My neighbors' dogs are pooping in my yard

[LizW]

and digging up the plants I just put in. These people have lived across from me for almost thirteen years and they have ALWAYS ignored the city leash law and let their dogs run loose and crap all over everyone's else's yards. They are frankly pretty militant about it.

I just don't understand how otherwise nice people can be so inconsiderate about this. They are well aware that we don't like the dogs pooping over here.

Recently, they lost their old dog and acquired TWO new ones. Sigh.

The poop piles are clearly visible. I guess I'll go out and remove it. I'm tempted to just toss it over into their yard, but I'm sure that would be seen as rude.

My yard's no showplace, but it's MINE. I love dogs, but I don't have one, mainly because I don't want to walk it and scoop the freaking poop. I like to dig around in my flower beds without encountering dog doo. I like my plants to stay where I put them.

:grr:

[SHRED]

1. Wicked solution

Pour melted ex-lax on the dried piles.
When fee fee is let out in the morning he cleans up his own poop.
When fee fee gets put back in and dumbass owner goes to work then fee fee sprays the house with fee fee juice.

:puke: :evilgrin:

[LizW]

5. Oh, my god, that is awesome

LOL!

I have to call my husband and tell him about that one right now!

It wouldn't kill them, would it? I don't want to do damage (to the dogs, that is -- they can't help it if their owners are inconsiderate).

[SHRED]

9. Well...

I would not use straight exlax. Since dogs can't take chocalate maybe mix the exlax with melted carob. hehehe.....

[Mutley]

49. the exlax may not do damage

but if the owners are the type they may beat the crap out of the dogs for messing all over the house.

[SheilaT]

8. I'm under the impression that only

puppies consume their own poop, that grown dogs don't do that. So this wouldn't work very well. Plus, you might want to check with a vet about what would happen if a dog consumed ex-lax, as often human medications are Very Bad for our four-legged friends.

[Heidi]

28. Why punish the dog . . .

for only doing what it is allowed (and consequently trained) by its "owners" to do? We've had neighbors whose dogs sh!t in our garden. We talked to them about it, very directly, as a precursor to calling animal control. As a result, we've never needed to call animal control.

[BikeWriter]

2. Shovel it into a pile, then onto their front porch.

:)

[flvegan]

3. You mentioned leash law.

Probably have a anti-poop ordinance, too. So, call those paid to enforce same.

Though, you could talk to your neighbor about it first.

[sui generis]

19. can you snap some pictures of them doing it?

That's the best thing. Evidence will make your case. Visit your neighbor and tell them you are about to take legal action against him if he doesn't keep his animals off your property.

You haven't set a boundary yet, so you have to do that and then enforce it.

[Deep13]

4. "but I'm sure that would be seen as rude"

Not as rude as depositing it in your yard. Have you asked them about this?

A few pellet shots to the ass at the moment of defecation will cure them of the habit.

[LizW]

13. Oh, we've talked about it

But that was, like, three dogs ago, and they've always just laughed it off. Apparently we would have to get really ugly to get results.

Up until now, I guess we just decided to let it go. But now that it's two dogs, and they've graduated to digging up plants too, I just don't think I can take it.

I'm really having to restrain my husband from getting out the pellet pistol. The dogs know nothing of leash laws and poop laws. It's not their fault.

[DBoon]

14. I'd spray them with the hose instead

a pellet gun might actually hurt the dogs - you don't want to injure them, just startle them to the point where they stop

Would dog repellent work? If they make such a thing

[Mutley]

50. they do

you can get it at any pet supply store. it smells nasty though so watch out.

[Deep13]

31. Not their fault,

but of course it is silly to suggest fault applies to animals. Bottom line, you have rights, dogs don't.

A pellet (low pressure) or BB shot in the hind quarters will create a nasty sting that they will associate with defecating. It will not damage them and they won't do it again.

Spraying with the hose may have the exact opposite reaction of what you want. A lot of dogs seem to like that.

[Deep13]

32. delete

[Blue Diadem]

35. Please tell your hubby not to use a pellet pistol

it's really not the animals fault. I've had a few neighbors throughout my lifetime that have used pellet guns and bb guns on animals in my own yard. I was nearly shot by a pellet pistol because one man was attempting to shoot a squirrel out of the tree above my head. The same guy would shoot birds sitting on my car in my yard.

As a kid, my dog, that spent his day-time life tied to his dog house, was shot with a bb gun by a neighbor boy..the bb remained under his skin. Kids behind us, when we lived in the city, used my brand new garage as their target for BB guns. They embedded into the wood siding. I found out that one neighbor boy here was shooting animals in my yard, from his bedroom window. Funny, that same kid's dog used to use my yard to poop in, but yet that kid saw fit to shoot any other animal that came here whether it was a rabbit, cat, dog or squirrel.

Believe me, I know how you feel about a careless disrespectful neighbor allowing their animal to use your yard as their toilet. I also once had a complete flower bed tore apart, with full grown plants strewn into neighbors yards. She(another neighbors dog) stopped short of pulling up the cactus. I clean up a lot of dog poop and I no longer have a dog either, but please please tell your hubby not to hurt an animal over their owner's disrespect and irresponsible behavior. I truly don't think most people realize how deep those pellets and or BB's can penetrate.

[SheilaT]

6. Find out exactly what your local laws are.

You might be able to call the local animal control people and have them take the dogs in as strays.

If they have to redeem their dogs from the pound a few times, maybe they'll finally get a clue and keep their dogs in their own yard.

And tossing the poop on their front porch would make the point much better than simply in the yard. It's beyond rude for them to let their dogs run loose like that, so anything you do in retaliation that isn't maliciously destructive seems reasonable to me.

[China_cat]

47. I agree with this one.

Call animal control, or better yet, the police. I don't know of anyplace that doesn't have a dog leash law...not to mention that what their dogs are doing is considered trespassing and vandalism.

I used to have neighbors that let their dogs (one a pit bull) roam the area. My dogs have never been allowed outside the gate without a leash. I used to call animal control every time I saw them running. The people ended up bailing them out several times. Cost them a mint. Finally the ac wouldn't allow them to have them back.

So they got 2 more. And let them roam. One day they were fence fighting with my dogs when I went out to get the mail. I yelled at them to go home. The neighbors called ac on ME, saying I had abused their dogs. The ac officer was questioning them, asking if I had come into their yard. No, they had to admit the dogs were over here. Were my dogs out? No, they were in the yard (with the gate padlocked).

The neighbors ended up with a $50 fine for each dog for them being out without a leash. I never saw those dogs again or any other there. That last $100 was the straw.

It works.

[hippiechick]

7. Call animal control

... and let them know the exact times the dogs tend to be in your yard, so they can get someone out there at that time, let them deal with the owners, instead of you having to.

Irresponsible pet owners make it really hard for the rest of us.

Good luck !

:hi:

[radwriter0555]

10. Cayenne pepper powder is a good deterrent. Sprinkle it arond when it's

dry out.. especially around existing mounds of poop. They get a snoot full on the sniff and don't LIKE it at ALL.

Also give a try to regular pepper... it's pretty cheap. But the cayenne is darned good.

[LizW]

18. thanks for the tip

I'll try the cayenne. I know from experience that once they've "marked" a spot they like to return, so maybe I can break the cycle.

[purr]

11. My neighbor does that too..

Not that often tho.. I pulled in my drive way, their black lab was standing by my front porch with their owner at the end of my property and the dog looked at me, squatted, left me a present by my stairs and then his owner called. I was so pissed.

Call your dog warden and explain the situation. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to go cite someone :)

[flvegan]

23. Your neighbor poops in your yard? Wow.

Tough street.

Glad my neighbor doesn't do it too.

:rofl:

[purr]

41. ha ha ha...

hey i posted before i finished my coffee for the am... i'd be very scared if i seen my neighbor drop his pants and leave me a present by my door..eww.. hes kinda gross.

[SHRED]

12. I had this problem

When I confronted the neighbor he actually said, "I am tried of hearing about my dog. Just tell me when he leaves a mess and I will clean it up". What an asshole. He missed the point completly. I was stunned at that response. Fortunately they moved.

[LizW]

17. Oh, geez

Did you say, "HellOOO? Dogs crap every day. Maybe we could just have a standing appointment for you to come clean my yard?"

Some people just shouldn't have dogs. I know, 'cause I'm one of them. I don't have the time or desire to do the things they need.

[Mizmoon]

15. Good fences make for good neighbors

it's a cliche for a reason ...

[Parrcrow]

16. That's outrageous

You go poop in their yard.....go now!

Actually it sounds like they are not entitled to good manners, so don't worry about seeming rude. Fling the dog's crap back into their yard. Try to get it on the sidewalk.

[LizW]

20. Darn it, I've already...

you know.

Maybe another cup of coffee...

;)

[Parrcrow]

27. heh heh heh

:hurts: :nuke:

[sui generis]

21. try this - very humane

http://www.gooddeals.com/shopexd.asp_Q_id_E_134

motion activated

[SHRED]

30. Sweet...i like that idea!

[LizW]

40. I love that

It would keep cats and squirrels out of the planting beds, too, I'll bet.

[DS1]

22. Quite clearly, your only viable option is to shoot them.

/channeling attitudes towards wandering cats

[all.of.me]

24. this happens to me, too.

my dogs have always pooped in one spot far from the house. lately, there is poop EVERYWHERE. i run into it when i am gardening or walking in the back yard. it pisses me off, since i KNOW it's not my dog. talking to the neighbors is pointless, so i just get out my shovel and keep on.

[bertha katzenengel]

25. Have you looked up what recourse you have?

Where I live we can notify animal control if we've taken certain steps first (i.e., 1. talk to the neighbor, still happening? 2. call in a complaint, still happening? 3. send a written complaint...).

Good luck.

[flvegan]

26. How do the songbirds feel about it?

Does the dog keep away the cats who would otherwise eat the birds?

Kind of like swallowing a spider to catch a fly previously eaten...

[LizW]

39. The birds around here seem to be pretty cat-wise

I rarely see one caught.

Chipmunks, on the other hand, are pretty unlucky. The same neighbor with the dogs has two cats that I frequently see with little rodent carcasses.

[wideopen]

29. The polite thing to do is

shovel the poop into the same pile everyday for a week in a well traveled location of their yard. When the neighbors encounter this huge mound of shit in THEIR yard maybe they will start to understand. If they still dont get it I'd go for the front porch.

[LynneSin]

33. Leash Laws are only enforced if you do something about it

Until then, the law will probably never notice that their are dogs pooping in your lawn.

Next time the dogs poop in your lawn and dig up your plants - get a camera and get pictures on film.

Then, as a courtesy, take those pictures to your neighbor along with a printout of the leash laws and a bag of the poop you've cleaned up from your lawn. Explain to the neighbor that this is his first, last and only warning. If he doesn't leash his dog you will call the authorities.

Then, if it continues to happen - go to the police.

[miss_kitty]

34. Since you know where the poop comes from-DO send it back

don't keep it-THAT would be rude. After all, it is THEIR dog shit. Fling it off the shovel into their yard so they have to hunt for it. And don't worry about sending extra shit over the line-they've earned everyone elses. When I'm training my neighbours and they complain they're getting shit from others' dogs, I point out "I have to pick up other people's dog shit. I want you to know what it feels like."

Why worry if you are rude to them anyway-they've demonstrated they have no manners over the years. They know you don't like their dog poo in your yard, yet they refuse to let THAT little detail impose politeness on them. Fuck 'em.
If you'd trained your neighbours years ago by flinging the shit over into their yard, this would not be happening today.

Call your local animal control. In Seattle, they will send an agent out to speak to numbnuts like your neighbours about leash laws and their responsibilities as dog owners and what fines they face should they continue their wicked wicked ways.

check for doggy discouragers at your local pet or garden center.

Dog shit is unhealthful and dangerous. You could get a parasite or disease or slip in it.

[BikeWriter]

36. A neighbor once saw me dumping trash in his yard...

I told him it was left overs from his dog's meal.

[miss_kitty]

37. I had a neighbour with a dachshund. I called it 'Shitler'

His mom would let him out by himself (We're a mile from downtown, mind you). He would cross the street and shit in my garden, then bark at me. I tried notes, with the shit attached outside the apartment building's door. Then I started depositing all the shit I could find next to her car, driver's side, frontdoor. I called Animal Control. They talked to her twice. One of my main concerns is that Shitler would be run over. He finally was. RIP Shitler.

[BikeWriter]

46. Poor Shitler. He had a lousy owner.

[miss_kitty]

52. Yeah. Midge was less than responsible to him

and I feel for the guy or gal who flattened him at 4:30 am in the morning. She inflicted his dogshit on others and his death as well. That was the FIRST thing I'd get up in her face about-fuck the dog shit-"You're putting the dog in danger, drivers in danger and possibly inflicting the death of Shitler on an innocent driver." I loathed that little poo poo fascist, but I wouldn't want him to die in the street. Poor Shitler. (his name was 'Sherwood')

[Modem Butterfly]

38. Get some novelty toothpick flags....

Get some novelty toothpick flags. Write your neighbor's name on them. Stick in the piles. Repeat as necessary.

[Seabiscuit]

42. 13 years and you still haven't notified the authorities?

You're making your complaints to the wrong people.

[LizW]

43. I know, I know

We just hate to alienate these people because they actually are nice other than this one thing. So we've just gritted our teeth for all this time.

[miss_kitty]

45. actually, if they've been doing this for 13 years

no matter HOW they seem, THEY ARE NOT NICE PEOPLE. It's passive-aggressive bullshit. Quit gritting your teeth. This is a public health issue, if nothing else.

http://www.poopmasters.com/health.htm
http://www.luckybear.com/cp_pets.htm

Send them these URLs, just to keep it 'nice'

[Seabiscuit]

55. Exactly. First confront them nicely. If they continue the nuisance, give

them a final warning. If it still continues, call in the authorities. It's not just a public health issue and not just a nuisance. Leash laws exist to protect people, especially little children, from potentially lethal dog bites. There's absolutely no excuse for them to ignore the leash law on top of everything else.

Well, I hope you got some of the feedback you were looking for on DU. Now it's time to get busy and go to work on those passive-agressive creeps.

[Theres-a]

44. good dog here

http://www.worthing.gov.uk/A-ZofServices/ServicesD-G/DogWardenService/ThePoopScoopLaws/image,7373,en.jpg

[Mutley]

51. is that picture real??

if so i need to find out how i can train my dog to do that!!!

[Mutley]

48. have you said anything to them?

i love dogs but there is nothing worse (i don't mean that literally of course) when someone just lets their dog outside to roam as they please. there is a dog in my neighborhood we call the self-walker because his owner just opens the door and lets him out. this dog digs in people's trash, poops all over the place, and picks fights with other dogs.

i think you are in your right to just throw their poop into their yard... who cares if they think you are rude? how rude is it that they allow their dogs to poop in your yard in the first place? and maybe after a few weeks of this they'll get the point and stop. you could also call animal control, depending on your feelings on the subject and the likelihood that they'll put the dogs down or try and readopt them.

[MissB]

53. Poop on their porch. (nt)

[AngryAmish]

54. When I was a kid the neighbors had an evil dog

Jake. We would not go outside when he was tied up in the back yard. Every time he got loose he attacked us. We put up with that for years. Scared the crap out of me.

[retread]

56. You could always do this.

http://www.madeyouthink.org/

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

57. My roommates four year old dogs poop all over the house.

This is not considered to be a problem though by the owner. Every time I have said something he ignores me. He takes very poor care of these dogs and only seems to want them around for entertainment. I have never been a dog person, part of the upbringing and the allergies to them.

Just thought I'd have this story beat.