How to handle my neighbor who constantly complains of my dog?

Question

My neighbor is constantly complaining of my dog and when he barks. I live in a city that has a "no barking law" and when a dog barks the owner has 7 minutes to get the dog in doors. I am going nuts with these neighbors constantly complaining about my dog who cant even bark for a few seconds or I get a phone call or a call from the city. So the latest situation is when she came over to complain AGAIN and was greeted by my daughter and my dog .Well she is now complaining that my dog scratched her when she came by. I was not home but at work and my daughter who is 20 yrs old said the dog didnt even come near her but did bark at her. So the city calls us and says we have to keep him in doors now for 10 days for a possible scratch ...not a bite...but a scratch. Infact the city was so nice when they called about the situation they said that they have several complaints against these people for harassing other neighbors. I really do not know what to do. Just move???

Answer 1

make additional complaints against them to the city .... like they said, theres been complaints against them before - make sure they (the city) are aware that they are harrassing you too.. so the next time they call to complain about you, you wont get into much trouble.

then the next time they come to you to complain, perhaps hand them a sheet stating the laws regarding your dog (7 minutes, not 2).... ask them to read it, and tell them if they harrass you again when you are not at fault you will make a formal police complaint.

and if they DO harrass you again, go to the police - the police wont do anything, they might talk to the neighbours, but if not, at least they will be aware of the problem and your neighbours will know you are serious.
.

Answer 2

Does the City have to take their word for it that your dog is constantly barking or do your neighbours have to prove it?

I'm from the UK and had the neighbour from hell who amongst other things, would play music at full volume from 3am - 6am daily. However legally, the onus was on me to prove it, otherwise my complaints were just classed as my word against his. I had to involve the local council and use their equipment to record every incident by my neighbour of noise abuse. This was the first step in the police prosecuting him under the UK stalking legislation which also covers harassment.

I appreciate that the laws are probably different where you live, but surely your neighbour has to prove that your dog is barking as much as they claim. Otherwise people could make false accusations against others all the time. I don't know if confidentiality regulations would prevent the City from giving you the names of the other people that your neighbours have also harassed, but it might be worth asking, as their experience would add weight to your defence. I would certainly try to speak with a lawyer for advice on the matter as they're the best person to tell you exactly what your legal rights are. Maybe a lawyer could also write to your neighbour asking for photographic evidence and a medical report confirming that your dog scratched them. (Again I don't know the legislation where you are, but isn't a dog legally allowed to protect it's owner against people trespassing on your property)?.

I do hope that you can find a solution, as I know from experience that neighbours like that can make your life really stressful. Try to stay strong, and don't let petty people like that get the better of you, they're really not worth it.

Answer 3

Some people just like some action, they live to see cops go to a house on there street! or if there is a fight outside they are the fist ones to call and look out! these are people how hate all animal and will live just to p**s off people with good pets! I know what you are going though! I have a different thing some one is coming in my faience and stilling all my dogs toys that has been out there for years, so yea people are so mean, I thank the worse ones are the ones that are so nice to your face and will cut you in your back!

You could take out a complaint on them for lien to the dog barking, but you have to have Prof!
You could go out with your dog at all time and tell him no if he does bark.
If you see her coming up to you door to b**ch at you take you dog in a hole different place and call the cops!

Answer 4

Toxic people love to drive around in their green vans causing misery to everybody.

Don't let this hen get to you. You are probably too nice and that woman will find any way to make you move. She is an idiot and if she doesn't like it, then tough. If she complains to you again, tell her that she will be video taped and recorded for harassment. Always have a video cam available when she throws tantrums and shenanigans by saying your dog is an aggressive dog.
Gawd, a little scratch can harm nobody. But if your dog is a Pit Bull, watch it. The skank will get you for every money's worth.

Answer 5

don't be too hasty in retaliation, by filing a complaint against your neighbor. contact a lawyer, most first consultations are free. then go from there. it might be as simple as your lawyer sending a letter of intent, to your neighbor. from what you have told me, the dog is just being a dog. Dogs bark, they can't talk. and you don't sound like you leave your dog out to suffer in the heat without water and your dog is barking for help. talk to a lawyer. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/ZN0Vs

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 7

Kill her with kindness. Bring baked goods over (store bought, dog haters freak out about dog hair in food), tell her you love the dog and want to resolve this. Tell her you are worried for her health, stress isn't good for her etc.

OR
Go the other way and start being awful to her.

Everytime you get a call from her start swearing, or get an air horn. Not for the city official, of course, but for the awful neighbor.
Blast your music
Bounce a basketball ENDLESSLY
Start complaining about her. Make stuff up and have other dog owners do the same.
Sue her for harassment.
Kill her lawn and plants with salt. (this is a crime, so don't get caught)

Answer 8

Remove the metal part of a light bulb - fill the bulb with paint and tape the metal part back on. Pay some punk kid $20 to throw the paint bombs on your neighbors house - and tell him if he gets caught and doesn't rat you out you'll throw him a fifty....

I'm kidding....there's nothing you can do. Become friends with the other neighbors that this person has been harassing and stick up for one another. Once he/she realizes she up against ALL of you - maybe they'll back down..
Good Luck!

Answer 9

Sounds like a fun neighbor. We had one like that when I still lived with my parents. Oh, it was such a joy living next to her. I don't understand why people like that don't just move out to the country....far, FAR away from other people. Grrr.

I say take it a step further; if she can't stop harassing you, take legal action. If you charge her with harassment, I'm willing to bet she'd start leaving you alone. If not, then you pressing harassment charges on her will look really bad for her. If you can't get her to leave you alone through legal means, then by all others, move.

Good luck!

Answer 10

nieghbors are great aren't they!...and a no bark law....hmmm yeah well anyway.

sounds like the city knows the ppl the keep reporting are nubby noses...so. i would complain about them see and if u can find out who else they have reported...most likely others with dogs...lol even kids is there a no screaming law?....or just be so dam nice ya want to puke!