Let me preface this by saying, I wasn't meant to live in a "neighborhood.":D There is a decent amount of breathing room where I live (average 2 acre lots), and most of my neighbors are great people. The ones that happen to be the closest, however, have been treading a fine line with me that is thinning quickly. It started with the fact that they are the ONLY people in the area who don't chain their dogs up, or install an underground fence when they are out. They have a little yorky/"something little" mixture yippy dog that thinks our yard is also his. He runs around barking, crapping, and just tonight (which is why I'm TICKED), he came bolting over into our yard chasing the deer from my apple/pear trees. Luckily they outran his slow a**, but he was full bore after them. I hear the neighbors just over there saying "Max...want a treat? Come on boy." I seriously wanted to flip out, but I'm not really confrontational To make matters worse, they're also raising a small flock of chickens now with several roosters who crow all day (mind you we're zoned residential). They let the chickens out, they run into the yard, etc, etc. They ride four wheelers up and down the main road (paved mind you), and they just generally ignore all common courtesy. They have about 1.5 acres, but they're living on it like it's 50. Am I being "that neighbor" who's finding little reasons to complain, or should I say something? I'm not one to want to start bad relations with people, but they just don't seem to get it. Thoughts (other than to buy some land)?:D
Your non response is as good as welcoming Max in your yard. I would use tact, but you have to let them know that it's getting a bit out of hand. I would tell them that you can live with the chickens (even though not under proper zoning) and the quads on the pavement (cause you don't want to be that guy) but when it directly effects you (Max crapping on your lawn) it's not cool.
Partner. I think it's time to get conforntational. I'd start by approaching the neighbors and nicely but firmly tell them to keep that son of a ***** out of your ****ing yard otherwise your gonna use their little yappy son of a ***** as a rinehart target. Just be nice when you talk to them. Seriously, just talk to them. Maybe, on second thought you choose your wording.
I can relate to this... Kind of... I would be closer to your neighbor's perspective than your perspective, so my input may or may not help, depending on what kind of people they are.... I have a dog, that I weekly let out to run loose, we have 7 acres of open pasture and for the "most part" he stays on our land. My immediate next door neighbor has those little yippy dogs that come to my yard all the time, I'm completely cool with that, as is he about Kodi(my dog), We get along great in most every aspect of being neighborly... now my neighbor beside of him, would be you Matt... and we get along great also, so maybe you can use the tactics that he used on me... First- Like I said I have seven acres of pasture, and I've always rode my atv on it, This same atv has a loud exhaust, So I don't ride late at night for respect of course. Well these new neighbors had recently moved in and one day just as I was making some test runs with my jetting and snorkels, Middle of the day mind you, he came over to the property line which joins his property and very politely informed me that his wife worked 3rd shift, if I could ride on the other side of my property. I said sure no problem, I asked him what time she usually got up(5pm), and I don't ride it until after then now. I mean I wouldn't want someone doing that while I was trying to sleep. If any work needs to be done around the house I'll use my wifes which is stock and quiet. Second, I was letting Kodi run one day and he got over to his house, he brought him over to me and said he was afraid he would get run over, I take that as keep your dog off my land, but at the same time he adored Kodi talking about how he missed his Husky and when he gets another on breeding them with Kodi and so forth. So maybe shoot for something like that. Third, I have 9 hens and a rooster, they stay in there fenced pen 24/7... so not much help there... but maybe you can take something away from this lengthy post... :D
I would talk with your neighbor about your issues your having, then react to whatever his decisions are. Im not sure what your state or county law are about dogs, but Im sure if they had to pick their dog up from the pound and pay the fee a few times, they would think twice about him just roaming free. As for the chickens, if they are being a problem just havea BBQ chicken one night. Seriously though, if you do have a problem with it and they refuse to meet you half way, that is why they have zoning laws. And for the ATV, best thing to do is notify law enforcement of what they are doing. Im sure after hearing enough of it, they will do something about it.
I guess I should clarify a bit (for comparison's sake with Aaron's situation). As much as I hate yippy dogs, they certainly have every right to have one. However, it's your responsibility to keep track of your animals. Once they start chasing deer, that's it. Even our dogs growing up on a lot of land were taught at a very young age not to chase. As much as I don't really enjoy therooster crowing in the morning (I would hate having one even if I have land someday), if the stupid things would stay on their property, I would be ok. Fourwheelers? Cool. I had one growing up. They don't ride it much, and it gets their kid out of the house, but then again, they have about a 1.5 acre yard which much of it is trees which is why their kid rights it out on the street. It doesn't bother me as much as it worries me about their parental decisions to let their 8 year old girl ride up and down a public road. So in a sense, I'm certainly in agreement that people have the right to have animals, enjoy their property, etc, but my problem stems from the apparent total disregard for common courtesy these people have. I'm not lying when I say NO ONE leaves their dogs in their yards here with being hooked up or having an underground fence. When you live on 1-2 acres and there's a road with somewhat heavy traffic nearby, that's what you do. They just let everything roam free, assuming I'm cool with it. In all honesty, I wouldn't be here if the NG play didn't drive the cost of land up 10 fold. I would love to have a quad, plant foodplots, set up a trap/skeet range, but do I? No. I'm a realist. I have 2 acres. I don't think the family playing farmville over there gets that.
Definitely just go over and talk to them .... if they dont listen, then turn up the heat .. but I agree with Ben ... a non-response in todays times is like an "ok" ..... people are so ignorant these days
the fact that your not confrentational explains why your being sh*t on. it's not likely to stop unless you speek up.
Definitely confront them about the situation(s) or they'll just run over top of you. I had to complain to my neighbor a couple times about something he had no business doing. It wasn't pretty and it got a little heated but now we get along just fine AND he respects my property.
sounds like chicken is whats for dinner, start flinging more arrows, then they will get the point! no I would confront them, then take action by showing off your bow and how you have an itch on wanting more target practice.
mister if i was you i would just go over there and knock on the door and go talk to the folks explain your side and hear them out as well. you get more bees w/ honey than you do wth vinegar plus ya'll live beside each other and you dont want to have hard feelings towards each other especially over a dog! if you go and say your peace and the mutt still continues to use your yard as a porta-potty and runnin deer call the animal control and have him removed but like i said maybe all it'll take is to talk to the folks if all that doesnt work shoot the lil'mangy bastard and throw his corpse back across the property line!
I agree, confront them, ask politely first then escalate. By doing nothing your giving them your consent.
