What would you do if your neighbor

[maxiesmom]

decided to shoot water guns at your dogs? Through your chain link fence?

My neighbor has some new friends living with her. Get along with her really well, we both have dogs. She has 3 little dogs that bark a lot, I have 2 dogs, but 1 that doesn't appreciate her new guests. If my dog starts to bark I go out and retrieve her, I'm not the type to let her bark and ignore her. Today I let her out to do her business after dinner, and as she started to bark, walked over to get her. Apparently just in time, because new friend of neighbor was standing there with a super soaker, ready to unload.

Anyone who knows me knows nothing will set me off like messing with my dogs. And this dog already has issues, she is on daily meds for anxiety, so I don't need her scared of anything else. Especially going outside.

I already plan to talk to neighbor lady when I see her home. This is the same guy who keeps letting her cats out, and she has already apologized for that, but she can't get him to stop. So I'm not holding my breath she will be able to stop him from doing this either. Should I just stand there with my hose on? Ready to defend? Kind of joking.

 

[lorijohnhill]

If the neighbor lady can't get her friend to act like a reasonable adult who knows better than to treat an animal that way, I would suggest calling the police the next time. Maybe getting charged with animal cruelty will have some effect on him.

I'm so sorry your dog is being treated so poorly.

 

[Southernmiss]

decided to shoot water guns at your dogs? Through your chain link fence?

My neighbor has some new friends living with her. Get along with her really well, we both have dogs. She has 3 little dogs that bark a lot, I have 2 dogs, but 1 that doesn't appreciate her new guests. If my dog starts to bark I go out and retrieve her, I'm not the type to let her bark and ignore her. Today I let her out to do her business after dinner, and as she started to bark, walked over to get her. Apparently just in time, because new friend of neighbor was standing there with a super soaker, ready to unload.

Anyone who knows me knows nothing will set me off like messing with my dogs. And this dog already has issues, she is on daily meds for anxiety, so I don't need her scared of anything else. Especially going outside.

I already plan to talk to neighbor lady when I see her home. This is the same guy who keeps letting her cats out, and she has already apologized for that, but she can't get him to stop. So I'm not holding my breath she will be able to stop him from doing this either. Should I just stand there with my hose on? Ready to defend? Kind of joking.

Did you say anything to super soaker guy?

Like 'Hi. I'm Suzie Smith. Is there a problem?'

 

[maxiesmom]

Did you say anything to super soaker guy?

Like 'Hi. I'm Suzie Smith. Is there a problem?'

Anything I would have said at that time would have been 4 letter words. Wanted to calm down first. If I see him outside again I plan on having a little chat.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm not a dog person, at all, but the general concept would annoy me. I'd have just had a few clear words for the friend. No need to sugar coat anything, just tell the kid that he can't point it at your dog....period. Tell him to go find something better to do with his time.

 

[KingCrusher]

If the neighbor lady can't get her friend to act like a reasonable adult who knows better than to treat an animal that way, I would suggest calling the police the next time. Maybe getting charged with animal cruelty will have some effect on him.

I'm so sorry your dog is being treated so poorly.

There is no way anybody is getting charged with animal cruelty for using a water gun on some dogs.

OP, I'd try talking to the neighbors (with kids present) and explain the dog's medical issues. My bet is they will be remorseful and not do it again.

 

[CarolAnn856]

There is no way anybody is getting charged with animal cruelty for using a water gun on some dogs.

OP, I'd try talking to the neighbors (with kids present) and explain the dog's medical issues. My bet is they will be remorseful and not do it again.

What kids? It sounds like a grown man doing this.

 

[PollyannaMom]

This is the same guy who keeps letting her cats out, and she has already apologized for that, but she can't get him to stop.

Gosh, if I were her, I'd have kicked him out for that myself!! A crafty kitty escaping on you by accident is one thing...but purposely, repeatedly letting them out when I said not to is just NOT OK.

OP, I'm not sure where to go from here. I've "liked" totally opposite posts, and have no idea which is right. Part of me says it's always good to calmly talk first, but part of me gets a weird feeling that this is an early sign the guy is seriously scary.

 

[Poohforyou]

Oh, I'd totally unload my hose on him, aiming just south of his waist. If he tried it again I'd call the police. I'm with you about mistreating animals.

 

[luvsJack]

What exactly are y’all thinking she should tell the police? He is threatening to get my dog wet?

Now I realize this dog is different due to the anxiety but most dogs will either learn to stop what they are doing (barking) or enjoy the spray of water. For most dogs this is hardly animal cruelty.

My dog would love him forever if he sprayed him with the water gun!! Lol

 

[PlainJane]

I would explain to my neighbor, and her guests, that you know your dog has started barking more and you will retrieve her when this occurs. I would further explain that their intervening would be detrimental to your dog and the situation.

The guy sounds incrediably immature, I hope he starts acting like a grown up soon or moves out.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Well I wouldn't let my dogs outside unsupervised anymore... what if you or your neighbours didn't realize it was only a water gun?

 

[sonnyjane]

What exactly are y’all thinking she should tell the police? He is threatening to get my dog wet?

Now I realize this dog is different due to the anxiety but most dogs will either learn to stop what they are doing (barking) or enjoy the spray of water. For most dogs this is hardly animal cruelty.

My dog would love him forever if he sprayed him with the water gun!! Lol

Hell yeah I’d call the cops. It may or may not be a crime depending on local rules but the cop would help mediate.

And if it was determined that there was nothing wrong with shooting my dog with a water gun then I’d be buying the biggest water gun out there and shooting it at my neighbors, my neighbors’ kids etc. to prove my point. Is that mature? No. But if you mess with my animals that’s for sure what I would do!

 

[Floridaman999]

I think communicating with them in a mature manner would be an excellent way to start.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Please do not call the cops. It’s ridiculous to think they need to have their time wasted like that. Nothing happened except she saw a man with a water gun. No crime was committed and there’s nothing to mediate because there has been no discussion with the neighbor. The first thing to do would be to talk with the neighbor to get clarity on the situation.

 

[hereyago]

I wouldn't talk to the regular neighbor, but instead I would let Super Soaker Man Child that should I ever see him aim it again, I would offer a choice of which way he would want that super Soaker up his butt, vertical or horizontal. And no, I am not kidding.

 

[sonnyjane]

Please do not call the cops. It’s ridiculous to think they need to have their time wasted like that. Nothing happened except she saw a man with a water gun. No crime was committed and there’s nothing to mediate because there has been no discussion with the neighbor. The first thing to do would be to talk with the neighbor to get clarity on the situation.

I live in a small town so, this actually IS what cops do with their time lolol.

 

[low-key]

I think communicating with them in a mature manner would be an excellent way to start.

me to, nothing is worse then living next to someone who you hate, you got to say something , ask how you could help to make that stop

 

[sonnyjane]

Just talked to my husband who is a cop. He said they deal with this kind of thing pretty often. If the neighbor were to actually shoot the dog with the water gun, it could be considered harassment or animal cruelty. He said prosecutors would typically decline to really bring the charges though because it would likely be thrown out.

He did however mention that there are hefty fines for barking dogs (noise ordinance violations) so I guess the neighbors could also file a complaint against the OP, technically.

Just passing along!

 

[luvsJack]

Just talked to my husband who is a cop. He said they deal with this kind of thing pretty often. If the neighbor were to actually shoot the dog with the water gun, it could be considered harassment or animal cruelty. He said prosecutors would typically decline to really bring the charges though because it would likely be thrown out.

He did however mention that there are hefty fines for barking dogs (noise ordinance violations) so I guess the neighbors could also file a complaint against the OP, technically.

Just passing along!

How on earth is it animal cruelty? That doesn’t make even make sense! The guy has no way of knowing the dog has anxiety so that’s out. And it isn’t going to injure or hurt the dog.

Sil is also an officer in a very small town. He laughed. He said dispatch would laugh.