I have two children, one 3-year-old boy and a 1-year-old boy. Last week the three-year-old was playing in our corridor.

We live beside a man and he have a roughly 10-year-old pet dog. The dog frequently comes out because the owner does not lock the gates. The dog probably thinks our home belongs to him at this point.

While I was washing the dishes I heard a cry from my child and ran out to see blood streaming down his face, according to him he was sitting outside and the dog bit his ear. Whether that’s true or not I can’t be sure, perhaps he was bothering the dog and won’t say. I fully acknowledge this is my fault for not watching him at all times. I could still see him through the window but it wasn’t enough.

However, at the end of the day, this is my corridor and their dog shouldn’t be there. I don’t see a practical way to keep the dog out without their assistance in terms of keeping him chained up.

I go to my neighbours and ask for the dog to be put down. If he bit me that would be one thing but he could have taken my child’s ear off. The neighbours get angry and say that he’s a good working dog and that he hasn’t been the same (mentally) after a delivery man ran into him so he’s been acting strangely. Like what the F, neither of those are my problem?

Anyway they begrudgingly said they would make him wear a muzzle at all times, which lasted for a few days. Lo and behold I have since spotted him going around without a muzzle.

I am scared to let my children outside now, even if I am right beside them this is a big, quick dog and anything could happen.

So from my point of view, I know that poisoning a dog is horrible and I really hate doing it but my kids come first. This dog was on my property, can’t be kept away, the owners won’t cooperate and my children are in danger.