Help! neighbor kids provoking my dogs.?

Question

I have spoken with their mother about it but she said that her kids are "autistic" showing me their special badges and can't watch them all the time. (They don't live right next to my house but one after) My dogs bite and I don't want her children around them. Just the other day they put their fingers in the fence, poking them with the broom, screaming at the dogs. What shoud I do? I want to be a good neighbor.

Answer 1

I would contact the authorities first. Have them come over and speak with the neighbor. That way a paper trail has been started. Write down everytime you see them taunting and everytime you speak with them or her. Contact the police EVERY time. That way when one of her kids comes home screaming and shows her his 8 only fingers...you won't be liable. have done this on several occassions with my American Bulldogs. Luckily no one has ever been hurt. CYA you know?

Answer 2

Wait? Did the mother use the fact that her children are austistic as an excuse not to do her job???

First, I'd put up a sign stating "Beware of Dogs". I'd also not leave the dogs outside unsupervised. This may mean extra work for you, but it's necessary. When the children come by taunting, you will be there to catch them in the act. It's time then to tell them that the dogs could bite and that they are not welcome in your yard, period. Some austitic children are almost fully functional, others are not. So your message may or may not get through, but at least you told their mother and you told them.

Continue to monitor your dogs outside. If the children return, speak once more to the mother. Start documenting the time and dates of when you spoke to the mother and children and when they came over. If she still refuses to do anything, then sadly you have only a few choices. Either simply continue to supervise your dogs outside; put up a bigger fence or install slats so that the kids can't stick their fingers and sticks through; report the mother for possibly endangering her autistic children by not monitoring their activities outside; or move.

If you choose option three (reporting the mother), having the documentation that you spoke to both the children and this mother several times, may be needed as "proof". But given that your dogs bite, I do recommend watching them outside to ensure they don't accidentally escape and cause problems. Sadly, while this isn't 100% your problem (after all, your dogs are in your yard minding their own business), these kids are making it your problem and you have to take some responsibility to ensure all is well. Because if the dogs do indeed bite one of the kids, I can guarantee you that this mother will do all she can to ensure that your dog is put down, even though her kids were the ones trespassing. This is just the way people like her think.

Answer 3

I can understand this concern.

Because it is ultimately the mother's responsibility to watch after her children - especially if they are truly autistic - you should hardly be to blame for this situation. However, you have a few options, depending on how far you are willing to go to be the resolver of the situation.

I am assuming that you have chain link fence, due to the fact that these children are pushing brooms through them. If you are willing, you may go to a local hardware store and purchase chain-link fence covers (I believe they are called 'slats'). They come in a variety of colors.

On the other hand - if this were me - I would go once more and have a talk with this mother. For one, the fact that they live two houses down means that these children are trespassing and are in violation of the law. Furthermore, I would inform this mother that if she truly has so little regard for these autistic children's safety, there are people out there who DO regard their well-being. A badge of autism is one huge reason why she SHOULD be watching them more than usual - at least to the point of not letting them roam free around the neighborhood. Politely let her know that you will have no choice but to call the proper authorities and have them assess the situation. Hopefully she will do her part before you get to the point of making the call.

It is nice that you are not being rude to them or the mother. But remember: You are not the one in the wrong. Be polite, but firm in dealing with the matter. As far as most would be concerned, you've already done your part as it is.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 4

We had the same problem with neighbor kids. Our dogs are in a fenced in yard. No matter how many time we told the parents the kids were picking on the dogs, it usually did no good. So we started hiding around the garage when the dogs went out and watched for the kids. When we seen them come down we had a talk with them. It only worked for a week. The last straw came is when one girl took a stick and hit one of our bichons and hurt her collar bone. We found out which kid it was from another kid. The cops were called explained to them what all happened, we showed them all the vet bills. They went and had a talk with the parents and the kids. We did not have a problem after that.

You may want to get a video recorder and catch them in the act, show the mother and then take it to the authorities.

Answer 5

No matter what the kids do to provoke your dogs, if they bite them, you are open to a lawsuit. I suggest a large commercial type kennel inside your yard, away from the fence. If you do this, and the kids come in your yard, you need to make them leave and then call the police. Show the police your secure setup, and ask them to talk to the mother. Being autistic doesn't give kids an excuse to be brats. The mother needs to take responsibility for their behaviour. I have a friend whose daughter is autistic, and she is very well behaved because her mother took the time to instruct her in proper behaviour. My friend works full time (she always has, and now runs her own business), so the mother of those kids has no excuse for neglecting her responsibility.
(P.S.) Bringing the police into the picture should insure that they know you are being a responsible pet owner, and they will talk to the kids' mother about keeping her kids away. That puts the liability on the mother, not you.

Answer 6

You need to call the police, at least this then will be reported and will prove thaqt you tried to do something about it in case those kids get bitten they won't take your dogs away and kill them. It also proves that she is an unfit mother, all kids should be watched at all times. So video tape this and call the police at the same time. If they have a talk with that so called mother, she might listen then. It just may rattle her cage some and like I said, proof is proof, and report it every time those brats do it. She should especially watch them if they are handicapped. Showing you this document is just a way of saying big deal. If you have to file a complaint with the city, and make sure your dogs are up to date on their shots. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Put up surveillance cameras.They are'nt real expensive anymore and well worth the money and agravation installing them will cost you.Also you're going to have to call the police and have them speak with this neighbor about this.Putting your yard under surveillance will insure you have proof of the kids tormenting the animals that will be admmisable in court.Every time you catch the kids call the cops,rewind the tape and let them see what's going on and they have no choice but to put a stop to it.Their are animal cruelty laws!There are also laws that insure us against damged property.Your dogs are considered property and these kids are damaging them.
This woman has no right to turn her kids loose on the public without supervision and expect everyone to let them do as they please because they have badges that say "I'm Special".Regardless of the handicap the law is for everyone and must be upheld.
No one wants to be a bad neighbor and start trouble.But do you think this woman will hesitate when one of her kids gets bitten to have the police and animal control at your door demanding the dogs be destroyed and dropping a huge lawsuit in your lap?Without the proof taping the events leading up to the occurance you have'nt a leg to stand on.Other neighbors who witness these kids actions cannot be relied on to testify.No one wants to waste their time in court.
And what about the other kids in the neighborhood?What happens when one walks by your yard when the dogs have had enough abuse? Your dogs are so upset and angry over their mistreatment that they don't stop to ask questions they just see a kid the same size as those tormenting them and will do whatever it takes to get them down and hurt them.Then YOU have a dangerous dog.It will have to be put down and you'll be held liable for any injuries sustained.
You have got to protect your property and your dogs to hell with being a good neighbor.They are'nt.Your other neighbors will understand and will probably cheer you on for doing all you can to protect yourself and your property.
It's obvious that this lady needs a reality check so don't be afraid to give it to her.

Answer 8

Well the police need to be called in this one for your dogs and her kids. If her kids are indeed Autistic then why are they roaming around free? Anyway all the kids are going to end up doing is provoking your dogs to hate everyone who comes up to the fence. You need to do something before something happens and it comes down on your sweet dogs!! Poor things shouldn't have to suffer any kind of fate because some mom doesn't want to address an issue!

Answer 9

I would call child protective services and report the mother for not properly supervising her disabled children (she can't watch them all the time???!!!) and you have seen the children in a potentially dangerous situation and discussed it with her and she is unwilling to address the situation.

Put up signs that say "Keep Out" and secure the fence so that fingers and broom handles can't go through it.

Make sure all your dog's shots are up to date, especially rabies. License your dogs as well.

I would also call the police and report the trespassing when you see it. That way, if a child gets bit, you will have covered all your bases.

Answer 10

I had this problem: my fence which was white lathing is now a layer of white lathing, tennis court shade cloth, then another layer of white lathing. No holes to poke fingers through and makes the kids invisible to the dogs and to dogs to the kids - the kids lost interest quickly. The other option is solid wood privacy fence.
Unfortunately the current climate is does not acknowledge that a provoked animal may have excuse to bite......

Answer 11

For one, you need to put up "beware of dog" signs. bc if someone or one of the kids get bit, you can be sued. Which i feel is obsured if its on your property. But theres no more common sense in law, and also i would tell the mother agian, at least 1-2 more times. Just so she gets the idea. bc one of your biggest worrys hsould be you getting sued, and one of them getting bit. Also put up the signs along your fence so she/ anyone cant say theres no warning, and take a "it was a beautiful day" picture of the fence with the dogs doing a trick, or washing them or someting ( make sure its digitally dated, or something to prove that its previous. and the signs were there)
also when the kids come up to the fence say hello, offer them a cookie and get them the hell away somehow! lol
also, depending what kind of fence you have, get chicken coop wire, or some thing to side overlap it, even a tarp will do. so they cant get their fingers through.