

    As for door manners in dog training, I didn't invent the idea, but I can tell you that once I actually made the effort to apply it, it made my life so much easier and my dogs are much calmer for it.

    Translated from French
    Solenneb
    Solenneb Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    @Docline, sorry, but I think your comments are a bit out of line... the dog is young and not everyone has the same level of experience, let alone the same views... Anyway, your dog is young and full of beans, it’s only normal... Just be patient and try to be a bit more understanding!!
    Translated from French
    Missloute
    Missloute Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Er, before you say anything else, having a dog off-lead is actually illegal in communal areas and on public paths... So before you try lecturing me, you should probably do your research. I don't see what difference it makes whether my dog goes out first or not... And I never said anything about stairs. I have full control over my dog, given that I’ve never once let go of the lead. When my dog is on a lead and an off-lead one comes over to pester him, how am I the one in the wrong just because my dog swipes at him with his paws? It’s people like that who really wind me up... It’s always the owners who keep their dogs on a lead who get the most hassle from everyone else.
    Translated from French
    Solenneb
    Solenneb Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    I completely get where you’re coming from! My St Bernard does the exact same thing to me... But as mentioned above, you really need to be able to stay in control of your dog at all times...

    A Halti is really useful in these situations, and it’s completely painless!

    I actually ended up calling in a dog trainer because I was feeling totally overwhelmed... and honestly, it really helps...

    Does your dog ever get the chance to play with other dogs off-lead? It’s so important!!

    Translated from French
    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    This is one of the easiest things to teach your dog: he should never go through a door ahead of you, and he should walk down the stairs behind you as slowly as possible (you don't even need a lead for that). These are training techniques that make for a dog that's much easier to live with.

    It’s easy to teach, but maybe it’s just easier for you to go and whinge to a building manager? Come on, surely you can shift your perspective a bit, can't you?

    Translated from French
    Missloute
    Missloute Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    My partner bought a choke chain; honestly, I’m not a fan at all, and personally, I never put it on him. This morning, I was barely awake—I don’t even know how I managed to get dressed. Since the choke chain was already attached to the lead, I just put it on him; it was only for a five-minute quick morning walk. Luckily it was on him as it actually stopped him. Normally, I use a harness for Ares. I know I have to keep my dog under control, but that’s the hardest part when there are off-lead dogs about, because they just come over and pester Ares. Two or three weeks ago, there was an off-lead dog from the other block (same housing association); it literally came and lay down right under Ares. Ares started pawing at it to play, but that dog was easily 22lbs lighter than mine. I saw red. Its owner didn't even come to get it; she was just calling it and it wasn't listening at all. Then she had a proper go at me, making personal attacks, just because I shouted that the dog should be on a lead. I went home in tears... To be honest, this issue with off-lead dogs in the neighbourhood isn't anything new; we've reported it several times already. It feels like they have all the rights and I’m always the one who has to keep my dog in check... but it shouldn't just be one-sided. I’m off to see the housing officer now, I’ll let you know what they say.
    Translated from French

  • 50 comments out of 52

    See more
    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more