Neighbors harassing my boxer

[KarenH1985]

I need to vent about my very annoying neighbors!

We live in a flat, and we have people that live above us upstairs. Well, Obie (our 1.5 year old boxer boy) is very protective of our home, and esspecially hates the neighbors upstairs. Well, since they have dogs also (mean dogs... attacked the landlord), we have lost our access to the backyard. So I keep the boys on a long ground leash, in the front yard.

Well, the woman who lives upstairs is a little "out there". She is absolutly in love with Obie, even though he hates her with a passion. He growls, barks, kicks back dirt, hair stands straight up, and believe it or not he has never bitten anyone in his life, but he has snapped at her. And yet she STILL comes up to him yelling "Obie Obie! Look how sweet you are!" and she tries to pet him! I have asked her countless times never to go near him because he might attack (Just to keep her away from him, because he gets so shoken up by her, after she leaves Obie is left shaking). And do you think this has kept her away? NO!

This morning I let the boys out for potty, and I had to run inside to answer the phone. When I heard Obie going nuts, I came back and she was trying to get to Obie! Any normal person would be scared of the way he was acting but she keeps going at him. I yelled at her to get away from him and she just ignored me! So i quickly ran and got him away from her, put Obie in the house, and then she starts talking to me like she did nothing worng. I am afraid that one day Obie will loose it and attack her. That is a huge lawsuit around here. I really do not know what to do.

Also, she has to walk past a few of our windows to get to her door (which leads to the upstairs). While she is walking by, esspiecally in the summer, she looks into our windows and starts calling Obie. This drives him nuts! He runs all throughout the house, completely frazled and paranoid. Or when she is cleaning her backyard and she hears Obie barking, she will continue cleaning, but yelling "Obie! Oooobbbiiiee!!!!!" while she is cleaning.

I really wish I could find a way to get her to stop harassing my poor baby! Calling the cops does not work, they do not care. I have told my landlord, but he is an elderly man who gets taken advantage of alot. Actually, I believe that the women who harasses Obie has not paid the landlord rent in 5 months! I talked with him the other night about these people, and since they are not home very often (only in the mornings and late at night) he does not know how to get them out, or how to get them to pay rent. I do not want to leave my home. I love my home and I am not going to let some crazy lady drive us away. But please, could someone give me advice on what I can do? Thanks for the vent, I am sorry about how long this is! Thanks again!

 

[courtney323]

I'm confused - is this lady coming into YOUR own yard without permission? Is it fenced? Is this a "shared" yard?

If it's your own fenced in private yard, you have every right to let your dogs out to potty unattended.

But if this is a public or shared yard with other people coming and going, or if it is unfenced -- you absolutely should not leave the dog(s) out there unattended on a long lead. It would invite this very type of behavior and is very risky

I would say that the solution seems to be to NOT let the dogs outside unattended. They should only be outside when you have them on a (short) leash and can control them and steer them away from that woman.

 

[boxerdog1]

I am afraid that one day Obie will loose it and attack her. That is a huge lawsuit around here. Actually, I believe that the women who harasses Obie has not paid the landlord rent in 5 months!

Maybe she is trying to get him to bit her so she can pay the rent?

 

[BeckyNC]

Sounds like she's nuts!

I would try to keep Obie near you at all times when he's outside. Otherwise, if he bites/attacks her, you are the one who will "pay" if she chooses to report it.

 

[haleyandmark]

wow that lady sounds a little crazy...i was thinking the same thing about getting Obie to bite her so she could get money out of it - either that or she really is just 'not all there'.

i agree with everything already said, you should tell her to stay away from him or you're going to have to report her because obviously Obie does not like her (theres probably a reason for that) and you don't want her to put herself in a situation that she could get hurt.

 

[stampingrace]

The only suggestion I can think of is to keep a log of everything that goes on. Record dates, times, and details of what occurs including any 'conversations' you have with her. I agree with not letting the boys out without you - bummer, I know. But it's more protection for you and your babies.

 

[Cypress' Mom]

Maybe you could keep a mini tape recorder in your pocket and record when you are telling her to stay away and she ignores you. Maybe then if something unfortunate happened you would have the proof that you repeatedly asked her to stay away from him and she was egging him on. What a nut job! I can't believe she purposely calls his name and antaganizes him. Sounds like maybe she is not alright in the head.. maybe she is mentally ill. Doesn't sound like something that a sane person would do. Good luck and keep us posted!
Jess

 

[ssleighter]

"I am afraid that one day Obie will loose it and attack her. That is a huge lawsuit around here. "

This sounds EXACTLY like what she wants to have happen. The woman is obviously belligerant and purposely taunting Obie. Here's my suggestion (and yes, I've worked at a law firm for 9 years so maybe I'm overcautious).

Draft a letter to your local chief of police identifying the problem. If you've called the police about them on this issue, include those dates and times and explain that you feel this complaint is not being taken seriously. Explain your concern, that you feel this woman is DELIBERATELY taunting Obie after repeatedly being asked to stay away because he obviously does not like her, and that you feel she is doing these things trying to entice Obie to bite her so she can file suit.

I would refrain from leaving Obie tied out unattended, this is just asking for trouble. When outside where she has access to him, keep him on a leash with you at all times. She sounds like a complete nut.

Send the letter to the chief of police and to your homeowners/renters insurance agency (if you have one) and to your landlord. Send them certified mail so you can verify that they were recieved. I would also cc her on the letter and send that certified mail as well. This will at least give you SOMETHING should Obie ever bite her and she sues. They can see that you have tried at least.

Good luck, and I am sorry you're going through this.

 

[Ceris22]

Darn, I hate neighbor issues.

I would take a different route. You said that they haven't paid rent in 5 months and that the landlord does not know how to make them leave. I would suggest talking to your landlord about evicting the tenants. He may need to talk to a lawyer, but he should be able to evict them, and that would definetely be your best solution. It would also be best for him, since he probably is losing money on this lady and it would be worth it for him to have the help of a professional.

Good luck!

 

[ladyluck_t]

"I am afraid that one day Obie will loose it and attack her. That is a huge lawsuit around here. "

This sounds EXACTLY like what she wants to have happen. The woman is obviously belligerant and purposely taunting Obie. Here's my suggestion (and yes, I've worked at a law firm for 9 years so maybe I'm overcautious).

Draft a letter to your local chief of police identifying the problem. If you've called the police about them on this issue, include those dates and times and explain that you feel this complaint is not being taken seriously. Explain your concern, that you feel this woman is DELIBERATELY taunting Obie after repeatedly being asked to stay away because he obviously does not like her, and that you feel she is doing these things trying to entice Obie to bite her so she can file suit.

I would refrain from leaving Obie tied out unattended, this is just asking for trouble. When outside where she has access to him, keep him on a leash with you at all times. She sounds like a complete nut.

Send the letter to the chief of police and to your homeowners/renters insurance agency (if you have one) and to your landlord. Send them certified mail so you can verify that they were recieved. I would also cc her on the letter and send that certified mail as well. This will at least give you SOMETHING should Obie ever bite her and she sues. They can see that you have tried at least.

Good luck, and I am sorry you're going through this.

I think i aggree with sharon on this, you need to protect yourself at fast as possible. I also think i would CC the local animal control director, just in case Obie goes through a window at her while you are not home or indisposed. Also, i think this would be a perfect time to work with obie on "leave it" commands. Perhaps if he learned to leave her alone, and she no-longer got the response she would stop. Also, by training Obie to "leave it" then that will reduce the stress on HIM in those situations as well. I am currently reading the "Dog Listener" and she talks about this kind of issue and how to train the dog to stop reacting to the stimuli. it is a GREAT book and i would recommend getting a copy.
Good Luck!