I have two Pyrenean mountain dogs, in a yard which has a 1.8 meter high fence (panssariaitaverkko) all around it. I had to take these because the chicken started disappearing, one or two every week. I suspected the fox which neighbors have spotted nearby. No chicken has disappeared since.

However, a colleague just told me that if I leave the dogs alone in the yard, and human intruders happen to purposely cross the fence and come into the yard, the dogs would hurt the humans (possibly kill) and I would be legally responsible. I even put some notes at the gate which warns people that livestock guardian dogs are free in the area and they should not enter without the landowner being present. But my colleague still insists I would be legally responsible if my dogs would hurt or kill potential intruders in the yard, even though they have been warned with the sign not to enter.

Note that I live in the countryside, not city. The dogs escaping is not an issue, the fence is very good. And by without supervision, I mean while I'm at work or sleeping, not constantly alone.

Another interesting question is whether the insurance company would cover all my legal fines or would they counter it by saying I left the dogs unsupervised. This I can find out by calling them.

Edit. Fox can easily jump that kind of fence, see video that someone else made (not my yard): https://youtu.be/pTEjdEgqvf0?si=7y7tjTBo2E32YjSG

by Spongebob_Sq

7 comments

  1. From my understanding its really not so black and white. You absolutely are responsible for your dogs actions, if your dog bites someone in normal circumstances that would fall on you, and this also is the case even on private property.

    However, if someone is actually trespassing/doing illegal stuff, its possible the courts can ease your liability or remove it completely, but its risky because afaik there’s no clear line.

    E.g if the postman or wolt driver gets bit, you’re probably screwed. A kid ringing your doorbell as a prank? You’re also probably screwed. Jehovahs witness? You’re screwed. A criminal trying to break in? You’re probably fine. So its going to be dependent on things you don’t control. This is my understanding at least. Mostly commenting to follow the thread though because im curious what others say.

  3. In finland you are not allowed to protect anything you own with any proper means. This includes your property, and yes if your dogs attack someone who comes to your property, you are responsible for it and warning signs or anything wont do any good.

  4. That liability is also relative. The court is not going to do you for murder if the dogs happen to feast on a random idiot crossing a fence covered in warning signs.

    In that case the financial liabilty will far outweigh any actual legal liability. Should it ever come to that part, its probably financially a better option if the intruder dies vs. gets maimed and “unable to work” for life.

    As sad as it is, in that case, walking up to the scene and finishing the job yourself is still more sound financially.

    Either make the fence un-climbalble across the whole property (like, barbed wire and a minefield or something…) or keep the dogs in a kennel when not supervised.

    If they’re likely to eat Hilkka from the neighboring house, preferably at all times…

  5. You are allowed to do this but and this is a big but if you have reason to believe your dogs could be aggressive you actually should either supervise them or keep them leashed when they are not supervised.

    And you would be liable for damages caused by your dogs. The amount would mostly likely be reduced since it is a high fence with warning signs. People are supposed to avoid getting injured and if your own actions effect the outcome negatively it does usually lead to a smaller payment.

    The biggest thing here tho is the fact that Finnish courts are super trigger happy when it comes to deciding whether a dog should be put down after an incident or not. So your dogs are actually mega screwed if they attack someone.

  6. I don’t understand why you have to have these dogs outside “guarding the chickens” if you have 1,8m high panssariaitaverkko fence around your property. What kind of whack ass fox climbs over that? Just keep the dogs inside if you are not home and let them run around the yard when you are home. Chickens will be safe anyway and you don’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt.

  7. You should be fine as livestock dogs are used and in your case them being fenced in should help. If someone ignores 2 of those dogs Loud and clear warnings to fuck off and climbs a fence after ignoring the warnings there isn’t anything you could do. It’s easier to go through an electric fence to hug cows or horses at night, but I doubt that anyone would get punished if the person got hurt.

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