My neighbour has regularly complained about my dog over the years, saying he is too noisy. 

Now I think this is turning into something more sinister, as I have found pieces of broken glass in my garden where the dog often runs around. 

I think my neighbour is throwing them over to try to injure my dog’s paws.

What can I do about this?

Name and address supplied.

Dean Dunham replies: What you are describing is deeply troubling and, if your suspicions are correct, your neighbour could be committing a serious criminal offence.

When it comes to neighbourly disputes, I always advocate trying to reach an amicable agreement before taking any legal action, although it sounds as if this could be difficult in your case.

In the absence of a peaceful solution, you will need to start building evidence. Photograph every piece of glass you find, noting the date, time and exact location in the garden. Keep the glass itself in a sealed bag, as police may want to examine it.

I would recommend installing a CCTV camera covering the boundary where the glass appears. Modern doorbell-style cameras are relatively inexpensive. 

Ensure your camera points primarily at your own property to comply with data protection rules.

Deliberately attempting to injure an animal could be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which carries penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment. 

Throwing glass into your garden also constitutes criminal damage and potentially common assault if your dog is struck.

Report your concerns to the police now, even before you have definitive proof. Ask for an incident number, as this creates an official record that can help illustrate a pattern of behaviour. 

Also contact the RSPCA, which has considerable experience investigating animal cruelty cases.

On the civil side, you may have a claim for nuisance or trespass. A solicitor’s letter warning of legal action can be remarkably effective at stopping problem neighbours in their tracks.

Finally, keep a diary of every incident, including the original noise complaints from your neighbour about your dog. 

If this goes to court, that contemporaneous record will prove invaluable. Your dog deserves to play safely in its own garden.

Fined for going over mileage allowance on lease car 

I leased a car for four years. When I handed it back the dealer charged me an excess mileage fee of £1,000, saying I had gone over the 8,000 miles per year limit in the contract. 

However, I was told verbally the limit was 12,000 miles.

I drive 9,000 miles per year to get to work and back, so would never agree to such a low limit. What can I do?

L.M., Scotland.

Dean Dunham replies: This is a classic case of ‘he said, she said’, but the law has a clear answer, and the good news is it may work in your favour.

The starting point is the written contract. Generally, if you’ve signed it, you’re bound by it. However, there’s an exception where there has been a misrepresentation.

If a salesperson told you the mileage limit was 12,000 when the contract said 8,000, and you relied on that statement when signing, you may have a claim.

Under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 (which applies in England and Wales), you can seek damages or even rescission of the contract terms where a false statement of fact induced you to enter the agreement.

In Scotland, misrepresentation is governed by common law principles, but the practical outcome is broadly similar.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 also helps. Services must match what was said about them. 

First, gather evidence, including emails, brochures, notes or witnesses to the conversation. Second, armed with this evidence, write to the finance company rejecting the £1,000 charge.

State that you were verbally told 12,000 miles, that you relied on this, and that no reasonable person driving 9,000 miles annually for work would agree to 8,000.

If the firm refuses, escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which often sides with consumers where verbal misrepresentation is plausible, particularly where the contractual figure makes no commercial sense for the driver.