[nbsandhills]

I live out in the country and some new people just moved into the rental house next door.

They have an austrailian shepard mix that they allow to roam, is very dog aggressive towards my dogs and this morning it left a big pile of poop on my sidewalk that was full of worms!

I built a huge training/exercise area for my dogs and these people seem to think its convenient to throw their trash - mainly beer cans - into my dog corral rather than walk to the end of the driveway and place it into the dumpster. So now, I've got to do a thorough inspection everytime we enter the corral to make sure there isn't broken glass and other debris that could be potentially harmful for my dogs.

They are a scary bunch and I sure don't feel comfortable trying to talk to them myself and when I tried to talk to their landlord he just pretty much said dogs are "supposed to run free and take care of themselves" Um, no they aren't cause out here, even tho there isn't a leash law, dogs do get shot by ranchers when they are seen roaming.

What would you do?

 

[Red Fraggle]

I'd call your local law enforcement to report the littering every time it happens and be sure to call their landlord about that one too.
The dog...do you have any animal control authority? Just because there's no leash law, doesn't mean their dog has any right to your property. If you have no animal control service in your area, I'd try scooping the dog up and taking it to the nearest shelter every time I found it on my property. They will get tired of paying the fee to get it back....or maybe they won't bother to look for it and it will end up getting adopted out to someone who will deworm it and keep an eye on it.

 

[sscott87]

Assuming you aren't fearful of harm of any sort, at least give it an attempt at speaking to the neighbors. Then, if it all continues, which it likely will...Begin calling the police and going the shelter route. I realize you live in the country as stated, and things work differently in such places as opposed to in the city, but they should be able to give you a little more direction on what rights you have.

Hey, the dog is aggressive towards yours. And you were on your own property, with your dog on a leash, when he come over aggressively and "attempted" to "attack" your dog, leaving you fearful for your own safety as well. So you managed to separate them and later lured him close, of course while your dog was back in the house, snatched him up and took him to a shelter. It's all about how you put it. Fearful for your own safety and on your property. Bingo.

Run free and take care of themselves, or not, the owners are still responsible and ultimately, there could possibly be some sort of legal ramifications toward the landlord, too. Not certain on that, but perhaps, so maybe reiterating that to him could help as well.

 

[nbsandhills]

I got a call this afternoon from these peoples landlords. They have alleged that last night they were taking the trash out and my golden attacked their dog. I told the guy that was impossible because I was at work and both dogs were in their crates, behind two locked doors in my house! My dogs are also never permitted to run off leash unless they are in their fenced area. Tee isn't leashed when he is working cattle with me, but he also has an excellent recall and does not roam. Dug, has a good recall but is still not reliable enough to let him run when we are out working therefore he is either leashed or crated. When they are outside of the fenced area, they are kept on leashes. They are not left unattended in their fenced area. EVER. If I'm at work, they are crated. Otherwise they are with me. I also told him that I could find several neighbors to testify that my dogs do not run loose. I can also provide numerous names of people who can testify that both of my dogs are well socialized and have good manners.

I guess they are claiming that their dog was severly injured and they had to seek vets care, etc. and now they are going to sue me. Weird, cause their dog was out running around this afternoon and did not appear injured. Also, I got a better look at it today and it is a pitt/austrailian shepard mix. Seems friendly enough to me, but it sure does not like my dogs. It also appears to be a fairly young dog and seems like it could be pretty smart if someone would take the time to work with it. *sigh* Even when I'm working with my dogs in the fenced area, that dog runs the outside and his tried to jump over to get to my dogs.

I'm going to try to get some video of their dog. I'm also going to start taking pictures of everything.

 

[Loki Love]

I'd set up surveillance cameras and post signs indicating that you have them.

 

[sscott87]

Wait... so THEIR landlord... who YOU initially contact in regards to his/her tenant's LOOSE dog... has now contacted YOU in regards to YOUR "loose" dog having "attacked" their dog? Which you'd already called the landlord about...

Wow. It may be in your best interest to call the police/sheriff's department simply to file a complaint/report of the entire situation so that there is some sort of documentation. They can give you further instructions as to what may be beneficial to you to call and report from then on, but at least you could possibly get a written record on file as to the situation just in case the rowdy neighbors or their landlord do try to push things further.

You live in the country, so how convenient is it for the neighbors to toss trash over the fence? Is their property/yard directly beside the fence, or do they have to walk a short ways, possibly onto YOUR property to throw their trash specifically into your fenced area? It would also be beneficial if you had witnesses that could also vouch for the fact that their dog wanders loose onto your property, in addition to being able to vouch for your own dog.

 

[nbsandhills]

Wait... so THEIR landlord... who YOU initially contact in regards to his/her tenant's LOOSE dog... has now contacted YOU in regards to YOUR "loose" dog having "attacked" their dog? Which you'd already called the landlord about...

Wow. It may be in your best interest to call the police/sheriff's department simply to file a complaint/report of the entire situation so that there is some sort of documentation. They can give you further instructions as to what may be beneficial to you to call and report from then on, but at least you could possibly get a written record on file as to the situation just in case the rowdy neighbors or their landlord do try to push things further.

You live in the country, so how convenient is it for the neighbors to toss trash over the fence? Is their property/yard directly beside the fence, or do they have to walk a short ways, possibly onto YOUR property to throw their trash specifically into your fenced area? It would also be beneficial if you had witnesses that could also vouch for the fact that their dog wanders loose onto your property, in addition to being able to vouch for your own dog.

I'm going to talk to the sheriffs office here shortly. I want a written record about this whole nightmare just in case it escalates any further. Especially now since they are making allegations that my crated/locked up-in-the-house dogs attacked and damaged their dog. I also invited the deputy to come out and see how I take care of my dogs, where they are kept, exercised etc.

One of my neighbors just called and said they "took a shot at a black and white dog earlier and missed but they won't miss next time" because it was out chasing their cows. I had to assure them that is NOT my dog.

What a mess...

 

[luv mi pets]

Well, it sounds as if your neighbor will be taking care of the problem shortly. It irks me when owners think just because they live out in the country they have the right to let their dog run free. The one I feel bad for is the dog. Exposed to dangers such as cars, guns and other animals, it will be the poor dog who will be the loser in the end. Pretty scary situation for you and your family (human and furry included) Hopefully they are not your neighbor for long.

 

[sscott87]

Looks like you figured out the root at least of part of the problem. Similarly colored dog running loose. Perhaps little more is needed now than to kindly inform the neighbors that the dog they've seen loose and have now shot at is not YOUR dog but you would still appreciate it if they'll keep their trash in their own yard.

 

[Fuzzy Pants]

Your neighbors sound dangerous. Can you get a restraining order. I would definitely set up security cameras. And complain to their landlord every single time there is a problem. Eventually, the landlord might get so sick of you calling and decide to evict them.

 

[Zoey's Mommy]

Your neighbors sound dangerous. Can you get a restraining order. I would definitely set up security cameras. And complain to their landlord every single time there is a problem. Eventually, the landlord might get so sick of you calling and decide to evict them.

*agreed* they do sound dangerous, though I don't know how much is needed for a restraining order.

we're in rural ohio, no leash laws, no sound ordinance, etc... Our county dog warden requires you give your name and number when you file a report, and it is public record. That's enough to discourage people from reporting neglect and abuse.

I feel your pain, our neighbor went through 7 dogs in 5 years, and it's ROUGH! I think the only thing that brought a stop to it, is he's the principle of the local elementary school. Having humane officers called out to his house would be embarassing, and anyone that acts that way should be embarassed of themselves!

You and your pups stay safe. Hopefully he won't be able to pay his rent and be evicted soon! *fingers crossed*

 

[nbsandhills]

Just an update:

I talked to the Sheriffs Office and of course, not much they can do at this time. They just recommended that I document everything and take pictures when I can. As far as the trash dumping, they said they can't do anything about it until they have proof... guess the big pile of beer cans isn't proof (eye roll) And since there is not a leash law in the county there isn't anything they can do about the dog. However, they did remind me that I can protect myself and my property from a loose dog. Both deputies did compliment me on the "dog corral" - which I gotta admit turned out pretty nice. (trying to focus on the positive here.! )

I also called my vet this morning and have my dogs started back on some heavy duty wormer as a preventative. The neighbors dog seems to want to poop on my sidewalk and it is mostly worms (kinda looks like moving chinese food) ewww. We are going to worm my dogs mainly because Dug found the pile before I had a chance to tell him to "leave it" and already had his nose stuck in it before I could pull him away. Double ewww. The vet also recommended that I try to throw some wormer at the neighbors dog or this could end up being a constant battle.

I'd like to send them my vet bill....

 

[Abbylynn]

I would send them the vet bill ... providing they go through with the injury complaint and get a lawyer. I do not see how they would have a leg to stand on though. You take tons of pics and actual videos of their dog running around if you can ... and their trash! IMO their booze is doing all the talking!

Good luck!

 

[RCloud]

Oh God. This was the mentality people had at my last place of residence in KY :/ One of our neighbors (very nice guy, don't get me wrong, but kind of a crappy dog owner) would allow his deaf shepherd to roam the neighborhood, and it would often come into our yard where our dogs were. One day it attacked Marlin, and just happened to be within range of Charlotte (who was tethered), who is VERY protective of Marlin, and she tackled the dog, knocking them into the side of our car and mauled it's ear. The neighbor saw what had happened and came running over. I got Charlotte off and put her inside and he apologized, but continued to let the dog roam -_- It stayed away from our property after that, but still. Unless there's strict leash laws, there's little you can do to stop it unfortunately.

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

i dont know where you are but here "technically" you can shoot a tresspassing dog that is an imediate danger to you or your own animals, i would at least get a hot shot or something & give him a nasty jolt if he so much as came near my fence. sorry if that sounds mean, but i take the safety of my own dogs (nowthis is speaking from my point of view its not a reflection on the quality of treatment you give your dogs) VERY seriously.

 

[nbsandhills]

i dont know where you are but here "technically" you can shoot a tresspassing dog that is an imediate danger to you or your own animals, i would at least get a hot shot or something & give him a nasty jolt if he so much as came near my fence. sorry if that sounds mean, but i take the safety of my own dogs (nowthis is speaking from my point of view its not a reflection on the quality of treatment you give your dogs) VERY seriously.

Its the same here. Any dog out in the county that is a threat to people or property can be "disposed of." I don't like the thought of shooting anyones dog - I would if I had to... but I did get some pepper spray.

 

[RCloud]

It would have to be some pretty extreme circumstances for me to shoot someone's dog, legal or not. I think the only way I'd ever step in with a gun would be if the attacking dog was very large and out to kill my dogs. Otherwise, if nothing else, I'd just assume allow Charlotte to send the dog packing home with a few wounds for it's owner's to see and think about (I'd step in before I ever allowed her to seriously injure another dog). For some folks, if they really care about their dogs, having them return home beaten up seems to be the only way to get the message through to them.

 

[nbsandhills]

Nobody was around today, and I didn't see the dog right off but I heard it barking. I walked over to see what the problem was, and they have their dog in a little pen about 3'x3'. They had a prong collar on it and a shock collar. I took the prong collar off of it and I also gave it some wormer and some water. It really does seem friendly for the most part, but obviously has some major dog aggression issues. I just can't stand to see any dog suffer. Now I'm trying to get up the courage to just take it to the humane society. It would be safer there for the dog, but I know it would probably be pts mainly because it is a pitt mix.

 

[sscott87]

As much as I agree with the having a heart and not wanting to see the dog in such a situation, with the very situation you have described yourself as being stuck in with them, you may want to reconsider wandering onto their property and removing a collar from a dog that's in an enclosure. While the wormer is a nice thing of you to do and won't likely be noticed, a collar no longer on the dog is pretty obvious *someone* wandered over...and if they've already at least mentioned to their landlord some bs about you're dog attacking and them wanting to sue...yeah... As for the humane society, again, that should be an only-if-you-catch-him-running-loose situation, and surely not a take-him-from-his-enclosure. Otherwise, suddenly it's you that is trotting a thin line.

 

[nbsandhills]

As much as I agree with the having a heart and not wanting to see the dog in such a situation, with the very situation you have described yourself as being stuck in with them, you may want to reconsider wandering onto their property and removing a collar from a dog that's in an enclosure. While the wormer is a nice thing of you to do and won't likely be noticed, a collar no longer on the dog is pretty obvious *someone* wandered over...and if they've already at least mentioned to their landlord some bs about you're dog attacking and them wanting to sue...yeah... As for the humane society, again, that should be an only-if-you-catch-him-running-loose situation, and surely not a take-him-from-his-enclosure. Otherwise, suddenly it's you that is trotting a thin line.

The pen that the dog is in now is very small and made from wire panels. I just slipped the prong collar off but looped it on one of the wire ends (like it just got caught there.) I would have loved to have chucked that shock collar too, but figured that would be way too obvious. And yep, I won't take the dog anywhere until I can catch it on my property. I didn't leave the pan over there either, that I gave the dog some water in. I'm not trying to cause any problems.

I know I shouldn't even have been over there... the dog has been in that pen since at least 0700 this morning and it is now 10:30 pm. and so far nobobdy has been around.