We have had issues with one of our neighbors in the past - about things like fences and water run-off. In each instance, what they were doing was directly prohibited by local ordinances. When we tried to discuss it in a neighborly fashion, they would not even discuss it, and when we got the city involved, the city fully agreed with us and forced the neighbors to change their behavior. After, the neighbor’s characterized this as us “calling the cops on them.”
We have a 40# golden doodle, and installed a fence completely around our yard. The fence is wood with wide pickets maybe 3-4" apart. When our dog was a pup, we stapled up 6" wide chicken wire at the very bottom to keep him from getting out. When he got too big, we removed and ultimately discarded the chicken wire.
The neighbors adopt older little dogs. They generally have 2, sometimes only 1, and most recently are up to 3. The newest one looks like a chihuahua and is the yappiest of the bunch. Their yard is fenced primarily by their neighbors’ fences. At one spot, they have a pallet standing up to block a gap. They generally are in the yard with their dogs, not just leaving them out there unattended.
On Sunday - when we were in the yard with our kids, grandkids and dog, the newest one realized it could get under our fence, and came into our yard, where it proceeded to chase and yap at our dog and my grandkids. A couple of us herded the dog back to the fence, where the neighbor got it back in the yard, and uttered some apology. The next day, my kid and her husband went into the yard with my dog, and the neighbor’s rat came under the fence again, and chased my dog.
Under the fence. That’s a bummer as now they know and can just dig again.
We’ve had a similar problem with our Border Collie. Luckily, we don’t border any bodies other property (well the fence doesn’t).
Don’t fill the hole up with dirt. That’s easy digging. Fill with as big of rocks as is appropriate. I know easier said than done depending on your access to a bunch of big rocks.
And then, I’m afraid, rinse and repeat for the next hole. At least that’s what we do.
I’d put the chicken wire back. Bury the bottom of it underground, as if you were trying to keep out rabbits.
Yes, you shouldn’t have to; the neighbors should put up a fence sufficient to contain their dog. But it’s going to be a whole lot easier for you to put the chicken wire back than for you to make them do that; and, as you did have chicken wire there before, you presumably found that possible to live with.
Concur. The neighbors are being irresponsible jackasses, but at least you have the means to protect yourselves against their irresponsible jackassery, requiring only a moderate amount of money and effort. Take that opportunity, even though it’s not fair that you’re the one doing the work to fix this problem.
Yeah - I’m off the camp that it sucks, but I’d just buy another roll of chicken wire and staple it back up. It would be less than $20, and we would only need to do the stretch on their side. It’s a bit of a pain in the ass to do, as you have to be right down near the ground, behind bushes and such. And - of course - we shouldn’t HAVE to do it.
For whatever reason, my wife seems to think we shouldn’t have to. We haven’t discussed this in detail, as it just happened over the weekend and we had houseguests over. I think she thinks the neighbors ought to do something about it. Of course. But I’d prefer not to wait for them to do it. And I don’t want THEM fixing anything to OUR fence.
I hate the idea of our silly golden doodle being afraid to go into his own back yard.
And for the last time, THERE IS NO HOLE THAT WAS DUG OR TO BE FILLED! The only “holes” are the gaps between the pickets, and between the bottom of the pickets and the ground.
I agree with her. Tell the neighbor that you do not want their dogs in your yard. The neighbors have shown their true colors previously, so if their dog returns, take it to your local animal control office or dog pound. Give them the name/address/phone of the dog’s owner and report that the dog was on your property, running at large. They will return the dog and collect whatever fines are due (running at large, no license, etc).
Yeah. As a response to a prior - uh - situation, we extended that fence further towards the front of the house, and made that section 6’ tall, and board-on-board - so there are pickets affixed to the OUTSIDE of the fence, covering up the gaps. But you can still sorta see through and some air passes through. But I doubt we are going to go through the effort and expense of making the existing fence board-on-board.
To add flavor - for the past 5 years or so, I had just not said a word to or made eye contact with them. Not to be petty or anything, but because I expect the most innocuous interaction to have unexpected and unpleasant results. My wife decided she was uncomfortable with that, so she just would say, “Good morning” if we passed each other while walking our dogs. The husband would sorta grunt a, “Hi” in response. But when my wife said, “Good morning” to the woman, the woman said, “Don’t say good morning to me. We aren’t friends.” And proceeded to rip into my wife for 10 minutes telling her what horrible people we are. So that won my wife back to my position of ignoring them.
On the good side, other than their happy dogs, they are (mostly) quiet, they keep up their property, and don’t have wild parties. And - best of all - they have a lake house 1-2 hours away where they spend months at a time. The weather is getting nicer, so we’re hoping they disappear soon!
And your wife continued to be present for that? My wife would have had a 75% chance of just leaving within 90 seconds and a 25% chance of leaving and coming back with the garden hose.
Best to do what you can to the fence to prevent intrusions and continue your good neighbor policy of completely ignoring them unless health or life threatening situations present themselves, like seeing their house catch on fire.
And it sounds you’re already doing or going to do all that.
I am fortunate of all my dogs I never had a digger. I’ve often thought that would be a horrible challenge.
Yeah - I woulda done the same. I THINK my wife was hoping for some insight as to why this person thinks we have been bad actors. My wife also feels the woman has been saying not nice tings about us to other neighbors. I couldn’t care less, but I suspect my wife was hoping to get some info along those lines. I would’ve walked away.
Well, you shouldn’t have to, but there are lots of reasons to choose to.
You’re probably right that they’d attach something to your fence. Then, if any maintenance needs to be done, or you want to take it down, you’d have to interact with them, and try to get them to do something.
If you do it, then you fully control what gets done, what material is used, how it’s attached, and when to remove it.
Trying to force them to do something would likely involve getting their dog picked up by animal control, and them having to retrieve it. I would want to avoid having the dog pay for its owners’ sins, personally.
And, trying to force them to do something also likely would involve having to interact with them more.
Or, $20 for chicken wire and a few hours attaching it. I know which one I’d choose.
The only “holes” are the gaps between the pickets, and between the bottom of the pickets and the ground.