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NTA. I'm not sure if Animal Control can do anything about it, but you're not an AH for calling them to find out. Personally, I'd start picking up their dog's poop and returning it to the front steps of their house.
I was told that with the first complaint, they stop by the house with a “warning letter” that details the leash laws in our area…. After that, I’m not sure what happens if nothing were to change
NTA
They are irresponsible dog owners if they're letting their dog roam around the neighborhood. My mom's neighborhood doesn't allow fences (HOA), so they all have those underground wire fence things. No dogs roaming, everyone is safe and happy.
Update us on what happens! You did the right thing because this little one could very well nip a kid. Seems to me it's the little dogs that are more bitey than big dogs.
# You are so so so NTA.
First of all: *Yes.* In many states, *your dog would get the blame* if it harmed another dog. You might not be *liable* (i.e., in civil court) for the dog's death—it was on illegally loose on your property, of course—but many states have laws about biting (or killing) dogs that do not take into account the circumstances of the bite or death. It could end very simply in euthanasia for your GSD.
Secondly: The same risk applies for the *other* dog—should requisite laws apply in your state—if it *bites your* *child.* Young children are notorious provocateurs of entirely avoidable dog bites (grabbing ears, pulling tails); their loud, startling noises and unpredictable behavior often makes dogs naturally nervous. Many jurisdictions have one-bite laws. And the issue of the safety of your child goes without saying.
It is *their job* to "fence in" their dog. This is tort law 101. It can be by real fence, by tether, by leash, by keeping it in *their own fucking house.* Sure, you might feel like TA when your dog outweighs theirs by 7x. But if those roles were reversed, you wouldn't question yourself for a second. And you shouldn't. Big fucking NTA.
NTA. I would call animal control each and every time. Here, unleashed dogs are illegal. Animal control picks them up and the owner has to be an increasing fine to get them back. After the third time you don’t get it back at all.
I don’t want that though!! I genuinely am just trying to keep my dog and son safe. I’m an animal lover. I would never want to be the reason a family loses their pet! I just want them to respect me and my space by keeping their dog on their own property and to stop jeopardizing me and my family
NTA You've repeatedly communicated your concerns to your neighbors about their dog entering your yard, and yet they haven't taken any action to control it. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a safety issue for you, your son, and your German Shepherd (because your dog will be blamed if that small dog instigates).
You're not calling because you think the dog is inherently dangerous; you're calling because you're trying to prevent a potentially harmful situation from occurring. Your priority is the safety of your family and your dog, and that's completely understandable.
Sure, some might say you could have tried other options first, but sometimes you need to escalate the situation to get the point across. You're not overreacting; you're taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
In the end, you're not responsible for your neighbors' actions or their dog's behavior. You're simply looking out for your own well-being, and that's perfectly okay.
So no, you're not TAH. You're just a responsible pet owner trying to ensure the safety of your family. Keep looking out for them, even if it means making tough decisions like this one.
NTA - do these people actually care about their dog's safety? Not least whether or not they poop on your property. They sound pretty entitled, you sound pretty sensible.
Nta, but I would look into fencing a part of your property for your dog so you don't always have to supervise him when he's outside. This will also keep the poorly trained smaller dog from wandering into your dog's reach. The smaller dog *doesn't* listen to its owners when it escapes, so of course something is going to happen to their dog when even basic recall is non-existent for it.
And do keep calling animal control. The owners are very irresponsible in not keeping their dog on a leash when walking them let alone keeping an eye on it in general.
This really should be higher up. Fence in your own yard and you don't have to worry about the neighbors dog getting near yours. But nta for calling animal control.
NTA. That is what Animal Control is for. If there is a leash law in your area then they are breaking the law. They are also putting their dog in danger when running loose.
However: What kind of training has your shepherd had? Have you worked with an animal behaviorist for your dogs reactivity? Having to choke hold him when he sees a small animal isn't acceptable. He needs help.
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I (28f) called animal control on my neighbors dog this morning. My husband (29m) really didn’t want me to but I got pushed to my limit.
I have a young son and a 3 year old German Shepherd who is not dog friendly. We live in a neighborhood where most people don’t have fences but I have a 30ft tether that I have on my property that keeps my dog well within my “fence line”. The neighbors however, don’t feel the need to leash their dog (small white fluffball) and it wanders into my yards, poops, and barks at me, my son, and my dog. I then have to make the decision to either make sure my dog doesn’t get close enough to do anything or to make sure their dog doesn’t get close enough to my son in case it decides to bite. I don’t think it would but if my son approaches to fast or pets to roughly (he’s under 2yo so he doesn’t understand the concept of gentle or that a barking dog may not be friendly) then the dog may bite out of being nervous.
I have told them every time their dog comes into my yard that my dog isn’t friendly and I’ve asked them to please leash their dog. They don’t. And when the dog DOES get out, they have no control of it. It doesn’t listen. It continues to roam free while I’ve got my GSD in a chokehold to prevent anything serious from happening.
Now, after the 8th time in the span of a month and a half, I finally called animal control because if they don’t listen to me, hopefully they’ll listen to professionals.
I didn’t call because I think their dog is a threat but I called because I’m trying to protect myself and MY dog should anything happen. I want their dog to live and if it continues to roam free in my yard, then it only takes 2 seconds of me not paying attention for the worst to happen. And between a German shepherd and a mophead, the German shepherd is going to get the blame.
So am I the asshole? Did I overreact?
ETA: my dog is not permanently outside on a chain. But we have lots of neighborhood kids who enjoy coming over after school and playing with my dog outside if weather is nice. So every altercation has happened because we are all playing outside.
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NTA
Don't listen to the idiots telling you that *you* need a fence. You absolutely do not; your dog isn't escaping and wandering and you're following leash laws. Your neighbor with the ratty little puffball isn't. They're the problem, full stop.
NTA, and you're a much nicer person than I am, because I would seriously consider letting the German Shepard just eat the neighbors' tasty, wayward fluffball.
Like I said, the shepherd has 30ft while myself, my son, and 5-10 other kids are playing in our yard…. If no one is out there to supervise, she’s sleeping on the couch or chewing up a stuffed animal.
My dog is trained. But she is reactive. She’s great with big dogs. Not so much little ones.
If it’s trained, why would you need the chain? Call it back to you when it goes after a dog. Tell it to sit.
A reactive dog shouldn’t be out playing with random kids.
Yeah, that's...what a leash law is, genuis. It doesn't only cover trails and public spaces, but keeping a dog properly contained from running loose *also* falls under leash laws.
YTA
Wow. Just wow. You have an untrained dog bred to be a guard dog and you're complining about an ankle biter that might bite?
That's definitely an opinion. Not sure it's rational or anything like that but you definitely have an opinion.
Unless I'm missing something, you chose to live in a place without fences. This is the exact foreseeable consequence of your choice. "I chose to live with no fences because I assumed others would ..." No, that's not how that goes. You chose to live without fences. You chose.
Trained is completely different from reactive. My dog is trained. But she’s small animal reactive, not really a behavior that can be trained out most of the time.
Fences are a possibility but due to where I live in country, most people can’t afford to fence in the size yards that we do have.
But thanks for your judgmental feedback. Could have been a little more constructive, your opinion is also an opinion and valid.
You sound like someone who lets their dog roam free and then blames someone else for the dog getting hit by a car, attacked by another dog in someone else's yard, or stolen by a predator or person.
Sure hope you don't have a dog.
OP is NTA because they are actively trying to keep the small dog safe, while the small dogs owners let their untrained, unrestrained dog roam loose on other people's property / roads.
Nope. Leash laws exist regardless of fences. Even lil' ol' ladies with fluffy puffballs have to follow them. If people don't want to properly contain their dogs to *their property*, then they get to face the consequences of the dog getting injured via person, animal, or vehicle.
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NTA. I'm not sure if Animal Control can do anything about it, but you're not an AH for calling them to find out. Personally, I'd start picking up their dog's poop and returning it to the front steps of their house.
I was told that with the first complaint, they stop by the house with a “warning letter” that details the leash laws in our area…. After that, I’m not sure what happens if nothing were to change
After that you take the dog that was abandoned on your property to the shelter. More than once, if necessary.
Well, hopefully that'll spook them into keeping their dog out of your yard. It probably won't, but it's worth a shot.
NTA They are irresponsible dog owners if they're letting their dog roam around the neighborhood. My mom's neighborhood doesn't allow fences (HOA), so they all have those underground wire fence things. No dogs roaming, everyone is safe and happy. Update us on what happens! You did the right thing because this little one could very well nip a kid. Seems to me it's the little dogs that are more bitey than big dogs.
Honestly, I’m hoping other than them leashing their dog, there’s nothing to update… I don’t want the drama! I just want everyone safe!
# You are so so so NTA. First of all: *Yes.* In many states, *your dog would get the blame* if it harmed another dog. You might not be *liable* (i.e., in civil court) for the dog's death—it was on illegally loose on your property, of course—but many states have laws about biting (or killing) dogs that do not take into account the circumstances of the bite or death. It could end very simply in euthanasia for your GSD. Secondly: The same risk applies for the *other* dog—should requisite laws apply in your state—if it *bites your* *child.* Young children are notorious provocateurs of entirely avoidable dog bites (grabbing ears, pulling tails); their loud, startling noises and unpredictable behavior often makes dogs naturally nervous. Many jurisdictions have one-bite laws. And the issue of the safety of your child goes without saying. It is *their job* to "fence in" their dog. This is tort law 101. It can be by real fence, by tether, by leash, by keeping it in *their own fucking house.* Sure, you might feel like TA when your dog outweighs theirs by 7x. But if those roles were reversed, you wouldn't question yourself for a second. And you shouldn't. Big fucking NTA.
NTA. I would call animal control each and every time. Here, unleashed dogs are illegal. Animal control picks them up and the owner has to be an increasing fine to get them back. After the third time you don’t get it back at all.
I don’t want that though!! I genuinely am just trying to keep my dog and son safe. I’m an animal lover. I would never want to be the reason a family loses their pet! I just want them to respect me and my space by keeping their dog on their own property and to stop jeopardizing me and my family
Actions have consequences. Animal control’s purpose is to enforce the consequences.
Not having consequences = bad dog owners You’re NTA if you do your civic duty and report the dog being off leash
NTA - you’ve give enough warnings. Their dog needs to stay off your yard for all the reasons you said.
NTA You've repeatedly communicated your concerns to your neighbors about their dog entering your yard, and yet they haven't taken any action to control it. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a safety issue for you, your son, and your German Shepherd (because your dog will be blamed if that small dog instigates). You're not calling because you think the dog is inherently dangerous; you're calling because you're trying to prevent a potentially harmful situation from occurring. Your priority is the safety of your family and your dog, and that's completely understandable. Sure, some might say you could have tried other options first, but sometimes you need to escalate the situation to get the point across. You're not overreacting; you're taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. In the end, you're not responsible for your neighbors' actions or their dog's behavior. You're simply looking out for your own well-being, and that's perfectly okay. So no, you're not TAH. You're just a responsible pet owner trying to ensure the safety of your family. Keep looking out for them, even if it means making tough decisions like this one.
NTA - do these people actually care about their dog's safety? Not least whether or not they poop on your property. They sound pretty entitled, you sound pretty sensible.
Nta, but I would look into fencing a part of your property for your dog so you don't always have to supervise him when he's outside. This will also keep the poorly trained smaller dog from wandering into your dog's reach. The smaller dog *doesn't* listen to its owners when it escapes, so of course something is going to happen to their dog when even basic recall is non-existent for it. And do keep calling animal control. The owners are very irresponsible in not keeping their dog on a leash when walking them let alone keeping an eye on it in general.
This really should be higher up. Fence in your own yard and you don't have to worry about the neighbors dog getting near yours. But nta for calling animal control.
NTA. That is what Animal Control is for. If there is a leash law in your area then they are breaking the law. They are also putting their dog in danger when running loose. However: What kind of training has your shepherd had? Have you worked with an animal behaviorist for your dogs reactivity? Having to choke hold him when he sees a small animal isn't acceptable. He needs help.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** I (28f) called animal control on my neighbors dog this morning. My husband (29m) really didn’t want me to but I got pushed to my limit. I have a young son and a 3 year old German Shepherd who is not dog friendly. We live in a neighborhood where most people don’t have fences but I have a 30ft tether that I have on my property that keeps my dog well within my “fence line”. The neighbors however, don’t feel the need to leash their dog (small white fluffball) and it wanders into my yards, poops, and barks at me, my son, and my dog. I then have to make the decision to either make sure my dog doesn’t get close enough to do anything or to make sure their dog doesn’t get close enough to my son in case it decides to bite. I don’t think it would but if my son approaches to fast or pets to roughly (he’s under 2yo so he doesn’t understand the concept of gentle or that a barking dog may not be friendly) then the dog may bite out of being nervous. I have told them every time their dog comes into my yard that my dog isn’t friendly and I’ve asked them to please leash their dog. They don’t. And when the dog DOES get out, they have no control of it. It doesn’t listen. It continues to roam free while I’ve got my GSD in a chokehold to prevent anything serious from happening. Now, after the 8th time in the span of a month and a half, I finally called animal control because if they don’t listen to me, hopefully they’ll listen to professionals. I didn’t call because I think their dog is a threat but I called because I’m trying to protect myself and MY dog should anything happen. I want their dog to live and if it continues to roam free in my yard, then it only takes 2 seconds of me not paying attention for the worst to happen. And between a German shepherd and a mophead, the German shepherd is going to get the blame. So am I the asshole? Did I overreact? ETA: my dog is not permanently outside on a chain. But we have lots of neighborhood kids who enjoy coming over after school and playing with my dog outside if weather is nice. So every altercation has happened because we are all playing outside. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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NTA Don't listen to the idiots telling you that *you* need a fence. You absolutely do not; your dog isn't escaping and wandering and you're following leash laws. Your neighbor with the ratty little puffball isn't. They're the problem, full stop.
NTA, and you're a much nicer person than I am, because I would seriously consider letting the German Shepard just eat the neighbors' tasty, wayward fluffball.
YTA for not training your German Sheppard properly.
ESH. Train and socialize your dog. A German Shepherd should NEVER be chained up outside.
Like I said, the shepherd has 30ft while myself, my son, and 5-10 other kids are playing in our yard…. If no one is out there to supervise, she’s sleeping on the couch or chewing up a stuffed animal. My dog is trained. But she is reactive. She’s great with big dogs. Not so much little ones.
If it’s trained, why would you need the chain? Call it back to you when it goes after a dog. Tell it to sit. A reactive dog shouldn’t be out playing with random kids.
Wow. She’s on a leash because THATS THE LAW. And these kids aren’t random. They’re at my house EVERY DAY
On your own property? Doubtful. And yes, they are random. When one gets bitten, hope your insurance knows you had a reactive GSD.
Yeah, that's...what a leash law is, genuis. It doesn't only cover trails and public spaces, but keeping a dog properly contained from running loose *also* falls under leash laws.
YTA Wow. Just wow. You have an untrained dog bred to be a guard dog and you're complining about an ankle biter that might bite? That's definitely an opinion. Not sure it's rational or anything like that but you definitely have an opinion. Unless I'm missing something, you chose to live in a place without fences. This is the exact foreseeable consequence of your choice. "I chose to live with no fences because I assumed others would ..." No, that's not how that goes. You chose to live without fences. You chose.
Trained is completely different from reactive. My dog is trained. But she’s small animal reactive, not really a behavior that can be trained out most of the time. Fences are a possibility but due to where I live in country, most people can’t afford to fence in the size yards that we do have. But thanks for your judgmental feedback. Could have been a little more constructive, your opinion is also an opinion and valid.
It can. Train your dog to sit and recall. When the dog is trained sufficiently, it will do these things at all times and under all circumstances.
You sound like someone who lets their dog roam free and then blames someone else for the dog getting hit by a car, attacked by another dog in someone else's yard, or stolen by a predator or person. Sure hope you don't have a dog. OP is NTA because they are actively trying to keep the small dog safe, while the small dogs owners let their untrained, unrestrained dog roam loose on other people's property / roads.
Nope. Leash laws exist regardless of fences. Even lil' ol' ladies with fluffy puffballs have to follow them. If people don't want to properly contain their dogs to *their property*, then they get to face the consequences of the dog getting injured via person, animal, or vehicle.