I (32F) live next door to a couple (mid 40s, no kids) with a big energetic lab mix dog. The dog is friendly but they let it run loose in their yard, and our fences aren’t great chain link with gaps at the bottom. Over the past year or so it’s dug under probably 5 to 6 times, gotten into our yard, torn up grass, knocked over toys, pooped in the kids’ sandbox, etcWe’ve politely told them multiple times, they apologize, say they’ll watch him better, but nothing sticks. Last spring we paid good money to resod patches after winter damage and added a little play area with mulch and swings for our two little ones (5 and 3). It’s our family space.
This past Saturday I’m out with the kids, heard barking,the dog busts through again knocks my 3yo down (no real injury, just startled and crying), tramples flowers, and starts digging near the play stuff. I grab my son, herd the dog back through, and go knock on their door.
Mr. Neighbor answers. I stayed calm but said this can’t keep happening,the dog scared my toddler, wrecked our yard again, we’ve asked nicely too many times. If they can’t keep him contained, I’ll have to call animal control or mention it to the HOA (we have a basic one for pet issues). He got mad, said "dogs will be dogs" and we should chill because no one’s hurt. I said it’s their responsibility as owners and next time I won’t hesitate to report it. Door slam, now it’s tense wife gave me side eye getting the mail yesterday.
Husband backs me, says I was right to stand up. But a friend thinks I jumped to threats too fast instead of offering to help reinforce the fence or something. I don’t want to be the dramatic neighbor, but I’m exhausted from cleaning up after their pet and worried about the kids.
AITA for how I handled the confrontation?
NTA the dog is entering in your property so yeah that’s violation only and apart from damaging dont know what the dog can do to kids so you should definitely report for kids safety
Exactly! it’s not just the yard damage anymore; it’s the “what if” with the kids that has me on edge. I don’t want to overreact, but safety has to come first. Anyone else here reported a neighbor’s dog for repeated trespassing? How did it go, did it fix the issue, or did it make things worse with the neighbors?
my reply to his “chill because nobody got hurt” would be, “nobody got hurt THIS TIME, can you guarantee it the next time or the time after that?!?!” Also just because your child wasn’t physically harmed, it doesn’t mean he won’t develop a phobia and be scared by dogs. Additionally, why should you pay anything to reinforce the fence that their dog damaged? You’ve already had to pay to fix damage he caused.
NTA.
They are lazy dog owners, and frankly putting their dog at risk.
They’re lucky you’ve been that patient.
However be aware, threatening to to call the HOA or animal control means they will be angry with you forever now.
NTA. They are wrong to let their dog leave their yard. A dog the size of a lab knocking over a 3 year old is a big problem. I hate saying this, because it is not your responsibility, but I would seriously consider getting a better fence. The thing is, good fencing isn’t cheap. Frankly, they should fence their yard. Until 2 years ago I always owned a dog, and I always had my backyard securely fenced. My last dog was from a rescue, and the rescue organization required a fenced in yard.
NTA. I’m a dog lover through and through, but their negligence is dangerous for everyone, the dog included.
Unfortunately, your best bet might be to just reinforce the fence somehow on your own dime. Or, actually follow through on the threats, being fully aware that the will hate you for it.
NTA. Research animal containment laws in your area and get outdoor cameras immediately.
NTA. Dog owner & lover here. It’s up to your neighbors to control their dog and if it’s known that it digs under the fence and gets in your yard they should be watching their pet whenever it’s outside. You don’t want your child growing up scared of dogs because they are bad pet owners.
Your animals are to be secured on your property at all times. Forget the HOA, I’d call animal control. Suppose he has a reaction & bites one of your children? Most likely he won’t, but why take chances?
my kid is allergic to dogs. Hate when people let theirs run loose like this and make it everyone’s prob. NTA
NTA. By law it is the pet owner’s responsibility to keep the animal contained so they are responsible to repair or replace the fence to keep the dog in. If the dog is in your yard again, video it and call animal control.
Big NTA on this one.
His dog, his responsibility. Dogs are animals and can bite and kill. No matter how gentle the owners claim.
Even if your kid loved the dog the fact that he is constantly coming over and destroying the garden is bad enough.
I don’t know what laws are in your area but you need to sort this with a council/RSPCA etc.
Even if you frame it as concern for the dog’s welfare (they could get run over etc).
NTA. “Dogs will be dogs” is just a justification for their irresponsible pet ownership. It’s their duty as owners to see that their pet is properly fed, housed, given veterinary care, and contained. If they neglect any part of that, they are not responsible owners. They can shrug and say their dog should run loose, because that’s what dogs do, but it’s usually in violation of the law, and dogs who do this are feral, not domesticated pets.
Your call, but I’d be involving animal control from the get-go. These are not responsible owners. If they want the dog to run feral, then they are not pet owners at all. They are no more than a boarding house for a feral animal that has no place in a community.
NTA. The amount of damage that dog has caused should have been reported a long time ago. I would have crossed the line at the dog knocking over and potentially hurting my child. I do not care if they’d be upset, they have been warned multiple times to watch their dog.
What if it escaped and got hit by a car? What if it did hurt your child and now they have to grow up with trauma regarding being attacked by animals? If they can’t be responsible they don’t get to own a living creature.
I wouldn’t threaten them with a “next time this happens ill report it.” I’d report it now because no matter what you do going forward they’ll be hostile towards you. They’re already giving you dirty looks and slamming doors in your face when you’ve been nothing but polite since this issue started.