More From my Hateful Neighbors

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

So, as a lot of you know I just re-homed my kitty due to one specific neighbor complaint (and she said other neighbors were complaining too, but they just never told me). I did right by the situation and following the rules according to the HOA by-laws and got rid of my kitty.....so last evening got a knock on my door. Two men standing there, I knew already who they were. The Pres. of the HOA and the Vice Prez.

First they were very nice, and so was I. But it was hard to maintain. They started off my introducing themselves, then saying they've had some complaints. I said that I had heeded the complaints about my kitty and he no longer lives there, blah blah blah. They said they'd also had complaints about my rabbits

I asked what kind of complaint a rabbit could generate and they said the neighbor to the left of me complained about the smell. And I had to laugh at that because I have a very efficient poop and pee catcher built under my hutch and lately I can't keep up with the demand for the poop for gardens!!! There's vertually NO smell, my back yard is very clean, and the rabbit poop and pee never touches the ground at all. The Pres actually told me he'd been in the complaining neighbors yard and looked over the fence and was impressed by how clean and efficient the hutch system was. And the kicker to this is...that particular neighbor doesn't LIVE in that house, she comes by about once a week to check on things, but her house is in foreclosure!!!

So that neighbor and the one that had issues with my cat apparently told several other neighbors about the cat and the rabbits so I've generated about 10 complaints in the short time I've lived here. I didn't realize I was such a troublemaker

Whats more irritating about this is the neighbor who was "bothered" by the "smell" of my rabbits is the same neighbor that asked us to pull some weeds for her in exchange for some parking in her carport (since she doesn't live there). The past two months hubby and I have logged about 4 hours of yardwork. I trimmed her hedges and we weeded both of her rockery beds (she has no grass) hubby took our leaf blower and has been keeping the leaves and debri off her cement slab and walk ways. She came over the other day and told us that "it doesn't look like you've done much, and I'd really like to allow you to park here but if you're not going to do what was asked of you...". I told my husband then that this was a rediculous idea and he thought he could work it out with her but apparently because we are not keeping her yard at a professional level that she decided to make up the complaint about our rabbits.

The issue with the rabbits is I am only allowed two animals..period. I have three adult buns, and six babies at this time. So I have to now get rid of two of my bunnies....I know already where they can go because they are good stock with pedigrees and I know a breeder here who was already interested in some of the kits. So, I guess thats some solace. When I told my husband about this he was furious.

So in the past year I've had to put to sleep or had to re-home 5 pets, including the rabbits.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I know you said that at the time, moving there was best for your family. Is it still? Used to work security for gated communities and suburban planned communities, and even after the anthropological texts on the subject, can't say I was prepared for what I found. Not fun times. I was thankful when I was able to get far, far away. Maybe such a change would be a good thing for you guys too?

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Thanks for your reply. Honestly I can say that this IS the best place for us now. We basically have one income, I still do some dog training, but my other job ended in January. Since this home is owned by my husband's family they have allowed us to rent at about 2/3 of what other homes in the area are going for. It's the best we can afford right now, secure, safe and quiet. We'll deal with this, it's just so frustrating that we have so many elderly people here that seem to have nothing better to do than cause problems for new people in the neighborhood. I told the Pres and Vice Pres that we aren't intentionally causing problems...and its the truth. I just wish I had a bit more room and privacy. I really can't complain too much, even though I am venting. We have a very nice home, in a very nice area to live in. Many people don't even have that much.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Ah, I gotcha. Yeah, rent at a family price is very helpful when times are tougher. Hope you guys work out something that works for you.

 

[Peaches Lee]

I would be furious too. I would also put up the tallest privacy fence and buy fast growing trees--but let me guess, your HOA wouldn't allow that!

You guys are really strong though, giving up your animals like that. I hope these neighbors will finally abate and leave you alone, such a tough thing to deal with, good luck!

 

[BrattishTaz]

I saw your cat thread and was impressed by how quickly you took care of the situation. You have shown yourself to be a considerate neighbor. Some people just will never be happy. I personally would stop parking in Miss Foreclosure's driveway, let her yard overgrow, and report her to the association for mucking up the neighborhood. That is what I would do...... I'm probably not as nice as you though.

 

[bagendhens]

i know hoas are diligent on fence type and height but i tmight be worth seeing if you can somehow surround the area around the bunny hutch with a privicy screen of some kind to keep nosy neighbors eyes off your hutches

i would also not do any yard work for annoying neghbor lady #2 and then complain about the weeds....see how she likes it...im not sue if your hoa has fines but around here they do...you either do it yourself or you pay someone but if your yards not "up to code" they will send you fines...
im not typically a malicious person but this is getting ridiculous, you guys are in the midsts of hard times and all these nosy neighbors can do is file complaints with no real reason...i could understand if smell or noise realy were an issue...but a couple of well managed caged buns?! seriously...

*hugs* hold in there!

 

[un-named]

Quote:
X2.... and hope nicer neighbors move in that don't memorzie every word of every rule and nail you on it..... condo and TH situations seem to bring out the nit picking amongst people!!!!
I'm sorry you had to go through this... but to stay in the clear you might have to stick to your 2 pet limit.

 

[Snowygirl]

wow......

 

[sourland]

Quote:
X 3 Her behavior is not going to change. I am a "walk away from confrontations" sort of a person, but this calls for retaliation. Cover your butt as far as HOA regs and then attack. Sorry that you have to deal with this. By the way, it's not only us "old folks" who act like this. There are plenty of evil/nasty younger people.