I agree with FG. You took down the existing hedge, knowing there were dogs next door. It is up to you to live with the consequences and take precautions to protect your garden and plants from unwanted visitors. I would certainly take dim view if our neighbours took down the fences between us and then complained that our dogs were harrying their horses and cattle.
A chicken or even a stronger wire mesh fence won't cost a lot and will make for good neighbourly relations which can be beyond price.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I agree ... there's a legal position and a sort of moral one ... I think that, unless I'd talked it over with the neighbours first and they'd been aware of my plans and prepared perhaps to meet me halfway with fencing their dogs in, I'd feel better putting up some posts and wire netting myself.
If the dogs are tunnellers they'd probably have found their way through the Leylandii earlier, so I presume they're not that type of escapee and a wire netting fence will do the job.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks everyone. I gave my neighbors 5 months notice of my intention, the hedge was removed and replanted at the end of March this year. A big loss of privacy for us all but it had to be done. I might try the chicken wire. Here‘s hoping the hedge grows fast!!!
I think most dogs would find a way through a hedge if they really wanted to. I've seen my cocker get through what looked like a solid wall of brambles when he got the scent of something, oblivious to the thorns. We spent the next hour or so taking the stuff out of his coat, when he eventually came back of course.
I removed a huge leylandii hedge but immediately (well a week later) replaced it with a stout fence. I still get occasional cheeky visitors creeping underneath from next door but then so do they! We have chicken wire stapled over the biggest gaps as the fence becomes a hedge further up but we're fairly chilled about it. If his dogs started doing any damage or c******g everywhere that would change. I'd have a polite word...then a less polite one.
My neighbours and I were so happy to see the back of the hedge I don't think we'd have cared if Belfast Zoo had passed through.
Agree with Obelixx on the wire mesh fencing - perhaps a good DIY project as well - materials are relatively cheap - just order a few rolls of the welded wire cloth ( www.bwire.com ) - comes in 48" and 60" rolls - depending on the height you want.
Just fasten to posts about 5 feet apart using either bolts or something like cable ties, and you are in business!
It is absolutely their responsibility to keep their dogs in their garden. It was kind of you to give them lengthy warning of the hedge removal. If the dogs damage your new hedge the neighbours are also responsible.
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I agree with FG. You took down the existing hedge, knowing there were dogs next door. It is up to you to live with the consequences and take precautions to protect your garden and plants from unwanted visitors. I would certainly take dim view if our neighbours took down the fences between us and then complained that our dogs were harrying their horses and cattle.
A chicken or even a stronger wire mesh fence won't cost a lot and will make for good neighbourly relations which can be beyond price.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I agree ... there's a legal position and a sort of moral one
... I think that, unless I'd talked it over with the neighbours first and they'd been aware of my plans and prepared perhaps to meet me halfway with fencing their dogs in, I'd feel better putting up some posts and wire netting myself.
If the dogs are tunnellers they'd probably have found their way through the Leylandii earlier, so I presume they're not that type of escapee and a wire netting fence will do the job.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks everyone. I gave my neighbors 5 months notice of my intention, the hedge was removed and replanted at the end of March this year. A big loss of privacy for us all but it had to be done. I might try the chicken wire. Here‘s hoping the hedge grows fast!!!
OK, they knew what was happening then
Good luck with the chicken wire 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think most dogs would find a way through a hedge if they really wanted to. I've seen my cocker get through what looked like a solid wall of brambles when he got the scent of something, oblivious to the thorns. We spent the next hour or so taking the stuff out of his coat, when he eventually came back of course.
As a dog owner, it's up to me to keep my dogs in.
I removed a huge leylandii hedge but immediately (well a week later) replaced it with a stout fence. I still get occasional cheeky visitors creeping underneath from next door but then so do they!
We have chicken wire stapled over the biggest gaps as the fence becomes a hedge further up but we're fairly chilled about it. If his dogs started doing any damage or c******g everywhere that would change. I'd have a polite word...then a less polite one.
My neighbours and I were so happy to see the back of the hedge I don't think we'd have cared if Belfast Zoo had passed through.
Sorry - but I agree with Ppauper. You let them know about the hedge removal, and it's up to them to put something in place to keep their dogs in.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Agree with Obelixx on the wire mesh fencing - perhaps a good DIY project as well - materials are relatively cheap - just order a few rolls of the welded wire cloth ( www.bwire.com ) - comes in 48" and 60" rolls - depending on the height you want.
Just fasten to posts about 5 feet apart using either bolts or something like cable ties, and you are in business!
It is absolutely their responsibility to keep their dogs in their garden. It was kind of you to give them lengthy warning of the hedge removal. If the dogs damage your new hedge the neighbours are also responsible.