dfeck
Gold Member
Background - I live in a rural area in Western, NY. that is 20mins away from a major city. So it's not in the sticks. I live on 2.5A. The house next to us has been vacate for 2+years due to foreclosure. The house has been sold and the new neighbors just moved in a few weeks ago. I have a feeling this neighbor will be problems. First, one of my dogs bit the neighbors wife when she came over (on my property) to talk with me. Both dogs came over barking and I warned her but she insisted to approach the more dominate dog with eye contact and extending hand. He lunged and nipped her bare leg (wearing shorts) and broke skin. It happened quick and he backed off and ran away. I apologized and after 15mins she went on her way. My wife went over to introduce herself and apologized about the dog and again told her that our one dog is very territorial and not come over while the dogs are out. The neighbor was fine about it since it wasn't a terrible bite. Since then the new neighbor believes they are in the sticks and her kids ride motorcycles on their property along with one that is VERY loud. So loud you can't sit out and enjoy the porch because you can't hear each other talking. They have a dog that was left chained to a tree that barked one night for 2+ hours. BTW - my dogs are contained by invisible fence and have never crossed our property lines.
Now to the chicken - The neighbors now have chickens and they let them free range. Last night one wandered into our property and the dogs attacked it and severely wounded it. Well I assume the dogs attacked it because when I looked out the window the 2 dogs were around the chicken that was already wounded and on the verge of dying and feather were everywhere. I picked up the bird and walked over to the neighbors. They were not home so I left the chicken next to the tree and walked back home.
So now I'm wondering how to handle the situation. My wife and I live in a town that is considered an upscale community in our city. We have 6-8 neighbors that are fairly close to each other (2.5-5 acre lots) and feel all neighbors have a give and take relationship. We have to be aware of our actions that they don't inconvenience one another. I don't feel I should do whatever I want solely because I own my property. I respect my neighbors and want everyone to enjoy their property. Between the loud motorcycles, dog barking, chickens, etc I feel I need to say something to them. However, I don't want to say the wrong thing that sparks tension going forward. At this point, I don't think they will realize our dogs killed the chicken but I probably should stop over tonight and discuss it with them. Thoughts?
Now to the chicken - The neighbors now have chickens and they let them free range. Last night one wandered into our property and the dogs attacked it and severely wounded it. Well I assume the dogs attacked it because when I looked out the window the 2 dogs were around the chicken that was already wounded and on the verge of dying and feather were everywhere. I picked up the bird and walked over to the neighbors. They were not home so I left the chicken next to the tree and walked back home.
So now I'm wondering how to handle the situation. My wife and I live in a town that is considered an upscale community in our city. We have 6-8 neighbors that are fairly close to each other (2.5-5 acre lots) and feel all neighbors have a give and take relationship. We have to be aware of our actions that they don't inconvenience one another. I don't feel I should do whatever I want solely because I own my property. I respect my neighbors and want everyone to enjoy their property. Between the loud motorcycles, dog barking, chickens, etc I feel I need to say something to them. However, I don't want to say the wrong thing that sparks tension going forward. At this point, I don't think they will realize our dogs killed the chicken but I probably should stop over tonight and discuss it with them. Thoughts?