I need some advice. A couple of months ago we erected a playset for our two small children in the backyard, and our rear neighbor asked if we could move it because it would invade his privacy (never mind the multitude of holes in the fence that enable one to practically see right through it). Taking his point of view into consideration, we repositioned the playset and moved it as far from the fence as we could without having to spend tons of money to level out the yard. Since then my husband and I have noticed foreign dog poop in our yard. We do have a dog, but her poop is very distinct due to a prescription diet and we regularly scoop it. We have suspected that the rear neighbors have been throwing their dog's feces over the privacy fence into our yard. We have found the poop in a remote corner of the yard (only accessible to this neighbor). There is no way another dog is getting into the yard and scattering it's poop (it's never in a pile), let alone pooping in the tree (we actually found it hanging in the tree this week). We have only been in this house a year, and we don't know these neighbors very well. We want to be as diplomatic as possible, but we want it to stop now. I have two very curious toddlers that love to pick up stuff in the yard. How do you suggest we handle this? Thank you so much!
So we knew them well enough to know that their children are grown and no longer live at home, and their dog is a black lab mix. We contacted the HOA and were advised that disputes of the sort are to handle amongst neighbors! Anyway, we tried to visit them at their home but no one answered the door. We knew they were there because all the vehicles were in the drive. So we just assumed that they were in the backyard so we went back home and took the boys out to play. She was outside and we asked if she could get her husband as well. She was very friendly and went to get him. We were trying to give them the benefit of the doubt and asked (although we already knew the answer) if they had a yard service that was tending their yard. He said, "No." So we simply asked if they knew how the CLUMPS of black dog hair (our furry one is white) and poo kept ending up in our yard even our tree. He said he could explain the hair. He indicated that it came out of the pool and he hangs his pool brush there. (Whatever)! But he had NO IDEA of how the poop got into our yard. He quickly changed the subject to something else. We reiterated that we knew it wasn't our dog's poop, and we wanted it to stop. He said he would try to do a better job of keeping the dog hair out of the yard. It was very civil and no one got loud. The kids were right there so they were reminded of just how little they are. Anway, that was two weeks ago and we haven't found anymore in the yard. If it happens again, we'll deal with it again.
I know it will be awkward, but I think you need to go over there and ask them about it.
It might be as innocent as their teenager throwing it over the fence to get out of really cleaning it.
I think the only way to get it to stop is to bring it to their attention.
Good luck!
Do they have kids? It might be the kids' job and they aren't doing it right. I would gently confront the neighbor. Maybe just say: Hey I noticed that dog poop is being spread out in that corner of my yard. Would you have any idea how that could be happening? It's so weird! Then, he will deny it but probably stop doing it. Or, fess up and apologize. If it continues after that, then I would try and get it on video tape - it actually being tossed into the yard. My camera will do a night vision thing. Then, you can confront him about it again. If he denies it, then say that someone is doing it and show him the tape. Then, if it continues, you can put up with it (I would toss it back) or call code compliance and get their help/advice.
Hi J.,
why not just go over and inform them what you know, and ask if they would stop doing what they are doing because you have 2 little ones that you would not like to step in there dogs poo or any poo for that matter.Or maybe you should put a camera facing the fence and catch it on film and if they deny it you'll have proof.
Its gross and disrespectful of them to be doing this. good-luck.
Firstly, how arrogant of the neighbor to even suggest you move the swingset. It's your yard, not his, you should put the set wherever you like. Secondly, the best thing I'd try to do is set up a video camera to try & catch who's throwing the poo. Surveillance cameras can be put up high to see into the neighbor's yard which would show them on camera. They now sell small ones at WalMart but unsure of their quality. You may wanna research online or just use a reg. camera if that's all you can do but it's important to show WHO on camera, not just the poo going over the fence, that way there's no denying it. They can just say it's someone else if it doesn't show who it is. If it IS the neighbor, you have proof, you can then go to the neighbor & tell them that you have proof of them throwing poop over the fence, they must come over & clean it up & if they refuse or do it again, tell them you'll file a complaint against them. I always try to have proof in my hand before confronting someone who's doing wrong by me. Good luck!!
Expensive but also a good safty thing is a camera. When caught on film take it to the police. This will also work for keeping an eye on who comes into the yard for the safty of your family and property.
Is there any way you could set up a video camera? If you could catch the evidence on video.. You have a better chance of doing something legally about it.. Even with poop in the tree, they could deny it.. They could say that someone else is doing this..
The other way to approach them is to ask if they have a poop clean up service.. If they do, you could say that you suspect they may be flipping it over the fence and you are going to set up a surveillance video camera..
If they say no, tell them you are concerned that someone in the neighborhood is vandalizing yards with dog poop and you are going to set up a surveillance video camera so you can give the info to the police.
assuming your neighbors dont have chrilden or grand kids that could possibaly be doing this. I would have a conversation with them. Just as they asked you to move your play yard. You can get a out door viedo camera and mount it perhaps in a tree. Discuise it as a bird house or something simular. Actually record them throwing the poop. You can use it for edvidence for the police. I would think this would be considered vandilsium. Call your local police station and ask some questions of what exactly you should do. sorry for all my miss spellings!!! i do better after coffee!
Wow J., you have alot of opinions here, I truly like Bonnie W's suggestions. Take them some cookies and express how you moved the children's play set at their request. Maybe after a face to face they would be ashamed to thrown waste over the fence.
If it doesn't stop - I think I would try a motion sensor light - a very bright light to trigger when poop is sent flying, they should get the idea then. A video camera and visit to the police station would be my last resort.
I applaud your wanting to keep this situation from turning into an ugly feud and understand your neighbors ARE crude and may always have this character. Good luck.
Is it possible that there is a complete misunderstanding
starting even before the swing set issue. Maybe someone
targeted them by throwing poop in their yard and they
may think it came from you. Or maybe they think you attacked them first, in another way. Maybe your first confrontation might be to go over there and introduce yourself and ask them if they have noticed the same kind of activity in their yard. Let them know your concern for your children and if they ever notice it, to "Please tell me". Tell them that this inappropriate behavior must stop and your only recourse is to file a complaint, and they should also, if they have cause.
You don't know how long you will be neighbors.
Diplomacy goes a long way and may be the best solution
to keep your family safe from even meaner attacks.
Lots of luck to you. We all hope to hear how this plays
out. P.S. Note what kind of dog they have during your
visit. Take notes and dates and responses, or record
your visit. Call your cell phone and record your
conversation.
Your story IMMEDIATELY reminded me of a slightly different one I had heard that sheds a different light on the situation. Two lesbians (no this isn't the start of some ridiculous joke) moved into a home and shortly thereafter dirty diapers were being tossed over their fence. They spent weeks very upset about the hate in the neighborhood, and finally decided to confront the neighbor likely responsible. When they did the lady was mortified and pulled her 3 year old over and asked if she knew anything about this. It turned out, the child was potty training and trying to dispose of the diapers. It may be best to approach the situation with an open heart until more info materializes. The video camera might create more grief. Good luck
I would knock on my neighbors door and explain to them that one does not toss poop over the back fence into another neighbors yard.
If this does not work - not sure what your homeowners by-laws are - but I would contact either the HOA and file a formal complaint and ask them to handle it or call the law enforcement entity that patrols your neighborhood and make a complaint.
Obviously you are not dealing with a rational person, but one would assume one of these will work. If not, install a mini camera set on that corner of the house - without their knowledge - and record them doing it. Tell them you have it on tape and youre happy to take them to court with proof in hand if it doesn't cease.
OMG!!! The camera a great suggestion. You might look into a game camera- one that hunters and wildlife management folks use. We have one at our deer lease. They are often motion triggerd, work well at night-no flash, run off batteries and the images can be downloaded to your computer some just to still images or both video and still. They are also usually dark green or camo colored and be mounted just about anywhere- in a tree above the fence ect. You can get ones fairly cheap. Just a suggestion.
Hi J.,
I would be so outraged. Your neighbors are classless. I would check to see if they are just renting the house. Maybe you need to investigate who owns the house first? And you certainly don't want to start issues, but before it goes any further I would also call a police officer out, just to ask questions about your rights. This way you can get informed decisions about who they are, either owners or renters, and what your rights are if this continues. I wouldn't do anything before checking both so you are prepared and have a plan. I feel very sorry for you and your children having a piece of trash living behind you. Let us know what happens. K
Hi J.
What a bad neighbor! I would suggest trying to capture the act on camera then file a police report. apparently this is not going to be a "good neighbor" in any case.
good luck and blessings
can you set up a video camera to record when you think the neighbor is throwing the poop? if you could catch it on tape, then approach the neighbor politely asking him/her to stop throwing poop over the fence, then when they deny it you can say, "I have a video of you doing it, would you like to see it?" if they still deny it, you can inform them you will be going to the police. flinging dog poop over a fence is hazardous to your and your childrens' health and is vandalism. good luck!
In addition to the great advice you've already gotten, you could bag it up and take it to their door, hand it to them and say, "I believe this belongs to you..."... J/k... But it would serve them right. That's so awful of them.
I think you should start taking pictures and then go to the police or to your homeowners' association with them. it sounds like they have no respect for your privacy. i can't believe they would actually expect you to move YOUR swing in YOUR BACKYARD to fit THEIR needs. It's your house.. i say stand up for it. especially if the throw dog poop in your back yard!!!!!YUCK!!
I would call the local Health Department and ask their opinion on this because it is a health hazard. Unforturnately, unless you can catch them in the act and on camera, I don't think there's a lot you can do legally.
Let them know that you would WANT them to stop putting CRAP in your yard. The camera is a good idea. You could buy a FAKE one and let them see you putting up, they'll get SCARED and stop. If all else fails, give their gift back to 'em. GOOD LUCK!!!!! I'm sure they won't like it very much.
Have you considered checking out the price of renting a motion detector camera for a month and installing it near that corner? They obviously are doing this at night when it can't be seen, but a camera will catch it, then you would have proof enough to report it to the authorities. With small children, you certainly don't need this sort of thing happening.
First off omg, what a bunch of jerks!!! They sound terrible and not very bright to think you wouldn't catch on, esp in the trees!!! It might be exspensive but video tape them, and you can set it up each day night until you catch them? Then you can tell them you have proof, & unless it stops, you will have no choice but to take it to the attorities!!! That should do it!!! Good luck, I hope you catch those disrespectful people!!! Jules :)
I would throw it back over.
Wow! This is a can of worms waiting to explode! I would say go and talk to him, but that would most likely blow up in your face.
Do your homework. Find out what your town and homeowners association (if you have one) say about play equipment and being able to see over fences. Some areas have very specific guidelines. Regardless, you have every right to have a play structure in YOUR yard for YOUR children and a reasonable amount safety in that yard.
After you do your homework on that, go to the police and report it as harassment. This may be your only SAFE way of ending this.
Hope you get this taken care of soon!
Good Luck.
That is disgusting. I would be tempted to gather it all up in a plastic bag and leave it with a note on it on their front doorstep. ("You left this little gift in my backyard but we have plenty of our own so we're returning yours!").
If you keep returning their disgusting little gifts, they'll eventually get the message.
People who are so disrespectful don't deserve to be treated with respect. Filing a complaint against them is also an option, especially if they don't stop. I do like the camera idea too because you'll have proof to provide to the Health Dept, the local police station, and your Home Owners Association.
The Christian way to deal with this would be to bake some cookies and deliver them with a note. "We have moved our play yard at your request, and apologize for any disturbences our children may have caused. We look forward to being good neighbors." The Bible says for us to Love our enemies. I have used the wisdom from the Bible and it has worked. I hope it works for you.
Second, if that doesn't work... I'd put all the foreign poop in a bag and go next door and return it to them. Let them know that you know that it came from their yard because of evidence hanging in the tree, etc. Tell them that you don't know who is doing this, but that it is coming from their back yard. Ask them to please get whomever is doing this to stop this childish behavior. It might not be adults doing this. Remind them that you moved your children's playyard upon their request and that it isn't neighborly for them to be throwing poop over the fence. Let them know that you clean up your own dog's droppings and don't want your young children accidently getting soiled by the neighbor's dog's poop. Do they have teenagers? If so, it's probably not the adults who are doing this and they should be willing to take care of the problem by dealing with their teenagers. However, if they don't have teenagers, at least they will get the hint that you know were it's coming from and that you will not just ignore it. Let them know that you will take appropriate legal action if it continues.
Third, if 1 & 2 don't work, I would put a motion-activated surveilance camera facing the part of the fence where the poop is showing up and get it on camera. Make sure it is aimed so that you will be able to see who is doing it. Then, I'd send a certified letter, return-receipt-requested to them noting that you have them on film throwing their dog's poop over the fence and that if it happens again that you will call the police and file charges against them.
Hopefully, the first approach will work. Good luck.
I would call the police, show them the evidence (leave it right where it falls) and explain the situation. Also, take pictures of each time it happens (with date on camera if possible) so you'll have more to show the cops. There has to be some kind of law about that. You might also file a complaint with your homeowners association if you have one. Another thing you might do is try to find out if they are renters or owners. You can go to www.hcad.org to find out the owner's name. Another of your neighbors might also know them. Anyway, if they are renter's you send a certified letter to the landlord/owner (whose address can easily be found) and they could be evicted. Other than that, I'm stumped, that's a weird one! Good luck and let us know what happens.
You have to be direct about this. Take pictures (tree poop?) and take pics of your dog's poop as evidence. Tell the neighbors you know what they are doing and if they do not stop, a police report will be filed.
Then call the police tomorrow. People like this need to know that you are NOT to be messed with.
It sounds like they are really ugly people and you should put a stop to this nonsense before they go any further.
