Neighbor's dobermans on my land, protecting "their" property ...??

[EE_Bota]

IMHO, yes, they block my driveway, the rooster attacks anything that moves on my property, it (the rooster) is loud, they eat bird seed we leave out for the wildlife, shall I go on?

We used to have fowl running free when I was a child. Evidence found on the tractor ultimately lead to their end.

Edit: no pun.

 

[gengine]

I'm one of those people that doesn't pen up my dogs. They learned really young that they don't bite. They also know where the four strand fence is, and they don't cross it very often. There's a highway on one side, one neighbor on two sides, and another neighbors cow pasture on he other. My dogs are herding dogs, but they know to leave the cows alone. My chickens and ducks are "free range" also. We've never had a problem with the neighbors, and we have an understanding that if there were a problem, I can't do anything about it unless they let me know. Bepp, I don't think you are being foreword enough with the neighbors. The dogs don't know the boundaries, and the owners don't see an issue. They took on the responsibility of owning these animals, it's up to them to make sure they keep them contained. Wyoming is a fence out state. Meaning, if you don't want someone or their animals on your property, then it's up to you to fence it and keep them out. I don't know what FL is, but it may be something to look into. I'm not one to think on my feet, so I think sitting down and writing a letter with everything outlined is a good way to go. It's your land, you can have anybody you want there, to do anything you feel is fine (within the limits of the law) and that includes letting the kids ride their four wheelers anywhere you give them permission to, and you have the right to do it without being harassed by his dogs. All he has to do is keep them on his side of the fence. It doesn't matter how, but it needs to be done. And the problem is solved. With a letter I think you can express what you need to.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

It's your land, you can have anybody you want there, to do anything you feel is fine (within the limits of the law) and that includes letting the kids ride their four wheelers anywhere you give them permission to, and you have the right to do it without being harassed by his dogs.


All he has to do is keep them on his side of the fence. It doesn't matter how, but it needs to be done. And the problem is solved. With a letter I think you can express what you need to.

With all the testosterone flowing regarding shooting the dogs, poisoning the dogs, calling the neighbor in the middle of the night etc etc, and all the talk about people and children being ripped to shreds -have some of you stopped to consider the neighbor has exactly the same rights to do what he wants on his own property - including letting the dogs run loose?

Since March 7 2011 - the original incident - I've lost tack and I'm sure Beppington will indicate - Have the dogs ever actually crossed the fence line to confront the OP?

Quite frankly, I'd be more afraid of running into some of the posters on here in the dark, than the Dobes.

 

[Obed]

Bepp,
I'd have to agree that the neighbors need to know your expectations, 1) what you want and 2) a date that it must be completed. You need to be diplomatic but until you get the neighbors to give you an answer for these 2 specifics, this problem could bug you endlessly. You could ask the neighbors how they will accomplish #1 and ask them when they can have #1 finished. If you can't get definitive answers for #1 and #2 then you will have to get tougher. I wouldn't start out tough but it is ok to be firm. Good people respect firmness if it is communicated tactfully.

I would not deliver your message in a mailed letter; mailing the letter is almost certain to come across as heavy handed and could quickly cause things to go south. You don't want your neighbors to dig in their heels with the thoughts of "Who does that guy think he is?"

However, writing out your expectations has some advantages because it ensures there is no question regarding what you are requesting. However, if you write it out, it would be best if you delivered the letter personally and explained it to them. While doing so may be awkward that approach would have the highest possibility of obtaining a solution.

The only final solution I believe I could accept is one that includes reasonable efforts within an established timeframe to keep the dangerous dogs off of your land. If those dogs injure someone on your property, a trial lawyer will find anyone with any assets to sue, yourself included. You need to be able to show you made it clear to your neighbors that having those dogs run loose on your land was not acceptable to you.

You will learn a lot about the character of your neighbors and your potential future relationship by how they respond to a tactful non-ambiguous approach from yourself.

 

[beppington]

I'm one of those people that doesn't pen up my dogs. They learned really young that they don't bite. They also know where the four strand fence is, and they don't cross it very often. There's a highway on one side, one neighbor on two sides, and another neighbors cow pasture on he other. My dogs are herding dogs, but they know to leave the cows alone. My chickens and ducks are "free range" also. We've never had a problem with the neighbors, and we have an understanding that if there were a problem, I can't do anything about it unless they let me know. Bepp, I don't think you are being foreword enough with the neighbors. The dogs don't know the boundaries, and the owners don't see an issue. They took on the responsibility of owning these animals, it's up to them to make sure they keep them contained. Wyoming is a fence out state. Meaning, if you don't want someone or their animals on your property, then it's up to you to fence it and keep them out. I don't know what FL is, but it may be something to look into. I'm not one to think on my feet, so I think sitting down and writing a letter with everything outlined is a good way to go. It's your land, you can have anybody you want there, to do anything you feel is fine (within the limits of the law) and that includes letting the kids ride their four wheelers anywhere you give them permission to, and you have the right to do it without being harassed by his dogs. All he has to do is keep them on his side of the fence. It doesn't matter how, but it needs to be done. And the problem is solved. With a letter I think you can express what you need to.

FL is a fence-in state ... regarding dangerous dogs anyway, & cows too I'm pretty sure, from reading an interview with a nearby old-timer who told about the era where FL went from not requiring fencing your cows in to requiring it, so they can't wander out into the road, etc.

I think you're right, though, that I need to write a pleasant letter stating that I (& those I invite over) have the right to go anywhere on my property without fear of a dog attack, & without the added step of calling to request the dogs be put away so we're safe, etc.

 

[beppington]

With all the testosterone flowing regarding shooting the dogs, poisoning the dogs, calling the neighbor in the middle of the night etc etc, and all the talk about people and children being ripped to shreds -have some of you stopped to consider the neighbor has exactly the same rights to do what he wants on his own property - including letting the dogs run loose?

Sure he does, but he's letting them run loose outside his property, too. It's just that so far they've not seemed to care to trot very far onto my property. Hopefully that never happens, either. I surely do not care what his dogs do on his property :confused3: If he wants to put up a 4' tall field fence & let the dogs charge at me every single time I pass, that would not bother me (OK I would prefer they didn't do that, but hey, that's their right). In fact, neighbors on the south side of the swamp opposite the dobermans have just that - 2 guard dogs of some kind that come bark at me every time I pass by. They're great guard dogs for those folks. Never let me sneak by without making a fuss. But ... they can't get to me, can't get off their property, & therefore I have no problem with them. They can bark at me all they want :thumbsup:

Since March 7 2011 - the original incident - I've lost tack and I'm sure Beppington will indicate - Have the dogs ever actually crossed the fence line to confront the OP?

I've witnessed 2 of the dogs on my property just that once (original post). 2 other times the dogs charged at me only to be stopped just in the nick of time by their frantic owners.

 

[beppington]

Bepp,
I'd have to agree that the neighbors need to know your expectations, 1) what you want and 2) a date that it must be completed. You need to be diplomatic but until you get the neighbors to give you an answer for these 2 specifics, this problem could bug you endlessly. You could ask the neighbors how they will accomplish #1 and ask them when they can have #1 finished. If you can't get definitive answers for #1 and #2 then you will have to get tougher. I wouldn't start out tough but it is ok to be firm. Good people respect firmness if it is communicated tactfully.

I would not deliver your message in a mailed letter; mailing the letter is almost certain to come across as heavy handed and could quickly cause things to go south. You don't want your neighbors to dig in their heels with the thoughts of "Who does that guy think he is?"

That has basically already been conveyed to me when after I told the wife her charging dogs had me worried for my safety, she responded, "Actually, we've been frustrated because every time you pass by it gets our dogs all riled up.

However, writing out your expectations has some advantages because it ensures there is no question regarding what you are requesting. However, if you write it out, it would be best if you delivered the letter personally and explained it to them. While doing so may be awkward that approach would have the highest possibility of obtaining a solution.

The only final solution I believe I could accept is one that includes reasonable efforts within an established timeframe to keep the dangerous dogs off of your land. If those dogs injure someone on your property, a trial lawyer will find anyone with any assets to sue, yourself included. You need to be able to show you made it clear to your neighbors that having those dogs run loose on your land was not acceptable to you.

You will learn a lot about the character of your neighbors and your potential future relationship by how they respond to a tactful non-ambiguous approach from yourself.

Dangit, a logical but opposite opinion to the letter idea :confused2:

 

[Obed]

That has basically already been conveyed to me when after I told the wife her charging dogs had me worried for my safety, she responded, "Actually, we've been frustrated because every time you pass by it gets our dogs all riled up.

I don't remember your getting a commitment from the neighbors for a solution or a date.

Dangit, a logical but opposite opinion to the letter idea :confused2:

Writing the letter is not so much the concern, but how it is delivered. I definitely wouldn't mail it unless you've determined you are ready to fight.

Obed

 

[Obed]

Actually, I don't think you have asked for a date. You need to. When you do, you'll find out quickly if these people intend to give you the run-around. If finances are an issue, they can tie the dogs to clothes lines. I don't buy the money excuse.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I think you're right, though, that I need to write a pleasant letter stating that I (& those I invite over) have the right to go anywhere on my property without fear of a dog attack, & without the added step of calling to request the dogs be put away so we're safe, etc.

While you may feel you "have a right" don't be 100% sure without good legal advice.

You may feel the dogs are "dangerous" but until they are legally designated as a "Dangerous Dog" it is only your opinion.

Here is a link to some reading material.
Florida Dog Bite and Dangerous Dog Laws

With very few exceptions, dogs including Dobermans, do not come from the factory hardwired to be vicious. Unless trained by the owner or through abuse the vast majority of dogs will respond to positive human interaction.

Have you considered the possibility that your neighbor might also have the same "Shoot'm / Kill'm" mentality exhibited by many of the posters here? How will that work if the situation starts to go down that road when you start asserting your "rights" that, in fact may not exist.

Are you sure when you start telling your neighbor what he must do or not do, so you do not feel afraid, that he will react exactly as you wish? He may not! Dangerous dogs may become the least of your worries. Do you have the skills and the mental fortitude to deal with a Dangerous Owner?

Once the well has been poisoned, the two of you will have to drink the water for years to come OR one of you will have to move. BTDT.

I still think a hand full of treats and some time spent with the dogs would be a good investment.

If you still aren't willing to do that, and notwithstanding your dislike for dogs, get yourself a Fila Brasileiro and kiss your problems with the Dobes goodbye. Fila Brasileiro Information and Pictures, Fila