To want her to clean up her mess

[ExtraPineappleExtraHam]

graphic-dog poo related

My neighbour has two dogs that she never walks, no exaggeration, I mean I have never seen her walk them in the five years she's lived next door. As a result the dogs poo in the back garden and she doesn't clean it up...ever!
I've complained to the housing association multiple times and all they do is schedule a visit with her, by which time she cleans it up and then they tell me that everything was satisfactory. I've sent them photos but the whole thing just keeps happening, the visit, the initial improvement and then the immediate reverting to old ways.
Recently my neighbour has taken to storing the poo in bags for life which she leaves open, propped against the shed. I can see this from my kitchen window and the smell in the hot weather is unbearable. I've emailed them again and their response is staggering!
Poor neighbour doesn't have a wheely bin at the moment and so is unable to deposit poo which is why it is in bags. She has written to the council and they are going to get back to her. First of all it is so easy to get a new bin, you can fill in a form online and they will drop one off on next collection. Second, she drives so why can't she take the five bags of poo in the car to get rid of?
The housing officer told me that she herself has four children so why can't she understand how hard it is for me to tell mine that they can't play outside because it smells of shit? In their own back garden on a sunny day.
They also said that she is entitled to have as many dogs as she likes (she got a new one last week.) That's one Labrador, one jack Russel and one pug in a two up, two down terraced house. I wouldn't mind at all if she took care of them.
Oh and also they advice that I talk to my neighbour myself as we have a 'positive relationship.' I don't like confrontation and so this would be hell for me 'hello, your house stinks' please someone tell me what I should do?

[KoalaDownUnder]

That is utterly disgusting, and cruel to the dogs as well!

Can you complain to the council instead of the HA? (Not in U.K. and not sure how it works).

[AuntMabel]

Grim 🤢

Housing Association sound useless. Try contacting Environmental Health, the local dog warden or the RSPCA instead.

[drivingmisspotty]

I hate confrontation too, I'm sure most people do but maybe it is time to pluck up your courage and speak to her? Obviously not that bluntly but just explain how it is affecting your life.

You could order her a Wheely bin yourself online perhaps? Not that you should have to.

Failing all that would the RSPCA be interested I wonder?

And no YANBU. It must be really unpleasant and means you can't enjoy your own garden.

[Sirzy]

I would be contacting the rspca. If your right about the dogs never leaving the house (unless by some miracle it's got a massive garden?) then that in itself is cruel. Sounds like living conditions may be less than ideal for them (and the children)

[Parsley1234]

My tenants neighbour had the same problem she and the other neighbour contacted the council I think environmental health and kept on badgering them to do something. The officer came out and I'm not sure what happened but no more poo in the back yard might be worth a shot and cc the useless HA officer.it is a health hazard

[MsJamieFraser]

You need the council and environmental health.

[KallyBox]

Are you able to offer to help her fill in the online form for a wheely bin? Just mention that you've noticed she doesn't have one and how horrible it must be to have to store dog shit in the garden, and that you can help. You shouldn't have to but if it's the only way of sorting it, could make things easier.

Plus it makes you sound extremely friendly, because you're not criticising you are offering to help, but at the same time highlighting the fact you've noticed which might be enough to shame her into action.

[ExtraPineappleExtraHam]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try the offering to help order her a new bin. We've tried environmental health but they said because it's housing association we need to contact them and they wouldn't get involved.
I've thought about the RSPCA but I don't want her dogs taken away as they won't get rehomed (too old and unsociable) and everyone will be miserable. I'm sure they love her, dogs are always loyal!

[LateDad]

As a result the dogs poo in the back garden and she doesn't clean it up...ever!
I've complained to the housing association multiple times and all they do is schedule a visit with her, by which time she cleans it up ...