Neighbor lets dogs out to do their business in my yard?

[edkemper]

As was posted, it is not the dog's fault. Shooting the dog will often result in the irresponsible owner just getting another.

It's not my interest in what others do or might do. My only interest is in protecting me (& family) and my livestock. That is all I can control.

In the city things are different. However, I live in a very rural area and bought a large chunk of land. If a nuisance neighbor's dog ends up at my house, it's between 1/4 and 1/2 mile from the property line, let alone from their house. Distance does make a very big difference.

I don't believe in torturing an animal. I'm speaking of baiting the dog with bad food of any type.

On the other hand, posting pictures was a moronic decision to say the least.

 

[rasp21]

That was my post.. Post # 86. Not me, Not my dog, But the dog problem was over. I guess it was too much money and too much mess. Like I said, some people you just can't deal with. you just have to do what you have to do.

 

[TomSeller]

That was my post.. Post # 86. Not me, Not my dog, But the dog problem was over. I guess it was too much money and too much mess. Like I said, some people you just can't deal with. you just have to do what you have to do.

I will say it was one of the classic posts of all time in my mind. A dog eating it's own carp and vomiting is not going to hurt it in any way. But it sure would get the attention of the offending owner.

 

[rasp21]

Tom Seller,,, not to mention the CASH paid to the Vet. and the carpet cleaner, The day of work lost, and a possible repaint of the hallway. A jerk is as a jerk does;. payback. The vet told the moron not to let his dog run loose.

 

[TomSeller]

Tom Seller,,, not to mention the CASH paid to the Vet. and the carpet cleaner, The day of work lost, and a possible repaint of the hallway. A jerk is as a jerk does;. payback. The vet told the moron not to let his dog run loose.

I bet. Hopefully he finally listened for good.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Just wanted to follow up on the situation here.

Six weeks ago I called the animal control folks again, then followed that up with a written statement and copies of photos showing the neighbor's dogs on my property and near the house. Nothing happened for a week or so, then I got word that they were finally going to issue a citation. A week after that I got a voice mail and an email from the neighbor saying that they'd received the citation, and asking if I'd called animal control on them. If so, asking when and where the dogs were being a problem. Since there are no other neighbors close by, and since I'd already asked them several times to keep their dogs off my property, they already knew the answer. But just to make sure, I wrote them a letter telling them that their dogs were on my property regularly, and charge and bark at me each time I use the easement across their property to access my home. I then expressed my hope that they would do whatever is necessary to control their dogs so that I wouldn't be forced to take additional action. I mailed the letter USPS Priority Mail, which generates a delivery receipt I can use to prove they had once again been warned. It's been two weeks and I haven't seen any dogs in the easement or on my property, but that could mean that they are just on vacation somewhere. If the problem continues, I'll get back with animal control, who tell me that the fines escalate with each citation, and at some point will involve a court hearing. I've also looked into gaining control of the easement by adverse possession so that I can fence it in and keep the dogs out. That sounds like a nasty and expensive process, but if the problems persist I'll do whatever it takes. In the mean time I carry a camera or cell phone to take pictures of the dogs should any appear.

One thing the animal control officer told me me was amusing and is a great tell on the quality of people I'm dealing with. Six months ago when one of the officers called the family, she was told that they were having marital difficulties and would soon be moving. When I heard that story I told the officer that if it were true, it would have been some of the best news I've ever gotten. I then pointed out that since they'd said that six months ago, it was pretty obvious that it had been a lie. People around here don't like lairs, and that may have been what finally got them to move to issuing a citation.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

my wife hit a dog this morning with our car. The dog ran out and hit the right side of the vehicle. She said one dog was across the road from the house, doing it's business in the neighbors yard, when this one tried to join it. She stopped, and the dog was not seriously injured. Not sure if the vehicle is damaged, as I am under the weather... Again, wouldn't have happened if they kept their dog in their yard.

 

[sixdogs]

If any damage to your vehicle, the wandering dog's owner pays. Report to your insurance company and they would handle everything.

 

[edkemper]

A week after that I got a voice mail and an email from the neighbor saying that they'd received the citation, and asking if I'd called animal control on them. If so, asking when and where the dogs were being a problem. Since there are no other neighbors close by, and since I'd already asked them several times to keep their dogs off my property, they already knew the answer. But just to make sure, I wrote them a letter.

Personally, I would deal exclusively with animal control and wouldn't have written or call them. Less likely to have confrontations with them or retaliation. Stick with the professionals that will keep a legal record.

Good luck my friend.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Personally, I would deal exclusively with animal control and wouldn't have written or call them. Less likely to have confrontations with them or retaliation. Stick with the professionals that will keep a legal record.

:thumbsup:

Exactly.

This last round of inquiries came from the wife, who has been less confrontational than her A-hole husband. I had the same misgivings about replying to her inquiry, but the county guidelines require that I at least attempt to resolve the issue on my own. The letter demonstrates that better than a phone call or face-to-face dialog, with no risk of another shouting match. I know phone/face-to-face doesn't work with these people, as it just seems to go in one ear and out the other. Now that I've fulfilled that requirement, from here on out I'll deal only with the animal control people, who do seem to be keeping a record (I have a reference number for each of the complaints I've filed). This isn't going to be fixed overnight, but for now at least things are better. I have no wish to escalate from here, but will if necessary. For now I'm just going to keep the camera and animal control phone number handy, and hope for the best.