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AIBU?

to continue to abuse my neighbour's dog?

104 replies

iProcrastinate · 26/05/2013 11:21

Sorry for the dramatic title, but that is what I am being accused of doing!

The sun has finally come out here, so I've let DD (4) play out in the garden, in her sandpit, tent and with a bucket of water etc. She isn't a loud, screamy child but does chat away to herself constantly.

My neighbours have a dog, not sure what breed, it's quite small in stature but has a massive head and broad shoulders. I've already had problems as this dog barks its bollocks off everytime we walk past the house (hard to avoid as we are at the end of a cul de sac) and the neighbour doesn't like us doing this as it upsets his dog.

DD was happily playing in the garden, I was in the kitchen with the patio open (she wasn't being noisy, I could hardly hear her through the open doors) and I hear neighbour shouting "Excuse me! Excuse me!" over the fence (7ft fence so we can't see into each others gardens etc)

I answer to him and he asks if I can keep DD inside the house as his dog doesn't like DD playing outside, I can hear dog panting and making sort of growly snarly noises behind the fence. I'd heard it barking earlier but it barks most of the time in my experience so I didn't think anything of it! I asked if he could keep his dog inside if it was so upset by a child playing quietly. He said it would be against his dogs rights to be kept in when it's warm he leaves his back doors open and dog likes to come in and out as it pleases.

I said DD is just playing quietly in our own garden, he said it didn't matter, his dog knew she was there and didn't like it. He was being quite arsey short with me so I just said back that its not our problem if his dog didn't like children, and we are allowed to use our garden (heaven knows we pay enough rent to use it!)

He snaps back "I'll report you to the RSPCA! You are causing unnecessary distress to my dog! You are abusing an animal" - I hear him storm back into the house, the he shouts back "Just you hope he doesn't work out how to get through the fence!"

If DD was being noisy, I'd ask her to be quiet and see his point, or if she was playing right next to the fence, but she's not, she's at the other end of the garden and I can hardly hear her 8 feet away. I've continued to let her play out but am sitting in the garden with her now, and can hear the dog pacing on the other side of the fence, breathing noisily.

I'm not a dog person and I don't know much about them - AIBU?

OP posts:
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beth27123 · 26/05/2013 11:23

As a dog person I can say no, let him call the RSPCA they'll laugh at him and if they do turn up they'll possible investigate him. Judging by your description there's a chance this dog is aggressive so Im sure it'll be noted. Why don't you all go play out?

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Sparklingbrook · 26/05/2013 11:23

YANBU. The neighbour is bonkers. And a bit threatening re the remark about it possibly getting through the fence.

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purplepenguin86 · 26/05/2013 11:24

No, you're definitely not - he sounds absolutely bonkers!

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onlyablip · 26/05/2013 11:24

No YANBU. He is.

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Sirzy · 26/05/2013 11:24

I would tell them to feel free to report, I am sure it would give the RSPCA a laugh!

He is being ridiculous if he expects you to keep your child inside all summer

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ASmidgeofMidge · 26/05/2013 11:24

Hell no, yanbu! You've got every right to use your own garden; it sounds like he needs to find some way of acclimatising his dog to every day life

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Madamecastafiore · 26/05/2013 11:24

If invite at least 10 kids around every day to play in my garden if I were you.

Stupid fucker.

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iProcrastinate · 26/05/2013 11:24

I live alone with my daughter so we are all playing out, I've bought my laptop out so I can catch up on some paperwork while she is happily engaged :-)

Thanks for the reassurance - I've had no experience with the RSPCA so wasn't sure if they'd take him or me seriously!

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Hardhaton · 26/05/2013 11:25

What a knob of a neighbour u have! I have a dog and yes he barks at my neighbours if they are in the garden. It's just what they do! But we tell ours to be quiet.
I really wouldn't let it upset you.

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ChaoticTranquility · 26/05/2013 11:25

YANBU he is being ridiculous. This has made me Grin because it's so ridiculous...him not you.

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Bowlersarm · 26/05/2013 11:26

Blimey YANBU.

Your dd has as much right to be in her garden as your neighbours dog has to be in it's garden.

I am a dog (and children!) owner. It's just non sensical of him.

How ridiculous.

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D0oinMeCleanin · 26/05/2013 11:26

As the owner of a dog who 'barks his bollocks off' when kids play in the alley behind my house, YANBU, it is my responsibility to keep my dog quiet and ensure my dog cannot get through to the alley. The neighbour's children have every right to play in the alley, peacefully and safely.

I'd ring the dog warden, tbh, his attitude is disgusting and dangerous.

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ZillionChocolate · 26/05/2013 11:26

If you didn't have to live next door to the idiot this would be hilarious. YANBU!

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Sparklingbrook · 26/05/2013 11:27

Get a trampoline. Today.

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mrsjay · 26/05/2013 11:27

oh god sake he is a loon obviously . let him do his best or worst folk will laugh at him if his dog is distressed maybe he should take it out for a long walk away from scary 4 year olds Grin

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WorraLiberty · 26/05/2013 11:28

Oh come on

REALLY??

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Polyethyl · 26/05/2013 11:28

Obviously the man is an idiot.
But as the dog is unfriendly I'd double check the fence to ensure he can't get in. Perhaps even put a trellis above the fence, to make it higher, in case there is anything leaning on the fence on the neighbours side that the dog could use as a climbing frame to get over the fence.

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eminemmerdale · 26/05/2013 11:29

Dickhead! Our neighbours have a yappy fucker little schnauzer who barks constantly, but they are always really apologetic and dd goes round to play with her sometimes. He is threatening you by saying about the dog getting through the fence. I'd make sure that you're out there as much as possible!

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Rikalaily · 26/05/2013 11:29

He is as barking as his dog! Ignore him, we have a dog and if he starts barking outside we bring him straight in, I wouldn't go telling the neighbours to stop what they are doing which he barks at.

Tell him if it gets through the fence and attacks on your property it could be shot by the police or euthanized by a vet and he will be arrested. Maybe he should have socialised his dog properly and it wouldn't be as worked up as it is now.

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ChippingInLovesSpring · 26/05/2013 11:30

I love dogs.

I love kids.

Each should be able to play out in their own backgarden without bothering the other :)

This guy sounds like a fucking nut job and his dog sounds potentially harmful. I would be calling the local dog control officer and asking them to pay me a visit. Most of them are really nice people who will assess the situation for you without causing any hassle with next door. Remember to tell them about him not liking you to walk past his house as well.

Don't let him intimidate you back into the house or 'shusshing' DD (not that you sound like you would mind you!).

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landofsoapandglory · 26/05/2013 11:30

YANBU he is and he sounds as mad as a box of frogs!

I've never heard of a child playing out being classed as abusing dogs! Carry on as you are and ignore him!

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acceptableinthe80s · 26/05/2013 11:31

He asked you to keep your child indoors as she's upsetting his dog! I've heard it all now. You were way more polite than i would have been though my initial reaction would probably have been to burst out laughing.
If the dog is constantly barking i'd be informing the environmental health and complaining about the noise.
And if the dog was behaving aggressively, growling etc i'd be concerned and would be calling the RSPCA myself. Does the dog get taken out for walks at? Sounds like it may have socialization problems which can be dangerous should it ever escape.
Of course you're not BU.

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SPsCliffingAllOverMN · 26/05/2013 11:31

Get a bubble machine. They are quite loud and the bubbles will go into his garden. See if he reports you for trying to poison his dog with bubbles.

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TheHerringScreams · 26/05/2013 11:31

YANBU. That's crazy.

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acceptableinthe80s · 26/05/2013 11:31

*at all

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