What legal issues can arise from letting your dog roam free?

TheFitz13

My family has a medium sized dog, and since he is afraid of traffic and won't walk on roads, my father just opens out hall door and let's him roam and run in a large field in our estate in North Dublin.

I've told him countless times how careless this is but he won't listen. I'm terrified that it's illegal to do this also, and I'm afraid of the consequences that we could face ultimately if one of our neighbours report it... cause I know for sure a few of them are getting sick of it... it's quite embarrassing.

My dog is such a friendly guy, and he would never harm anyone. But I do know that not everyone knows this and some people are afraid of dogs. The worst thing he would do is lick you to death but I still can't see it as an excuse to let him roam free.

I take him down the field myself on a leash whenever I can, which is usually at LEAST once every two days.

Does anyone know any situations that can arise from this?

_Brian

If he gets knocked down and damages a car your liable for the damage.

If he bites the face of a child your liable.

If he attacks sheep your liable for the damage.

Could also be picked up by the dog warden.

beechwood55

Is it an enclosed field? Or is a green area used by other people?

Silverfish

If he gets into a field of sheep, you'll have a lot of legal issues to deal with. I've seen the friendliest, most social dogs kill sheep.

Best case scenario is he's picked up as a stray and brought to the pound, and you find hm in time - it's not always legal issues that are the concern, its for the dogs own safety too.

njs030

Under the control of dogs act he is a stray and could be picked up by the dog warden.
If not claimed within 5 days he can be put to sleep or rehomed.
If he is claimed the owner will be fined.

If he is picked up multiple times the warden can decide to seize him.
The gardai also have the above powers.

If he gets hit by a car, gets into a fight with another dog, gets scared and bites someone your father is liable

TheFitz13

Thanks for all the responses! It's a field that everyone uses in the estate. There's no sheep farms thank god as I'm still in the city!

beechwood55

Is it enclosed? Or is a typical 'green' that you see in lots of housing estates? And is it safe to assume that nobody is cleaning up after him?

Silverfish

TheFitz13 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses! It's a field that everyone uses in the estate. There's no sheep farms thank god as I'm still in the city!

Wouldn't be too sure, I've passed sheep grazing in the middle of an industrial estate in Bluebell, someone owns that field or neighbouring land even and might rent it out for grazing without notifying anyone!
Anyway that's a bit unlikely so it's not a massive worry.


There's a list of fines you could be liable for

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/animal_welfare_and_control/control_of_dogs.html

arrianalexander

The most friendly of dogs could bite or attack , remember it's an animal not a human they will never think like humans . Dogs should always be on a lease or be under very close supervision. No one either you or a family member can go "he isn't like that he would never bite someone"


Same with dog going to toilet on the green / public areas . If not supervised who is cleaning it up.

On flip side of the dog is roaming free you can't guarantee the dog's safety.

OP I'm not having a go at you , I'm a huge dog lover , but I like to think I'm a responsible dog owner. If a dog bites etc IMO it's the owner who is it a fault. owners need to control a dog's environment and the dog's access to that environment. And again that also covers the the happiness and safety of your dog too .

MFlack2012

We had the same problem with a neighbour. Because she "can't 'f*****g walk" and uses a walking aid, she had been letting her dog roam free around a small housing area, highly populated by small children and cars. On particular occasion, the dog, took off from her house across the street and straight into our yard, after my 5 year old cousin who was absolutely terrified and ran straight back into the house and up the stairs, the dog proceeded to run straight into our home and up and down our hallway. I am severely allergic to a lot of things including dog and animal dander. The child has a heart condition. When I asked the neighbour to come get her dog out of my home, she replied with the lovely statement above, to which I replied "Well then you should keep it in!". My father had to use his leg to direct the dog from our house, reach down and actually force it out the doorway, as it kept trying to get back in to get at the child.

A couple of weeks later, the dog was run over. She has since gotten a new dog, and it doesn't leave her garden.

Lesson learned, I guess. It's just a shame the poor thing had to die before she learned it!

Sleeper12

Even if someone kicks the dog & he snapped back therefore could be a law suit. Whilst dogs do not usually be to be on a lead they must be under control at all times.
I have a medium to large size dog. Playful & wouldn't hurt a fly but I would never let his out on his own. Some people are terrified of dogs. They'd wet themselves seeing my fella bounding up to them. Even though he'd only want to play

TheFitz13

Fully agree with every point made here! I just wish my father would listen to me, or even put him on a leash and bring him down the field like a do! Thanks for all the responses x

arrianalexander

TheFitz13 wrote: »

Fully agree with every point made here! I just wish my father would listen to me, or even put him on a leash and bring him down the field like a do! Thanks for all the responses x

option could be bring him to a kennel / doggie day care or another friend or family member . If your Dad isn't willing to look after the dog as you wish then you shouldn't bring him there. Which I know is very easy to say, family are tricky.

If something does happen to your dog or your dog cause harm/distress to others you may regret not doing anything.

you seem to be a good responsible dog owner , but your Dad doesn't seem to have the same care. By the way I don't want to seem to be too harsh on your Dad, he obviously cares for your dog but needs to move away from the mindset of "it will be grand"

Silverfish

I don't think she's bringing him there, it's their dog, he lives there?

arrianalexander

Silverfish wrote: »

I don't think she's bringing him there, it's their dog, he lives there?

Sorry you are right , my post is pretty pointless in that case , and makes the situation even harder

TheFitz13

arrianalexander wrote: »

Sorry you are right , my post is pretty pointless in that case , and makes the situation even harder

Thank you for your input anyways!

ganmo

You could point out to your dad that under the control of dog act it's the person who lost control of the dog is liable and not the owner.

jsabina

now, this is just an extreme so you take it like that..

IF I was in this situation I would arrange to get someone pick up the dog and keep him for a while (or even worse bring to the pound but this is dangerous). Then you pretend for a while to be searching for him blabla and of course the dog get returned but maybe your dad could understand the consequences.

(Does the dog has a tag?)

NOW THE reality is that this method has a lot of drawbacks, including the stress for the poor dog.. so I was just exaggerating (don't want to create a flame or polemic).

The reason why I posted is because in my area there are lot of dogs let roam free in the estate. Really many, small and big.

One of them is a beauty and well look after, who lives in front of a green. She is always there with the kids.
Problem (apart that nobody is cleaning after her). I went there few weeks ago and when I approached her she was terrified.. She lied on the ground like submissive and was very scared of me and my dogs.
In the past we always cuddled and played together.

That means that unfortunately not all the people in the outside world are nice, and the dog is exposed to a lot of dangers even if he is the best dog in the world.

Then ok there is the law, control of animals, cleaning, kids, cars and a lot of reasons that have been already posted.

In general it's already the 5th time I pick up dogs roaming free, not the ones I know are from the estate, because you can't be 100% sure your dog will stay in that same spot (for countless reasons running after a cat, another dog, someone picking him up and son on)

I am sorry that you are in this situation, it must be difficult for you
I hope you can find a solution to make your dad understand!

Ms Doubtfire1

I'd be fairly easy: I'd ring the dogwarden,explain the situation and ask him/her to come over and have a chat with your father. Works a lot better than you doing it.