Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: Pennyfarthing on October 27, 2013, 07:25:11 PM
-
There is a cottage next to our house which was sold a few months ago and is now rented out. When the owners were buying us they popped us a note through and asked us to ring them re a few questions they had about the property and we (being nice neighbours :)) rang them and helped as much as we could.
We have lived here for about 22 years and its very quiet and we love it. However, the couple they have rented to have a large German Shepherd (young one) and no garden. All they have is a small area about 3 feet wide and maybe 15 feet long in front of the house. There is a wall about 3 ft high separating it from the lane. They let the dog in that tiny area while they are outside smoking but it's not on a lead and now it's got used to its new home its barking if I walk past or am on my drive. It's also jumping up and putting its feet on the wall.
Although I have always had dogs I am really scared of large dogs I don't know and barking ones even more so. We have said hello to them - he says hello but she doesn't even look at us and goes indoors. One day my hubby mentioned to the guy that there are some lovely walks around here but we've never seen them take the dog out. I counted 8 BIG dog poos in that little area today. >:(
I am cross that the landlords allowed them to live there with no garden and a huge dog and I am worried in case the dog jumps over the wall at me. I will die on the spot! Because she is not approachable I can't really speak to her and tell her I am worried. I have a phone number for the owner but hubby seems to think they will just say hard luck. Any ideas welcome.
-
I wish I could come up with a great idea for you but to my mind you have three options.
Phone the landlord and tell him your concerns.
Speak to the man next door and try and make friends with the dog and then you could be met with a waggy tail rather than a bark. Also carry some doggy treats and throw one for the dog so it chases it and you become a welcome sight.
Lastly, build a fence so you can't see the dog and it can't see you.
As long as it's doing its duties in its own garden and not yours that's a bonus.
Having rubbish neighbours can be hell. I do know...I sold my last place because of all the trouble I had. It would have made your hair curl.
Honeyb
X
-
Sorry to hear you are having problems. They must be getting annoyed at their own dog being cooped up in a small area also...if not now, then probably soon. An unhappy, barking dog can be a nuisance.
I like honeybun's idea of the dog treat! At least the dog might stop barking at you and annoying you when you are out.
The landlord's probably won't have much control unless they can evict them, which may be prevented by law for this sort of thing? But, maybe they don't even know that they have a dog, or it could be denied in the lease? In that case, you will be informing the landlord of something they need to know.
A
-
I would phone the owners. Most rentals don't allow pets these days. My husband looks after quite a few for the owner who is abroad & non take pets but they all sneak them in. They will get a letter saying to remove the dog or leave. Take a photo of all the poo too as it will prove to the landlord that they are not looking after the house, it will all get trodden back inside. Don't feel bad these people will probably not stay long anyway. Its not like they have bought the place & you have to put up with them forever. I think you will be doing the owner a favour. B x
-
Your post took me back to the early 90s, when the neighbours who shared our drive acquired 2 dogs. They were allowed to wander and foul in the drive, the road outside and even got into our garden. My children were young and I was constantly cleaning shoes. I have a problem with faeces anyway, so it was a nightmare. I complained, but got nowhere. I investigated getting help from the local council environmental department. I was told I had to have photographic evidence eg. the dog pooing and that the neighbours would be informed that I was the one complaining. In other words, they didn't want to know. Eventually, thank goodness, they moved. The new neighbours moved in with a fierce looking Doberman. My heart sank. I thought the problems would start again, but the first thing they did was put up high fences and dog proofed their garden. The dog was lovely.
-
Thanks for all your suggestions. We saw the ad for the house online and it did say dss and pets considered so that in itself was a warning to us of what we might expect.
I don't want to start throwing chews for the dog because the owners might not want it being fed and also that would mean I would always have to carry some ..... Imagine if one day I had none to give it!!
Because of the position of the house it would not be possible for them to put fences or anything higher up but that dog could be over there in a flash if it wanted to.
It's a private lane so no traffic goes through here ... We might just get a delivery van now and then. However a lot of people walk through here every day to get to the churchyard, school, shops etc so I am hoping that if it scares other people they will say something.
-
I am not brave enough to try befriending it but dd did try. It just growled at her so I've told her not to try again.
-
10 big piles of dogs mess today which is literally just a few feet away from my drive and where I get in and out of my car.
-
Get the hose out and hose it down do it if you can when they are home
If they come out smile and say sorry but doggy poos make me sick and smile
Id be carrying tits bits not everytime but enough for the dog to know you
I they complain say nicely your scared and tohught getting to know the dog better
Would be better than informing RSCPA it cant get worse failing that complain to CBA
-
A lot of discussion about neighbour's dog poo on Netmums http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/house-garden-194/garden-plants-animals-610/714610-neighbour-reported-dog-poop-back-garden-all.html
Taz
-
A lot of discussion about neighbour's dog poo on Netmums http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/house-garden-194/garden-plants-animals-610/714610-neighbour-reported-dog-poop-back-garden-all.html
Taz
Thank you Taz - am wading my way through that! Someone mentioned Environmental Health maybe I could speak to them. My gut instinct is to speak to the Landlords but DH seems to think they'll tell me to get lost. I do believe in nipping probs in the bud. I can only see this getting worse. In the warmer weather this mess will stink. I am even wondering whether the Landlords know they have such a huge dog in a property with no garden to speak of.
As my DD said, how can that big dog weave in and out of the poos when it's ready to do another one? It will soon be treading it in to the house and I know for sure the landlord had the carpet replaced in the lounge before they moved in.
-
I have five mini dachshunds penny farthing & if I didn't pick up straight away they would be treading in it & bringing it in which is just horrible. Sounds like the dog is coming straight into the carpet area too if its out at the front of the house so no bleachabale floor. If it runs to bark at people it will not be looking where it is going.....yuck! This is my job so I am very used to poo but I say there is nothing worse than a poo with a doggy footprint in it or half a poo (other half eaten by doggy!) Bev x
-
Dogs generally avoid their own mess if they can.
It's really not nice for you but I don't think you would have much luck with environmental health.
In my last house....well it was a flat, there was a courtyard next to my private bit of garden. The courtyard was shared by quite a few flats. It was a Victorian property and the rights of way were very confused. The courtyard was where the bins were kept. One neighbour thought it was just fine not to use her bin and food was just thrown in the general direction. I asked nicely for months but eventually got in touch with EH. They had a word but that was it. She cleared up for a bit and then was back to her old ways.
The sad thing is some people just don't care. They are happy to live like that and no matter what we say nothing happens.
Can you find out from the landlord how long they are staying for.
You might only have to put up with it for 6 months.
Honeyb
X
-
Why don't you make a call to environmental health just to see what the position is? You would then know whether to contact the landlord or not. It would save all of this worrying as to what to do and who might say what? At least you would know where you stand legally.
Taz :)
-
By Law they should take the dog for walks daily. Dogs have to be kept and allowed to follow what they would do 'naturally', apparently ::) Wish I lived closer <sigh> as I am never afraid of large dogs and would soon have this one particularly if it is young, eating out of my hand and not eating my hand ;)
When they are in the garden give a wave and ask more questions about the dog. How old, were there many in the litter, were they all the same colouring, do they clean the dog's teeth ........ most owners like to talk about 'our' dogs :D ........ also have a word with the owners of the property to see if they are aware of such a large dog in a small space. Are they English speaking, perhaps that is why the woman disappears inside if her English skills are poor, or perhaps she thinks you are going to complain ::)
You could also ask your local Vet to come along and befriend the dog over the fence, the owners don't nee dto know he/she is a Vet. but it will give you an idea as to how friendly this GS is likely to be. However, I would be pretty miffed if a dog barked at me when I was in my garden ..........
-
Never heard of that law CLKD. Is it in English law only. I think it nonsense. Some days I don't walk my dog, in fact in the winter if we have days on end of rain she just does not get walked. She hates the rain and despite having her own coat just refuses to budge. We have a reasonable size garden and she can go out whenever she wants. So if it was the law here then I am guilty.
Honeyb
X
-
I hope that you don't think I am nonsense? :-\ A Law was amended: in 2008 I think : .......... my brain is so addled that I can't remember which but words were added in order to try to avoid dogs in particular being shut up for hours alone, or chained in yards rather than being exercised. Probably in the early hours I will remember ::) .......... I know my spaniel would see what the cat was doing, if he stayed indoors she was reluctant to go for a walk ....... I think she could smell the rain :D .......
The RSPCA still however, say that it is OK to have a dog chained, alone for hours on end as long as there is shelter and fresh water :'(
Here we are: suddenly came to me - " Animal Welfare Act 2006 " - haven't had time to scan through it yet ::)
-
I will have a look as I can't quite believe it and if it is a law it is nonsense.
How on earth do you enforce that. How about all the little old ladies (my mother included) who can't walk their companion dogs. These dogs are treated better than most children.
Absolute rubbish.
Honeyb
X
-
Are you thinking of this CLKD http://www.endangereddogs.com/DogLaw_Welfare.htm
Taz
-
That all sounds great to me.
Don't see the walking bit though.
My mother's dog is blind and does really well in her own environment but when you take her out on the lead she panics. She is happy pottering around the garden sniffing all the smells and with the wind in her hair. No walks but one happy contented unwalked little dog.
Honeyb
X
-
I couldn't see anything about having to walk a dog either although, obviously, for most dogs they do love to get out and about but as you say, Honeybun, how on earth would it be policed?
Taz x
-
Perhaps another thread, I didn't mean to start controversy :-\
What will PennyFarthing decide to do? Is it a shared area where the dog leaves mess? Was the property let via an agent or directly with the owners? If directly then speaking with them first; let them know that there is a problem with a potential to become an environmental health dept. issue?
-
I know this does not help but.......... I had neighbours once who had 3 big dogs (great danes), 1 medium size dog, multiple cats, a rabbit, some birds and a sheep! And they all did their business in their back garden which was about 15feet by 12 feet. The sheep was lonely so they bought it a goat to keep it company. I kid you not! They never cleaned up after the animals so you can imagine the smell! The Environment people were not interested - they told me to contact the SSPCA. Fortunately they moved........
Bramble
-
The area is at the front of the house CLKD
"We have lived here for about 22 years and its very quiet and we love it. However, the couple they have rented to have a large German Shepherd (young one) and no garden. All they have is a small area about 3 feet wide and maybe 15 feet long in front of the house. There is a wall about 3 ft high separating it from the lane. They let the dog in that tiny area while they are outside smoking but it's not on a lead and now it's got used to its new home its barking if I walk past or am on my drive. It's also jumping up and putting its feet on the wall"
Taz x
-
My boy dachshunds have five legs so won't go out in the rain or snow ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Difficult one, but here's what I would do:
If like here, council libraries and leisure centres have dog poo bags which are free - collect some for them and give to them saying since they are new to the area you picked up some for them and advise where to get them. You could ask a bit about the dog at the same time, so they don't think you are unfriendly, but at least with the woman not trying to be friendly, you don't have to worry about upsetting them, it would be more difficult if you were scared of hurting their feelings. In my experience of dogs they bark because they are frightened or are protecting their territory, but most dogs like to be talked to so you could try talking to it to get it used to you without having to go as far as clapping it.
-
Hi i have a property that i rent out, and i certainly would like to know if my tennants were upsetting the neighbours. Although i would not allow pets as some peoples idea of cleaning is differant to others. Hopefully the land lord would talk to these people about your concerns. He may be glad to hear from you as they may be neglecting his property. There are so many rules as regards what landlords can and cant do now adays it could be difficult for him to remove them befor the end of their contract, but most landlords only rent for six months to start with until they get to know the tennant. Hopefully he will understand your problem and if he does speak to them they in return will also understand. Have you thought what you would do if the people living there owned it and were not renting it, as you wouldnt then have a third party to go to you would have to speak to them direct.Good luck with what ever you decide to do as it isnt a nice postion to be in.
-
Thanks Taz ........... lots of good pointers here.
Big dogs will lean on walls in order to have a good sniff of the air and to see what is on the other side. ::) small ones will jump to see if they ever get to see over the top - our Great Dane only needed to lean her head on the wall ;) ..........
Wish I lived closer :-\
-
Hubby says they have cleaned up most of the mess. Why wait until there is such a huge build up? I just don't get it. No doubt the same thing will happen again.
I am still deciding what to do. I really feel I will have to contact the landlord because I never see them so can't discuss it with them. Hubby seems to think that they are just glad to have the rent money coming in every month and won't be bothered but I really feel threatened by this great dog when it's out there. Last night I went out and had to get in my car and drive within about 3 feet of it and it watches me like a hawk and there is no way I would dare to walk past it.
-
Pennyfarthing - you haven't been able to speak to your neighbours so I think you have to speak to the landlord. It's not right that you are getting threatened while you walk on YOUR drive. Citizens advice bureau may have some ideas or the RSPCA.
-
If the Landlord is renting legally then there should be a Tenancy Agreement. Usually a let is initially for 6 months and then on a rolling 1-month let/notice period. The dog probably isn't going to do anything but the fact that you don't like dogs and this is a large breed, means a word with the Landlord is the way to go who may have put the whole issue into a Letting Agency .......... even so, who ever owns the property ought to know the situation.