Crazy neighbor and what to do.

[Dmitri Popov]

Option 1: Tell him to take care of his and you'll take care of yours, now get off my property!

Option 2: Tell him if he continues to harass you you will have no choice but to file complaint about him letting his dog run free, as well as trespassing, now get off my property!

I hate trespassers...and nut jobs...especially nut jobs who trespass.

 

[altitude_19]

Unless he threatened you with violence in some sort of fashion, you have no legal ground to stand on to use pepper spray, let alone a firearm.

He's hinted at threats a couple times, but only hinted. Saying things like "or else" and "you'd better." When I challenged him to elaborate, he was at least smart enough not to openly communicate a threat. The closest it's come to that was the last exchange when he stormed off muttering something to the effect of "you'd better pay or (something involving the f-word)." I'm not sure if he was trying to say something derogatory or communicate a threat. Again, I called after him asking what he had said, but he kept on his way to his house (for the best, I'm sure). But there is NO DOUBT he's got a temper. This is why I figure there's no dealing with him (his wife, I'll speak with any time), so I need only develop a plan to tell him to stay away, should he come back.

 

[Perforate]

I would pay nothing and tell him to stay away.

 

[Zoogster]

A large percentage of people get emotional and illogical when children or pets are involved fairly frequently.
Their own children or animal is usually the victim in their eyes, unless it was completely one sided, and they will be emotionally reacting when it comes time to deal with things.

Sometimes you can deal with them, but sometimes you may need to have an intermediary involved to avoid the emotions that come up when dealing with each other directly.

The court and lawyers are in it for themselves, so once they are involved both sides will lose.

If you can just deal with the wife do that. If the husband has you fearful of altercation, and you cannot resolve it without him involved, then get the police involved and let it become a civil case resolved in court.

 

[krupparms]

I believe you have some thanking to do. The advice that was given ranges from telling him to pound sand or say fine &pay him! It sounds like there is some anger on you're part, ( I am not saying you're wrong. ) But I would try to leave that out of the problem if you can. I would check into local laws &also into their side, they may not have the cash. Talking with the wife sounds best, but the man may be offended &that could make it worse! Like I said a lot to think about. I would be careful about carrying a gun into the situation, prison cost more than $750. I think witnesses are something else to consider. Give it some though & prayer if you believe, Good luck!

 

[altitude_19]

Please don't think I am carrying JUST for this occasion. I always have it with me, when legal. One would think dealing with somebody like this would make it MORE advisable to have a means of self defense, not less. Nobody seems to have realized that, for all I know, he was armed as well.
Somebody mentioned getting it in writing if I manage to strike a settlement with the wife. That occurred to me as well and I already have a document drawn up and printed for signature.

 

[RoboDuck]

It sounds like this guy is planning some form of retribution. In his mind he is justified. I would be very cautious . He may try to harm your dog in some way. Is your dog trained to accept food only from you? I lost a dog to poisoning in a simular situation.

If the neighbor comes down acting crazy just call the police.

 

[shiftyer1]

If your dog gets labeled a dangerous dog it will cost you more than $750 and depending on the breed you may have to find different house insurance. My dog was secured on my property and a neighbor dog came into my back yard, i've always had dogs that won't tolerate strange animals in the yard. Long story short my dog killed the trespassing dog/dogs. It happened twice, my lawyer fees the second time were pretty high.

The first time the owners understood their dog was in the wrong and it was left alone, until the second incident when they decided to tag team me and take me to court for everything under the sun. Anyway they also wanted my dog put down, I won and kept him but he got that label.

I'm pretty sure I own the most expensive mutt in 4 counties. And he still won't fetch!

 

[tepin]

My $0.02 is if the wife accepts your offer, pay. Otherwise, don't engage them nor acknowledge them in any way i.e. don't answer the door or phone or wave or look at then when coming home. I believe there is a story in the Gift of Fear that talks about continued contact is like continuing to put logs on a fire... it never goes out. Some people thrive on conflict especially those with time on their hands.

Keep an eye on your dogs. Some folks have no issue poisoning pets. I know someone that poisoned two dogs because the dogs were dumping in his yard.

Finding out about a violent criminal history NOW could be useful to you in the future should you ever need to defend yourself. It's all public information. Look up tax records online for names then use google, Facebook etc... to find family. The license plates on the cars are useful. Don't be shy about calling the cops - let them do your documentation for you. Use the courts for restraining order etc... Start a file. Document comings and goings. Spend an hour with an attorney and fill him/her in on your case and provide the documentation. Attorneys know people who know people that can run plates, name etc...
Good luck.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I don't think you owe him anything. Both the dogs were loose, so I don't see any more culpability on your part than on his.

How to deal with him? Ignore him.

 

[Chris-bob]

Technically, you owe him nothing. However, if you want to be the good guy, offer to pay half the damages to the pet owner, and call it good. That is more than fair. When one of my chickens got loose and was killed in the street by the neighbors dog, the neighbor had to compensate me. And that was with the police partially involved.(no fines or citations, just a verbal warning from the police to the neighbor.) Animals get loose, but if the caretaker allows an animal to be loose, they take full responsibility for all damages done by their pet.(where I live at least)

If you pay, what's to stop him from still demanding more with "additional" vet bills? or from retaliation?

 

[sidheshooter]

My $0.02 is if the wife accepts your offer, pay. Otherwise, don't engage them nor acknowledge them in any way i.e. don't answer the door or phone or wave or look at then when coming home. I believe there is a story in the Gift of Fear that talks about continued contact is like continuing to put logs on a fire... it never goes out. Some people thrive on conflict especially those with time on their hands.

Keep an eye on your dogs. Some folks have no issue poisoning pets.

I find a lot of use for that Gavin de Becker gift of fear concept. The less contact you have with these people, the better your quality of life will be. If you can quickly come to some agreement with wifey, by all means use it to wash your hands of the whole thing. If she balks, well then you tried; time to stonewall. Use the dough to instead put a camera on the area where your dog is, for a lot of possible reasons.

Just one opinion, and not a particularly expert one at that.

 

[ultradoc]

Offer to pay the vet bill. That would be like killing him [with kindness].

 

[tnxdshooter]

Unless he threatened you with violence in some sort of fashion, you have no legal ground to stand on to use pepper spray, let alone a firearm. My wife recently pulled a weapon on her sisters (ex) boyfriend after he entered our home after acting violently outside, kicking a car and yelling and shouting. He was arrested by the police for criminal trespass. After he got bailed out, he went to a courthouse and filed an order of protection against her for drawing a weapon. And guess what? The judge granted it to him. Best part is, she video taped the whole incident showing him breaking the law. The point is, there are a lot of legal ramifications that you may not be aware of, and sometimes these hotheads are all show and no go. Be careful, and don't get ahead of yourself is all I can say.

Which if you have a carry permit this restraining order could get it revoked. At leasr here in TN it would.

Sent from Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless

 

[lyrikz]

You dont want to pay the bill? Your dog JUMPED the fence. Just because the dog is off leash doesnt mean its ok for your dog to eat it.

I would pay the 750 and be happy it doesnt go past that.

Moose, you can get a restraining order on pretty much anyone. Especially if they pulled a gun on you.

 

[JustinJ]

The fight happened in the alley behind my house. All the details are second hand for me because I was actually in the hospital when it happened and my wife was home alone, but didn't actually see it either. The neighbor's wife is the dog owner and routinely leaves the animal unleashed outside. Her excuse is that he is so small he can't do any harm (it still violates state law). The dog ran down the alley and apparently antagonized my dog into jumping the fence (something she has never done, and I didn't even think she could do) and giving the fight it was after. The fight was over fast with each dog delivering a bite to the other. Her vet bills are about $750. That is well below my deductible and I won't be making a claim.

If the other dog was off leash it certainly becomes more gray and i'm not sure i'd be willing to pay in the case you desribed.

I find it distressing that so many have said "just pay the man." Last I checked, handing money over to a presumably volatile and dangerous person for the sake of safety was called a mugging. I'm not comfortable doing such a thing as it would embolden him into believing he can make any demand he sees fit for the duration of my occupancy here. And I certainly don't have that amount of money to be throwing around for the sake of convenience.

Well, many on here actually do recomend giving money over to a mugger rather than acting even if able. Regardless, demanding compensation for a perceived wrong, even if done with immaturely is not a mugging. If however he acted in a threatening or intimidating matter it is extortion and if you feel that is the case go to the police. My comments to pay were with the caveat that it should be done if you are actually at fault.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Both dogs were off leash and uncontrolled, therefor you are both equally guilty (just as Animal control has already said)

IF you pay him "damages" of your own free will, that could be construed in court as an "admission of guilt" if he decides to take some further legal action. (just like they tell you in an auto accident ... never never never offer to pay cash on the spot).

You were both "wrong", you both have vets to pay ... personally, I'd ignore him. If he trespasses/threatens you ... dial 911.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

1. If the other dog belongs to the woman and not the crazy man, why is Mr. Crazy even involved? Answer: he shouldn't be, so don't deal with him.

2. As the woman's dog came to yours but the fight happened in neutral territory (I.e. both dogs are "at fault"), I don't see you having any liability. If it will ease your conscious and restore neighborhood peace, you may (if you wish), offer to pay some of the other dog's vet bill after getting a look at it. If you decide to do it, telephone the woman and ask her to come over *alone* and settle it. Mr. Crazy may have severe emotional issues if not outright mental illness (e.g. Bi-Polar) and can't be talked to. Ignore him, which should be easy to do as you have a one house buffer between you two.

 

[mbt2001]

OP...

No matter what you are responsible for your property. Of course you are free to tell the guy to get lost and involve lawyers and get no contact orders and so forth, but in my opinion that is way overkill for the situation. You have to live with those idiots down the street and they can make your life truly difficult. Feuding with neighbors, historically, is an ugly and dangerous proposition.

Go turn on Cops, or crack the newspaper and you will read / see incidents between neighbors that have life altering consequences and they all arose from idiotic situations like the one your are describing. If you go to court the judge will order you to pay something. Paying the bills NOW just keeps that from happening and hopefully keeps the idiots from calling the cops on you every Friday night and inventing domestic violence stories and so forth.

Sun Tzu advises straight off that war is a dangerous enterprise and should not be taken lightly or entered into lightly. He also advises that: there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare; in war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

Victory here is dispensing with the problem BEFORE it escalates and ends up costing you more money. To do otherwise is penny wise and pound foolish. There is also a real chance that it could turn into a Pacific Heights situation or Hatfield's and McCoy's. Again this is my $0.02...

 

[Mike1234567]

I walk my dog down the road every day. Many of my neighbors allow their dogs to roam freely... I live in a rural area. My next door neighbor, a nice guy BTW, has three large loose dogs. They've always run out to us barking to warn us off. I've never had any concerns because they never seemed vicious... until recently. For the last week or so one of them has stepped up its aggression... baring its teeth and coming closer... looks like it's ready to attack. The others follw its lead to some degree. I yell and wave a big stick and they retreat but don't fully back down. I have a little old pug with bad teeth and a spinal injury so he can barely walk and will never run again. I never let him roam freely because I'm a respnsible owner.

I'll tell you this... if the big stick doesn't disuade an attack by his dogs then my pocket 9mm will. If I kill or hurt his dog defending myself or my dog I'll not give that guy a single penny.

But, to my real point... if I allowed my dog to roam freely and his dog hurt or killed mine I would NOT consider him responsible because I will have been negligent too.

 

[JustinJ]

I'll tell you this... if the big stick doesn't disuade an attack by his dogs then my pocket 9mm will. If I kill or hurt his dog defending myself or my dog I'll not give that guy a single penny.

The GF's father told me the other day that he has had great success with a a little pocket ultrasonic sound emitter. After a couple uses the neighborhood dogs no longer will even approach him. Pepper spray is of course the other option, and a much better one to a gun, but the emitter is better as it won't cause conflict with dog owners.

 

[easyg]

I wouldn't give him a penny.

Both dogs were unrestrained and on public property (which was wrong and both parties were fined).
I would pay for my dog's damages and I would tell him to pay for his dog's damages.

I would also put up a no trespassing sign and tell that family to stay off my property.

AND MAKE SURE YOUR DOG DOES NOT GET LOOSE AGAIN!

 

[CoRoMo]

If he has a generic enough name, you'll need to get more information, such as his age or previous addresses, in order to acquire an accurate BGC. I've done BGCs over the internet, some sites offer a free trial, and I got accurate info when I did.

 

[Mike1234567]

The GF's father told me the other day that he has had great success with a a little pocket ultrasonic sound emitter. After a couple uses the neighborhood dogs no longer will even approach him. Pepper spray is of course the other option, and a much better one to a gun, but the emitter is better as it won't cause conflict with dog owners.

I'll look into those. Thank you!!

 

[rquack]

If negotiating this settlement exceeds $XXX [you fill in the blank] you should just let your insurance company handle it; this is why you buy insurance. Unless doing so would involve destruction of your animal, I don't see why you are trying to settle this with him, especially when it seems that your good faith discussions with him could come back to bite you in the butt when/if your insurer gets involved. Also note: your policy MAY have a time limit during which you must notify your agent of any possible claim. Most policies don't even have a deductible for this type of general liability claim, if in fact one exists. Admit no liability.