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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Anyone around? AIBU to be annoyed by this person and her dog in my garden??

11 replies

user1491572121 · 07/05/2017 05:30

I live in Australia on a high street....but it's a rural high street so it's extremely quiet. Only houses, there's also one pub and a general store down the street.

My front garden is unfenced as they all are here...it's a lawn with some big trees and bushes.

Last week, a young woman and her small dog suddenly appeared in the middle of my lawn...feet from my study window where I was sitting. I was confused for a moment then realised her dog was having a piss on my lawn.

I opened the window and said "Do you mind? Please get him off my lawn" and she started talking to me..."Oh, he just came here...I followed him"..she was still standing there.

So I just spoke over her "Just move him off the lawn" and she did. SHe's just been bloody back!

I saw her stood there whilst her dog pissed on my grass so I opened the window and said "Get him off my lawn please!" and she began yammering at me and pointing down the road for some unfathomable reason...I couldn't make out what she was saying as my radio was on so I just said "Get him off my lawn now please!" but didn't shout.

She went off down the road but was back 5 minutes later looking balefully through my window at me!

I mentioned the first incident to DH who said "Oh her...I think she's got some mild learning difficulties..."

Which made me feel bad but AIBU to say something? I'm not rude to her...I've said "PLease" every time.

It's OBVIOUSLY my garden...all the houses here have one similar...planted with shrubs, flowers...a path...it's set well back from the path...I think she's just allowing her dog to lead her about.

OP posts:

TheClaws · 07/05/2017 05:40

Fill a few empty soft drink bottles with water and leave them on the lawn. One of them is bound to get the idea they're not welcome!

Otherwise, I'm sure you can get a cheap dog deterrent spray from a pet shop that might put him off.

luckylucky24 · 07/05/2017 05:50

I would be annoyed too. Could you get a little sign for the lawn?

isthistoonosy · 07/05/2017 05:52

I live in a place like this, can't you just ask around and find out about her and then ask someone that knows her to explain the 'rules' of dog walking to her.

Original poster

user1491572121 · 07/05/2017 05:52

CLaws thanks...what do the bottles do though? Also can't get dog deterrent as I have a dog myself....he's always in the back but he does like a wander on the front lawn after his walk...and my children play there too...my own dog doesn't pee there either.

Lucky I could but she's the only one whose done it and this is a very doggy area...people are always walking past with dogs...you'd think she might have got it by now!

OP posts:

Original poster

user1491572121 · 07/05/2017 05:54

TooNosy I could yes...I heard the family have just moved here from interstate...I don't want them to feel unwelcome...that's why I was polite to her really. I don't want her going home and saying she's been "told off" but even if she did, then her parents (who she apparently lives with) should have told her the first time that she isn't to walk the dog on people's grass. It's not just a verge or anything but a large lawn...

OP posts:

isthistoonosy · 07/05/2017 05:58

Id take a welcome to the area gift of some time, introduce yourself to the parents and then drop this into conversation.
It can be a pain sometimes but in a small community you just have to do this sort of tjing.

TheClaws · 07/05/2017 07:54

Not sure what the bottles do - but they seem to work (sometimes). The dog is trying to spread his scent. If your dog doesn't go there often, a deterrent spray works by making the area smell vile to dogs (but not humans).

You could simply try a sign in the grass reading "Private Property: no entry. Trespassers will be Prosecuted". You can get this at any hardware store. Some even have helpful pictures for those who can't read. You might even find something like the below:

Anyone around? AIBU to be annoyed by this person and her dog in my garden??

TheClaws · 07/05/2017 08:00

And I don't think anyone else in the area would mind a sign on the lawn. If it's a 'doggy area' (and I understand, I live in one too, with unfenced front areas where dogs roam free and mix with people walking dogs - it's a nightmare) they will get it.

insancerre · 07/05/2017 08:00

Next time she does it, you should go out and talk to her
Be pleasant and friendly and just explain that it's your garden and she isn't allowed to let her dog wee in it
Maybe give her directions to the nearest green space

FrancisCrawford · 07/05/2017 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ToesInWater · 07/05/2017 08:16

A guy came and took a piss once behind a tree in our similarly unfenced Aussie garden! Unfortunately DD and her friend were looking out of the playroom window at the time. I would have given a fishwife a run for her money as I went out screaming at him We now have fences, can you put some in (or hedges/prickly plants)?

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