Dog Lovers Discuss Whether Neighbors Have Right To Ask Owners To Keep Their Dogs Indoors During Neighbors' Outdoor Activities

In this discussion, people are talking about what a neighbor can do when it comes to controlling someone else's dog.

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• Published in Interesting
• May 11, 2024

Being a responsible dog owner includes being aware of dog laws in your country and local area ordinances. By following these regulations, you help maintain a peaceful community. 

Not doing so can lead to inconvenience for your neighbors. Aside from the required paperwork, the most common rule among all places is leash laws.

Let's remember that not everyone is a fan of animals or comfortable with them being around in homes or cars. Moreover, most areas have rules mandating that dogs be on a leash or under control when outside of your property.

This helps prevent them from causing disruptions or getting into harm’s way. It's a way to show consideration for others and ensure your pet's safety too.

Some folks have fears or allergies related to pets. That's why we should do our part and respect the boundaries of these people.

In case of a dog bite, seek immediate medical help and report the incident to the authorities to ensure public safety. Remember, responsible pet ownership benefits everyone in the community.

On Quora, there was a discussion about what actions a neighbor can take regarding someone else's dogs. Here's the question that sparked the conversation:

Is it considered acceptable for a neighbor to request that you put your dogs inside while they are playing outside? Is there a common understanding or expectation regarding this situation?

It's better to deal with a communicating neighbor than a passive-aggressive one.

Is it acceptable for your neighbor to communicate a wish to you? Yes.

Actually preferable to their passive aggressively taking action or foolishly being outright mean. A neighbor is within their rights to ask what they wish.

You are within your rights to refuse on the grounds you can have your dogs out as you wish. What do you really want to know? Rather you are a jerk if you don't do as asked? Possibly.

Did you counter with a request to know what the issue was? Maybe your dogs are loud.

I have neighbors with small dogs that non stop bark, they preemptively call their dogs in the minute the little barkers start up because they are considerate owners. I don't need to ask them and as a dog owner I'm not bothered by them most times but do appreciate their being good owners.

Perhaps your dogs are disruptive, or perhaps they are large dogs or perhaps the neighbor is just afraid of dogs. All this can be true and while you have the right to leave your dogs out whenever you like it's considerate and kind to work out a schedule with the neighbor to prevent issues.

Let's not pretend issues cannot occur. Dogs get out of fences, kids stupidly do dumb things to tease dogs through fences, hands do git bit through fence openings ECT.

Things happen all the time including kids being maimed in their own yard by neighbors dogs who “ wouldn't hurt a fly”

Compromise with the neighbor is important, because at the end of the day, not doing something about might risk the life of one's dog.

Guess who ends up being euthanized when things go wrong? Yep the dog.

So while you are within your rights to leave Fido out whenever you choose that does not make it responsible or intelligent to do so. It's far better to work out a compromise where Fido gets time in his yard separate from annoying kids and kids get time out without Fido in the picture with any times where all must be out supervised by adults and everyone kept separate.

No one will care about Fido's yard rights if things go bad, no one. Use common sense.

Just because you can do a thing does not make it wise to do that thing. You are far better off addressing the issue at hand, train your dogs to not bark or put them inside, train them to not approach the fence on that side or put them in. Stand outside and be a responsible owner supervising your dogs or take them in.

How is it even a question of rather the neighbors concern for their child's welfare warrants concern?

It's really up to the dog owner whether they'll comply with the neighbor or not.

It’s generally always acceptable to ask your neighbor for a favor: in this case, bringing your dogs inside while they (your neighbor) are playing outside. It’s also generally always acceptable to refuse a favor: in this case, letting your dogs stay outside.

There is no common expectation that people automatically comply with favors asked by neighbors.

If the dog heads over to the neighbor's yard, they are well within their rights to ask the owner to control their dog.

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to control your animals. If your dogs are going onto your neighbors’ property and preventing their use and enjoyment of their property, then they have every right to ask you to control them, whether that means putting them in the house, the garage, or in your fenced yard.

If the dog stays within the owner's property, there's nothing much the neighbor can do.

need more details: is there a fence? is it day or night time?

do the dogs bark or rush the border aggressively?

Generally speaking, you can’t legally do anything that will stop your neighbor from enjoying their own property, and they can’t do anything that will stop you from enjoying yours. So an apparently aggressive dog that crosses an un-fenced border is an issue, as is a dog that barks at the neighbor the whole time they are in their yard (whether or not there is a fence).

A dog that howls all night is an issue.

You can use this as a chance to educate your neighbors and their children about dogs - if they are willing - But you can’t force information on a frightened child or parent.

Also, for all you know the neighbor is aware that their child is aggressive towards animals, and is trying to protect your animals from their children.

If the dog stays within the owner's fenced yard, then this kind of request from the neighbor is unreasonable.

No, if your dogs are in your fenced yard it is an unreasonable request. Maybe you should ask them to stay inside while your dogs are outside.

As long as the dog is in the yard and doesn't bark too much, there's hardly anything the neighbor can do.

No. Not unless your dogs are making so much noise the neighbors can't think. Keep your dogs in your yard and reasonably quiet.

That's all they can expect.

The owner needs to do something about their dog if it approaches neighbors aggressively.

Are your dogs out of control or do you not keep on a leash? dogs are always supposed to be on a leash and preferably in your own backyard.

Has your dog ever threatened to bite and or bitten someone such as a young child or an adult? Think about it and you’ll understand why.

There's nothing that the neighbor can do if the dog is well-behaved within a fenced property. But if the neighbor is not comfortable with dogs and it even approaches the neighbor and their family, then the owner should comply because they're clearly not controlling their dog properly.

Responsible pet ownership includes ensuring the comfort and safety of neighbors, even if it requires adjustments on the owner's part.

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