You're not suing for the loss of the dog, you sue for emotional distress, which can be very profitable.
Aggressive neighbor's dogs
- Thread starter turbo6
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You're not suing for the loss of the dog, you sue for emotional distress, which can be very profitable.
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turbo6
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The neighborhood is fine. But like the saying goes one bad apple spoils the bunch.
As far as police and animal control, we'll keep pressing the issue but I'm not sure how far we'll get. The dog in question has already previously attacked another neighbors dog and killed ours. Not sure what they are waiting for.
A few folks mentioned suing, which would be nice but I doubt there's anything to collect. I suppose if we got lucky maybe a judgment with a small lien on their house but that doesn't get us very far. Intensive vet care was expensive unfortunately.
I do like the electric fence idea, however. [emoji106]
Ziggy2525
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Do you have an example where someone actually won a financial settlement for emotional distress due to the loss of a pet?
Again, at least where I'm at, I'm pretty sure you can't sue (successfully anyway) for the emotional distress from the loss of personal property. For example, you if your car was totaled, you can't sue for emotional distress from the loss of your car. You can only sue for the market value of the personal property that was lost. Pet's are personal property.
In the same kind of way, you can't use deadly force (including brandishing) against a person to protect your pet. You can't use deadly force to protect personal property.
terry_tr6
Member
careful with an electric fence. it may not be legal unless you are in a rural zoning.
An attorney will cost you and money you probably can't recoup. Don't get violent; you will lose. I had a situation back in the '80s where my new girlfriend's ex kept coming around causing problems. I got the police involved several times but they did nothing. Finally he got me at the wrong time and followed us out of the bar. He took one swing, missed, then I broke his jaw and two ribs. It cost me his salary for two weeks and his insurance co-pay to get the charges dropped. I learned.
Maybe plant some rose bushes inside your fence or some other jagger bushes. Don't let the police off easy, and make the mayor aware what is going on. Find out where the police drink and buy them a few beers. Watch a couple old Charles Bronson movies!!
Maybe plant some rose bushes inside your fence or some other jagger bushes. Don't let the police off easy, and make the mayor aware what is going on. Find out where the police drink and buy them a few beers. Watch a couple old Charles Bronson movies!!
Mainsail
Member
Some concertina wire along the top of the fence is completely passive, and will "catch" anything trying to come over the top.
We had a similar situation quite a few years ago. We lived in a quiet area until a couple moved in across the street and things went downhill quickly. The husband's father was a well known wealthy businessman had purchased the home to get his drug addled son and wife out of his hair. Almost immediately the drug dealing and violent behavior started. The PD was called several times per week to deal with various problems. We met with the father to no avail. After about a year of this we and our neighbors hired an attorney, he did his due diligence and and was able to document about 100 PD responses to the property in the previous 6 months. We, and our attorney went to to the city council meeting and presented the information, they were astonished. The PD Chief and city attorney were present at the meeting and instructed to prepare a report about the problem. At the next council meeting the property was declared a public nuisance and the residents evicted. End of problem.
Our collective attorney fees were quite reasonable as all the information was readily available and was money well spent.
Our collective attorney fees were quite reasonable as all the information was readily available and was money well spent.
Cal44
Member
Replace your deceased dog with another dog.
Bigger. Much bigger.
Say a Great Pyrenees.
They are bred to protect whole herds of sheep. Take on Coyotes and make short work of them, etc.
Then when the Neighbor's dog comes over and gets aggressive, it will be the last time.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Whatever you decide to do, please DO NOT place an empty 2-liter plastic Pepsi bottle over the muzzle of your .22 rifle, DO NOT duct tape the plastic bottle firmly in place, DO NOT chamber a round of ammunition, DO NOT point the rifle through the fence in the dog's face, DO NOT pull the trigger. Also, DO NOT discuss such thoughts, plans, or deeds with anyone, ever, and DO NOT keep used plastic pop bottles, duct tape, or empty cartridge cases.
Other things that should never be done include buying rat poison anywhere near your home or where you might be recognized, and certainly do not use a credit card or check for such purchases. Never keep your rat poison inside hot dogs or ground beef.
Unusual levels of traffic to and from a residence at odd hours does not constitute probable cause for a search warrant. Reporting such activity to police or prosecutors is a fine idea, especially with videos, license plates, descriptions, etc, but these only provide input for intelligence purposes pending the possibilities of further investigation that may or may not take place, depending on staffing, budgets, and other enforcement activities of varying priorities. Suspicion is never sufficient for search & seizure, detention, or arrest, no matter how many neighbors report the same suspicious activities.
Smart cops will take your information in confidence, then focus patrols on interdicting transactions in hopes of getting dopers to throw down their stash or give permission for a search of their cars, then present the cases in court as nothing more than a sharp patrolman acting on suspicious activity.
Worst case would be a cop citing neighbor reports as probable cause, then being forced to reveal the specifics in court proceedings, likely including the informant's name, address, and possible motivations for making the reports. A problem with the neighbor's dog is one thing, but a problem with a neighbor facing prosecution and possible prison time for dope dealing is a different sort of peeing contest.
Other things that should never be done include buying rat poison anywhere near your home or where you might be recognized, and certainly do not use a credit card or check for such purchases. Never keep your rat poison inside hot dogs or ground beef.
Unusual levels of traffic to and from a residence at odd hours does not constitute probable cause for a search warrant. Reporting such activity to police or prosecutors is a fine idea, especially with videos, license plates, descriptions, etc, but these only provide input for intelligence purposes pending the possibilities of further investigation that may or may not take place, depending on staffing, budgets, and other enforcement activities of varying priorities. Suspicion is never sufficient for search & seizure, detention, or arrest, no matter how many neighbors report the same suspicious activities.
Smart cops will take your information in confidence, then focus patrols on interdicting transactions in hopes of getting dopers to throw down their stash or give permission for a search of their cars, then present the cases in court as nothing more than a sharp patrolman acting on suspicious activity.
Worst case would be a cop citing neighbor reports as probable cause, then being forced to reveal the specifics in court proceedings, likely including the informant's name, address, and possible motivations for making the reports. A problem with the neighbor's dog is one thing, but a problem with a neighbor facing prosecution and possible prison time for dope dealing is a different sort of peeing contest.
I'd go to the PD and complain about the come and go traffic. Had this exact thing happen on a street next to me. After 8 months of the PD sitting on the house and pulling over everyone that left the residence, the "man of the house" finally up and moved. PD couldn't nail him but he lost a lot of income.
There is always the Monsanto Meatball.
pete950
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I have big Shepheard he is never in his yard alone.
Im with him all the time and have at least a snub in my pocket.
He protects me and I protect him.
Back in the late 70s my friend bought a piece of property right on the edge of a agriculture area. He had problems with a couple dogs that would always come on to his property. Talked to the dogs owner about that and got told to do something very unnatural. Was told, him his property and dogs were here long before this development was built and they could do their thing.
Bill came out of his house a week later and saw his 7 yo son jumped by a big dog and knocked down and his ice cream cone taken. He was not hurt but shook up. Bill grabbed a 2x4 and hit the now growling dog hard on the top of head. Took the carcass back to the farm but no one around so left the dog by the door.
Farmer came over all full of fire and brimstone and almost went at my buddy. That would have been a bad move as pound for pound at 5'6'' Bill was no one to go hands on with.
Farmer then came back with the sheriff and demanded money and again stated his dogs were here first. He (sheriff) then explained the law and Bill and the neighbor had the right to shoot marauding animals on their property and Bill was advised to do that and then call the sheriffs office immediately. Long story short that was the end of dogs ruining around off their property.
Bill came out of his house a week later and saw his 7 yo son jumped by a big dog and knocked down and his ice cream cone taken. He was not hurt but shook up. Bill grabbed a 2x4 and hit the now growling dog hard on the top of head. Took the carcass back to the farm but no one around so left the dog by the door.
Farmer came over all full of fire and brimstone and almost went at my buddy. That would have been a bad move as pound for pound at 5'6'' Bill was no one to go hands on with.
Farmer then came back with the sheriff and demanded money and again stated his dogs were here first. He (sheriff) then explained the law and Bill and the neighbor had the right to shoot marauding animals on their property and Bill was advised to do that and then call the sheriffs office immediately. Long story short that was the end of dogs ruining around off their property.
No experience with agressive animals, but I do have experience with a drug house. Years ago a couple across the alley got divorced. As is usual, the wife kept the house. Shortly afterward she welcomed four "gentlemen" to live with her. Cars were coming and going at all hours. I personally watched kids on bikes drive up and exchange cash for a paper bag. One night there was a car chase down the alley resulting in one of their cars crashing into a customer's car along with a couple of gunshots. It was obviously a drug operation. I called the police repeatedly as did other neighbors. It appeared that the cops were doing nothing.
I found out later,though, they were watching the house and stopping customers as they left for "random" traffic infractions - meticulously building a solid case against the "gentlemen." They were all arrested a few months later. End of problem.
On a side note I watched a few months later as the woman, who had apparently just been released, came with a trailer and loaded up the contents of her house. The next day she was back with police claiming that the house had been burglarized while she was incarcerated. I guess it was an attempt to scam her insurance company out of cash. I did call and tell the police what I'd seen, but I don't know what became of that.
I found out later,though, they were watching the house and stopping customers as they left for "random" traffic infractions - meticulously building a solid case against the "gentlemen." They were all arrested a few months later. End of problem.
On a side note I watched a few months later as the woman, who had apparently just been released, came with a trailer and loaded up the contents of her house. The next day she was back with police claiming that the house had been burglarized while she was incarcerated. I guess it was an attempt to scam her insurance company out of cash. I did call and tell the police what I'd seen, but I don't know what became of that.
crstrode
Member
The "pack up and move" contingent is precisely the reason this kind of un-neighborly neighbors get away with murder.
Turning the other cheek means not flying off the handle when confronted with ideas differing from your own. It does NOT mean ignoring, condoning, or enabling felonious assault.
Turning the other cheek means not flying off the handle when confronted with ideas differing from your own. It does NOT mean ignoring, condoning, or enabling felonious assault.
Unmotivated because it's not their job.
Every place I've ever been, the police don't handle animal complaints - the dog catcher does. I spent 35 years in policing and never handled one animal complaint.
Ugly Hombre
Member
Sorry this is happening to you bad situation to be put in and go through, before we moved into our place- and started to pay for it, I went there a few times and sat outside in the yard listening for yowling barking dogs nada soon as we moved in a yappin little dog appeared in the house and yard next to our bedroom window the little devil NEVER shut up. He must have been on vacation. Three families had to complain to take a barking dog to court that was the rule- animal control was useless. Went to court with two other families the dog owners got fined $50.00 laughed and made the dog bark more. Went to court again the fine went up to $100 dollars they laughed louder.
The sold the place to a wanna be Hells Angle who collected pit bulls more barking 24- 7 and those dogs tried to get through the fence to get at my wife when she was taking care of her roses.
My mom was visiting she was out in the yard drinking coffee the fence fell down the dogs came after her she was faster and made it into the house.
3 people back in court again against the wanna be hellion animal control useless same story big joke for the dog owner $100 dollar fine- so what laugh and make the dogs bark more..
Finally the pit bull collector got busted for something else went to jail and the house got fore closed on.
After 10 years we finally got some good neighbors and some peace and quiet.
I would have moved but was working very hard and had no extra energy- stayed in a hotel to sleep a few times it was that bad. Cop were of little use animal control no use at all.
The situation was not the dogs fault they are dogs- its always the fault of the people who own the dogs and don't have the brains to train them. And who also don't care a whit about other people.
The sold the place to a wanna be Hells Angle who collected pit bulls more barking 24- 7 and those dogs tried to get through the fence to get at my wife when she was taking care of her roses.
My mom was visiting she was out in the yard drinking coffee the fence fell down the dogs came after her she was faster and made it into the house.
3 people back in court again against the wanna be hellion animal control useless same story big joke for the dog owner $100 dollar fine- so what laugh and make the dogs bark more..
Finally the pit bull collector got busted for something else went to jail and the house got fore closed on.
After 10 years we finally got some good neighbors and some peace and quiet.
I would have moved but was working very hard and had no extra energy- stayed in a hotel to sleep a few times it was that bad. Cop were of little use animal control no use at all.
The situation was not the dogs fault they are dogs- its always the fault of the people who own the dogs and don't have the brains to train them. And who also don't care a whit about other people.
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oldiegoldie
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a 7' vinyl privacy fence would be my solution. you want it to be good looking, adding to the value of your property. there's alot of good privacy fencing out there. it's expensive, but you were dealt a poor hand and you've got to live with it or move.
Protected One
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Doug M.
Member
Animal control laws and practices vary from state to state. Where I live and work that would be taken very seriously and your neighbors would have been the subject of assertive police action and likely criminal prosecution.
I head off problems with a 6' fence and my dogs are only walked on leash (I have had a couple that could be off lead under many conditions but those dogs were exceptions and so were the conditions under which I could/would do so). My dogs are only out in our fenced yard for a few minutes at a time and are under some form of supervision. If there was a problem with another dog starting a fight it would be solved pretty quickly. Any human coming inside the fenced area would go to jail after the hospital (assuming the COVID booking restrictions were not in place); the law in this state is completely clear that they are a lower priority than the dog that lives on the property.
Ruby does not care to interact with other dogs, period. Ted is fascinated with them and has a couple of buddies he watches for and visits whenever we are out and about.
I head off problems with a 6' fence and my dogs are only walked on leash (I have had a couple that could be off lead under many conditions but those dogs were exceptions and so were the conditions under which I could/would do so). My dogs are only out in our fenced yard for a few minutes at a time and are under some form of supervision. If there was a problem with another dog starting a fight it would be solved pretty quickly. Any human coming inside the fenced area would go to jail after the hospital (assuming the COVID booking restrictions were not in place); the law in this state is completely clear that they are a lower priority than the dog that lives on the property.
Ruby does not care to interact with other dogs, period. Ted is fascinated with them and has a couple of buddies he watches for and visits whenever we are out and about.
I handled a complaint of a person killing a neighbor's cat because it damaged the neighbor's screening on a porch. At the time, it was a crime in Florida. The cat killer was convicted. I don't remember if there was a judgement for restitution. A new fence is a must and surveillance cameras sound good. One thing that drug dealers don't like is attention. I think that this might be a good time to have a meeting with an attorney. Being retired, I would make these neighbors my full-time project. I wouldn't kill the offending dog unless it was very clear that your life, health or property needed defending. Having it on camera, if you were clearly in the right would help, but that would be a last resort.
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No. Pyr's are too nice. Try Kangal/Anatolian Shepherd
Same job as a Pyr, but they take on wolves.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
My neighbor across the street at the old house trained there dog to chase anyone walking down the street. I just got home from cutting trees. I sharpened the saws did a few test cuts. My son walked down the street and the dog chased the kid. I started the saw went thru 7' hedges to get the dog. I seen red. Twice the dog came after me twice I chased him. The old man was home but never answered the door when I knocked. Lucky him.
