Concern about neighbors entering my yard while searching for lost dog?

[Anonymous]

Earlier today, my camera alerted me to someone knocking on my front door. It turned out to be a neighbor I recognize (though I’ve never met) looking for a lost dog. A group of about six people were helping search — again, all familiar faces from the area, not strangers or anyone suspicious in that sense.

I let them know we weren’t home and didn’t have the dog. But later, my camera showed the group going into my backyard, and they’ve returned multiple times. They look around, climb up onto my deck, and even peer into my windows.

I completely understand how stressful it is to lose a pet, but I’m really uncomfortable with people entering my property like this, especially repeatedly and without permission. I was not able to respond live each time, and I’m worried this could keep happening if the dog isn’t found soon.

I don’t want to escalate things unnecessarily, but I also don’t want people entering my yard again. Would it be unreasonable to contact the police, or is there a better way to address this with the neighbors? I have to jump on a call soon and won’t be home until later. I’m live watching and can see them still out and about.

[Anonymous]

I would think it really weird if a neighbor was that paranoid about my being in their yard. My neighbors would definitely be welcome in my yard to look for a lost pet or recover an errant soccer ball. Looking in our windows is weird, iso at the most I might say something about that, but reallly I would let this go. Honestly if someone were that concerned about privacy I’d be a little worried they have someone tied up in their basement.

[Anonymous]

You are being cruel. They are looking for a lost dog, not casing your house. Unless you have reason to think they re up to something nefarious or you live in a bad neighborhood you might try to be a little more neighborly.

[Anonymous]

It’s weird that they’ve come back multiple times

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think it really weird if a neighbor was that paranoid about my being in their yard. My neighbors would definitely be welcome in my yard to look for a lost pet or recover an errant soccer ball. Looking in our windows is weird, iso at the most I might say something about that, but reallly I would let this go. Honestly if someone were that concerned about privacy I’d be a little worried they have someone tied up in their basement.

It’s definitely the climbing up to peer into my windows that has me a little creeped out. I don’t mind them in my yard, but I don’t know why they need to keep looking in when they know I’m not home.

[Anonymous]

Won't you be home soon anyways? Just wait and go talk to them in person. I completely understand being uncomfortable, but calling the police on them will absolute ruin your reputation in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why they’re coming up onto your back deck and even peering in your windows, unless the dog has a tracking device that’s indicating it’s at your house. Sometimes my phone shows my iPad’s location as being one or two houses down, even though I have it right here in my own house, so sometimes the technology doesn’t have pinpoint precision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that they’ve come back multiple times

This, and peering into the windows. As if they suspect she’s hiding the dog.
Odd. I would tell them going on your property is making you uncomfortable and you will let them know if you see the dog.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors’ dog once wandered into my garage. Fortunately, I saw it and didn’t close the door with him still in there. Any chance your neighbor’s dog actually is somewhere on your property?

[Anonymous]

It probably has an air tag that shows the dog on your property. And they think you're a serial dog eater. Jane Dahmer.

[Anonymous]

It crosses some boundaries & I would be annoyed but I wouldn’t call the police on a neighbor for this. Obviously they are just trying to find their dog.

If they come when you are home, I’d just tell them nicely that you have NOT seen the dog and will let them know if you do. And to please stay out of your yard.

[Anonymous]

They are worried sick about the dog, who may be wandering around the neighborhood and thus could be in your yard even if the dog wasn't there the first time they checked.

I would offer to help them find the dog when you get home. Or, if you don't have time, I would let it slide.

[Anonymous]

I'm a dog lover, but they are crossing a line. They should not be going on your deck and looking in your windows. I would just get home and ask the why they keep returning and ask them to stop being so intrusive.

[Anonymous]

OP do you have a crawl space like under a porch a critter could get into? I agree with PPs that the dog's airtag is showing it in your vicinity. A nearby storm drain?

[Anonymous]

Update! The dog was found! (Not in my house lol)