Neighbors Dog - Page 2

Thanks for the advice about the fence.  What I discussed with the fence company was laying another fence parallel to mine to put two sections of fence between my dogs and theirs.  This way they cannot have any contact and the kids cannot put their fingers through.  This will leave a 2 foot alley between the fencing.  I will have a gate installed on my side to to access it so the grass can be maintained.  My goal would be to put some trees in there as well.  It is not my perfect solution, but I have to do something.

I am rasing the height on the corral and adding privacy fence as well.  This gives me 3 sections of fence to keep them apart.  They usually do not bother with the huskey - unless they see her charging the fence.  My dogs are  not outside unattended, however with my mother coming to live with me, it now has me scrambling to come up with the best solution.  I am putting an addition on and will have new kennels built on the lower level, but until that happens, I have to figure something out.

As for the kitten, yes I understand people cannot afford a bill like that, and that it is not 100% the neighbors fault since the kitten did enter their yard.  What upset me is that she heard her dog attacking something and did nothing because she thought it was a groundhog.  I think if your dog is attacking something, common sense, fear, etc would drive you to see what was going on.  I am not made of money either, but am willing to put some money out to give an animal a chance.  I know that it could have been my yard that the kitten wondered into and it could have been Falon that got it.  The difference is I watch my dogs and could have stopped it sooner and maybe the kitten would  still been alive. 

I guess I just don't have the heart to put an animal to sleep unless I try everything I can to find a solution first. 

Cheryl

From one animal lover to another I can appreciate you wanting to help the kitten; I too would have done the same and probably inherited myself a $1000 cat. lol  But sadly enough the story did not have a happy ending and as other's stated we can't entirely fault the neighbor's husky for doing what they are known for; chasing and killing prey. 

However on the fence issue I can offer you better advice...CALL YOUR LOCAL BUILDING INSPECTOR!  There are ordinances depending on where you live that designate how many feet from the property line you are allowed to set your fence.  For example in my township it's 2 foot off the property line.  Also most municipalities require a building permit even to install a fence regardless of type or size.  If where you live also requires these things then the neighbor can be cited and most definately be forced to take down the fence if it's proven to be on your property.  If the building inspector doesn't want to get involved it is as simple as taking your property survey to the local magestrate along with pictures of the fence and the magestrate will figure out if the neighbor has claimed 2 foot of your property.  BUT I caution you that if you pursue this avenue you will likely not have a very cordial relationship with the irresponsible neighbor in the future.  If it were me I would have addressed it the moment I realized the fence was on my property and in a nice way.

I have very well trained and behaved (3) GSD's and I installed a 6ft privacy fence.  I also put up 3 10x15 kennels.  Not only did this keep them from destroying my lawn but it's just a safer place for them to chill out and have their own space.  You may want to consider investing the money into kennels rather than a double layer of fence.  It will also be better for your elderly mother to not have to deal with the dogs running free.  The kennels I purchased actually look very nice in the yard, not typical chain link style but nice black almost wrought iron looking bars.  I get compliments on them all the time.  Just something for you to consider.  Good Luck!

I had the same fence problem with a neighbor who move in next to my three acres.   The cattle fence wont keep small childrens hands and feet out of harms way so I had to spend 8.000.00 to quickly put up a 6' cedar fence and for two years have still had problems of kids throwing junk over the fence and standing on daddy;s truck or something on their side to look over the fence,,even shooting B B guns and throwing things at the dogs...I have to keep my dogs kenneled because of junveniles that parents wont discipline and could get bit if one happens to fall over the fence...

It seems no matter what you try to do,,it gets harder every month to keep a civil head and keep things running smoothly.

They have three heinz 57 dogs with fleas and not shots and they run my dog out in the front of my property and I spend part of every day running them off and spraying them with vinegar if I can get close enough...they were warned to keep them in their own yard but in the County,,there are no leash laws. They have puppies every 6 mos and half of them end up smashed up on the busy farm to market road out in front.  I have to turn up the  music and not look out front to keep from hearing the crashes and dogs getting what they dont deserve.

So Renofan:   no matter whether its the city or the country ...Neighbors dogs and neighbors can be a trying every days frustration. Hope you can find a  solution before your mom gets there.   I would call the inspector and talk to city officials and take down your fence between the yards and put up a 6 foot cedar or pine paneled fence. concrete the a rail all the way down the yard before they put fence in place. Concrete the posts in place also. On the fence facing the other yard, post a sign that says    "No Trespassing"    post same sign  on back fence and front fence on  your property. 

This covers a multiple range of problems and notifies everyone  . This is our property and must ask to come on it...covers a multilple of sins., no matter what State you live in.

I had the same fence problem with a neighbor who move in next to my three acres.   The cattle fence wont keep small childrens hands and feet out of harms way so I had to spend 8.000.00 to quickly put up a 6' cedar fence and for two years have still had problems of kids throwing junk over the fence and standing on daddy;s truck or something on their side to look over the fence,,even shooting B B guns and throwing things at the dogs...I have to keep my dogs kenneled because of junveniles that parents wont discipline and could get bit if one happens to fall over the fence...

It seems no matter what you try to do,,it gets harder every month to keep a civil head and keep things running smoothly.

They have three heinz 57 dogs with fleas and not shots and they run my dog out in the front of my property and I spend part of every day running them off and spraying them with vinegar if I can get close enough...they were warned to keep them in their own yard but in the County,,there are no leash laws. They have puppies every 6 mos and half of them end up smashed up on the busy farm to market road out in front.  I have to turn up the  music and not look out front to keep from hearing the crashes and dogs getting what they dont deserve.

So Renofan:   no matter whether its the city or the country ...Neighbors dogs and neighbors can be a trying every days frustration. Hope you can find a  solution before your mom gets there.   I would call the inspector and talk to city officials and take down your fence between the yards and put up a 6 foot cedar or pine paneled fence. concrete the a rail all the way down the yard before they put fence in place. Concrete the posts in place also. On the fence facing the other yard, post a sign that says    "No Trespassing"    post same sign  on back fence and front fence on  your property. 

This covers a multiple range of problems and notifies everyone  . This is our property and must ask to come on it...covers a multilple of sins., no matter what State you live in.

UGGGHHHHH.  Stupid neighbor.

Very lucky cat though that you were kind enough to bring it into the vet.  Maybe your vet will be kind enough to give you some sort of a discount because maybe it is a stray. 

 I like everyone's elses ideas on fencing too.

We have a bit of fence problem here, but not terrible.  Little fluffy dog next door is out ALL THE TIME.  Shouldn't this thing be in someones lap!  He's very cute and I actually feel bad for him, because he does not get very much attention.  But, when he's out.  Ike (my male GSD) and Spike (the poodle) run the fence.  Can't exactly call it fence fighting, because they are both very happy doing it.  And I'm afraid that it's the only fun this little dog gets to have.  I'm just always nervous that he will end up in our yard, as they will dig under the fence at each other occassionally.  So, I have to keep a close eye on things.  My older girl will get involved, but with her it's true fence fighting.  The boys are really just having fun.  You can see them look at each other through the vinyl fence and they seem to say. "ready, go!" There is two fences there.  A vinyl and a chain link fence.  Eventually I want to do something under the vinyl to prevent the digging.  As is there's sections with patio block, that are looking quite ghetto. 

I agree it's horrible, she heard the commotion and did nothing?  Lovely.

The little town closest to my home, has dead cats laying all over the streets.  Most all of these cats are homeless and full of diseases. There are kind humans out there, but most don't care any more for a cat than an insect. Millions of cats are euthanized every year by shelters, and millions of others die from other circumstances. The kitten above may not have even had a home.

I learned decades ago, when one takes it upon themselves to save or rescue an animal from any situation, the responsibility is soly theirs. Rescues are broke and in desperate need of donations. The best any rescue could do is perhaps get certain vets to allow a discount. The great majority of vets are just looking to get the $$$$. Most don't even have the experience to save an animal in deep shock and in dire need.

Since I always had large numbers of dogs to care for, I always lived rural. It seemed that any area where we lived, boomed in population, and soon we had to move again. I worked for the Rail Road. On call 24/7, I was limited as to how far away from work I could live. When I had the opportunity to take a buy out, I jumped at the chance. We were finally able to move where we would never have a neighbor.

We can't expect others to have our feelings and empathy for animals. Animal owners living in cities or semi rural areas, are always fighting with each other, or fighting with neighbors who don't have animals.

At this time we have 9 cats. All are fixed and keep the mice away from our old farm house. I admire and commend Cheryl for her kindness. She is however, in the great minority of those who care what happens to a cat.

renofan2,

I understand 100% about not putting an animal down. I found a litter (7) of kittens and the mother was killed. I rushed them down to the vet, all died except for one. I named him Buster. This was just a little over a year ago. Well about a month or so, he swallowed some string and was very sick. It started to cut his insides and either needed to be put down or spend 850.32 to have his operation. Well, 850.32 later, he is doing just fine.

Can't advise about your next door people, just wanted to thank you for helping the cat.

John Kennedy

Abhay:

Beautiful cats.

Some great advice about the building inspector.  I think I will talk to them as i don't want to learn later that I did something wrong and again have to move/change fencing.  I made my first mistake by putting a split rail in and, then when the neighbor complained that he thought my fence was on his property I made my second mistake by not having the property surveyed again.  My Dad was a surveyor and I purchased new construction, so he was convinced we installed correctly.  But, when I put a new fence in I moved it in 2 feet to accomodate my neighbor - who then later decided to install his own fencing and had it survyed - only to find out that the 2 feet indeed was mine.  So - great advice to make sure where I am allowed to put the fence - as the other side is also in 2 feet , so don't want that to be an issue in the future as well. 

I am installing kennels with the new addition - but will also keep the "dog corral" which I am making adjustments do to Falon's impressive leap today into my backyard.  The coral has been a life saver as I finally had a new back yard put in and this is the first spring since I moved in that I actually have grass.

My vet indeed was very nice and gave me a courtesy discount. I appreciated that as they did not have to do it.

Again, thanks for all the good advice.  Hopefull the building inspector can point me in the right direction, especially since I will need to be in touch with them over the next few months regarding the addition.

Cheryl

Yes, the stray cat population is a lot in some areas.  And the numbers that get euthanized every year is very sad. 

We have a rather large feral cat population in the area of my work.  And we have a handful of very nice groups, even just clients.  That will trap, spay/neuter, FLV/FIV, vaccinate, then release.  I think that after a few years of this it will really start to make a difference.  It has already somewhat.  With cats, instead of relocating, it is better just to spay/neuter the population that is there, vs relocated.  Otherwise more will just move into the area.