Seriously - I need help in regards to a neighbor and his dog

[LynneSin]

I'm not really someone who wants to be a pain to her neighbors and to be honest, he's a real nice person that lives next door. But I am having a tough time with the smell of stale nasty dog poop. I've spent this spring trying to make my backyard into a lovely little zen area. Mind you I have fences all around so it's not like the dog is using my backyard for his business.

But his backyard is basically one giant litter box and from what I can see in the backyard (a tall fence divides us - I can only see from my guest bedroom) he does nothing to fix up the backyard or make it usable. Basically it's his dog's litter box except it never gets cleaned out. So while I'm trying to enjoy a relaxing evening in my back yard, the right breeze in my direction sends a massive 'Eau de Really old rotting dog shit' smell. BTW neither of us have large backyards - not like I could move my chair to the other side to avoid it.


I do have plants and flowers all over the backyard but nothing disguises it. Any suggestions of how to solve this issue? BTW I own my house he rents.

[madinmaryland]

1. Well, if he is a nice guy, maybe you can talk to him about the situation.

Have you ever spoken to him before?

[hedgehog]

6. +1 - Depending on how you approach him, this might work.

he might not realize it's a problem or is trying to ignore it thinking it doesn't bother other people.

[foxfeet]

2. If the "nice" options don't pan out:

1. Call his landlord, or
2. Call the local Health Department.

Most jurisdictions have laws/ordinances concerning the proper disposal of animal feces. Odor is considered a public nuisance.

Does he have a disability or mobility issue that prevents him from cleaning up?

[LynneSin]

oh gawd no - he's some kid out of college

I'll see what I can do

[foxfeet]

8. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt from my POV.

After cleaning up the poop from multiple dogs for more than twenty years, I'm not especially tolerant of the sanitary failure of others unless there's a really good reason (and don't get me started on the cats' litter boxes).
"Ooh, it's icky" doesn't cut it. It's his responsibility to the neighbors, his own dog, and the landlord's property. Good luck!

[LynneSin]

3. oh gawd no - he's some kid out of college

I'll see what I can do

[Peregrine Took]

4. What I would do:

If he would be the slightest bit agreeable I would offer to go over and clean it out (say, under the guise of wanting to "build up my muscles" and not having enough to do in my own yard. Say you want practice in "turning a lawn over.")

Or, if he wasn't agreeable to that idea I would sneak over there when he was asleep or at the store, etc. and just shovel it out into garbage bags.

I know this may all sound crazy but its what I would do in order to enjoy my house and yard.

[LynneSin]

13. I can barely clean out my cat's litter box without gagging

Not cleaning up anyone else's poop.

Plus I have no way of getting in to his yard without going thru his house - this is a rowhome.

[OhioChick]

5. If talking to him doesn't work...or you don't want to...

Call the city anonymously. They'll take care of it. :)

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. Dog poop cleanup services are cheaper than most people would imagine.

Maybe a coupon to get your neighbor started?
I know that first cleanup after a long winter takes a couple extra beers for me to get going so maybe he needs a little something to make maintenance less daunting.

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Do something nice for the guy - hire a dog shit cleanup service

and ask the man to keep up the yard shit-free.

It shouldn't be too expensive... $30, at least.

http://www.delawarepetwasteremoval.com/Rates.html

[jesus_of_suburbia]

10. Easy solution..... (if you are like me and avoid conflict)

When he is gone, go over there and pick up the poop (of course with a spade and a garbage bag).

That's what I would do.

[LynneSin]

14. Two reasons why that won't happen

This is a row home and there is a large fence tall fence that separates our yards. I would have no way of getting to his yard without going thru his house.

Second, I can barely clean out my cat's litter box without gagging (but I do clean it). I'm very smell sensitive.

What doesn't make sense is that him and his 2 buddies live there and have this great backyard with a deck. They always have parties there but basically shut off using their backyard because no one takes care of it. Hell 2 hours of clean up he could have some kickass parties back there.

[flvegan]

11. Plant jasmine. Climbing and night blooming.

All along the fence. The vine/climbing kind especially. You'll never smell it again.

Yes, it is the passive approach, but passive makes for good neighbors. Confronting him probably won't make any long standing changes. The only other thing would be to simply tell him that his backyard stinks and would he consider throwing hay/straw over the yard once a month.

[LynneSin]

15. I use to have morning glories there but hated cleaning them up in the spring

But I might consider the Jasmine or some Lavender plants in hanging baskets.

Best idea and might be the only one that will work without pissing off the neighbor. We actually get along pretty well. His neighbor on the other side moved out and sold her house to some contractors so I have no one to really work with me on a complaint. But perhaps if new neighbors get in there one day then together we can complain nicely.

[marzipanni]

12. You could give him a Housewarming/Yard cleaning present

in the form of a poop-scoop. Here is a gift tag-



If he has the right tool the job will be easy, and more likely to get done. He's a big boy, he needs to learn that his stinky back yard adversely affects your back yard.