Who to contact about neighbors abusing MY dogs?

Question

I have a friend whose neighbor who lets her children come into her unfenced yard to play on her swingset and they throw sticks at her dogs even though she has told them many times not to play in her yard when her daughter is not playing there with them. When they are in their yard they still throw things at her dogs and hit them. Who can she contact to file a complaint about them abusing her dogs and also file complaint if they get hurt in her yard she doesn't want to be liable. I told her I would try to help her find information.

Answer 1

She can contact the police dept about it - nonemergency call. Depending on where you live, the ASPCA may be able to investigate it.

Best option she has would be to fence in the yard.

Answer 2

A friend of mine had this same problem. In our case the dogs were kept in a run in the back yard so couldn't escape when the kids threw sticks, rocks and bricks at them. But the first thing they did when they escaped from the enclosure was hunt down the kids. The one kid they got ended up needing stitches and a lot of them. The only reason that the dogs weren't put to sleep is because the neighbours on the other side and other people vouched that the kids had been provoking the dogs for weeks or even months earlier.
If the dogs are in a fenced area, put up signs. "No tresspassing" or "Danger Guard Dog" Even if the dog isn't a really guard dog, the sign is a warning.
Also talk to the kids parents, inform them of what's happening.
If the dogs have any cuts, scraps, or wounds take pictures. If the dog is injured enough to need to go to the vet, tell the vet how the dog got hurt. They'll sometimes write it down in the dogs file.
If the kids continue to provoke the dogs, adderess the parents again. And also tell them that they are not allowed to use the playset any more.
If they still use the playset and abuse the dog, talk to the parents and tell them you're afraid for the dogs wellfare. If you see the kids provoking the dog bring him inside if you can. Call the parents of the kids.
Sadly because the yard is not fenced, not a lot of legal action can be taken as they are not really tresspassing.
The best thing your friend can do is keep trying to get the kids parents involved. A lot of kids don't understand what can happen if a usually friendly dog descides not to take it any more. Ask the parents if they've ever talked to the kids about proper treatment of animals.
I'm very sorry.
Hope some of this helps, good luck.
Manda

Answer 3

#1: The dog owner needs to speak to the parents of the children. There is strong evidence that abusing animals is very dangerous. If the kids continue this, they or someone else is likely to get bitten because the kids have made the dogs fearful. There is also lots of evidence that abusing animals is a gateway to violence against people.

The parents by not controlling this is putting the kids at risk to be bitten or to become abusers. They may not realize what the kids are doing and may be horrified at what you tell them.

#2: Video tape the children throwing things at the dog. You will need evidence.

#3 Show the video to the parents and explain to them that you will call Animal Control and charge the children with cruelty if this happens ever again. Give the parents a chance to control their kids, but if it ever happens again, you'll need to call. Do not threaten to do this, actually do it.

#4. If this happens in the evening or on a weekend when animal control cannot come out, then call the police. This a is cruelty issue and it is a crime.

#5: Do not leave the dogs unattended in the yard. If they were inside with the family then this would not be an issue.

Finally, I suppose you could sue the parents for the cost of retraining your dogs so they won't be fearful. You would want to hire an animal behavior consultant and it would take a lot of time effort and money. Perhaps the parents would think it was a bigger deal if their wallets were on the line.

Be sure to get video though. Otherwise the kids will just deny it. At some point you'll want proof.

Answer 4

In order to not cause a huge neighborood rift she should speak with the parents first but I doubt kids like this are going to listen. And are correct the mix of animals and kids is not a good one. If one of the dogs bites one or they hurt themselves it will be a huge financial expence. It is for this reason that this has to be dealt with . Even if she is not home and the kids hurt themselves she is still liable. So this is harsh but she should speak with the police and lodge a complaint so it is on record. Secondly write out a request for them to stay off the property, notarize it at the bank and send it to the parents via certified mail as this is a record. Or in addition, or by itself first, post some no trespassing signs which if the kids come on the property alone you then have a legal complaint. Faced with losing money the parents may get in gear. But stay away from animal control or the Humane Society as the neighbors could lodge the complaint that the dogs are not properly contained within a fence. All things to consider though as I said may seem excessive. Personally I would talk to the parents, post the signs, take some pictures of the kids throwing sticks and then see what happens..... and be prepared to do the rest as the parents will have had their chance to rectify the issue... therefore no guilt involved as nobody could say she didn't try to take the high road.

Answer 5

If talking to the parents doesn't do any good, then calling your local law enforcement is the way to go. If a complaint is filed, they will probably at least go and speak to the parents and inform them about what's going on. Hopefully, if the parents won't listen to your friend, they will listen to the police.

Even if all the police do is have a chat with the family, this is still a good thing as a report will be filed along with a record of your complaint. This could protect your pups if ever there were a bite situation.

Personally, I would try to get a video of the children mistreating the dogs too. Evidence that the children were being cruel in the event of a bite could be helpful.

Putting up a fence is another good way to keep them out, but ofcourse that isn't exactly inexpensive to do either.

I would also ban the children from the yard period. If they want to play with your friend's child, they'll have to go elsewhere to do it.

Answer 6

DO NOT hang beware of dog signs! Legally this is admitting you have a dog you know has a bad temperment. If someonoe gets bit they can say you knew your dog was mean. No sign, you can rightfully say your dog has never been mean. She needs to call the parents the instant she sees the kids have crossed the property line, don't wait for them to cause trouble. Give them three chances to keep their kids home then call the police, explain her concerns they'll talk to the kids and explain why it's wrong, no big deal, but hearing it from the police will often have an effect where ineffectual parents go in one ear out the other.

Answer 7

First she should talk to the parents. If the abuse doesn't stop then she needs to speak with the police. If the kids keeping hurting the dog the dog will one day bite them or snap at them and it will always be the dogs fault. That's just the way that goes. I would hate to see the poor dog try to bite the kids as an act of defense and then get in trouble by animal services.
I would imagine she could contact animal services for advice or information or her vet or the local animal shelter.

Answer 8

This is a tragedy waiting to happen! I am so angry for your friend!

Call your local animal control officer/humane society. Many humane societies have invesigative officers who can look into this and deal with it. Many humane societies are regional---so if there isn't one in your city look in surrounding areas and do not by shy about calling them. This is what they are there for.

Try to capture it on video if you can---don't let the dogs suffer, just get it recorded so you can show what is happening while you're waiting to hear from the HS officer or ACO.

If the dogs are tied out, stop tying them out until the humane society officer or animal control officer can talk to the parents and let them know they are violating animal cruelty laws.

Can she post a "no tresspassing sign" on the property line to help with liability issues?

These kids may have created a long-term problem for these dogs and their parents should be punished somehow.

I wouldn't let the kids play in my yard with my kid again, period. Whose to say a dog won't try to defend itself---OR THE DAUGHTER??? from these kids.

Remember, these are dogs. If the dog is afraid for itself it might retreat, if the dog perceives the neighbor kid is a threat to the daughter the dog might defend the daughter.

My old lab would let anyone do anything to HIM. A drunk stranger in a parking lot yelled and staggered toward me and couch potato dog turned into a police K9.

Plus, any kids who intentionally torment a dog are not going to be good friends.

Answer 9

Tell her to hang up a Private Property Beware of Dogs sign, and then tell her to videotape the kids in her yard playing and throwing sticks. That is enough evidence to press trespassing charges against them, and the signs are warning enough...she wouldn't be responsible for the little brats if they do get bit, as long as it's on her property. If the people don't have permission to be there, she can make her dogs attack and still not get in trouble. Call the cops once the evidence is taped, and they will fix it.

Answer 10

Take away the PRIVILIDGE of playing in her yard!! If the little monsters are hell bent on being disrespectful, they can do it moving, and take it somewhere else. Send a kid away at the first sign of animal abuse and maybe he will be easier to train than the dogs, even though I tend to know better! Peace