Neighbor's Dog In Our Yard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fence your property.

OP here.

No. It's 41 acres. We aren't spending 100k to put up a fence to keep out trespassers. I'll shoot their dog first. And no, they do not clean up after their dog.

I’m sure you’re just being over the top but threatening their dog makes you sound unstable. They 100% should not be letting it roam but it’s an owner issue not reason to kill the dog.

Will you also be killing the deer, fox, rabbits, and every other animal that use the bathroom on your 41 acres?

Maybe a simple conversation with them about the dog would resolve the issue.

I’m from the country and a lot of people let dogs roam and a lot of people will even hunt through your property if their are no signs up

This. It is commonplace for local neighboring dogs (not wild abandoned dogs) to roam in the country.
Where I lived in Maryland you asked the landowner (typically a farmer) if you could hunt on the property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in the country in rural western Maryland and I've lived in the country in the rural eastern shore of Maryland.

Roaming dogs, owned by local neighbors, are pretty common in rural country areas.

Country people don't typically leash and walk their dogs like city people.

And the laws reflect that. Here they are for Rappahannock. So this is your answer, OP if you want to be legal about it you need to follow the steps to have the dog banned and start reporting each time it broaches your property. https://ecode360.com/8806651#8806651


§ 65-2Dogs.(Running at large)
A.
The owner or custodian of a dog shall not permit it to run at large off the property of the owner or custodian unless the dog:
(1) Is wearing a valid dog license tag; and
(2) Has a currently effective rabies vaccination.
B.
A "currently effective rabies vaccination" means the expiration date on the certificate of vaccination for the dog has not yet passed.

Trespassing Dogs
§ 65-7Statutory authority.
This article is adopted pursuant to the authority of Code of Virginia, §§ 3.2-6538 and 3.2-6539. The Board of Supervisors finds that dogs that trespass on land from which they were banned by the landowner (prohibited lands) constitute a category of dogs whose ability to run at large on those prohibited lands should be restrained.
§ 65-8Notice to owner.

Any landowner who does not want the dog(s) of another person to run at large on his or her property may give a written notice to the owner of said dog(s) to keep them off the landowner's property. Such notice shall describe the property with such clarity as to put the owner of the dog(s) on notice as to the location of the prohibited lands. The written notice may be served by the Sheriff of Rappahannock County upon payment of a service fee, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

§ 65-9Violations and penalties.
It is a violation of this article for any dog owner who has received the written notice referred to in § 65-8 to allow his or her dog or dogs to go upon the property referred to in the written notice. There shall be a civil penalty of $150 for each violation of this article. An animal control officer or law enforcement officer may issue a summons for a violation. Any person summoned may make an appearance, in person or in writing by mail, to the Clerk of the General District Court of Rappahannock County prior to the date fixed for trial in court. Any person so appearing may enter a waiver of trial, admit liability, and pay the civil penalty established for the offense charged. (Note: See § 3.2-6543, Code of Virginia.) Nothing in this article shall prevent a landowner from proceeding against the owner of any trespassing dog for damages or injunctive relief.
§ 65-10through § 65-13 (Reserved)

§ 65-14Killing or seizure of dogs attacking livestock.
Nothing in this article shall prevent the killing of any dog found in the act of killing or injuring livestock or poultry or chasing livestock on land utilized by the livestock under circumstances harmful to the livestock, or prevent the seizure of such dog by the Animal Warden as provided by 3.2-6552 of the Code of Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say something to them firmly and respectfully the first time. Are there leash laws where you are? If so, remind them. The next time put it in writing. We have entitled older neighbors who cause a lot of drama in other ways and they who constantly let their dog poop right on the border of our land and HOA land. I can't tell them not to on HOA land, but when I catch it, I stand there and watch to make sure it gets cleaned up. I also have needed to remind them multiple times of leash laws. Ever since I started speaking up firmly, but respectfully, they stopped asking for favors.

So I just looked up leash laws for the county and they're pretty interesting, basically the opposite of a leash law. The regs are written with the underlying assumption dogs will be pretty free roaming and can go onto anyone's property at any time. If you don't want this, you can petition the county for banned dog exemption (for a specific dog) after which they can be fined $150 for each violation. You are also required to clearly mark and define your property to make it clear to the owner where your property starts and ends. That would be a lot on 41 acres. You can shoot a dog only if actively in the act of killing livestock.

Just ask the neighbors to pick it up if they see it, but this is clearly just how it goes out there.

OP, Not sure if this is for your county but you need to look up the leash laws for your county also.

[Anonymous]

You should start taking craps on their lawn.

[Anonymous]

Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should start taking craps on their lawn.

walking 40ac to drop off dog sh*t? you do you i guess

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

OP is 3 generations deep. Dog shitting neighbors are newbies. Try and keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

OP is 3 generations deep. Dog shitting neighbors are newbies. Try and keep up.

No. OP doesn’t live there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

OP is 3 generations deep. Dog shitting neighbors are newbies. Try and keep up.

No. OP doesn’t live there

Tax records say otherwise. I love that it makes you angry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should start taking craps on their lawn.

walking 40ac to drop off dog sh*t? you do you i guess

40 acres of lawn??

None of the 8 or so farm dogs we had over the years ever crapped on the lawn. They'd go in the woods or in the weeds. Nobody taught them this. Even in my yard, my dog prefers to go to the line of trees along the property line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not unless they don't pick up after their dog. If they don't clean up after their dog i would take a picture and text them to clean it up.

Don't burn the bridge.

Burn it. I would tell them that I prefer they not trespass on my land. Let them know you have cameras that have recorded them on your property. Mention that they need to keep control of their dog. I tolerated someone constantly trespassing on my property and they started vandalizing - for no reason - my property. It will only start a feud if they are terrible people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

OP is 3 generations deep. Dog shitting neighbors are newbies. Try and keep up.

No. OP doesn’t live there

Tax records say otherwise. I love that it makes you angry.

Tax records say you own it, not where you live. Although some prominent GOPs have used tax records to vote where they don't live but own property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see three options.

1. Shoot the dog.
2. Trap the dog and relocate 100 miles away.
3. Place poison stations where the dog shits.

I'd probably go with number 2 and just feign ignorance if they ever ask you about it.

If you shoot a dog get ready to get shot.
Live by the sword and you die by the sword.

Now we've found the psycho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country ways are not city ways. In the country dogs, cats, even cows and horses poop wherever the urge hits. By and large cows and horses are penned and dogs and cats are free range. To complain about the dog and the people trespassing to get their dog is petty and you will have the reputation of being "the nasty city folks."

In both the long and short range this is truly a nothing burger.

OP is 3 generations deep. Dog shitting neighbors are newbies. Try and keep up.

No. OP doesn’t live there

Tax records say otherwise. I love that it makes you angry.

It doesn’t make me angry. Op owns the house. Big deal. I also own two homes.

[Anonymous]

Assuming all these nasty comments are from OP throughout the thread, I think we can all agree that these neighbors and their dog are heroes for messing with him!