My grandfather's neighbour is trying to get his dog taken away. What can we do?

Question

My grandpa has a doberman who he's had for 10 years. Tyson (his dog) is such a friendly dog despite the way doberman are often portrayed. He has been trained very well - he'll sit, lie, come, heel, stay and other things on command. He only jumps at people when he's told and he has never bitten anyone. He may bark at people but only when he feels they are a threat. I have young cousins too who have grown up with him and they all love him. He is great with children and my grandpa adores him (He got Tyson after my gran died for some company and Tyson actually loves him).

So anyway, his neighbour is trying to get Tyson taken away. She has the most annoying Pomerian and Chihuahua ever who actually wind up Tyson. Anyway she is trying to convince everyone in their town (it's a small town) that Tyson is a menace. No one believes her but she's making out he attacked her dogs which he'd never do. My grandpa is really worried that Tyson might be taken away from him which would destroy him. My sister and I are racking our brains trying to find a way to stop this from happening. Any ideas anyone?

Answer 1

I would video tape your neighbors dog aggitating your grandpas dog, so if it ever goes to court, your grandpa has proof that it is her dog causing the problem.  You can also have witnesses come to court and testify that your grandfathers dog is well trained.  Since he has had this dog for 10 years with no problems, it seems strange that he would have a problem all of a sudden.  

Answer 2

I would think that he could call the shelter and ask them to come out and take a look at the dog and see that he is ok. i would think that he can file a report about it so that he has something to say that there is a problem. If he is outside i would stongly suggest that YOUR dog never is with out a leash on and NEVER even heads in the direction of her yard. I would make sure that there is not holes under the gates. Maybe a dog run or something to confine him in to be sure nothing happends when the doggie is outside. Is the dog current on shots?Is he registered in the city you live in? I would also have him put up some kind of signs saying guard dog or something on the gates. Please make sure she can not come into your yard and let him out. If you are not home and he is outside... she might get mean enough to let him out and cause a fight... making it so that they can take him away.

I dont think that she can do anything as long as she does not get attacked. Dogs bark and belong inside or outside with their people. They should how ever be watched and on a leash. Neighbors are mean and redickulas when they dont like something or someone in the neighborhood. this includes dogs. If Tyson is barking alot this could be something she can complain about... and that would cause them to come out and check on him. I would make sure IN HER VIEW over the gate that there is a water dish FULL of water a dog house and a bowl that has food in it. She could call and complain there is no water and food out.

I would reccommend calling the aspca and asking them about it. Maybe they could send someone out to check out your home. Make them come and ask them things to make sure they know what is happening. I would make it known that you have them comeout and check. Maybe her animals are illegal? I would have them do a license check. (make sure Tyson is up to dateon shots and is licensed first!)

Other then that... make sure you love on him more.

Answer 3

If the woman has no proof that the dog attacked hers and the dogs have no scaring or bruising then she will have a hard case.

As long as your grandfather's dog is properly taken care of, adequate shelter, food, water, etc. Then even if she did call animal control on him they would find no reason to take the dog.

Just make sure that the dog is always under control, whether it be on a lead, inside, or in a fenced in yard. And make sure there are no holes or possibly areas the dog could get out. Not to say the dog would attack, but to cover all the basis and not give the woman any ammunition to use.

You will always find ignorant people in this world. You cannot change them, you have to figure out how to work around them or ignore them. And if the dog has not attacked and is given a proper home, then he won't be taken away just by one woman's rantings.

Answer 4

If the dog has never bitten anybody or attacked anybody and your grandfather is caring for it properly, then animal control will have no reason to seize the dog.  The old lady may run her mouth but there is nothing that can be done.  I would threaten to charge her with harassment, you probably can't but I would threaten her with it.

EDIT: If she lets her dogs run loose I would call animal control in a heartbeat.  I would call every single time they were loose.  Maybe if they make her care for her own dogs properly she will have less time to harass your grandfather.

Answer 5

It will get to the point that if she keeps calling in false reports against your grandpa's dog and if animal control goes out there to investigate then they will see that her dogs aren't even injured.  If anything turn the tables on the mean witch and start reporting her dogs and have all of the other people that she has already turned against her do the same.  After enough false reports from the bitter old thing they will just ignore her and if that doesn't stop her they will tell her to stop calling or face a fine if they find out that it's another false report and eventually she should be threatened with jail time or having her dogs removed if she doesn't start keeping control of them!

Answer 6

What country do you live in? There should be no reason at all for taking the dog you described away (in the US at least). It sounds like this b***h is just trying to find a purpose in her miserable life. I seriously doubt anyone will take her seriously. If her dogs come on your grandpa's property and agitate the dog call animal control b/c she is violating leash laws. Then if she has complaints on record against her, her word will mean even less.

Answer 7

catch the other dog red handed.

keep your dog away from the mean one.

Answer 8

Have your grandfather make sure the fence between the properties is fully secure - no loose boards, no holes where the dogs can stick their noses through and harrass each other, etc.  If her dog continues to harrass his dog, then he needs to file a complaint and get it on record.  If there is any way he can keep the dog away from the fence or whatever area that is the problem, he should do so if nothing else to protect himself from any false accusations.  That way if the animal control does show up one day he can show them that it's impossible for his dog to have done what she says it did and have the proof to back it up.  Some neighbors aren't happy unless they are causing trouble, and unfortunately your grandad will have to be especially cautious since he has the larger dog.  Good luck!

EDIT:  After seeing your additonal info, I would file a complaint with the town (and have established neighbors do so also) everytime her dogs are running around loose and off-leash.  She won't get away with much if everyone else is seeing what she is up to - the key is to not let her get away with anything.