Helpful and neighborly suggestions, please. (environment, job, health)

[House4Sale]

Basically, I like my most of my neighbors but one let's his huge dog deposit fecal matter on the lawn (along our drive) where I get in and out of my car. Being it's FL, the sun bakes the stuff and it stinks...not to mention the germ carrying flies the piles generate. I can't tolerate this any longer but I don't want to start anything. Other than this and some minor issues, I am good to go.

Now, so far, I've sprayed the piles with disinfectant and took a hoe or shovel and flicked the stuff back on his lawn. That helped for about a week, now he's doing it again.

My faults would be: I've four spayed/neutered cats which I rescued when area humane societies would not take them. They were born outdoors and are use to it. The poor mother brought them into our garage as the "humans" who owned the cat abused and neglected her litter. Arrgh. Anyway, my cats wander but part of the day they stay in the house and yard. I also WAS feeding strays that this 'hood let accumulate (before we got here) in my hopes of eventually trapping and having SPCA pick them up and have them dealt with humanely. This cost us $40. for a humane trap and it seems this is now my job. To fix a problem that started before we moved here.

I do not feed the strays any longer for two neighbors said it's my fault that the cats came out but even though I'm an animal lover and cannot let animals starve and multiply, I've stopped feeding them. We just moved here in late October. The strays were here before we arrived.

I'm not perfect but I'm not mean-spirited. I get along w/most my other neighbors and I don't feel I should have to deal with the fecal matter which is unhealthy and unsanitary. Why doesn't this "gentleman" have the dog do its thing on his own lawn?

Anyway, I could use suggestions and remedies re: this situation. Something I could implement w/o bothering this man about. I get it that he is not very friendly but yet no one else has this problem 'cause the dog does its thing near my drive. Help, please. I appreciate any helpful suggestions or impressions you may have.

Please be responsible pet owners and good neighbors.

[pianogal]

I would explain the situation to him gently....if you don't feel free speaking to him about it. Write a note, bake some cookies and take them with the note attached. If that doesn't work....then.....I would take my shovel...pick it up and deposit it by his front door!

[riveree]

You definitely need to talk to him. It is actually a serious matter - dog feces can make you very sick, there are often parasites in the feces and they can live in the soil for a few days even after the **** has been removed. Do some searching online and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Your neighbor is not up with the times. Dog feces DO NOT fertilize the lawn, they can actually kill the grass. They are SLOW to biodegrade. It is ILLEGAL in most states for him to allow his dog to **** on your lawn, he can be fined hundreds of dollars.

The longer the **** sits on your lawn, the more attracted that dog and others will be to that spot. While you are waiting for your neighbor to grow some manners, try squeezing some lemon juice onto that area of your lawn. It is harmless to the dog and it is one of the few things I've tried that actually does repel some dogs...most dogs (and cats) hate the smell of citrus.

Also helpful is black pepper or red pepper flakes (makes them sneeze).

Suggest for your neighbor to get a "Doggie Dooley" - it's a great way to take care of the dog waste and it is not harmful to the environment or to people (it's basically a very small natural septic system...costs about $40).

I am a dog lover, I have 2 myself, but I have zero tolerance for neighbors allowing their dog to **** on my lawn (I have been known to chase them down the street...but that's a different story!).

[tallrick]

Put up a fence, that will keep the dogs out.

[Racelady88]

Here is a link to a motion activated lawn sprinkler. It only runs for 3 seconds at a time, and is a wonderful deterrent.

http://www.provenrepellents.com/products.php?pid=169

[harry chickpea]

Had a similar problem with a neighbor. Contacted the city, was told it was against the ordinances for the dog to use the streets, swale, or private property. When he came around again with his dog, I told him I had a big problem with his dog c**ping on my property, and that I had two choices. I could either talk with him directly, or call the police every time it occurred.

His dog now c**ps on another neighbor's lawn.

In rural areas, uncontrolled dogs are often shot, as they worry livestock and are a danger to humans and wildlife.

Don't feed the feral cats. I could get into the whole ethics of it, but the bottom line is it isn't good for the environment or the cats.

[Donna-50]

Funny, I have the same problem with the people across the street. The father comes over and walks his dog on my yard when he gets the mail. We still have quite a few empty lots on our street and that is what the normal people use, but not him. I asked him a few times nicely not to do it. Finally went over there and spoke to the woman that lives there and I told her that I will be depositing it on her door step every time. Deal old dad forgets at times so they get it right at the door.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Put up a fence, that will keep the dogs out.

I think it's the front yard, Tallrick, and in many neighborhoods you're not allowed to put up a fence in the front yard.

I have a sidewalk in front of my house...I know all about the p**ps!

[House4Sale]

Your suggestions and support is salve for my soul as this thing is really bothering me, partic. the smell and the germs from the waste. And you are right, one pile seems to beget another. There are six there. What is wrong with this man...other than his parents raising an arrogant and rude son?

I did remember my mom saying pepper might help and I sprinkled some earlier but of course it blew around. I will also try the citrus idea and yes, the fence is not allowed on front lawn but maybe a hedge is in order.

I have stopped feeding the strays but earlier I did as to lure them into the Tender Trap. The SPCA will come for trapped animals. We have water restrictions so I can't do anything about a sprinkler as that was a good idea. Could wash some of that C**p away.

I am going to read over all your ideas and implement away. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!

[Karla with a K]

I have run into the problem here our dogs only use the back so when I find a "present" halfway up my lawn it makes me think some idoit must be walking up my lawn .
I would do what I heard someone did once put it in a box with a ribbon and put it by their front door with a note "your dog left me a present so I am returning it to you"
Is the dog on a leash when he does it or do they let him run free ? If it is on a leash how hard is it to carry a plastic bag to pick it up?