What would you do if your neighbor

[luvsJack]

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!

You don’t see a difference? You don’t think this would be harassment? Very odd laws in your town.

 

[sonnyjane]

You don’t see a difference? You don’t think this would be harassment? Very odd laws in your town.

Just like you think I’m weird for thinking it’s obscene to shoot someone else’s dog with a water gun, I think you’re weird for thinking it’s no big deal. That’s why we can agree to disagree! If this was a story of kids playing on someone’s lawn getting shot by a water gun by some grumpy old neighbor, I feel this thread would go differently, but I see them as the same.

 

[Bella Paige]

Just like you think I’m weird for thinking it’s obscene to shoot someone else’s dog with a water gun, I think you’re weird for thinking it’s no big deal. That’s why we can agree to disagree! If this was a story of kids playing on someone’s lawn getting shot by a water gun by some grumpy old neighbor, I feel this thread would go differently, but I see them as the same.

If my neighbor opened fire on my kids with water guns unprovoked I might be annoyed but I absolutely wouldn't be calling the police unless there was far more to the story.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I guess it would depend on whether or not the squirting stopped the barking.

 

[luvsJack]

Just like you think I’m weird for thinking it’s obscene to shoot someone else’s dog with a water gun, I think you’re weird for thinking it’s no big deal. That’s why we can agree to disagree! If this was a story of kids playing on someone’s lawn getting shot by a water gun by some grumpy old neighbor, I feel this thread would go differently, but I see them as the same.

I didn’t say it was no big deal for the op’s dog. She needs to talk to the neighbor’s friend.

I don’t think it would go any different in that scenario because it still wouldn’t be necessary to call the police. Calling the police over a water gun is an extreme reaction.

What exactly do you think a water gun is going to do to any random dog (not one with anxiety of course)?

 

[lorijohnhill]

For me, it is the intent behind the actions that is the issue. It is an attack on the dog, or the child, not a playful moment. Dogs and kids both can tell the difference. If allowed to continue, who knows what will be the next "weapon" of choice.

And, of course I would only call the police after civil conversations with the neighbors / water gun guy failed to resolve the issue.

 

[focusondisney]

So your neighbor has 3 dogs that bark quite a bit? I wonder what he’s doing to her dogs when he is alone with them? If he is acting this way towards your dog outside where anyone could see him, I would bet he’s doing something to the barking dogs when he is alone in the house with them. Might want to point that out when you talk to the neighbor.

 

[KingCrusher]

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!

And what evidence would you present to the cops? Unless you have a video recording, the neighbor could simply deny what you're saying.

 

[sonnyjane]

And what evidence would you present to the cops? Unless you have a video recording, the neighbor could simply deny what you're saying.

I’m just saying I’d maybe ask a cop to come around as backup to help mediate in case things went south. If a neighbor is that much of a weirdo with my animal I wouldn’t trust them to have a constructive conversation with me. Again, I’m not really going to beat around the bush with this much. Some of you think this is no big deal, but I legitimately think someone that’s cool with shooting someone else’s pet with a water gun is unwell.

And for those that said you’d be ok with it if a neighbor shot your CHILDREN with a water gun without your knowledge? I have no comment. We are clearly very different...

 

[Wubar]

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!

Ooh, fines for noisy dogs??? Good to know. Neighbors have mutts who bark all day long and their owners don't seem to care.

 

[KingCrusher]

I’m just saying I’d maybe ask a cop to come around as backup to help mediate in case things went south. If a neighbor is that much of a weirdo with my animal I wouldn’t trust them to have a constructive conversation with me. Again, I’m not really going to beat around the bush with this much. Some of you think this is no big deal, but I legitimately think someone that’s cool with shooting someone else’s pet with a water gun is unwell.

And for those that said you’d be ok with it if a neighbor shot your CHILDREN with a water gun without your knowledge? I have no comment. We are clearly very different...

I don't think most people here are simply saying "no big deal." I think what they're taking issue with is calling the cops. It seems people call the cops for every little thing nowadays. Reminds me of when I was in school and classmates would call the teacher over anytime they were annoyed with something.

 

[Allison]

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

No kidding. Calling the police as a starting point and thinking it's animal cruelty? How about a conversation.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The way I see it is, this is an issue that can easily escalate into further violence between people, so it behooves the people involved to try to resolve it, even if it comes to involving the police.

I've read at least one case this year where someone was killed over an argument about a dog.

 

[sonnyjane]

The way I see it is, this is an issue that can easily escalate into further violence between people, so it behooves the people involved to try to resolve it, even if it comes to involving the police.

I've read at least one case this year where someone was killed over an argument about a dog.

Yup! That’s all I’m saying. I don’t trust people very much!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

911 what is your emergency?

My neighbor is standing there with a super soaker ready to shoot.

Uh Sir standing with a squirt gun is not illegal and not an emergency.

 

[luvsJack]

The way I see it is, this is an issue that can easily escalate into further violence between people, so it behooves the people involved to try to resolve it, even if it comes to involving the police.

I've read at least one case this year where someone was killed over an argument about a dog.

Talking should not be an argument. And she has had conversations with the neighbor about the cat, why would this be any different?

I prefer my local law enforcement to know that when I call it IS an actual emergency and I do need them.

 

[luvsJack]

I’m just saying I’d maybe ask a cop to come around as backup to help mediate in case things went south. If a neighbor is that much of a weirdo with my animal I wouldn’t trust them to have a constructive conversation with me. Again, I’m not really going to beat around the bush with this much. Some of you think this is no big deal, but I legitimately think someone that’s cool with shooting someone else’s pet with a water gun is unwell.

And for those that said you’d be ok with it if a neighbor shot your CHILDREN with a water gun without your knowledge? I have no comment. We are clearly very different...

You just said YOU would shoot at their children!

And no one said it would be ok. Just wouldn’t call the police.

Besides my kids STILL have super soakers and they are adults! When they were kids it was a constant water gun battle around here. One more wouldn’t make that much difference.

Some people use water guns to train their animals. Maybe the idiot thought he was helping.

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess it would depend on whether or not the squirting stopped the barking.

It was literally let the dog out to do her business. Dog sees strange people in the yard next door. Woof woof woof woof, going outside to get her, guy ready at fence with water gun. I like my normal neighbors too much to let my dog go out and and bark like a nutter and not stop her.

Hopefully I will have a chance to talk to them today.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Sounds like your neighbor has some odd house guests. I’d speak directly to the man with a sincere request to stop. I get that barking dogs might bother some people, but if yours are only doing it for a few minutes and are otherwise controlled, he’s being unreasonable.

If this fails, I’d put something up, at least temporarily, to block the fence. You could hang a big tarp in front of it, or (if it’s your fence) get those plastic slats that go through the chain links. And consider getting a 6 foot privacy fence.

 

[mco65]

Dogs and neighbors, i can do without either.
unfortunately i have both.