How do you live next door to a huge dog?

Question

This dog is kept in a conservatory - this is its kennel. We live in terraced houses & the owner + dog moved in Christmas 2005. It is a total nightmare living next door to this neighbour - she has no respect for me or her dog who she often leaves for 10 hours. The conservatory doors are left open and the dog wanders the garden. She sprays potpourii in the conservatory and the combination of that and stale sweat from the dog is revolting. I have tried involving the Council but I came up with a 'smartie' who tried to pull my statement apart instead of trying to solve the problem.

Are there any rules regarding keeping animals to the point of upsetting neighbours?

This can't be a normal situation surely.

I can't go in my garden to sit and enjoy because it just about chokes me after a couple of minutes. I can't hang my washing out because I think that will smell as well.

And how can I sell with above legacy?

By the way this dog is a bullmastiff (at a guess 10 stone)

Answer 1

Your problem is not the dog--it's the antisocial owner and your god-playing council criminal.

The solution is obvious. Rub the owner's sweater on your arm, and get permission with the owner there to feed the dog with that scent on you.

Unless the dog is crazy, he'll accept you as a pack member.
That part is easy. Talk to him whenever he barks, tell him it's OK, etc.; he'll learn to know you also.

But don't approach him ever without that trick, don't go near the fence, which is his territory, unless you plan to keep your distance, smile and toss him food.

And for the odors, attach an electric fan to a very long extension cord and have it blow the scent away--the odor is not an unsolvable problem by itself, just a nuisance.

Your problem is you're willing to do the right thing but your rights are being violated, and the governmentally empowered officers who were supposed to protect your rights don't know their job, failed to consult a dog psychology scientist and failed to get you the advice you needed--what I've just told you; and then they failed to protect your rights and that of the dog, who is being left alone by a scofflaw owner and needs a companion, being a pack animal.
Without proper regulations and a government that serves individuals' rights, you have no rights--no legal recourse.
Any more than I do.
But what I've suggested will work, whichever parts you want to try to take advantage as your own knowledge.
If you cannot get permission to become a pack member from the owner, take to tossing the dog bits larger biscuits, and saying, "Good boy", from a shorter distance over the fence, just before you leave the garden.
At least you'll have one friend before long.

Answer 2

I know you will hate this answer, but here goes (and remember, this is coming from someone who used to be terrified of big dogs!): Offer to take the dog for walks every day. If the dog is walked, there should be no need for 'cover spray' in the conservatory or the garden. The dog won't have stale sweat and she will smell, well, like a dog. Bull Mastiffs have a bad reputation without a good reason. If they are well trained they don't even pull on the lead. They are loving and very protective friends. You may find that you do not want to move at all and wouldn't trade the pooch. By the way, do clean up after her during your walks, please.

Answer 3

1) depending on where you live, leaving a dog(or any animal for that matter) for 9+ hours is illegal and the owner can be charged w/ a $500 fine or animal cruelty/ abuse. if there is a problem, usually if the Council does not come up with a solution, you should take the problem of the said dog/ owner up with the authorities.

2) Actually, this is very common (not down to the nitty gritty details, of course)

3) what does it mean 10 stone?

Answer 4

Since the dog is not roaming around on public property, you can't call animal control. The conservatory is part of her private property and so she is allowed to keep a pet there, no matter how annoying the pet is to you.

So the best way is to speak with her about the matter, kindly and gently.

And while 10 hours is a long time to leave a dog, I would NOT immediately report her for this, esp. if it does not happen all the time. I think this would really anger your neighbor and appear to be very sneaky and underhanded. People appreicate you speaking to them first before calling the authorities.

I sympathize with your situation, though. We have neighbors with 3 HUGE DOGS and their dogs poop on the lawn we share. But we've made friends with the neighbors and they have started to "pooper scoop" more often......so we just have to be happy with the situation, and be glad it's slightly better.....and watch our step!

Answer 5

Does she understand that a dog that big needs to get out and have a run every day and should not be pinned up for even 5 hours He is probably more distressed than you and helpless! Talk to her and see if u can reason with her- surely they are doggie walkers day cares around for his needs if she is gone that long and if not I think it is harmful to him to be couped up like that when so many animals are abused too- a dog not having a normal rountine of exercise and attention etc is at the lower level of abuse too- Hope you and the doggie can get some peace and enjoyment soon-

Answer 6

If I were you i would just ring her door bell and tell her that she has a problem.Then let her know how you feel.Anyone with a dog should know that they need attention.Does she pick up the feces?If so all she needs to do is go to a pet store and buy the liquid that counter acts the urine smell.If she is gone all the time,why not take bowls of water mixed with vinegar and toss it in her yard.I spray my dogs area well with it every week,The smell goes and when you water it regularly the grass never dies....You may need to call the health dept and see what they say.

Answer 7

Well as far as I know if the dog is kept on her property there really isn't much you can do about it. If its not a threat to you or the other neighbors and she is keeping it in control then she is probably within her boundaries. If you really have a problem with it maybe you should try talkingto her

Answer 8

It sounds to me like the problem has more to do with your hyper sensitive sense of smell than anything else. You didn't even make the #1 complaint that most people have with dogs, which is the sound of barking. You didn't complain about droppings. You did not say you were afraid of being bitten. But you did complain about the potpourri. Honestly, I think this is about your overactive sense of smell and not about the dog at all.

Answer 9

love your neighbours. love your enemies. make friends with the lady and her dog.