What are my legal rights in regards to a neighbor who uses the police to harrass me?

Question

I live in Pennsylvania and I have an absolutely impossible neighbor who calls the police on me and my family at least 2-3 times per week, claiming everything from noise violations to child abuse. She even called the Department of Human Services claiming that my son was living in squalid conditions while we had loud drunken parties. DHS came out and found nothing remarkable. She's trying to get me evicted but I can't understand why, seeing as how we've never had any altercations with her before this. What to do?

Answer 1

Seems that if you have stacked up enough documented evidence of her unfounded claims you could file a slander/ libel/ defamation lawsuit. See a lawyer

Answer 2

It sounds as if you don't lack with documentation based upon the calls to DHS and the police. In a case like this, it is my opinion, that you would have to file a harassment complaint and then sign the warrant against the neighbor. However, this is obviously a double edged sword as you will have to still live next door where one of two things would result...Either the neighbor will see you won't allow for further instances of harassment; or the neighbor will continue with a greater vengence. It's been my experience that once the case is taken before a judge, the nonsense usually stops. Do you have a slander suit? I don't think so...at least not in my state which requires you to have a monetary loss based upon ficticious or malicious statements. The comment from a poster stating that a letter from an attorney also may work, but of course, you will have to pay for the attorney's time and activities. The attorney may also provide you with an avenue that is specific to the laws of Pennsylvania. Best wishes!

Answer 3

To my knowledge, the Sarloos Wolfhound breed was created overtime by breeding German Shepherds with Wolves. So, in short, Sarloos Wolfhounds would now be the offspring of other Sarloos Wolfhounds, meaning that they SHOULD have no actual Timber Wolves in their family tree anywhere closer than say, thirty years down the line. Then, these police are breeding purebred German Shepherds to Sarloos Wolfhounds, making three-quarter German Shepherd hybrids? In reality, if this is really how it's going, I can't imagine that the dogs act much differently than a regular old German Shepherd. I'm not a huge fan of breeding wolf hybrids, but I imagine with proper socialization and training, a dog like this probably isn't much more dangerous than a dog without any wolves in their current family tree. However, I really know nothing of the "Dangerous Dog Act" of the UK, so I couldn't tell you the legalities. If it's the police, who, in reality, is going to take their dogs away? I thing the act has something along the lines of a required permit for a dog with one or both parents being a wolf, which wouldn't apply to these dogs.

Answer 4

If the police are being called 2 or 3 times a week they obviously know this person is bothering you. They should be able to tell your neighbor to knock it off or they will be arrested for making false accusations

Answer 5

i had a bad neighbor like this too! in college...lived by myself with my 2 fish....no kidding she called once that i was cleaning my fish aquarium too loud...feel your pain! i inquired at the police department how many times there had been complaints against me at that address....over 56 in 2 years! I was going to file a civil suit against her for harrassment but she was put into a mental institute shortly after i inquired.....good luck

Answer 6

If you can afford it contact a lawyer and have him/her send them a letter warning them about harassment. Continue to clearly and CALMLY (as difficult as that sounds, it will go a long way in showing that you are the credible person) explain to any authority that you believe that you are the target of unfair harassment. Do not engage in any arguements with her if you can.

Answer 7

Go to your neighbor's home and talk to her. If you do not feel comfortable you can go and call another neighbor as an impartial witness.

Answer 8

Call the police and tell them she's been harassing you and use examples of when and how....

Answer 9

eventually she'll be known as the woman who cried wolf and the authorities will get tired of her calling and warn her if she continues they'll take care of her

Answer 10

yea, suing may be your best bet, but talk to the police about harrassment too. i'm sure they are sick of your neighbor almost as much as you are, and will be on your side.