Guinea Pig Attack :(

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helenv87

helenv87

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I've just had to set up a temporary indoor house for my Guinea pigs using the play pen I have for them and lots of towels due to their outdoor hutch being attack (again) by a dog :(
I am so angry and upset

This is the 3rd time they have been attacked by the dog, luckily no harm appears to have been done, I have given them a full check and can't find any signs of missing fur or bite marks :(

(This is a bit of a long story, I apologise now)
There is a lady that lives near us that owns a dog, about 3 weeks ago I noticed the chicken wire had been pushed away from the wood at the side of the the hutch, it wasn't damaged much so I thought nothing of it, my boyfriend reattached it and that was that
A day or so after that we heard a noise and found a dog stood looking straight into the hutch (on our garden) with a lady at the end of the garden saying it's ok he's friendly he's only saying hello, not long after she had said that the dog lunged and ended up with its head inside the hutch, luckily it's shoulders stopped by the wooden frame, I was too weak to get the dog out so my boyfriend had to come and drag it away. The lady took and dog and said she wasn't going to let him near them if he was going to do that and she did seem genuinely sorry. My boyfriend repaired the damaged and reattached chucked wire where it had all been pulled apart.

Today I was sat in the living room on the phone to my sister, heard a noise outside, so I finished my phone call and went to see what it was. I found the hutch had been damaged again with all the chicken wire pushed in, the lady and her dog were across the road away from the house but it must have been them - I ran over and approached the lady who denied it was her dog saying he had been on the lead but it must have been as it was at the same damage as before
My boyfriend is away for the weekend and the damage is worse this time than the time before, so I've had to temporarily bring them inside until either a new hutch can be bought or this one can be fixed

I'm so cross not only because it happened but because the lady stood here denying it and acting like she knew nothing about it when the only way it could have been damaged the way it was is by her dog

:( :( :(
 
Ugh that's so annoying! It'd be one thing if she apologised and promised to stop it happening again, but to lie is just rude. I'm so sorry. Any way to stop the dog reaching the hutch? What a tough scenario, it'd be furious too:evil:
 
I can understand cats wandering into gardens, (I'm in the process of trying to cat proof my garden). But dogs, that's terrible, i'm sure the dog owner is liable for keeping the dog out.
 
First thing I would do is replace the chicken wire with weldmesh. Chicken wire is only strong enough to keep chickens IN. It is not designed to keep predators like dogs or foxes out as it simply unravels. Then I would make some shutters for the wire side of the hutch for extra protection so that I could close the shutters at night when foxes were about. Is there any way you could move the hutch to somewhere in the garden that a dog couldn't get to? You won't keep foxes out but you could at least stop this dog from accessing your property.
 
Mackers and Amy have excellent advice. We get cats and foxes, but they don't tend to be a problem when the boys are in the run. I'm actually really annoyed that people can be like that. She has a dog, wouldn't she hate something to happen to him?:evil:
 
I'm just thankful my garden is safe from dogs, I have a six foot fence all round, the only access is via an alley between us and next door, there is a secure locked door at either end of the alley so nobody can gain access without knocking at the front door. ;)
 
We have no side access to our back garden - you have to go through the house or garage to get to the back. It's a pain sometimes but at least I know nobody can easily access my outdoor bunnies (of the human or canine variety).
 
Sorry about that, can't you scare the dog by aloud noise when it comes into your garden !
If I was you I would keep your guinea pigs indoors from now until the dog put in place. The owner of the dog such not let the dog do things like that because now people can get done for not keeping an eye on what the dog is doing, just ask any police officer , if you are worried because its not fair.
 
helenv87 said:
I've just had to set up a temporary indoor house for my Guinea pigs using the play pen I have for them and lots of towels due to their outdoor hutch being attack (again) by a dog :(
I am so angry and upset

This is the 3rd time they have been attacked by the dog, luckily no harm appears to have been done, I have given them a full check and can't find any signs of missing fur or bite marks :(

(This is a bit of a long story, I apologise now)
There is a lady that lives near us that owns a dog, about 3 weeks ago I noticed the chicken wire had been pushed away from the wood at the side of the the hutch, it wasn't damaged much so I thought nothing of it, my boyfriend reattached it and that was that
A day or so after that we heard a noise and found a dog stood looking straight into the hutch (on our garden) with a lady at the end of the garden saying it's ok he's friendly he's only saying hello, not long after she had said that the dog lunged and ended up with its head inside the hutch, luckily it's shoulders stopped by the wooden frame, I was too weak to get the dog out so my boyfriend had to come and drag it away. The lady took and dog and said she wasn't going to let him near them if he was going to do that and she did seem genuinely sorry. My boyfriend repaired the damaged and reattached chucked wire where it had all been pulled apart.

Today I was sat in the living room on the phone to my sister, heard a noise outside, so I finished my phone call and went to see what it was. I found the hutch had been damaged again with all the chicken wire pushed in, the lady and her dog were across the road away from the house but it must have been them - I ran over and approached the lady who denied it was her dog saying he had been on the lead but it must have been as it was at the same damage as before
My boyfriend is away for the weekend and the damage is worse this time than the time before, so I've had to temporarily bring them inside until either a new hutch can be bought or this one can be fixed

I'm so cross not only because it happened but because the lady stood here denying it and acting like she knew nothing about it when the only way it could have been damaged the way it was is by her dog

:( :( :(
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Hi, is there any chance you get keep them indoors, it's 3 times this dog has attacked your piggys, it would worry me about shock.To be quite honest, I think he will try again, why cant the dog be kept under control. For the women to lie like that, makes me so cross.
 
I don't have a back garden, because if the style of the houses my garden is at the side/front of the house
I keep my Guinea pigs in the small patch of garden by the front door behind where our cars are parked, (our front door leads to a little path and then our 2 designated parking spaces)
The garden is all exposed, it's not privately fenced off and I don't think I can add fencing as its rented property.
The hutch is sheltered by bushes and things but can be seen in the car park
I'm not sure how I can block it all off to stop the door from getting close, we told the dog off before to not let her dog off the lead when near our house and she agreed
I'm not sure of the dog was off its lead this time or if she had purposeful walked it round to have a look - she wouldnt admit her dog had done it

I've never seen her before this is the second time I've seen her and the second her dog has badly damaged our hutch
I told her again today to stay away and explained that her dogs will kill my Guinea pigs if it gets hold of them and she only replied saying she understood,no apology
I feel like I shouldn't have to change my garden because of her dog, she should know to keep it away and not let it come near my house, especially as I live at the end of a cul de sac and there is a no through path so there should be no reason for her to walk down there.

I can't keep them inside as we don't have space for them inside, the temporary house is already in the way in the living room so it definatley can't be a permanent solution
 
I'm sorry your neighbours are not keeping there dog under control.is it possible to put galvanised wire on hutch and use a cover.is there anyway you could put cavies hutch in garage ?I do not want to alarm you but it has been known for guinea pigs to be assaulted from dogs/cats/foxes/ to an untimely death. you can call the police if it becomes a persistant problem.I hope your piggies are over the event.i empathise that is a delicate situation.good luck.:)
 
I don't know where the lady lives, she doesn't live in any of the house in the imediate area of my house, I have only seen her twice (both times of the attack) I presume she must live in one of the house much further down the road but I'm not sure.
Another reason why I don't understand why she is near my house.

I don't have a garage so I can't move them into there,my garden is also not big enough for me to buy a shed to put them in.

The only thing I can do is purchase another hutch and hope it is stronger, or keep fixing this one and hope stronger mesh will help and that the lady stays away.
 
it is very difficult,try and get some galvanised wire to put on hutch,bolts and a good cover would help if that is possible.I feel for you.some people do not think what distress ther actions can cause.x
 
The hutch I'm hoping to get has 2 tiers so hopefully that will help as they will be upstairs overnight away from foxes, although touch wood so far they haven't been a problem.
The dog knows they are there so I've just got to hope the lady doesn't walk her dog near my house again unless it's not by choice

If it keeps happening I think my only choice would be to get rid of my Guinea pigs and have rehomed with someone else :(
 
You can get rolls of weldmesh on ebay. The welfare hutch company make really good sturdy hutches. Hope you find a way to protect them for their sake and yours.
 
Maybe tell her you will be putting cctv up, that may be enough. Or you could put a sign up saying that.
 
I'm so sorry that this woman thinks this behaviour is acceptable. I would threaten to report her as dogs shouldn't be off the lead in public places and if the dog is able to get in to your garden, he's obviously not on a lead.

I know that you are looking in to buying a new hutch and I would recommend that you go for one that has the black metal bars instead of mesh to keep it more secure.

Please do not rehome your guinea pigs because of her :( You are a good owner and I think you would miss them x
 
Get a temporary fencing. short green metal panels to surround the garden, or just the hutch may be easier. Like panels that might be used for a run, but collapsible, and to surround the run and or hutch itself. You shouldn't have to change your garden for their faults but if you don't then how can you ensure they are safe. What kind of dog is it? Chances are it wont be able to get in anyway, but it depends how paranoid you are. I for one would be fencing.
 
Get a temporary fencing. short green metal panels to surround the garden, or just the hutch may be easier. Like panels that might be used for a run, but collapsible, and to surround the run and or hutch itself. You shouldn't have to change your garden for their faults but if you don't then how can you ensure they are safe. What kind of dog is it? Chances are it wont be able to get in anyway, but it depends how paranoid you are. I for one would be fencing.
 
Here are sausage and bacon happily making lots of mess in their temporary new home

I think I might have got the type of mesh wrong when describing my original hutch, I thought it was chicken wire but it isn't.
The problem I have had with the mesh isn't that the mesh itself is broken (some of it is a bit round the ages) it's that the mesh is being pushed out of where it has been racked into the wood round the ages. I will look into adding extra mesh and/or stronger mesh but I think I also need to look into adding a lot more racks to try and keep it nailed into the wood round the edges

image.webp
 
MrsMoo said:
Maybe tell her you will be putting cctv up, that may be enough. Or you could put a sign up saying that.
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I have thought about looking into that so if it happens again we have proof so we can claim for criminal damage as at the moment it's just our word and she has already denied to my face even though I saw her there
 
Claire W said:
I'm so sorry that this woman thinks this behaviour is acceptable. I would threaten to report her as dogs shouldn't be off the lead in public places and if the dog is able to get in to your garden, he's obviously not on a lead.

I know that you are looking in to buying a new hutch and I would recommend that you go for one that has the black metal bars instead of mesh to keep it more secure.

Please do not rehome your guinea pigs because of her :( You are a good owner and I think you would miss them x
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My boyfriend has already bought me a hutch as a present yesterday because of what happened, it is hopefully being delivered soon and he is going to look into strengthening it

I told him maybe we should look into rehoming them and he straight away replied saying rehoming them is not an option as he knows how much they mean to me, he is going to do what he can to secure the garden and hutch. He is also on the look out for the lady so he can go speak to her again if necessary.
 
The3LittlePigs said:
Get a temporary fencing. short green metal panels to surround the garden, or just the hutch may be easier. Like panels that might be used for a run, but collapsible, and to surround the run and or hutch itself. You shouldn't have to change your garden for their faults but if you don't then how can you ensure they are safe. What kind of dog is it? Chances are it wont be able to get in anyway, but it depends how paranoid you are. I for one would be fencing.
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I am trying to thing of a temporary fencin solution we could put up.
I'm not sure what sort of dog it is, I think it must be some sort of pitbull as it has rounded face like a pitbull, I know it's very strong lol
I'm not sure if the dog would still go round or over the fencing though if it knows the Guinea pigs are there, especially as it has managed to break through into the hutch 3 times :(
 
I'd definitely keep a record of date's and time's of any incidents that you can tell the police/council/etc if needed. And photo evidence of the damage the dog has done / or does. Also maybe speak to other neighbours as she may be annoying others.
 
MrsMoo said:
I'd definitely keep a record of date's and time's of any incidents that you can tell the police/council/etc if needed. And photo evidence of the damage the dog has done / or does. Also maybe speak to other neighbours as she may be annoying others.
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Luckily I have photos of all the times it has occurred,I can work out the dates as well but not really sure of the times.
 
Don't rehome! Your boyfriend is right. Even a video of the dog would be great. However, what gets to me is it isn't the dog's fault, he's acting on instinct. It's the woman's fault entirely.
@MrsMoo makes a very good point...other neighbours with outdoor pets could be having trouble. Good luck with the new hutch!
 
would it be possible to put a surrounding perimeter fence around the lawn?
i know you said its rented but do you think you could get away with these to secure the lawn, which would prevent the dog getting even close to the secured hutch?
i wouldn't think the landlord would mind - as it's temporary it wouldn't be a problem to remove it all when you wanted to move home either.

i buy quite a few bits n pieces from toolstation as they are reasonably priced & deliver for free with any order over £10

Softwood Fence Stake Round 1.2m - Toolstation

Galvanised Welded Mesh 900mm Wide x 25mm - Toolstation

Galvanised Garden Wire 25m - Toolstation
Galvanised Wire 30m x 1.6mm - Toolstation



Toolstation

it would be awful to have to rehome your furball friends because this woman can't control her dog & isn't thoughtful enough to show any common sense. :hb:

maybe put a little sign outside that says "CCTV in operation" then if you take any photos of her with the dog it will give you some back up, instead of being blamed for taking photos without warning (we all know the legal system is an arse sometime & its usually the victim that is penalised!)

good luck with hutch securing :tu:
xx
 
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GPTV said:
would it be possible to put a surrounding perimeter fence around the lawn?
i know you said its rented but do you think you could get away with these to secure the lawn, which would prevent the dog getting even close to the secured hutch?
i wouldn't think the landlord would mind - as it's temporary it wouldn't be a problem to remove it all when you wanted to move home either.

i buy quite a few bits n pieces from toolstation as they are reasonably priced & deliver for free with any order over £10

Softwood Fence Stake Round 1.2m - Toolstation

Galvanised Welded Mesh 900mm Wide x 25mm - Toolstation

Galvanised Garden Wire 25m - Toolstation

Toolstation

it would be awful to have to rehome your furball friends because this woman can't control her dog & isn't thoughtful enough to show any common sense. :hb:

maybe put a little sign outside that says "CCTV in operation" then if you take any photos of her with the dog it will give you some back up, instead of being blamed for taking photos without warning (we all know the legal system is an arse sometime & its usually the victim that is penalised!)

good luck with hutch securing :tu:
xx
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I have thought about adding a fence type thing but because of the layout of the garden it would mean completely blocking off the whole garden and then you'd need to either make it low enough to climb over or add a gate so it isn't really possible :(
 
helenv87 said:
I have thought about adding a fence type thing but because of the layout of the garden it would mean completely blocking off the whole garden and then you'd need to either make it low enough to climb over or add a gate so it isn't really possible :(
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aww thats a shame - was worth a thought though. xx

i guess you could do like my parents did when they were looking after a dog & it kept walking all over the garden leaving little parcels.

my dad made about 6 simple wooden frames - looked like 5 bar gates type effect.
attached to each other with wire or cable ties.
they would fold up for storage & easily be moved to walk through when needed.
every time the dog came to stay they put the frames round where he was allowed & he couldn't get through to the parts where he wasnt allowed.

i'll see if i can find it & take pics next time i'm there.

or maybe this idea?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7201596.htm

or this type thing - 6x1 Square Top Privacy Trellis Fence Topper Lattice RAW pack of 5 RRP £20

making it yourself would probably make it loads cheaper, but just for an idea & you would be able to step over it easily, but it would be enough to act as a barrier for the dog if its only staffie type sized.

xx
 
helenv87 said:
The hutch I'm hoping to get has 2 tiers so hopefully that will help as they will be upstairs overnight away from foxes, although touch wood so far they haven't been a problem.
The dog knows they are there so I've just got to hope the lady doesn't walk her dog near my house again unless it's not by choice

If it keeps happening I think my only choice would be to get rid of my Guinea pigs and have rehomed with someone else :(
Click to expand...
No don't do that something will come up. I'm not cruel to animals but you can get a sonic thingy, make sure the dog is in range & press the button. It causes no harm to the dog just deters it but you may have to do it several times. Then he will associate the guinea pigs with this high pitched sound.
You get it off Amazon & its £25. That covers postage as well. Forgot to say its called bark stopper
 
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