To be annoyed with neighbour chucking ball at fence?

[PanScrubb]

Neighbour has taken to chucking a ball around her garden for her dog. A number of times now the ball has thudded into the fence. It’s annoying when you’re in your garden and suddenly hear a massive thud on your fence. Yesterday I was stood near the fence tidying the garden and the ball thudded into the fence right where I was standing and then the dog came crashing into the fence too, scared the shit out of me. It’s not a strong fence, it’s a big scary dog, honestly looked like it was going to come through the fence! I looked over and neighbour is stood on her doorstep smiling and waving at me saying “sorry about that!”. I was annoyed so didn’t respond to her, just made a point of checking the fence and then carried on with what I was doing. She then took dog inside and closed the door.
AIBU to not do the polite wave back and say “it’s ok!” Even though it’s not??

Eh as long as its a genuine mistake then id treat it the same as kids hitting balls against fences, in that if its deliberate and constant then id have a word but if it was infrequent then I wouldn't.

If it caused damage id be letting them know.

Just out of interest how big is the ball that its making that much of a thud?

Just be grateful you don't have any budding footballers for neighbours.

It’s a small but hard ball, looks like a baseball

You sound like an awful neighbour. Good grief it's a ball. Occasionally. God forbid they throw a garden party.

Well maybe they should pay for a more secure fence before their dog busts through this one

Op I'd feel exactly like you do.

Not like you screamed at her. You just didn't do that annoying thing of pretending something is fine when it isn't.

@PanScrubb

Well maybe they should pay for a more secure fence before their dog busts through this one

Oh goodness, stop being a drama llama. If you are seriously so bothered about the security then you to put up a fence. Or speak to the neighbour and tell them. Not passive-aggressive inspecting of the fence, ghosting and threads on Mumsnet.

I don't think you are being unreasonable. Accidents happen yes, but when people deliberately kick or thud balls against communal fences that's just disrespectful. If it gets damaged, you're expected to pay for it (if the deeds prove it's legally your fence - your responsibility) so yes, well out of order and I'd be saying something. My neighbour strung up a washing line on my fence, put so much heavy washing on it that it pulled fence out of line. Who had to pay for it? Me. Who had to sacrifice other things that week? Me. For someone else's selfishness. Sorry, to go against the grain here, but you're right. She's being unreasonable.

I would have said with a slightly annoyed laugh "gosh that nearly gave me a heart attack! Who came off worse - him or the fence??" And then you could have inspected it with a smile on your faces and probably found no damage done, but still indicates to the neighbour that it bothered you, and that you were worried about the fence. Hopefully she'll take the hint and not throw it at the fence next time.

She's out of order. You were right not to pretend everything was fine.

It's a ball. In someone's own garden. Get a grip.

I agree with you Op.