OP, I would call the non-emergency line of the police department and explain everything, and see if they can help you.

Anonymous wrote:Check out the leash law in your area.

Our dog was without a leash playing in the snow at the front yard. Our luck we were outside when the mailman was delivering mail. The 30 lb dog ran to the mailbox and was barking at the mailman.

The mailman called the Animal Control on us and not only we were fined a large amount we had to go to court because the mailman felt threaten and couldn't do his job.

In our case, the animal control showed up at our door 2 days later. Just check the leash law.

This is what is says: When off their owner's property, all dogs in XXXXXXXXX must be leashed and under control of the owner or another responsible person. The only exception to this law is if the dog is in a county-sanctioned, off-lead dog exercise area. The first violation is punishable by a $75 fine. A second offense $100, and fines for third and fourth offenses are $150 and $200, respectively.

Regardless, the practicality of calling animal control and having them show up while the guy's dogs are actually off-leash are slim. I just wish that he would be a good neighbor. We've tried asking politely, reminding him not so politely, warning him that we will report him, nothing works. That's why DH was taking a picture to give to the HOA so THEY could fine him. So far, I've only been present for one of the encounters with this guy. If I'm there next time I'll try to politely explain that we are not comfortable with him having his dogs loose and ask one more time that he put his dogs on leashes when my husband, myself, or my child is out at the same time as him. Though, that didn't work the first time my husband asked him. Maybe he'll listen to me? Then again, maybe that's too risky since he seems a little unhinged! I really just don't know how to handle the situation and it's giving me anxiety. Ugh. For now, if we cross paths I guess the smartest thing to do is just cross the street and go inside. Completely unfair, but I can't see how anything will not escalate the situation more.

I'm assuming you are in VA. Your city makes the law.

Summary: This Virginia statute provides that the governing body of any city may adopt regulations or ordinances requiring that dogs to be kept on a leash or otherwise restrained and may request the court to order a referendum as to whether any such ordinance so adopted shall become effective in the city. The results of the referendum shall not be binding upon the governing body of any such city but may be used in ascertaining the sense of the voters.


http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusvast3_1_796_95.htm

I have a neighbor like that too. She is a big activist with the Little Falls Watershed Alliance and has been campaigning for some new laws in the County to impose big fines on anyone leaving trash near our little neighborhood creek. But at the same time she lets her dog run in the creek chasing ducks, pooping, and scaring the neighborhood children. I don't think she even owns a leash. She decides what laws apply to her. What a bully!

Anonymous wrote:no assault but I would've told him he has 30 secs to move before you call the police and say he's threatening you...

this will only get worse, of course, with a twat like that.

I think that I have heard cases where blocking someone in deliberately = abduction. I think that is extreme, however. But if you live in a responsive jurisdiction and talk to the police, they might drive over and have a talk with him, which would probably help fix your leash problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use to walk our dog off the leash - neighbors called animal control on us multiple times.

The actual law in our area was that a dog had to always be "in control" like on a leash, behind a fence, etc.

We actually trained our dog and he did not chase anything. I find dogs on a leash non trained more dangerous their leash wrapping around people and tripping kids.

Good Luck but I doubt you have an actual case.

It's not about having a case. I do realize there is not much we can do other than have the HOA slap a fine on him for doing it, I'm just most concerned about his aggressive behavior. He's a psycho. Thanks for your concern You sound like a wonderful neighbor. why on earth wouldn't you just put your dogs on a leash while walking them if they are so well behaved? Especially since your neighbors asked you to. The leash shouldn't be a problem. I just don't get it, at all.

I know you don't get it. Actually after about a year of all these people would finally say - okay i give - how did you train him. I off the leash trained my dog - not on the leash trained him - so actually he was a nightmare on a leash - the leash got under his legs it would trip people - it would wrap around others.

The same people that complain about my dog - have kids that cut through my yard to get to the playground and guess what - I don't report them or yell at the kids - they stop pet the dog - and run on through - good fences and good leashes don't always make good neighbors.

You should have trained your dog on his leash. It is not impossible and you're irresponsible for not doing so. None of us know you or your dog, and we have no reason to trust your training....especially when you exhibit behavior like our neighbor did. He's unstable, I assume his dogs are as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use to walk our dog off the leash - neighbors called animal control on us multiple times.

The actual law in our area was that a dog had to always be "in control" like on a leash, behind a fence, etc.

We actually trained our dog and he did not chase anything. I find dogs on a leash non trained more dangerous their leash wrapping around people and tripping kids.

Good Luck but I doubt you have an actual case.

It's not about having a case. I do realize there is not much we can do other than have the HOA slap a fine on him for doing it, I'm just most concerned about his aggressive behavior. He's a psycho. Thanks for your concern You sound like a wonderful neighbor. why on earth wouldn't you just put your dogs on a leash while walking them if they are so well behaved? Especially since your neighbors asked you to. The leash shouldn't be a problem. I just don't get it, at all.

I know you don't get it. Actually after about a year of all these people would finally say - okay i give - how did you train him. I off the leash trained my dog - not on the leash trained him - so actually he was a nightmare on a leash - the leash got under his legs it would trip people - it would wrap around others.

The same people that complain about my dog - have kids that cut through my yard to get to the playground and guess what - I don't report them or yell at the kids - they stop pet the dog - and run on through - good fences and good leashes don't always make good neighbors.

Check out the leash law in your area.

Our dog was without a leash playing in the snow at the front yard. Our luck we were outside when the mailman was delivering mail. The 30 lb dog ran to the mailbox and was barking at the mailman.

The mailman called the Animal Control on us and not only we were fined a large amount we had to go to court because the mailman felt threaten and couldn't do his job.

In our case, the animal control showed up at our door 2 days later. Just check the leash law.

Anonymous wrote:We use to walk our dog off the leash - neighbors called animal control on us multiple times.

The actual law in our area was that a dog had to always be "in control" like on a leash, behind a fence, etc.

We actually trained our dog and he did not chase anything. I find dogs on a leash non trained more dangerous their leash wrapping around people and tripping kids.

Good Luck but I doubt you have an actual case.

It's not about having a case. I do realize there is not much we can do other than have the HOA slap a fine on him for doing it, I'm just most concerned about his aggressive behavior. He's a psycho. Thanks for your concern You sound like a wonderful neighbor. why on earth wouldn't you just put your dogs on a leash while walking them if they are so well behaved? Especially since your neighbors asked you to. The leash shouldn't be a problem. I just don't get it, at all.

We use to walk our dog off the leash - neighbors called animal control on us multiple times.

The actual law in our area was that a dog had to always be "in control" like on a leash, behind a fence, etc.

We actually trained our dog and he did not chase anything. I find dogs on a leash non trained more dangerous their leash wrapping around people and tripping kids.

Good Luck but I doubt you have an actual case.

Anonymous wrote:sometimes I hate America. the guy is walking his dogs, leave him alone! jesus h. christ ....

who really cares about the stupid leash?

And we're just trying to walk to our cars, leave our house, play in OUR front yard, without having to worry about his dogs. He should leave US alone.

Anonymous wrote:No, it's not assault, as it didn't involve touching. But I can see how it's freaky. Call the police non-emergency line and see if you can get a friendly officer to come by and give you some tips about how to handle it. Don't get all worked up and drop words like "assault," just calmly explain your situation and see if they can help. I bet they will have some ideas.

Well, actually, assault doesn't have to involve touching, but it does require that the accused person intend to touch you. So, no not assault. False imprisonment, perhaps, since he was blocking DH from moving. But, yeah, it was more the fact that he was being pretty aggressive that freaked us out.

sometimes I hate America. the guy is walking his dogs, leave him alone! jesus h. christ ....

who really cares about the stupid leash?

No, it's not assault, as it didn't involve touching. But I can see how it's freaky. Call the police non-emergency line and see if you can get a friendly officer to come by and give you some tips about how to handle it. Don't get all worked up and drop words like "assault," just calmly explain your situation and see if they can help. I bet they will have some ideas.

Anonymous wrote:I feel for you op, we were at the park when DS ran up to a dog off leash at the playground. The owner had the nerve to walk up and tell me my son who is 2 really shouldn't walk up to strange dogs. It was standing next to him at the slide-again-off leash. What did she expect kids at the park to do??

I've had a somewhat similar experience. A neighbor's visitor brought a large dog and left it unleashed in my building's front yard. My kid and I were just trying to pass on our way out the door... through property of which we own a share and doggie mommy owns none. This lady warns me that the dog is not good with children, which is a reasonable safety tip, of course, except that having the animal under firm control is HER responsibility!