Should I file a complaint against my neighbors?

Question

My neighbors (directly across the street) have two dogs a large beagle and a huge rottweiler mix, both dogs bark like crazy any time anyone goes past the house, but the real problem lies with the rottweiler mix who jumps onto their fence (a small white picket thing) and barks and growls when people walk past. This wouldn't be such an issue, if the fence wasn't right next to the side walk. Though he never has, the dog could easily jump the fence if it wanted to. There has already been one complaint filed against these people (by different neighbors) because children from the near by school were walking on the road to avoid the dog. Since then the dog has spent more time indoors and I thought they had it under control until just now when I was walking past with my little dog and the rottweiler ran at the fence. My dog was so scared (and shocked) he ran onto the busy road whipping my arm around. Luckily no one was hurt from this incident, but it's been half an hour and the owners (who called the dog away once I was already past the house) have made no attempt to call or walk across the street to apologize to me and it's got me wondering if I should file a complaint against them before someone does get hurt...

Answer 1

Yes, call the police. I would. They have no respect for others and someone is going to get hurt.

Answer 2

call the police

Answer 3

Sadly, your neighbors are doing everything they're required to in order to control their dog. It's behind a sturdy fence and not running around the neighborhood wild. The fact that its being annoying there isn't (unfortunately) a law against... except... the noise part. If the dogs are barking past your local noise ordinance times (like past 11pm and before 7am - times vary depending on where you live), you're perfectly within your rights to file a noise complaint with your local police department or code enforcement agency. Your other possible loophole is whether or not your area has a minimum height requirement on fences for dogs left in yards unrestrained. Some places require 6-foot fences, some don't - you may want to look it up.

Of course, there's always the simple approach which is to go across the street and talk to your neighbors. Tell them you don't want to see them or their dogs blamed because someone misinterpreted the dogs' actions or because someone got hurt. They might tell you to get lost, but maybe they're really just completely unaware that anyone is bothered.

Answer 4

Dogs should only attack if they feel that they or their master is threatened but in this case you should complain because this dog would obviously attack people if he had easier access to them. Maybe talk to your neighbours before to avoid any future problems between you guys. On the other hand, the dog is fenced in and is probably only doing what he was taught.

Answer 5

If you know the dog does this, why do you walk on that side of the street? Especially since you live on the opposite side. Just avoid that yard rather than stir the pot.  

Answer 6

I don't think you want to be fighting with your neighbours all the time do you ? The dog didn't hurt you, the dog is contained in their yard. I can't see why you would complain. Apologize ? You know the dog lives there, you know it jumps against the fence. Walk on the other side of the road. The dog is in their yard, it isn't running at large. Leave them alone.

Answer 7

Why not try talking with them about your concerns before filing a complaint?

Answer 8

Well there is probably nothing they can do.  The dog is fenced in on their private property.  Sorry but I think complaining would be a waste of time.  Why don't you just tell the owners?

Answer 9

Although there is the potential for the dog to break the fence and get loose..

Technically they are not breaking any laws.  The dog IS in his yard.  There's no law saying that your dog isnt allowed to bark, growl, jump or display aggressive behavoiur

You can report if you want, however, unfortunantly until this dog does break loose and/or bites someone there may not be much that can be done to enforce this behavouir.

Answer 10

file a complaint against the dog owners. you should be able to walk on any side of the road without fear of dogs. anyone thats thinks you should walk on the other side is effectively saying its your fault that the dogs attack. it isnt.  complain loudly. dog owners should control their dogs

Answer 11

I work in a police department, and all they are going to tell you (more than likely) is what you already know. It's their dog, it's their property, and there are probably not any ordinances on how high someone's fence should be.

It's not their place to come and apologize if their dog didn't do anything wrong. You said their dog ran at the fence, or charged the fence, they're probably really protective. If the dog hasnt bit anyone I don't think there is anything you can do.

If you have a serious problem with this dog and/or it's behavior, I (personally) would either call them, catch them (owners) outside, or go to their house and address the issue. I'd just address my concerns with them, and ask them if they could keep the animals in their back yard. Maybe it'll go well. However, even if the police get hundreds of complaints about the dogs barking or their behavior, if the dogs havent bit or attacked anyone and the owner's havent broken any laws... All they can do is tell the owner's about the complaints and pursuade them to do something about it.  

Answer 12

As long as the dog has not bit anyone then i dont think that it can do much good, but if it is continuous and enough people complain about it, then the dog could be taken away or the owners fined for it and made to build a larger fence

if i was you though, i would go ahead and file a complaint cause the dog sounds to be dangerous and what if your dog had got lose and ran into the road and got hit?

Answer 13

I think you should. If a wee kid got their face bitten off you would feel guilty if you didnt.

Answer 14

talk to neighbors.  it sounds as if the dog was really after you, it could have had you.  he's just protecting his property.  maybe if you visit the neighbors and let your dogs get to know each other.  it won't scare yours to walk by.

Answer 15

if you really want to you can but as long as the dog is in her yard you cant really do anything. and you should talk to the owner and have them go to a training class for aggressive dogs.

have them look at this site.

http://www.dogtraininguncovered.com/

Answer 16

this makes me want to buy all the properties around you and put up rickety fences with large, angry dogs behind them.