Annoying neighbor rant- They wanna KILL my dogs!! longish story....

[mamawolf544]

We live in the country, no leash laws, no dog pound. We have had over the years so many dogs dumped at our house I have lost count. Presently I have 4 dogs outside, and 3 dogs inside. I live on 12.5 acres, my chickens and all my other poultry free range my goats and I only have 11 are in a 2 acre hog panel pasture, (goats are smart) My back yard to my house is also fenced with hog panels and 3 big hog proof gates. My pot belly pig lives in my backyard and my 1 house dog goes in the back yard. The other 2 are chihuahuas they are 14 yrs old, they are pad trained and they never go outside, ever. They weigh 3 pounds and 5 pounds. A hawk could pick them up.
Now with that being said all my dogs outside are on long lead runs. They protect my animals, they have plenty of room and I dont have to worry about them getting hit by a car. My neighbors used to let their bird dogs run lose and they kept coming to my house trying to eat my ducks, that at the time were in an enclosed hot wire pen because of where I had them located on the property (coyotes) But these dogs were trained to hunt and sniff a hot wire and over my pen they would go. I gave the neighbor 1 courtesy call with his dog beside me with feathers hanging out of his mouth, that the next time I was shooting. He keeps his dogs penned up most of the time now.
But I live in Texas and I am allowed to shoot and kill to protect any and all of my livestock. But it would break my heart to shoot any dog.
I would pad train your little dogs or build them their own little safe run. The heartache would not be worth it.

 

[suzettex5]

Ok, I asked for it, and I sure got it!! And let me say that when we first rented this place, we did not know the neighbor had a dog, nor that he let it run free. And NO that is not an excuse for letting ours run our property. Property they NEVER left until they started noticing the neighbors dog in OUR yard.

YES, my dogs should not be out, but it happens. I am working on it, like I said. I'm not using living in the country as an excuse to let my dogs run wild though. It is a common occurance out here amongst our rural neighbors, but most everyone is very tolerant and just sends 'Fido' on home. I am actively working on our puppy with the come command, but it takes time. PLEASE dont get all sactimonious and act as though 'your' dog would NEVER get out or run after another dog. It happens all the time, they are just animals and will act according to their nature-sometimes no matter how well trained.

I guess my issue is really that anyone could be so heartless. It would seem from most of the reponses here that my neighbors'dog attacking mine at my house is immaterial. I think that a dog that attacks and then repeatedly attacks my dog at my house is a danger to not just my dogs, but my children as well. But maybe it was an isolated inncident, you say?? NOPE, they said that their dog had bitten someone before. Kinda scary.

That my neighbor would say something about his dog killing our dog in a way that sounded like he couldnt wait for it to happen is uncalled for and heartless. I didnt tell him that I COULD have had his dog destroyed for what it did, I dont like to be threatening like that. These are the same people who told me to my face that "Renters never have anything worth stealing, so you dont have to worry about crime" The same people who until their dog attacked our dog, let their dog run the neighborhood willy-nilly. And really, no one cares (except animal control, of course)

I just dont get why they are so nasty about the whole situation when they used to do the same thing. They are even rude and mean to my kids when they run over to get our puppy out of their yard. I would think they would be glad to see us trying really hard to keep our dog out of their yard.

As for fencing- I am considering some kind of electric fencing, but it would be a danger to my kids, not to mention it would cost ALOT of money to have it put up in any way that would be beneficial. I'm sure not gonna spend tons to put up a fence, just to decide we arent going to buy this place. If we dont buy, we are buying a different house in 6 months.

I'm NOT upset they are putting up a fence,far from it!! I'm really glad they are. BUT they are not making it dog proof from THEIR side. Their intent to is to let their dog run the fenced area, but the fence is not being made in a way that will keep their dog in. But all they seem to notice and state is that OUR dogs can get in and they will be killed by their dog. I'm upset because they had this HUGE attitude and made their remarks in a tone of voice that said "I cant wait till your dog gets munched" Maybe you had to be there to understand. Not to mention the various other derogatory comments made towards us.

I am NOT saying they would be at fault if our dog went into their yard and got hurt or killed. It would be our fault for not keeping our dogs better contained. But, I wonder if everyones opinions would suddenly change if the neighbors dog got out and hurt our dog on our property? A mean dog is a mean dog- period. I have NEVER owned a dog that has attacked another dog or bitten a person. And I never will.

Like I said, I'm upset and worried. I dont want there to be a problem with any of our dogs. I dont hate their dog or anything, he's just got a bad history with us, and the owners are obviously upset still that they had to help pay a bill for the damage their dog did a year ago.

They could have just come over and talked to us. I would have been MORE than happy to help them build their fence, I even would have helped pay for some of it. My husband went over to have a chat with them, to ask them if we could help with anything, and was basically met with threats and bad attitudes and nasty questions.

Are those of you out there really so far up on your "I trained my dog better than you" horse that you cant find a tiny little bit of sympathy for an unfortunate circumstance? I only ranted to get some of the hurt, and fear, and anger out- not to get slammed or told how irresponsible I am. I am not making excuses, I am owning up to my failure in this scenario. I knew there would be some who would get upset with me for not having a fully fenced property and letting my dogs out. I am trying to take the harshness with a grain of salt.

I'm sorry I've offended all dog owners out there who keep their dogs fenced in and never have any problems. I wish I was one of them right now so I wouldnt have these issues.

BTW- I never said I thought the neighbors should put up a fence to keep my dogs off their property, they are fencing because they want to let their dog roam the whole 2 acres and they cant let him do that since he is a danger to other animals.

OH, and H E double hockey sticks YES I let my chickens free range!!! They DONT leave my fenced pasture and I havent lost even ONE to predators in the pasture in 2 years. They have access to hiding places, water, roosts, their coop and a covered area! I believe the pasture is good for them. My hens dont go anywhere they shouldnt and are well taken care of. It is HARDLY my fault if the neighbors dog crosses TWO fences and TWO acres to run after my hens! C'mon folks- that is unfair to make mean comments about my flock free-ranging...

Skeeter03- Thanks for the idea, I will look into it and I really do understand your point. Well taken and well said.

 

[WingingIt]

Want to hear my guess? They got in trouble with the law and are trying to cover their butts. Either that dog went after someone else or they were reported for it running loose/attacking animals or something.......they might not know who turned them in and suspect you since there's been bad blood there before. So they put up a fence, which is good. Now, if they only fenced 3 sides and it can still get out, that's just stupid and useless on their part and not going to save them at all.

I do agree that you do have to keep your dogs out of their yard. You may have to resort to leashes until everyone is fully trained and trustworthy. Pain in the butt, but it works, it's cheap and it keeps them safe. You can't excuse them (your dogs) getting out and getting over there by saying accidents happen because then he'll just use the same excuse if his gets out and attacks yours again.......so don't open the door for him to be able to do that.

Personally, I think you should have reported that dog attack to have it on record. If it did attack someone/something again, that would have been strike two and they probably wouldn't have it any longer. Solving part of your problem.

If ANYTHING happens with that dog again, report it, or have the people involved report it so it's on record.

And I know you didn't ask, but having a neighbor you don't get along with and a situation where you both seem to want to make each other miserable......well, that's a DARN good reason to not buy that property in my book. Who wants to live like that when you've got another choice, you know?

 

[chels23]

Suzettex5, I completely understand your point of view. If a neighbors dog came into my yard unsupervised and attacked my dog I'd be upset also. At the same time both you and your neighbor should work at keeping your dogs inside your yards. Small dogs are especially hard to keep inside a penned area (they find every hole). By saying that the neighbor "finally" put up a fence implies that you think that it is the neighbors responsibility to keep their dog in and yours out.
As for the chickens, check with state laws as far as shooting a dog that is attacking your chickens. You can't kill a dog just for coming into your yard though.

 

[CityChicker]

Well, 8 or 9 people responded and told you that it is YOUR responsibility to keep YOUR dogs in. That should tell you something. LOL. Don't mean to sound harsh, but it is the truth. I can honestly say that I am not high and mighty about my dog's training either. That is the thing. I don't rely on training. I rely on something called a fence. Same way with my birds. I have hundreds of birds and every single one of them is in an enclosed predator proof cage. Every. Single. One. Not little cages either. We have spent more on cages and fencing than we have on our birds. If you haven't lost one yet, chances are you have just been lucky.

I do understand your disappointment in your neighbor's attitude, but that is just the way things go. Not everyone wants to be our friend and not everyone is patient about things like dogs running lose. You yourself said that if his dog came in your yard you would SSS. How then can you be upset if he takes joy in yours meeting a similar fate? I really don't mean to sound harsh. I'm sure you are a nice person and I recognize that I am a bit abrasive at times, so forgive me for my bluntness. There is a lot of truth though in the old cliche about good fences making good neighbors!

The suggestion about hog panels is great too. They are so convenient and easy to work with. I don't know about your area, but here we can get the lighter weight panels for about $15. That is roughly $60 for a 16' x 16' enclosure (think they always come in that length or similar). Electric fence is a good option as well. For a visual barrier, silt fencing is really cheap and easy to work with as well. HTH.

 

[CityChicker]

Quote:
I completely agree with your post, especially this last line! It is just not worth it. We have lived next to great people and others that were just miserable busy bodies. Do yourself a HUGE favor and consider buying a different place.

 

[Southernbelle]

If the neighbor's dog came onto your property without your permission and attacked your dog, they should've been responsible for the entire vet bill since their dog was outside of their control. If you would've taken them to court, you probably would've won that one.

If your dog is attacked (and/or killed) on their property, they don't owe you anything since your dog was outside your control. Your neighbor sounds like a mean and vindictive person, so I would be very careful. I'd put up some sort of fence for your dog. To keep our small poodle in, we just used cheap welded wire fence and those green fence stakes - it looks awful, but it keeps him in and we can take it down and roll it up easily. We put it up outside our side door just so he had a place to go to the bathroom and come back in. You could also buy a netted electric fence pretty cheaply.

 

[suzettex5]

Quote:
Thank you for the advice and the ideas for fencing. I will ABSOLUTELY look into hog fencing. When I said FINALLY, it was because they had told us and our property owner that they were going to put up a fence 3 years ago, when their dog had bitten someone else. AND our property owner had already helped them by giving them some of the money to help them pay for the fence since it would benefit both properties.

I absolutely take offense that ANYONE would take joy in SSS. I sure dont relish the idea, honestly I only said it because I was/am distraught over all this. More than likely I would just chase the dog off and send them a nice note that their fence isnt working out so great at keeping him in. I really hope it doent come to anything as sad as SSS. I am actually suprised they havent shot at our dogs, but they have no livestock and where we live you can only shoot a dog if it is worrying or killing actual livestock- ie: poultry, cows, goats, sheep, etc. Maybe thats why I havent heard any gun shots yet?

I am going to have to do something, I know. I just dont get judgemental people who take joy in being mean or vindictive. I am just not the kind of person who would say such cold hearted things in such an detached way, nor someone who wants to have drama in her own back yard. I know not everyone gets along with everyone, but, darn it, if my house was on fire, would they call the fire dept? What if it was their place goin up in flames, or being robbed? Friendly neighbors do come in handy sometimes and I like to think I am that good kind of neighbor (except for the whole dog issue). I would much rather get along and live and let live than look for trouble.

 

[Foleys]

Personally I do not agree with letting dogs just run free I do not think it is safe for the dogs. All it takes is one car to come down and hit them and most Likly not survive. We
have two dogs and we live in the country and we keep them on a lead chain so that they are safe but still can run. But I do not think your neighbors have good intentions. Why would someone put up a fence that other dogs could get in. I feel for ya and wish you luck.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Ok I didn't read thru all the posts, but there's a very simple solution. TIE your dogs on a run that's near the house so that can't go thru the fence. Once a dog learns to be tied they are more than happy with the space you give them.