CHEAP THIRD PARTY ONLY DOG INSURANCE!!!

[Deleted]

With the new legislation coming into force soon under The Dangerous Dogs Act I have been looking into Third Party Only Dog Insurance for peace of mind.  As I'm sure you are aware, dog insurance can get quite expensive and most companies do not offer third party cover only.  So far the best one I have found (in fact the only one doing third party only) is with Dogs Trust.  If you become a member of Dogs Trust, your dog(s) are immediately covered for third party insurance up to one million pounds.  There are other benefits too i.e. 24 hr phone vet advice.  There are more benefits too details on their website.  This costs £25.00 in total and I believe you can pay in instalments or a one off payment.  Take a look at the Dogs Trust website for more information and full details.
If anyone has any other 3rd party dog insurance info I would be interested to hear about it.

P.S.  I am new on this site and I apologise in advance if I am not allowed to post things like this on here.  

[Becky]

Hiya Sirius This is indeed the place to post general chit chat stuff! Im sure many people will find this useful, thanks for posting up x

[Baglady]

Thanks for posting Sirius! For anyone who is interested in some of the amendments to the DDA, you may find this interesting. New Legislation

The DDA doesn't just cover banned breeds, pit bulls, etc. Any dog can been deemed 'dangerously out of control', so if your beagle jumps up on a child, or your yorkie charges an on-lead dog, or your terrier terrorises horses, you can be prosecuted under the act.

Our regular walkers will know that we are particularly keen that all our poundies are encouraged to keep 'Four Paws on the Floor'. If a dog jumps up on someone and that person feels intimidated or in danger, the owner CAN be prosecuted and the dog CAN be seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act, even if there are no teeth and skin involved.

It's not good enough to say 's/he was just being friendly'. All dogs should be helped to greet people nicely, without jumping up, it's very basic manners for a dog.

It is a really good idea to have insurance in place in this era of compensation culture. But whilst insurance may pay your court costs, it may pay out compensation if you are found liable, it will not save your dog from being seized if you allow it to be out of control, either in a public place or in your own property. And it will not save you from a prison sentence.

Discuss

[Becky]

I find it absolutely ridiculous that the law provides a defence if your dog attacks an intruder in your home but if they attack in your garden you could still end up in court I have to be completely honest, if I heard someone in my back garden I dont think I would be waiting for them to enter the house, I would be letting my dogs out asap.

[daffysmum]

Or what about my problem..... I have caught my neighbour winding my dogs up by banging on the fence and putting his hands over, under and through the fence.

I do not let them out the garden unless I am there to supervise and make sure that they are safe from him!

I have spoken with environmental health and my local bobby about the situation.

Where is the protection for me and my dogs from the idiots who want to cause a problem?

[Baglady]

I think the changes in the law regarding private property are predominately to protect lawful visitors, postmen, health care workers, midwives, delivery men etc when they enter your garden in the normal course of their work. A dog generally wouldn't discriminate between someone who enters the garden lawfully or unlawfully, and that's where the grey area is. If it is out of control enough to attack a burglar in your garden, by implication it could also attack a postman.....

If our dogs are in our back garden, we lock the side gate. No-one could lawfully get in, only an intruder. I'm sure there will be test cases to see how the law works, it'll be interesting to see what sort of cases hit the courts, and what the outcomes are. I doubt very much the first cases will be brought by intruders though.

[Baglady]

lol, I don't think the DDA covers neighbours from hell Lynne. Not unless he's got four legs and a tail

[Deleted]

Daffysmum.  If no criminal offences are being committed by your neighbour then the matter is regarded as a "civil" matter.  However, there is still redress on a civil basis and at the very least a letter from a solicitor may be enough to deter the annoying neighbour.  Civil Trespass could also be an issue.  On the other hand there may be criminal offences under the Public Order Act 1986 (even in one's own property) being committed or legislation under the Anti Social legislation.  Worth talking to a local police officer who knows their law.  Some sadly don't and will just try to fob you off..........and be persistent.  The more you complain, the more likely it is that something will get done.