If you live in a residential area, several of your neighbors probably have pets. Someone else’s cat or dog that wanders into your yard from time to time may not be an issue if it’s friendly, but an animal that bites or scratches your children or pets, or that leaves waste behind, can be a danger to your family’s health and safety.
Steps You Can Take
If an animal can get into your yard because the fence is damaged, repairing it may solve the problem. You can set up security cameras to gather evidence and encourage neighbors to keep their pets out of your yard. You can post signs stating that the property is under surveillance and warning people to keep their dogs off your property.
If a neighbor’s animal has repeatedly entered your property without permission and is a nuisance, you may be able to resolve the matter amicably by having a conversation with your neighbor. He or she may be unaware of the issue and you may be able to work out a solution.
If you’re worried about the health and safety of your family, especially young children, speak to the neighbor in person as soon as possible. Explain what happened and why you are concerned. Try to avoid being angry and confrontational, but make it clear that the problem needs to be addressed immediately.
Consider Legal Action
If the neighbor fails to resolve the issue, you may have to get the authorities involved. Most municipalities have laws related to the types of animals that residents may own and how they must be confined or restrained. You can check to find out if your neighbor is in violation of any ordinance.
The police department may not be willing to get involved unless there is an imminent threat to health or safety, but you can contact the Animal Control Department. They may investigate, issue a fine and order the neighbor to address the issue.
In some cases, you may have to get an attorney to send a letter threatening to take legal action if the neighbor does not resolve the matter. If you file a nuisance lawsuit because of a repeated problem, a judge may order the neighbor to remedy the situation and impose a fine.
Talk to other neighbors to find out if they have also experienced problems with the animal in question. If so, multiple complaints may be more effective than a single complaint.
What Not to Do
Do not, under any circumstances, harm or threaten to harm the animal or your neighbor. That can get you in a boatload of legal trouble. Don’t leave the pet’s waste on your neighbor’s doorstep, in their mailbox or take any other spiteful action, no matter how frustrated and angry you are.
my neighbor across the street has dogs that are in an electric underground fence. This fence does not contain the dogs. they have one dog that just runs thru the fence all the time. every time I go outside and the dog sees movement in my yard… he starts barking and coming my way. this dog has chased me on my porch,growling and barking, the other day came home and he was in my neighbors yard and saw me and started barking and coming my way. They owners are aware of this but just don’t care. I have called Animal Control 3 times and they have done nothing nor have I heard back from them. I don’t think they have done anything because last i saw the dog running at large. I fear my safety and my little dog and cat safety. I take my dog and cat out every morning and if he sees them then i have to take them back into the house. There is NO supervision of the dogs when they are out. Why can’t they be put in a fence, because the electric one don’t work. Why don’t Animal Control communicate with me concerning this matter? I hearing nothing from them and nothing has changed.
Get cameras installed. Find out if your city has leash laws and if so file complaint. Y
donna
thank you for suggesting to contact your city to find out if there is a leash law…hope it helps in my situation cause the neighbors have puppies now but puppies grow into big dogs and they will be an issue later on so why not nip in it the butt now. I should be able to walk in my yard without stepping on poop.
My neighbor just allowed her grown daughter to move back home and along with her she has brought 2 Pitbull’s. Sadly I take care of a feral cat that will not come in my house due to anxiety issues. However I have taken the proper steps to make sure she isn’t able to reproduce and she is well taken care of (provided with food and a warm shelter). My concern is that my neighbors do not have her dogs on a leash and that they may attack my cat as she roams in her yard. I have a country style fence that isn’t closed off so at any moment her dogs may come through the spaces in between. I’m not sure what I can do if anything. Looking for suggestions.
If you have laws go to your mayor see what the mayor can do keep calling law enforcement eventually they will get tired and do something about it if another animal harms your animal you do have the right to protect that animal at all cost I’m not saying harm that animal or take that animal’s life but if your neighbors are not doing anything about that keep on and keep on until something is done I have the same problem but not just from one neighbor from neighbors all around and no one abides by the law or the rules of the animals and the law is not enforced so people are starting to take matters into their own hands unfortunately hopefully it will get better for you.