The Neighbors Let Their Dog Into My Yard

[nycowboy]

Hi. My next-door neighbors have a large large dog.

We have a chain link fence between our yards, but the trouble is that it is not at the property line. It is about 4-6 in from the edge. The previous house owners did that because there is a row of trees between the yards. So we own about 6 feet of land on the other side of the fence.

I don't like our neighbors. They scare me. They are these two big women (think jail security guard) and are really coarse and loud.

They keep letting their dog run into our yard next to the fence.
Since there is snow, I can tell when this happens.

I feel my space is invaded by the dog. I was bullied and any intrusion by anything unknown or by anything negative (the dog is associated with the neighbors so the dog must be evil) sends me into anxiety, hypervigilance, the whole nine yards.

I did write their landlord and nicely asked that they keep their dog in their yard. No response. But that doesn't surprise me, and it is fine with me.

Well, you say, go talk to them. Problem is: I'm very scared to talk to the ladies - anytime I do the one yells at me and it takes me a month to recover from this.

Do you have any ideas? My wife is afraid of me causing me any neighborhood trouble, but she was OK with me writing the landlord (he is one of the ladies' dads).

Thanks.

 

[digger]

I did write their landlord and nicely asked that they keep their dog in their yard. No response. But that doesn't surprise me, and it is fine with me.

It doesn't seem fine with you really as you are still stuck with the problem.

My ideas would be,

...could your wife go speak to them about it?

or...A letter direct to them explaining the property boundary (go with the assumed confusion angle) and could they keep their dog out of your yard please. You shouldn't need a reason for this but for the sake of keeping things amicable maybe say someone in your household is scared of dogs

or...move the fence so that the boundary is clearer?

Are any of those options for you?

 

[Nam]

I hate boundary disputes. It causes wars...

We had an issue with a neighbor that put his fence on our side of the yard. The previous owners of our neighbor's yard put their rock garden over on our yard but my house's previous owner did not mind. Well, I minded the fence on our yard. Prior to him putting the fence up, he came to the door and we talked. I said, "I don't care how close you get to the property line as long as ALL of your fence is on your side. I had pins and stakes put in...a 500.00 investment on where our property was. And he still went over...grr. So the city was called. They came and fined him. And my husband helped him move his posts to his side of the yard.

The only thing I can think of to do without actually going over there is to call your local animal control and tell them that the dogs are on your property. They can do the actual confrontation and leave you out of it. Before you do, make sure you have proof that it is your property. Your local zoning city dept. should have that on record. I wish you luck.

 

[Kintsugi]

Look, as someone who has rented several times and is now buying property which I intend to eventually rent out, this is really the landlord's business. Animal control can help, but I am shocked that the landlord is not more concerned about this.

Is there a more direct way to contact the landlord, such as email or phone? I would make it clear that this is a trespassing issue, and I myself would be happy to tell the landlord that I find his/her tenants disrespectful and intimidating on top of the clear trespassing violations.

The only instance wherein I think this becomes difficult to argue is on the off chance you have a cat who is ever outside (don't tell me my dog is an issue if your cat shits in my flowers, ya know? ;) ).

I personally find law enforcement of any kind intimidating and unhelpful (totally unrelated to trauma), but my understanding from animal control is that if you have a picture with an animal clearly on your property, you have a case for a complaint.

I'm a little unclear, though. Is this dog roaming free with no restraint? Surely there is a leash law where you live? Where I live, my dog can be off leash inside my property line, but the second one of them steps off the property with no leash, I could be fined.

The decent human reaction to your fear would be horror from your neighbors (I would be appalled if my neighbors felt so invaded), but I guess this is not a perfect world.

 

[nycowboy]

Simon: thanks for your candor.

Digger: What I meant by being fine with the landlord not getting back to me was: I'd rather have no response than him coming over and yelling at me like he did the last time I went over and talked to his tenants about being in my yard.

Simon: I don't know his email or phone (I'm kind of afraid of calling on the phone - it always scares me to call people I don't really know).
I am trying the "be nice" tactic now. What I wrote him was cordial, and could in no way be taken as mean or evil by anyone.

I have not seen tracks in our yard for over the past week, so maybe, just maybe, he talked to them and they've gotten the message. Maybe...

I don't have a cat, so that ground is covered.

From what I can tell, they keep the dog on a leash, and they are usually outside with her while she is outside. But the leash/chain/rope is long enough... too long... so the dog can get into my yard, usually wrapping her leash around a small tree, which means one of the tenants has to unwrap her. Last fall, the one tenant even went to pull out that small tree. She didn't realize that I was up on my roof cleaning out the gutters. I yelled out, "HEY!" to her and she scooted into her house. The tree is still there.

I just wish they'd shorten the leash so "Lucy" can't get into our yard.

I live in a small town where the leash laws are there, but I have no idea how strictly enforced they are.

At least for now, there has been no more trespass. I'm hoping it stays that way. But if it continues, I'm not sure what the next step to take is...

 

[nycowboy]

Another day, no tracks in the yard. Ahhhh.... maybe my letter worked...

 

[nycowboy]

Still no paw prints.

:)

But, the weather is supposed to warm up next week. Everyone will be outside. There will be no peace in the valley (this is what my mind is saying, anyway).

 

[Ocean5]

I'm glad no paw prints. Try to stay positive. I've left a note for a noisy upstairs neighbor that gets home at 2-3am in building with hardwood floors. One note and they have been respectful since.

Besides if situation changes, you could always leave "another" note saying you have brought pepper spray out of fear of their dog, and would hate to have to use it on their dog (and you can buy spray for dogs specifically.) But tell them pepper spray. PM me for brand.

I will tell you I carry pepper spray after being attacked by a random family dog while walking along a beach road listening to a podcast. My neighbor/friend then was shocked when he learned I didn't carry pepper spray. He has a black belt, and use to teach self-defense. He carries pepper spray.

Before anyone tells me anything bad about using pepper spray on a dog...I love dogs and animals. Grew up with them, and one saved my life as a teenager. Another random dog protected me from a serious attack by another animal. But dogs can do serious damage and cause serious illness. Dog owners need to be more responsible. Just my opinion.

 

[nycowboy]

Thanks, Ocean.

hmmmm... that is certainly an idea. But the dog never is not a barker or a vicious dog, even though she is as big as a small pony!

But I will consider it. Even if for no other reason than "scare the neighbors into not being idiots" angle.

But I'm hoping that the note to the landlord did work. We'll see, especially with spring coming and the "big gals" becoming more active.

I'm seriously considering putting up a better boundary/privacy fence so I don't have to worry about it.

But then, the big gals will think (says my mind), "Oh, good. The neighbor put up a fence. Now we can be outside more and make lots of noise and have parties and let our dog run around and... and... and....

 

[Ocean5]

If you do put up privacy fence does your city/town have noise ordinance after certain hours? Always an option...Also noise cancellation devices.

Difficult situation you are in with neighbors, and totally get not wanting to aggravate it, but glad to hear their dog is not a "barker or vicious". Dog sounds more stable than your neighbors :) This is very positive sign for you!

You know their dog might fear those "gals" also, and going onto your property for some "peace"...I know some don't like to admit this, but animals like dogs feel and think. They are often abused or neglected. There's a reason they're used as service/support/emotional for various illness and conditions including PTSD. They understand people and maybe it poses no threat to you... Maybe the dog is seeking some peace from your neighbors?

Now as an animal/nature lover... you could leave some treats, or food, for their dog. Since it doesn't bark and isn't violent I think it would then consider you a friend. If you can make friends with it. While it might be a large dog - they know whom to trust and protect. While I'm sure size is
overwhelming - if it doesn't bark at you, or show aggression, I'd try to make friends with their dog...dogs protect those most in need.

 

[nycowboy]

Thanks again, Ocean5.

You are right. It isn't the dog that bothers me. I like dogs. I'm a horse person, and my horse has somehow helped me with PTSD. Can't explain it. And he's not even "my" horse. So I get the whole PTSD/dog connection.

The dog never barks at us when we are outside. It trusts us. It isn't a bad dog. I need to keep telling myself that. It's not the dog's fault. :)

If I left a treat for the dog, I think the neighbors would think I was trying to poison it. :)

The issue here isn't the dog. It's the fact that the ladies next door haven't kept their dog out of my yard. I feel invaded by them (not the dog) when this happens and that they are trampling over me and invading my territory.

The weekend is over and there were no more paw prints. No invasions.

 

[nycowboy]

Hi again...

I'm bumping this thread up again.

Dog visits to my yard are happening again. This after the landlord clearly marked the property line last spring with those little survey flags.

Dog was in my yard again last spring as one of the ladies next door watched and did nothing. I banged on the window. Dog barked. Lady went in. Two days later the property line was marked.

No problems until the one marker in the front yard disappeared. Then they started mowing in our yard (the property line is skewed and not straight). I did nothing except grumble to myself.

Yesterday I saw paw prints in our yard again! It was like, REALLY!?!?

I told my wife about it. She was very reluctant (she hates conflict) to go outside and look with me, but she eventually did. But she is no help. I need help from someone.

I wrote the landlord again today. Yesterday I wrote a pretty scathing letter, but tore it up. I wrote a more diplomatic letter, like "this probably was an accident, but it happened again. Talk to them again. I thought this issue was resolved, but it isn't. I'm frustrated."

I'm really frustrated at this AGAIN. I haven't mailed the letter yet, but I'm trying to have the courage to do so. No one seems to get why I'm so mad. I found myself raging at my wife and sons yesterday and I don't want to repeat that. My wife tried to hug me last night and I cringed.

I hate this!

HELP.