Annoying neighborhood kid

[Full House]

Definately talk to the parents!

I agree with Dora. "As a parent I would want to know." I have children and would want to know if they were behaving this way. It also protects you and Cami if something does happen. Have a witness with you, perhaps another neighbor. My concern is that the parents won't care. I don't know where you live but my kids would not be allowed to trick or treat alone unless I knew the people very well.

I have gotten on to my children for barking back at the dogs in the corner house. The dogs barked first as we were walking by but my kids should not bark back.

 

[Cami]

Police were no help.....

Just an update reguarding the 11 year old boy who has been teasing Cami. After multiple trips to the house to try and contact the parents without success, I went to the police station today.

After telling an officer about the situation I was told that they can't do anything since this kid is not tresspassing on my property and that it isn't illegal to tease a dog.

If Cami were to get over the fence (she never has attempted this), and hurt the boy in any way even by licking him to death it will be my fault. So he told me if I thought that she could get over the fence then I need to put up a bigger fence. Even if someone put a huge peice of raw meat on one side of the fence then she should not be able to get over it.....if you lived in a glass bubble and it also encased your yard and if she were to dig under it and escape and jumped on the kid and knocked him down then it would be my fault.

DUH!! I know that if she gets out and hurts anyone or destroys property it is my fault, but there is no fault on this kid for antagonizing her. He said to continue trying to contact the parents and try to work it out that way. He said alot of things and none of it was helpful.

He also (in front of me) requested a 10-22 on my address. When I asked what that was he said it was to see if I had had any dog reports made on my dog from anyone in the neighborhood......he could have just asked me the answer was no.

Idiot!!! Thanks for letting me vent. I will continue trying to contact the parents.

Susi & Cami

 

[Toni'smom]

I would be willing to bet that when you do make contact with the parents that they are going to be jerks. Do try though, since it seems that may be the only way to go, according to the police. Can you spray the brat with a water hose when you catch him teasing? I see that you are in Ohio and I would imagine that pretty soon it will be cold enough that he will be really uncomfortable if he was wet all over. Just a thought. I feel so sad for Cami. Such a mean thing to happen to such a loving animal.

 

[Jamielyn]

I am sorry the police where not able to help you. Have you tryed writting a letter to your neighbors to let them know what is going on with their son. I hope you are able to get in contact with them soon.

 

[Coco'smommy]

Geez Cami, I'm sorry to hear that. You'd think there would be something...your tax dollars at work huh? Ughhhh! I understand not getting help from the police. We had a window shot out of our truck, my son's bike stolen and the chart topper was when my husband got stabbed in the chest. None of those times did we get any help at all from the police. My husband nearly died but because it was at work, he was in a differant county than where we live and the guy that did it was about half hubby's size and doesn't speak english (no offense to any one, it's just a fact) they didn't press any charges. I even contacted the victims advocate unit and they wouldn't return my calls. That story would be a whole differant post. Anyway...My point is I understand and it's one of the most frustrating situations to be in. We had to deal one on one with the parents when the bike got stolen and it turned out in our favor but it was hard. Approaching someone parents and trying to explain what happened and asking for some type of recourse or at least for the kids to stop teasing your dog isn't as easy as some may think. So you go girl and keep at it. Eventually you'll have to catch up to them. We had to go talk to three differant sets of parents and only one of them was even willing to try and help us out. That's even worse than the police not wanting to get involved. If their own parents won't get invovled..it's no wonder..ya know? Take it easy, I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Daisys_rjm]

The police were no help???

I'm luck to live in a town where the police are here to help solve problems (before they get out of control). Any constable in my little town would be more than happy to march the little lad home and read the riot act to both child and parents!

This really suck... however you are going to have take matters into your own hands. I hope someone on line here can come up with something more creative. In the mean time "Accidentally" house the little bugger down.

And when the parents step on to your property to complain, "purposely" house them down ( protecting your home from trespassing eh? ).

Also, draft a letter to police department and editor of your newspaper. Of course, explaining that nothing could possibly happen at your home, but a little boy wondering the streets tormenting dogs will eventually get hurt !!!.

In search of common sense,
Randy and Daisy

 

[LeedsDevil]

Susi,

I am not sure what the property laws and easments are in your area, but I do know that in many states you can not put a fence on the edge of your property line. You HAVE to by law allow an area for persons to walk around your fence. So if this child is stepping onto the 1' of your property you can make a formal complaint against him. But in order to back up your claim you will need "survailance" with a video camera to back you up. If the police and/or parents are still no help send it to the local TV station and humiliate them into taking action.

It is unfortunate that dogs are considered property, but that also means that this child could be "decreasing the value" of your "property" by making it unsociable! And that is against the law!

I recomend a video even if you don't have easments, it could be your best defense if anything happens to this kid and his parents attempt to sue you. Also make sure any letters you send them are copied and sent via registered mail, and perhaps a few $ spent on a letter from an attorney will wake these parents up. Another avanue you may need to use is Children and Youth, a young kid, unsupervised and teasing a dog could be the beginings of major problems in the future!

Good luck and let us know how things are going.


Jennifer & Cookie

 

[BoxerLoverNC]

Just curious, but has he been back since you caught him and yelled at him, other than trick-or treating? If he does, it's definatley not going to stop. And I dont know about your state, but in NC it's not legal to let an 11 year old child alone with no adult supervision in the home. I know this because my old neighbors left her 3 kids alone all the time, the oldest being 12, and she had social services called on her and they forced her to take parenting classes, and almost lost custody of her kids temporarily. If it continues, and the parents will not co-op, I wouldnt hesitate to call. It would be THERE fault if something were to happen to there child. And he obviously has not been taught basic manners.