Owners won't keep untrained dogs on leash (two small kids).

[djheater]

OK. I found myself questioning what to do, and since I'm beginning to feel angry I decided I needed a little objectivity. Feel free to comment either way.

I have two little girls a 5 year old and 20 month old. My baby LOVES dogs and wouldn't think twice about approaching a strange dog (sigh) Our neighbors who have not proven to be either considerate or even clean. Have two dogs, one old, one puppy. The neighbors themselves spend most of thier time indoors drinking. Every day I see the "husband" walk up the street to the liquor store and come back with a case of beer. Literally every day.

Now, they have two small kids too, and thier daughter is very nice (though interestingly, every time she's over to our house, she asks to stay for dinner, requests EXTRA helpings of VEGETABLES, and plays VERY carefully with all the toys).

At any rate, they often (probably once or twice a week) either let the dog bolt out the door, or purposefully let it out unleashed. They have NO fence and the dog or sometimes dogs run all over the neighborhood (BTW there's a family with 3 small children on the other side as well). The dogs have never bit, so far as I know, but they have acted agressively, especially toward me. Running toward me and barking, growling. I think they consider my back yard part of thier territory and see me as an invader. They've also backed my older daughter into the house a couple of times (she was going out to play and saw them loose, they started to approach her and she ran in. She's a bit on the timid side).

I'm no stranger to animals, my mom still lives on the farm and I had dogs all the time growing up. I don't think these dogs are particularly vicious or dangerous but they ARE untrained, and because of that MAY act unpredictably. If I were down home and they did what they have done I certainly would have shot them already. I'm concerned that they may nip or outright attack one of my daughters or my wife, honestly.

Both myself and the neighbor on the other side have already spoken to them about keeping the dogs inside or on the leash, I've called the cops and animal control and a letter's been sent from the city. I'm at the end of my rope.

What can I do to keep them back from my property?

Would something like this work?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: djheater
OK. I found myself questioning what to do, and since I'm beginning to feel angry I decided I needed a little objectivity. Feel free to comment either way.

I have two little girls a 5 year old and 20 month old. My baby LOVES dogs and wouldn't think twice about approaching a strange dog (sigh) Our neighbors who have not proven to be either considerate or even clean. Have two dogs, one old, one puppy. The neighbors themselves spend most of thier time indoors drinking. Every day I see the "husband" walk up the street to the liquor store and come back with a case of beer. Literally every day.

Now, they have two small kids too, and thier daughter is very nice (though interestingly, every time she's over to our house, she asks to stay for dinner, requests EXTRA helpings of VEGETABLES, and plays VERY carefully with all the toys).

At any rate, they often (probably once or twice a week) either let the dog bolt out the door, or purposefully let it out unleashed. They have NO fence and the dog or sometimes dogs run all over the neighborhood (BTW there's a family with 3 small children on the other side as well). The dogs have never bit, so far as I know, but they have acted agressively, especially toward me. Running toward me and barking, growling. I think they consider my back yard part of thier territory and see me as an invader. They've also backed my older daughter into the house a couple of times (she was going out to play and saw them loose, they started to approach her and she ran in. She's a bit on the timid side).

I'm no stranger to animals, my mom still lives on the farm and I had dogs all the time growing up. I don't think these dogs are particularly vicious or dangerous but they ARE untrained, and because of that MAY act unpredictably. If I were down home and they did what they have done I certainly would have shot them already. I'm concerned that they may nip or outright attack one of my daughters or my wife, honestly.

Both myself and the neighbor on the other side have already spoken to them about keeping the dogs inside or on the leash, I've called the cops and animal control and a letter's been sent from the city. I'm at the end of my rope.

What can I do to keep them back from my property?

Would something like this work?

Dude, the second one of those dog's even threatened my children, they would be dead. Simple as that

EDIT: I dunno if that device would work but if it did, maybe you could give one to your daughter. But she should NOT have to have one at all. I'd talk to them first and if they refuse to do anything about it, I'd call the humane society and/or the cops on them.

 

[Looney]

That looks interesting... it might work, but my guess is as good as yours. I love animals, especially dogs... but i think that's just irresponsible to let your dogs run like that untrained. I would contact the SPCA or authorities and tell them your concern.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I understand your concern, but realistically, you are not going to change your neighbors (or their dogs). Therefore, your option reside in how you and your family interacts with the dogs.

I don't think I would try the device you linked to... when animals experience pain/discomfort they will often lash out at whatever is near by, i.e., your daughter perhaps.

Continue to send letters to the animal control office, document the situation.

good luck

 

[IamDavid]

Call the pound and don't let your kids anywhere near the dogs.. About once a year a child is either severely malled or ripped apart here in town.. Or at least up until a couple years ago when they finally made it a law ALL dogs MUST be leashed or behind fences within a mile from schools and churches..

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic
That looks interesting... it might work, but my guess is as good as yours. I love animals, especially dogs... but i think that's just irresponsible to let your dogs run like that untrained. I would contact the SPCA or authorities and tell them your concern.

I've done that, maybe I need to be more persistent.
There's light at the end of the tunnel, I do move to a wonderful neighborhood in August, it's this last summer when the kids will be outdoors all the time that worries me.

 

[CChaos]

What about a fence?

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: CChaos
What about a fence?

I have a fence, which is better than nothing. But kids tend to range and making them stay within the fence wouldn't be nice. I'm not about to tell my children they can't play in our front yard.
The fence also does not include my parking area.

 

[NogginBoink]

This is not as hard as it sounds. I had a similar problem with my neighbor. (Thankfully, she built a fence.)

EVERY time this happens, call the city's animal control department and ask them to send a dogcatcher out to impound the dogs.

Then call 'em every 30 minutes asking where the dogcatcher is until he shows up.

EVERY time.

Your neighbors may or may not care.

You'll be a little thorn in the city's side. Be courteous but insistent. Mention that you fear for the safety of your children. Get the name of the person you speak with on every call.

But it will keep your family safe from these animals. If it happens enough, the city will likely ticket/fine your neighbor.

 

[wyvrn]

When the dog steps in your yard, shoot him. Say it was self defense because he was growling and bristling. If it's lawful, just put them out of their misery and maybe your sorry as neighbors will think twice next time they let their dogs go unleashed.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink

You'll be a little thorn in the city's side. Be courteous but insistent. Mention that you fear for the safety of your children. Get the name of the person you speak with on every call.

That's kind of what I thought, it's unfortunate that public safety is a matter of beauracracy. I'd like to avoid this mess and, as I've said, if I were down home I would've already. Alright, I'll begin that regimen immediately.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
This is not as hard as it sounds. I had a similar problem with my neighbor. (Thankfully, she built a fence.)

EVERY time this happens, call the city's animal control department and ask them to send a dogcatcher out to impound the dogs.

Then call 'em every 30 minutes asking where the dogcatcher is until he shows up.

EVERY time.

Your neighbors may or may not care.

You'll be a little thorn in the city's side. Be courteous but insistent. Mention that you fear for the safety of your children. Get the name of the person you speak with on every call.

But it will keep your family safe from these animals. If it happens enough, the city will likely ticket/fine your neighbor.

I was going to suggest dognapping and dropping them at a shelter, but that's even better.

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
When the dog steps in your yard, shoot him. Say it was self defense because he was growling and bristling. If it's lawful, just put them out of their misery and maybe your sorry as neighbors will think twice next time they let their dogs go unleashed.

That's great advice.

Then try to explain to the neighbor why you had to shoot their dog. Then explain to your kids why you had to shoot the dog. I'm sure they would understand...

 

[jagr10]

I would threaten to call the Animal control if they don't have them on leash. ANimal control will come out and take the dogs away because they're not allowed to be loose like that. It's for their own safety too because the dogs could get hit by a car if they wander around. If it does happen again, call animal control (which can be anonymous) and they'll come out. Your neighbour won't know it was you.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: NogginBoink

You'll be a little thorn in the city's side. Be courteous but insistent. Mention that you fear for the safety of your children. Get the name of the person you speak with on every call.

That's kind of what I thought, it's unfortunate that public safety is a matter of beauracracy. I'd like to avoid this mess and, as I've said, if I were down home I would've already. Alright, I'll begin that regimen immediately.

Good call. The more you bug the city people, the more they will crawl up your neighbor's butt about the dog issue. I'm sure he'll be much more inclined to keep his dogs leashed when he starts accruing fines every week that cut into his beer fund.

 

[sciencetoy]

Another vote for calling the authorities the minute you spot the dog or dogs. Keep calling, and document.

Also, train your kids (well, maybe not the little one yet) to come running to you when they spot the dog loose so that you can call. This gives the kids something positive to do.

Also, ask Animal Control or the cops if they would come to your house and speak to your children about how to behave around unleashed dogs.

Good luck on your move - hope your new neighbors have quiet cats and welltrained dogs.

 

[Moonbeam]

The dogs are not the issue or shouldn't be in my opinion. Your neighbors kids are what you should be worried about.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
The dogs are not the issue or shouldn't be in my opinion. Your neighbors kids are what you should be worried about.

Of course I am Moonie. I hold no resentment against their children, any child is welcome in my house and will be treated with love and respect, though not all adults , there is a clear limit to my enlightenment.

 

[Moonbeam]

Dear dj, I wasn't worried about you harboring resentment to your neighbor's kids, I was refering to their emotional welfare and the alcoholism of the parents, the caution with toys as a symptom of the fear of punishment, etc. You feel it, no?

edit: By the way, I wonder what limitation there really would be on enlightenment.