What to do about neighbors dogs? (Lawn: apartment complexes, rental, home)

[KELLY5768]

I'm at my wits end! I'm a dog lover however several of my neighbors are allowing their dogs to run loose. It would. A problem except I am constantly finding dog excrement on my front lawn. A few times on my back lawn which is a fenced area with gates and chicken wire on the gates. There is no way to lock gates. Who thinks it's okay to let themselves into someone's backyard to let their dog relieve themselves? I've followed a couple of the dogs and called animal control but I can watch my yard 24/7 I'm tired of cleaning up after someone else's pet. I have a five year old daughter that plays on this lawn. The law states the pets must be on leashes and the owners must clean up after these pets. Obviously calling animal control did not help so what can I do? Moving is not an option.

[JanND]

Have you talked to the owners at all?? Or is this not a friendly neighborhood?

It would be difficult to live with this blatant disrespect.

Can you install cameras? Then take them to court, or call authorities. Coming into your gates is trespassing. Have you got posted trespassing signs?

I have heard that some apartment complexes are doing DNA testing and pursuing action on residents who do not pick up after their dogs.

I personally wouldn't like the dogs running loose either. I sure hope that you get some resolution to this matter.

I sure empathize with you. I hope others have suggestions.

[stan4]

Lock your gates.
Think of using some deterrents. There are pop-up sprinklers, sprays, etc.

[skilo]

Originally Posted by JanND

Have you talked to the owners at all?? Or is this not a friendly neighborhood?

It would be difficult to live with this blatant disrespect.

Can you install cameras? Then take them to court, or call authorities. Coming into your gates is trespassing. Have you got posted trespassing signs?

I have heard that some apartment complexes are doing DNA testing and pursuing action on residents who do not pick up after their dogs.

I personally wouldn't like the dogs running loose either. I sure hope that you get some resolution to this matter.

I sure empathize with you. I hope others have suggestions.

DNA testing? Are you serious? Wouldn't that cost more time, effort, and money than just picking up the poop yourself?

[JanND]

Originally Posted by skilo

DNA testing? Are you serious? Wouldn't that cost more time, effort, and money than just picking up the poop yourself?

Guess you could Google it.

[KELLY5768]

We have tried to talk them but they stop and start again. It is also a large neighborhood with lots of dogs. I bought some deterrent to sprinkle in the lawn that's supposed to smell bad. I would just rip up the grass because that is what is attracting them but it's a rental home. Also animal control is not doing a whole lot about it. They want addresses and while I can give them some I'm not sure if they are the only ones. I'm close to putting the poop on their front doorstep. Also it's kind of hard know where they are coming from if I'm not home when it happens. I only know some because I saw the offending dog and followed them. But usually happens when I'm gone or in the middle of the night.

[Army_Guy]

My personal take: game camera and present the evidence to the police. Game cameras aren't expensive, IIRC.

If the police fail to act, call animal control and if they fail to act, the power of social media has proven to be a motivator.

[ognend]

Put in a game camera and if you notice someone in the yard call the police. They should be there within 5-10 minutes and with any luck the person will still be there. Nothing conveys the message better than being caught in flagranti - it will also serve as a warning to others who are doing the same thing.

Make sure you keep records of all interactions with the authorities (such as animal control) and present them to the officers who show up. This will add weight of prior attempts to resolve the matter, which have failed.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by Army_Guy

My personal take: game camera and present the evidence to the police. Game cameras aren't expensive, IIRC.

If the police fail to act, call animal control and if they fail to act, the power of social media has proven to be a motivator.

Really good suggestions.
I wonder....are they opening your gate to let their dogs in?? If there is an entrance folks are having to open....get those loud obnoxious door alarms....I've seen them in packs of 4 at cheap stores like dollar stores and Walmarts.
I think any loud noise will scare the dogs and act like a deterrent....it might make the neighbors think twice about breaking onto your property, especially if they sit off alarms.

[JanND]

Just did a search....This looks interesting, and well worth trying How to Keep Dogs & Cats from Pooping on Your Yard Don't skip the comments, very interesting too.

Chiptips.com or watch this video http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...n=related_test