Your Thoughts

[Knauga]

You ran from a Golden? If they aren't the nicest most friendly dogs on the planet I don't know what is - was it rabid?

Dalmatians are sweet dogs too... I know I saw it in a Disney movie... that however does not take away from the reality that gentle breeds put out vicious dogs. The "gentler" breeds are the most dangerous in my opinion because the "vicious" breeds will let you know that they don't want you there long before they bite. Of course this retriever that attacked me in the street was very good about making his intentions known. No rabies or anything else, just a strong desire to bite the guy in the uniform.

JTROKS, you do need to make an effort to get your neighbor to correct the problem. If the idiot won't do it, perhaps you should take on the responsibility of putting in a larger barrier and then suing your neighbor for the cost.

[JTROKS]

Well after the talk I had with him he wants me to share the cost of rebuilding the fence. An 8' tall fence, that he is estimating around $800. Of course he wants me to pay half of it, he is a contractor so he said all he needs is half that amount and he'll do the rest. I may just go that route, but for some reason I'm hesitant, due to the fact it was still a sound fence until the dog started slammin' on it. I did not introduce the animal that poses danger, I feel like I'm porking out money for someone else's irresponsibility. I really appreciate it letting me vent here. It's better than going to a shrink. I do see various opinions on how to tackle the situation and it's helping out big time.

[Skter505]

just help build the fence...its you and your neighbors problem, not just his.

BTW with all the talk of poisoning or pepper spraying the dog, It would be my gun at YOUR door and my dog would not be your problem.

[JTROKS]

just help build the fence...its you and your neighbors problem, not just his.

Oh! Wow! That's kind of like your wife's relatives coming to live with you. You burden/share the cost, but you have nothing to say about it. LOL!

After the fence is built would that be 100% guarantee the dog will behave and not break this new fence down?

[razorx]

Well after the talk I had with him he wants me to share the cost of rebuilding the fence. An 8' tall fence, that he is estimating around $800. Of course he wants me to pay half of it, he is a contractor so he said all he needs is half that amount and he'll do the rest. I may just go that route, but for some reason I'm hesitant, due to the fact it was still a sound fence until the dog started slammin' on it. I did not introduce the animal that poses danger, I feel like I'm porking out money for someone else's irresponsibility. I really appreciate it letting me vent here. It's better than going to a shrink. I do see various opinions on how to tackle the situation and it's helping out big time.

Problem solved. Life's not fair, but having a neighbor who is willing to work on fixing the problem for only $400 and not get defensive is worth a great deal. Though, I wouldn't necessarily pay him upfront...

[rivviepop]

This is purely an opinion, I wouldn't spend a dime helping him build a higher fence for his misbehaving mutt. I love dogs, but the owner needs to be responsible - as mentioned, I would start filing safety concerns and annoy-ment notices with the local PD. They get enough complaints, something will be done about it - it's no different that a dog that barks all night and won't shut up, the neighbors have every right to file reports and get it taken care of without it becoming their burden.

The owner could sign himself and his pooch up for classes at the local SPCA and have the dog trained, for instance - many dog owners around us take those classes at the SFSPCA - my own neighbor just got a small dog (stray) that barked a lot, he's done the classes and now the situation is just fine. The problem it sounds like is that your neighbor needs more than friendly encouragement to make it an incentive to take the classes, a few visits from the PD might do the trick. (all he needs is to be sitting there smokin' some weed and have the fuzz knock at his door, you know? once or twice of that and something will change)

[TenSeven]

Well after the talk...

Not a chance in the world would I pay for half the cost of the fence. It is his dog causing 100% of the problems, so he gets to pay for it all.

[Knauga]

Oh! Wow! That's kind of like your wife's relatives coming to live with you. You burden/share the cost, but you have nothing to say about it. LOL!

After the fence is built would that be 100% guarantee the dog will behave and not break this new fence down?

I can guarantee that the fence will NOT last. It is a big heavy dog that will throw itself against it just like it did the shorter fence. A wood fence isn't going to be a permanent solution... I don't even think it will make you feel better at all once it is up. Also, what is going to keep his dog from digging under the fence?

The problem of course is how much of an a-hole are you willing to be Its your neighbor and you have to live with him. I can give you a-hole extreme responses in how to deal with this guy all day long but *I* don't have to live with the repercussions. With my neighbor I played hard ball for some time because I was really pissed with him. In the end I paid roughly 1/3rd the cost of putting up the block wall. I made him pull all of the permits and deal with everything.

You are right, this is only YOUR problem because your neighbor is an asshat. In a perfect world this would not even be weighing on your mind.

good luck!

[JTROKS]

Exactly my thoughts. What's the difference between a higher fence if the dog keeps bashing it. More than likely I'll pay the money, but as soon as that dog starts bashing the fence then I will become the ultimate @hole.

[mike452]

That's a pit bull to me. The temperament is probably the same for the owners.

Tough call!

See if your neighbor is willing to pay half for a new cinder block wall. If not, you pay for it and ask them to sign a form agreeing the wall will partially be on their property.

Don’t do anything to that dog without your kids being in danger and present. Get a German Shepherd! Don’t get in trouble trying to resolve this.

[VegasND]

I've been reading this thread and I'll tell you what I did years ago.

I rented a house with a couple of friends--both young ladies (no crap guys, please, this was back when 3's Company was new and we got enough jokes then). The neighbor on one side had a dog that placed us in a similar condition. We couldn't have friends over and enjoy our back yard due to repeated assaults upon the barrier by the noisy beast. Both girls had cats, and a small 'animal access portal' allowed them use of the back yard but safe return to the house.

I just started leaving our gate open and one day it happened! While we were at work the dog finally broke through the fence (whether it was to try to kill one of the nasty felines, or just because that was the canine's life ambition I don't know) and ended up wandering out the gate and onto the street.

The dog was never seen again. The distraught neighbor went door to door seeking his poor loving puppy to no avail. I didn't lose a bit of sleep.

You make your own choice. I chose to marry one of those girls--she still has a cat! Oh well...

[Bucc]

just help build the fence...its you and your neighbors problem, not just his.

BTW with all the talk of poisoning or pepper spraying the dog, It would be my gun at YOUR door and my dog would not be your problem.

There's a simple solution for that too.

And no, the OP has a problem but the responsibility is ultimately with the jerk who owns the mutt.
They file charges against people who ignore vicious dog complaints until someone gets hurt.
Build the fence and get documentation for when it bashes it down.

[JTROKS]

Yup! There is no free ride in our society, unless you are handsome, 300 lbs and built like Ahnold during his competing days. For some reason too many irresponsible pet owners with no consideration for the safety of others. I'm going to throw some chili powder around the fence, not at the dog. I will still carry in the backyard and I have upgraded to a S&W 5906 loaded with hydrashoks. The Gerber Fairbairn and Applegate full size folder is a must. I have spoken to two retired Vallejo LEOs and they gave me some very good advice to remedy the situation. I have all rights to protect myself and my family in my back yard, if the dog does get in the yard and poses no immediate threat to any of us the animal control or police will have to be called. If the dog makes it to my yard while I'm outside, there is no running to the house to call 911, because there is no time to make it safely in the house unless I want him clamped on my arse while I'm dialing 911. I have videos, documentations speaking to the owners of the dog and I have other neigbors who are witnesses to my everyday dilemma. You would think the stubborn pitbull owner will man up or take heed with all that explained to him.

[psriley]

Get yourself 2 or 3 dozen 10-penny nails and drive them through the fence, pointy ends toward your neighbor's yard. If the fence ramming behavior continues after that, it will only happen once.

[JTROKS]

Well, the dog almost broke through the fence during the night. When I woke up this morning I noticed the fence was leaning more into my side and there is a gap of at least 12" from the top. I opened my sliding door leading to the upper back yard and sure enough the dog is waiting by gap of his side of the fence and barked at me. As I was taping the event, just waiting for the dog to jump in, I hear a low voice calling the dog. So I called for the owner to see what his dog did. He said he'll fix the fence today and asked for my permission to come to my side of the fence and I did give him permission. That was 0900 am today, it's 1:12 pm now and the fence is still the same way as I found it this morning. Go figure, his wife is having a few brewskis already, so I'm thinking he's planning of driving nails with the help of a few Coronas. Anyway, if the fence is the same condition tomorrow and the dog is loose then he just proven how irresponsible he is. I got three of my other neighbors as witnesses. We'll see.