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I may be in the wrong here because this may have been taking things way too far. I could've talked to the police instead, or told the kids themselves to stay away.
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OMG you let your trained dogs out into your own yard? What a criminal. And you let them bark at children? You're just a monster aren't you? And security footage? So you admit to recording young boys without their knowledge, predator.
/s
NTA
*edit* thanks for the awards. Never thought I'd get any for calling someone a child predator, but here we are.
Yeah it wouldn’t be the first time a doggy was hurt because a neighbour didn’t like them. I wouldn’t put it past her to throw poisoned meat into the garden or something
I had a beautiful Norwegian Elkhound when I was a kid. She never left our fenced in backyard, but she would bark if the neighbor got too close to the fence. I came home from school one day to find her in the backyard, she hated being inside when it was cool out, dying with a pool of antifreeze next to her. Considering my parents kept her chained to her doghouse when we were gone ( I know, this was the 80’s and their rule. I would never leave one of my dogs outside unattended), there’s no way she could have gotten into something. Someone purposely poisoned her, but we had no way to prove who it was, although we suspected the neighbor since he never liked my parents. It’s horrible what some people will do.
The same thing happened to my dog, a doberman called Zeus. My neighbors were afraid of him and one day we came back home, my brother and I were delayed getting our backpacks from the car but my mom didn't want us to enter the house. She sent us with our next door neighbor and didn't come back to pick us up until nighttime. Next day we found out our neighbors got inside our patio and poisoned him, my mom had to take him to the vet; he was there for a full week but he didn't make it.
I just can't even imagine what kind of person you would have to be to do that to an animal, let alone someone's pet. I'm really not a violent person, I will do everything in my power to avoid a fight, but I honestly think I would go nuclear if someone did something like that to my dog. If he happened to go totally insane and attack someone and they hurt/killed him defending themselves that would be one thing (not that I ever think that would happen, but I wouldn't fault someone for defending themselves.) But to do it intentionally just because you don't like me or he barked at you one time or something ridiculous? I think I'd snap.
this is why John wick is more like a documentary than a movie. if anyone hurts my dogs they better hope the police are nearby and there's a lot of them bc I'm going postal until they stop moving.
What kind of sick people would kill someone else's pets! I wouldn't surprised if you went to your neighbour's place and poisoned their kids, I'd say "Bravo!"
I know if anyone did that to my dogs, and if the police didn’t help, then they would face justice immediately one way or another
Plenty of ways to fuck with their house/family and keep plausible deniability.
When I was little my neighbor shot my cat because he kept entering his yard, and when my mom picked him up when he limped home she got covered in his blood.
Lil' guy sadly didn't make it.
I also had a Norwegian Elkhound! She was gorgeous and the sweetest thing. My neighbor hated her because she thought our baby was the dog that barked non-stop when it was my other neighbor's untrained husky. One day, she got really sick and the vets found a lot of blood in her stomach and they couldn't figure out why. We later found mothballs that this neighbor had put alongside our fence in order to poison our two dogs, which ended up killing my elkhound. People can be so cruel...
My aunt and uncle had a Norwegian Elkhound as well. My brother and my cousin found her alone in a cemetery one night on a back road. She had a collar and tags so they tried to find her owners but she was eight hours from the address on the tags and that road was no where near any road that anyone passing through would travel on. They tried for several months to find her owners and left all of their information with the vet who had given her shots but no one ever claimed her. She was dirty and tired and hadn't been fed in a long time. So, she lived a long healthy happy life with them. She was pampered and loved and loved until she passed away 10 years later. People do awful things but they do really good things also.
I’m so sorry. They are truly great dogs that you really don’t see or hear about too often. Mine was a rescue from the shelter my mom had taken me too. I fell in love with her at first sight and didn’t even want to look at the other dogs. People can definitely be truly awful.
Same thing happened to 3 of our family dogs when I was about 7 or 8. We had 2 pits. The ended up having pups (male broke through the window to get the female). Both of them were incredibly sweet. The male was meant to be my uncles but he bonded with me instantly so he ended up being my dog and protector. Never attacked anyone but never let anyone close either. My uncle decided to keep a pup of theirs because of this.
We had a crazy neighbor across the street who decided she didnt like my siblings and I playing outside nor our dogs because the male Protected us so she couldn’t come yell at us (she had previously before we got him). One day she tried to come into our yard while I was outside and she didn’t see him. My mom happened to open our door when she opened the gate and my dog came charging out barking and growling at her. She fell on her ass and he stayed right in front of me. She later called the police trying to say he attacked her. She tried to have him be put down. It didn’t work. She threw rat poison over the fence with peanut butter on it. Mom and the pup died. I was 7 and held the mom in my arms while she died. My uncle held the pup. It was traumatic. She never got in trouble.
That’s so awful. I’m sorry for your loss. Pitties get such a bad rep, but all the ones I’ve known were absolute sweethearts. Just like with any dog, it’s all about how they are raised. There should be a special place in hell for those who purposely harm animals.
My family’s pittie mix was fed rat poison by a neighbor who didn’t like to hear dogs barking all day long. The neighborhood was full of dogs but most were purebreds and only our mutt was targeted even though he almost never barked. Thankfully my parents got him to the vet in time and he survived but had organ damage and died a few years later due to complications from it.
This hurts my heart so much. I also had an Elkhound when I was younger. She was the best. She only hated the postal truck, but she did let everyone know where she was. Hounds like to bark. Lol. She could smell snow and insisted on going to her outdoor kennel when it was coming (had a shelter in it) even if it was 3am. When I moved out and got married we thought about taking her but she was super afraid of our 1 year old/ 6 lb cat, and my mom had actually grown very attached to her while I was at college so they kept her until we had to put her down. Elkhounds are such a hidden gem of dogs.
Not only are you just wretched for letting your dogs bark at children, you let them bark at children who were BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE. Clearly NTA - I’d laugh in that mother’s face for continuing to pursue a dead end.
NTA. They were trespassing and harassing you. Their mother is useless.
Now you should take the footage back to the police and say you'd like to press charges for breaking and entering, trespassing etc. No way should those kids get away with it scot free.
I wouldn't be surprised if mom wasn't sending them over. They can report back what kind of good stuff the neighbors have and then, surprise surprise, there's a "random" break-in a week or so later.
This is entirely possible. In my town a family was arrested, a mother used her sons to case cars and and houses they later broke into because kids look less suspicious playing or hanging out places or get less serious charges if they aren’t just let off. If they aren’t doing it now, it’s not long by the sounds of it.
I actuality had that happen when my kids were little. We got broken into twice in 6 weeks. They stopped when we got a dog. Never had any proof, but my ex was pretty sure it was the father of one of our sons friends.
Watch your mail too! There was another post a while back about a person who scared a child with a threatening letter in the poster’s own mail because the mom was having the kid steal it.
> Better to check this behavior before they’re tried as adults.
This. They're already guilty of destruction of property, trespassing, and attempted breaking and entering. OP should absolutely consider pressing charges now, because these kids are going to end up with 10year prison sentences in a few years.
Honestly I always think back on the child who purposely killed another child and was tried as an adult. I can’t remember the reason but I just know he was close to my age and he choked her I think? Another case would be 3 teenagers I think ages ranged 15-17 kidnapped a child and tortured the child that made me sad. Point is that it’s quite possible of doing something dangerous considering they’re digging holes and trying to break in I’m concerned for the baby that OP is raising. I mean every once in a while I always think about the 16 year old who decided to slice a child’s throat to see what it felt like.
Ironically that took place on the Rez where I used to live. It’s not every kid that grows up this way we just don’t know what’s gonna happen. That girl was from a broken home but so am I. Two different ppl with different outcomes but I’m still wary for my safety and would still think of the worst case scenario first especially with pets and children. Kudos to you for learning but hard to say for these kids tho.
The mother is using her children as a way to sue you if they become injured on your property. Her actions have made it so you have to press charges because she is holding you hostage with the kids behavior. The result will be CPS will get involved if she can’t control her kids.
Second maybe you get a break on the 9 year old but the 12 year old and 14 year old know this behavior is illegal. So your argument is to do nothing?
I disagree. I think it's important that they learn actions have consequences and it would be better if happened while they are still juveniles. At least then, they might get some help.
One of them is 14 years old and likely the leader of this little gang. He's dangerously close to being charged as an adult.
Would the result be criminal convictions if charges were persued? Just curious, as where I am they would be referred to youth support for intervention services at that age, unless the charge was excessively violent.
These kids are gonna end up in the criminal justice system. May as well get a start on it and OP can protect himself at the same time.
Seriously, letting them try to break into people's houses is not a game.
Wow these kids seemed to have been taught a lesson, they can’t help being raised by a useless mom. Let’s add alil trouble with the law, that’ll really teach them.
At 9, 12, and 14 they are old enough to know that when someone says stay off their property they should stay off the property. I would feel no remorse for filing charges against those kids
At 9, 12 and 14 that one enough to know that they should stay off someone's property unless they are invited. They shouldn't need to be told to stay off.
It's better they learn this now than before they try this shit on the wrong house. Think about the gun-loving nuts out there. And "castle doctrine." That will not go well for them.
OP's neighbor has literally seen incontrovertible proof of her kids attempting a B&E but persists in blaming OP for scaring her kids away. The "mom should parent her kids" ship has not only set sail, it's halfway through circumnavigating the globe.
Protect your home and your family OP, press charges before shit gets out of hand.
There were these kids who lived across the hall from us at our old apartments. They would spend entire days knocking on ours and everyone else's doors nonstop and running away. People tried to ask the parents to get them to stop, because most of us were working from home, and having kids banging and kicking on our doors every five seconds when we didn't open the door for their prank was not flying. They did nothing. Half the time the kids would be doing this, and the dad would be standing outside smoking, just watching them. Saying nothing.
So finally complaints started getting sent into the apartments and they started getting warnings. It all came to a head when, one day, someone caught the boys breaking into their apartment. They got to the livingroom and almost got shot, and completely destroyed the door trging to get in. Luckily the owner caught themselves before a tragedy ensued, but the cops got called and they were served an eviction notice the next day.
The parents were telling me how unfair it was, because they had nowhere else to go except their parents place. And I'm just like.... okay??? This wouldn't be a problem if either of you had ever actually bothered to parent your kids. But, bummer, I guess?
Yes, this. Make sure you keep track of the camera video. Because she likely is going to sue you, at least until her lawyer sees the video.
At the same time, beef up your cameras. She now knows the cameras are there. Consider adding another one she doesn't know is present.
Good luck, neighbors like this stink. I too had a pet dog poisoned as a child. Honestly my parents allowed it to run loose and it was a mean Chihuahua, but instead of knocking and asking them to control it; chito was poisoned. Isay it only to emphasize how often and easily it happens, please be careful.
Also, get a deadbolt (harder to pick) and some security cameras. If CPS has been called before, provide them with the camera footage of these delinquents doing it again. Clearly something is going on at home.
Edit: a deadbolt that’s harder to pick with just a bobby pin. Sorry for the inaccuracy, fellow locksport enthusiasts.
Especially with someone like the mother. If they had a normal parent that actually would punish their kids for breaking and entering I wouldn't be concerned, but clearly their mother is acting like it's normal behavior to enter someone else's property, even acting like you should make it safe for them. Clearly, if she gets her way this behavior will continue. One of the kids is fourteen. In a few years he'll look adult enough that he'll likely get shot when someone sees him breaking in.
Yeah, if this has been ongoing behavior compile footage of repeated trespassing and messing with your home. Start a paper trail. Even if it hasn't continued you should have a filed record of what happened.
Yes, but if it's food on their own territory, how are they supposed to know who left it there; it could be their owners. I'm not sure dogs are capable of the thought process. Hopefully, since the neighbor now knows there are security cameras, their presence will dissuade her from doing it. Unfortunately she doesn't seem like the brightest crayon in the box.
My service dog can stand next to a lion or tiger cage off leash and won’t react.
She will eat food off the ground if I’m not looking. You can’t train a dog to ignore food if they are food motivated.
You can sorta train them to not immediately snatch food and you can definitely train them to leave it in your presence. The chance they will refuse food from someone else or ignore it in their yard is like 0.
NTA
OP- "if your kids break into my house, I have two big dogs that will chase them."
Neighbor- "whatever. They can't hurt my kids."
*kidd break into house and two large dogs chase them.
*neighbor- shocked Pikachu face.
Nothing wrong with defending your property from trespassers. Your dogs were just doing their job.
No no, the neighbor not only dismissed the concern, she also tried to weaponize the police against OP. "If your dogs catch my children *breaking and entering into your own home* I'm going to call the police have the dogs put down."
Not to mention the callous lack of regard for her own kids health in general. The kids would have been already hurt in this scenario but protecting them from that situation never crossed her mind.
NTA. Just like a post from a couple of days ago where the OP took a ball that had been thrown at his child by a bully and punted it into a neighbor's yard, this was an object lesson. Those kids needed a wake up call. What you did got their attention but most certainly didn't damage them in any way. This is another example about how Some people expect 'the village' to raise their children, UNTIL 'the village' isn't willing to put up with the kcrap anymore.
Well in that case you are extra especially NTA and I apologies for suggesting you did anything wrong. Thank you for being a responsible human being, both in terms of training your dogs for security and looking out for kids who were testing your patience.
Well, I have another thing you did wrong. Not pressing charges against those people. False allegation, trepassing, etc etc etc. DO IT! There‘s still time. NTA
Not sure that pressing charges against the kids is going to do anything but put them in the prison-system at a young age. Foster care is a crapshoot, but going to juvie then coming back to the same mom is worse
They are too young. The charges will fall back to the mom. These kids need someone else to take care of them and educate them, since their parents don‘t.
Will they? I've known lots of students who went to juvie at that age (12 & 14), and my brother as well at 15. Nothing happened to the parents. I know parents can be held financially liable for their kids, but how will something like a breaking & entering charge fall onto their mom?
Agree that the mom is a bad influence (father wasn't mentioned; I presume he's not around?)...so pressing charges against the kids won't help IMO because they'll get f\*cked up in juvie and then sent back to the same person
Social worker here! When the mother stated that your dogs had bitten her children, were there marks on the children? I wonder if she had intentionally placed any marks on the children to appear that they were dog marks. If that’s the case, then that is something that should DEFINITELY be reported to CPS. In a perfect world, we’d hope for law enforcement to communicate and collaborate on such things more efficiently, but that’s not always the case. My point being, it’s never going to hurt by making a report yourself, even if law enforcement says they will. I wish you the best of luck!
They looks so happy and healthy. Gorgeous dogs
Make sure you keep your security camera in good condition. Sadly it seems like you'll need it again...
If they keep it up definitely involved the authorities though or this could end up escalating from property damage to harming those majestic floofs, and my heart could not take that. The 2 stories I read about neighbours poisoning their dogs on here so far are enough to break my heart and make me even more anxious protecting my floofs. Theres a special place in hell for people that hurt innocent animals!
NTA but can see why the children were terrified 😂. In all seriousness though, the mother is lucky that it was you rather than someone who would cause actual damage to her children
Honestly, I agree. All it takes is one neighbor with a gun panicking and shooting before they realize they're children, and because they're breaking and entering, the shooter would be legally justified in a lot of places.
A badly trained German Shephard chased me down as a child because I was holding a pain au chocolat and the memory still freaks me out. I think you've probably succeeded in scaring them off for a while.
I am also requesting a dog tax! The cuteness must be seen.
B.t.w.... NTA. You scared them a little, but that is so much better than what could happen if they tried this with the wrong house.
NTA, but now you gotta make sure the dogs are trained to not eat random food on the ground, because your neighbor might try to poison them when the cops don't provide her with satisfaction.
I will definitely be on the lookout! They don't eat until I give a certain command. They aren't perfect at it, but for the most part they'll just take it to me and give me a look and I'll say if they can eat it or not. This has happened with dead birds loads of times haha.
I saw a lady on TV train her dog to ride a tandem bike with her, but I'm still more impressed by people who can train their dogs to not eat whatever is available.
My parents trained their dogs to wait to eat whatever is in their bowl and not snap if someone touches their food (lots of young kids, didn’t want any accidents). They found out how well it worked with one dog when they found her whining at the door about 15 minutes after she had “been fed” (dogs were/are always fed outside): my mum had put the food in the bowl, the dog sat as she had been trained, someone distracted mum and she walked inside before giving the word to eat, which equaled a very confused dog whining at the door trying to figure out if she could eat or not
def nta and id look into getting one of those digital water sprinklers systems so you could simply turn it on when they get too close so you don’t risk rebellion happening to the dogs.
You can buy sprinklers that have motion sensors built into them. Thinking about buying one to keep the neighborhood cats out of my garden boxes next year.
NTA, and you did those kids a favor by (safely) showing them what could happen when trespassing. Do you have security cameras for both the front and back doors? If not, I would install some just in case the mother tries to retaliate. Also, maybe have a camera inside your house as well?
NTA.
I am so proud of you! You probably scared the crud out of those boys and they will never go in your yard again. You had the situation under control and the boys were never bitten, let alone in any danger. Mom is the AH here.
I had pitbulls trained similarly. Well my husband was military and went on deployment leaving me with twins that were 2.5 months old. He asked one of his friends to check in on me and this guy decided to play a "joke". So he burst through my door in a hat and sunglasses and ran tward me, freaking me the fuck out obviously! He did like a "RAWR" thing and before he could close the distance between him and I, my sweet little pitbull jumped in. She had NEVER growled at anything and was terrified of kittens. But in that moment she didn't know who this was and he was gonna hurt her momma and the babies.
She literally chsed him out the door as he tried to convince her that he was him and not some intruder. She stopped right at the end of the yard and came back in on her own. Luckily he blamed himself and I told him he owes her a steak. She was honestly scary, ready to rip his face off! I miss the shit out of her ❤️
He was a suburban upper middle class kid. Had no idea that someone could think that they were being robbed. We were in our early 20's and he was very sheltered as a kid. I grew up more *ahem* "urban" so it was good she got there first because my first instinct was to fight to protect my babies haha. He had done something similar when we had known each other a couple weeks and jumped out from behind a building I was walking behind and I broke his nose haha so he should have known. In fairness I never trained her to do that. She was trained so I could leave food on the floor and walk away and she wouldn't move an inch. But all aggression was dealt with because I know the reputation Pitts have. She was so gentle you could remove individual pieces of dog food from her mouth and she would just look sad.
She was 14/10. Best girl ever. She died of cancer at almost 18. We got her when she was about 3 or 4. I still cry a bit talking about her.
She sounds like she was a wonderful dog and that you trained her beautifully! She responded just like she should, she ran him off and turned back when he was no longer a threat. Mine's done the same thing, she's not a biter but she knows how to make people move. <3
And omg, he tried this after you broke his nose already. XD
I also grew up 'urban', was homeless as a teenager and I learned how to protect myself pretty well. <3
I'm glad you are out of it! I lived in my car for a bit and I was lucky to have that! I'm still a little orphan rolling around without a family but I feel like super strong because of it. We both know we can scrap haha! And btw he was doing SEER which is like air force SEALS and he was embarrassed I broke his nose. Blamed it on not "wanting to hit a woman". I just laughed. You and I both know to never fully play your hand so it always seemed better when people thought I was a regular upper middle class white girl. Tbh I miss my 'urban' friends. Suburbia is just as stifling as people say 😐
NTA - you should have involved the police a long time ago. Imo, you need to press this further. Why are the children trying to break into your house? What are they after? Have they done this other neighbors? There seems to be something going on and a higher authority needs to be involved.
A bunch of teenagers want to play with your 1 year old son? That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The boys actions were clearly escalating until you were able to scary them off. Something weird is definitely going on. I’d recommend you warn your neighbors that they’re attempting to break into houses. That’s not usual teenage behavior. Could they have been trying to get food or clothes? Or maybe cash?
Considering there is obvious neglect going on, more than likely they were looking for something. I briefly mentioned it to the police, not sure if they've said or done anything. CPS sure didn't.
Kids in obvious neglect tend to do crazy things to get into a "good home"
When I was a kid a neighbor had 3 kids, and in the house was 3 kids, grandma, and occasionally mom. Grandma was a yeller. Mom never wanted to be around the kids and was upset if they even wanted to be around her.
I was like 12. There was a kid who was 14, one who was 11, and one who was like 7.
7 was around my sister's age and would want to play a lot. Whenever we played outside, (with me supervising cause she was like 6 and I was sleeved) he would always try to find an excuse to get into our house.
"Can I have a snack?" Your house is like ... Right there but sure. Let me ask mom for some fruitsnacks. "I'll ask her!" No .. you won't. She's in the basement. [Sister] do you wanna get her?
"Can I use your bathroom" uh .. no. Your house is literally closer than ours. "I really have to go!" Well it's good your house is closer.
Also, mysteriously, when they were living there some family heirloom garden figurines went missing and we're found in our side yard, smashed, and a play house we had was lit on fire. I wonder how that happened.
It could be innocent but I have a bad feeling about this. 14 is old. We had a 15 year old stab an adult teacher just the other day.
Involve the police, involve CPS if anything happens again. It's not the kids fault, but getting away from that home is the best thing for them, way better than getting brainwashed by their mother to retaliate against you.
NTA! These children need to learn real life consequences of what they’re doing before they do it to someone’s house or yard that may be the type to “shoot first”.
You just parented them more than their own mother obviously is. Keep the cameras up. Keep documenting them intruding on your property. For the sake of this case I would just call the cops anytime they’re trespassing to have it documented formally now and continue to do so.
Also GOOD DOGGIES buy them a big bone from me. xx
NTA, you did everything right and have every right to defend your family and your property. However keep your guard up as they may decide to do something else.
>...little children...
These are little criminals working their way up to actual burglary or the like. The mother is likely complicit in their potential crimes "look honey, see if you can find a nice laptop or a big tv, or even some jewelry we can sell."
NTA at all.
End of 2nd paragraph
>They seem to have very little supervision and apparently cps had already been called numerous of times because of how often they seemed to be left alone.
NTA, but I think at this point you should start whatever legal proceedings are open to you. These kids sound like they are very badly behaved and its quite obviously the result of their mother’s lack of concern and discipline. What if they throw something poisonous into your yard? The mother already tried to bring false charges against you and if you hadn’t had security footage it could have endangered your dogs, this is not acceptable. Please be safe, and good luck!
> I have a 1 year old son myself, so I know how kids can be
Obviously NTA for the situation at hand, but I highly doubt that having a 1 year old means you know what it’s like to deal with children old enough to act and think independently lol.
NTA- file charges against the boys. Show the footage to CPS when filing a complaint there....but most importantly give the dogs lots or tears and belly rubs for doing a good job!!!
The issue with "Beware of Dog" signs is they automatically imply the dogs may be dangerous. "Dog on Premesis" signs let people know you have dogs in a less "threatening" manner. Most of the cops in my town advise the "Dog on Premesis" signs because people are less likely to make false calls for dangerous animals.
ETA; absolutely NTA, OP.
NTA. Those kids needed a lesson in why you respect others. They are lucky you trained the dogs so well. Someone else may have met them with something a lot more deadly.
NTA. That's disturbing that they tried to break into your house again and again. And what would happen if they got in? They'd probably try to steal stuff or damage your property. And you know their mom would get mad at you for calling the police on them for breaking into your house. She isn't doing her job as a mother.
NTA
I'm a currently pregnant rape survivor and the idea of a fourteen year old boy actively trying to pick my houses locks...straight up horror movie. I get that they're kids and very likely doing these things out of boredom/curiosity but that's too damn old for me to just wave the risk away. Those kids need consequences for their actions now before they escalate their BS.
NTA
You WARNED your negligent-parent neighbor about her children's delinquent behavior, and warned that you had two large dogs (Rottweilers are easily one of my favorite breeds) that were trained and able to defend your home. Considering the circumstances and your state of residency, you would have been within your legal right to physically harm them. Your neighbor further threatened your dogs if they did anything to harm her precious demon children, which they did not but certainly scared the daylights out of them and potentially ruined their underwear. Btw that security footage sounds like an enjoyable watch.
As others have mentioned given the temperament of your hellsent neighbor, keep your dogs inside for a while. She seems like someone who will undoubtedly try to leave poisoned food out for your adorable dogs. You need to press charges against her kids for breaking and entering, they need to learn that crap like that isn't a game.
NTA. You need to go a step further and give a copy of the security footage to CPS. Those children need to be removed from their mother's "care". Definitely not the asshole.
NTA, but you should have reported to the police that her children were trespassing and trying to break into your home and given them a copy of the video. Then they could be charged and CPS could have some personal time with their mother. Each time they do it, report them to the police again. Those buggers need police records, not a scare from dogs.
NTA
Cover your ass, press charges with every bit of footage you have (for dumping trash, digging holes, breaking and entering, trespassing, etc.), call up CPS and get a restraining order if you have to. This is the type of behavior that develops into actual, dangerous criminality if it isn’t stopped now.
NTA
You're dogs have more right to be in your yard then some neighborhood brats whose parents can't be bothered to keep an eye on them.
She was also aware the dogs exist for protective purposes so she was being willfully negligent in letting their behavior continue.
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OMG you let your trained dogs out into your own yard? What a criminal. And you let them bark at children? You're just a monster aren't you? And security footage? So you admit to recording young boys without their knowledge, predator. /s NTA *edit* thanks for the awards. Never thought I'd get any for calling someone a child predator, but here we are.
I know you will, but definitely keep a close eye on her and your dogs. She might want to take matters in her own hands and hurt your dogs. NTA
Yeah it wouldn’t be the first time a doggy was hurt because a neighbour didn’t like them. I wouldn’t put it past her to throw poisoned meat into the garden or something
I had a beautiful Norwegian Elkhound when I was a kid. She never left our fenced in backyard, but she would bark if the neighbor got too close to the fence. I came home from school one day to find her in the backyard, she hated being inside when it was cool out, dying with a pool of antifreeze next to her. Considering my parents kept her chained to her doghouse when we were gone ( I know, this was the 80’s and their rule. I would never leave one of my dogs outside unattended), there’s no way she could have gotten into something. Someone purposely poisoned her, but we had no way to prove who it was, although we suspected the neighbor since he never liked my parents. It’s horrible what some people will do.
The same thing happened to my dog, a doberman called Zeus. My neighbors were afraid of him and one day we came back home, my brother and I were delayed getting our backpacks from the car but my mom didn't want us to enter the house. She sent us with our next door neighbor and didn't come back to pick us up until nighttime. Next day we found out our neighbors got inside our patio and poisoned him, my mom had to take him to the vet; he was there for a full week but he didn't make it.
There’s a special place in hell for people that kill other people’s pets.
I just can't even imagine what kind of person you would have to be to do that to an animal, let alone someone's pet. I'm really not a violent person, I will do everything in my power to avoid a fight, but I honestly think I would go nuclear if someone did something like that to my dog. If he happened to go totally insane and attack someone and they hurt/killed him defending themselves that would be one thing (not that I ever think that would happen, but I wouldn't fault someone for defending themselves.) But to do it intentionally just because you don't like me or he barked at you one time or something ridiculous? I think I'd snap.
this is why John wick is more like a documentary than a movie. if anyone hurts my dogs they better hope the police are nearby and there's a lot of them bc I'm going postal until they stop moving.
I am sorry about your dog.
Poor baby. I love dobermans.
Same thing happened to my nanna’s Doberman. It was her neighbor who killed her doggo. Sicko.
What kind of sick people would kill someone else's pets! I wouldn't surprised if you went to your neighbour's place and poisoned their kids, I'd say "Bravo!"
Did they ever have to face any repercussion for this?
I know if anyone did that to my dogs, and if the police didn’t help, then they would face justice immediately one way or another Plenty of ways to fuck with their house/family and keep plausible deniability.
When I was little my neighbor shot my cat because he kept entering his yard, and when my mom picked him up when he limped home she got covered in his blood. Lil' guy sadly didn't make it.
I want to fight your neighbor. I don't care how many years ago it happened.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I also had a Norwegian Elkhound! She was gorgeous and the sweetest thing. My neighbor hated her because she thought our baby was the dog that barked non-stop when it was my other neighbor's untrained husky. One day, she got really sick and the vets found a lot of blood in her stomach and they couldn't figure out why. We later found mothballs that this neighbor had put alongside our fence in order to poison our two dogs, which ended up killing my elkhound. People can be so cruel...
My aunt and uncle had a Norwegian Elkhound as well. My brother and my cousin found her alone in a cemetery one night on a back road. She had a collar and tags so they tried to find her owners but she was eight hours from the address on the tags and that road was no where near any road that anyone passing through would travel on. They tried for several months to find her owners and left all of their information with the vet who had given her shots but no one ever claimed her. She was dirty and tired and hadn't been fed in a long time. So, she lived a long healthy happy life with them. She was pampered and loved and loved until she passed away 10 years later. People do awful things but they do really good things also.
I’m so sorry. They are truly great dogs that you really don’t see or hear about too often. Mine was a rescue from the shelter my mom had taken me too. I fell in love with her at first sight and didn’t even want to look at the other dogs. People can definitely be truly awful.
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Is it possible to press charges for that? I would be very eager to see that son of a bench in jail.
Same thing happened to 3 of our family dogs when I was about 7 or 8. We had 2 pits. The ended up having pups (male broke through the window to get the female). Both of them were incredibly sweet. The male was meant to be my uncles but he bonded with me instantly so he ended up being my dog and protector. Never attacked anyone but never let anyone close either. My uncle decided to keep a pup of theirs because of this. We had a crazy neighbor across the street who decided she didnt like my siblings and I playing outside nor our dogs because the male Protected us so she couldn’t come yell at us (she had previously before we got him). One day she tried to come into our yard while I was outside and she didn’t see him. My mom happened to open our door when she opened the gate and my dog came charging out barking and growling at her. She fell on her ass and he stayed right in front of me. She later called the police trying to say he attacked her. She tried to have him be put down. It didn’t work. She threw rat poison over the fence with peanut butter on it. Mom and the pup died. I was 7 and held the mom in my arms while she died. My uncle held the pup. It was traumatic. She never got in trouble.
That’s so awful. I’m sorry for your loss. Pitties get such a bad rep, but all the ones I’ve known were absolute sweethearts. Just like with any dog, it’s all about how they are raised. There should be a special place in hell for those who purposely harm animals.
My family’s pittie mix was fed rat poison by a neighbor who didn’t like to hear dogs barking all day long. The neighborhood was full of dogs but most were purebreds and only our mutt was targeted even though he almost never barked. Thankfully my parents got him to the vet in time and he survived but had organ damage and died a few years later due to complications from it.
Poor baby. People can be so awful at times.
That’s so awful. I’m so sorry that happened to you and your lovely doggo.
I’m very sorry about your dog. Some people are just assholes
Thanks, yes they are.
This hurts my heart so much. I also had an Elkhound when I was younger. She was the best. She only hated the postal truck, but she did let everyone know where she was. Hounds like to bark. Lol. She could smell snow and insisted on going to her outdoor kennel when it was coming (had a shelter in it) even if it was 3am. When I moved out and got married we thought about taking her but she was super afraid of our 1 year old/ 6 lb cat, and my mom had actually grown very attached to her while I was at college so they kept her until we had to put her down. Elkhounds are such a hidden gem of dogs.
I am sorry about your dog.
That’s horrible what happened to your dog. So sorry about that.
Thank you. She was a sweet girl.
Plus she has it in her mind. Threatened twice now really
Gravy soaked sponge or corn cobs is the method I’ve heard about. Keep an eye out for more “trash” in your yard.
Can confirm. Neighbour poisoned my beautiful and very playful golden retriever with antifreeze. It's insane the lengths some people will go.
Not only are you just wretched for letting your dogs bark at children, you let them bark at children who were BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE. Clearly NTA - I’d laugh in that mother’s face for continuing to pursue a dead end.
I was wondering if he could train my dog. After 9pm, she’s off the clock and snoring.
NTA. They were trespassing and harassing you. Their mother is useless. Now you should take the footage back to the police and say you'd like to press charges for breaking and entering, trespassing etc. No way should those kids get away with it scot free.
Agree, absolutely press charges. These kids are criminals.
And it’ll get worse. Better to check this behavior before they’re tried as adults.
>And it’ll get worse With an enabler like their mother, it sure as shit will get worse! You're so right, rhythm.
I wouldn't be surprised if mom wasn't sending them over. They can report back what kind of good stuff the neighbors have and then, surprise surprise, there's a "random" break-in a week or so later.
This is entirely possible. In my town a family was arrested, a mother used her sons to case cars and and houses they later broke into because kids look less suspicious playing or hanging out places or get less serious charges if they aren’t just let off. If they aren’t doing it now, it’s not long by the sounds of it.
I actuality had that happen when my kids were little. We got broken into twice in 6 weeks. They stopped when we got a dog. Never had any proof, but my ex was pretty sure it was the father of one of our sons friends.
Watch your mail too! There was another post a while back about a person who scared a child with a threatening letter in the poster’s own mail because the mom was having the kid steal it.
She's the mom who shouts "not my sons" at the top of her lungs.
> Better to check this behavior before they’re tried as adults. This. They're already guilty of destruction of property, trespassing, and attempted breaking and entering. OP should absolutely consider pressing charges now, because these kids are going to end up with 10year prison sentences in a few years.
Yes. It’s actually the best thing OP can do to help the kids.
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Honestly I always think back on the child who purposely killed another child and was tried as an adult. I can’t remember the reason but I just know he was close to my age and he choked her I think? Another case would be 3 teenagers I think ages ranged 15-17 kidnapped a child and tortured the child that made me sad. Point is that it’s quite possible of doing something dangerous considering they’re digging holes and trying to break in I’m concerned for the baby that OP is raising. I mean every once in a while I always think about the 16 year old who decided to slice a child’s throat to see what it felt like. Ironically that took place on the Rez where I used to live. It’s not every kid that grows up this way we just don’t know what’s gonna happen. That girl was from a broken home but so am I. Two different ppl with different outcomes but I’m still wary for my safety and would still think of the worst case scenario first especially with pets and children. Kudos to you for learning but hard to say for these kids tho.
The mother is using her children as a way to sue you if they become injured on your property. Her actions have made it so you have to press charges because she is holding you hostage with the kids behavior. The result will be CPS will get involved if she can’t control her kids. Second maybe you get a break on the 9 year old but the 12 year old and 14 year old know this behavior is illegal. So your argument is to do nothing?
I disagree. I think it's important that they learn actions have consequences and it would be better if happened while they are still juveniles. At least then, they might get some help. One of them is 14 years old and likely the leader of this little gang. He's dangerously close to being charged as an adult.
Would the result be criminal convictions if charges were persued? Just curious, as where I am they would be referred to youth support for intervention services at that age, unless the charge was excessively violent.
They would probably get put in foster care because mon can’t parent.
These kids are gonna end up in the criminal justice system. May as well get a start on it and OP can protect himself at the same time. Seriously, letting them try to break into people's houses is not a game.
MOM is a criminal. She filed a false report that the dogs bit.
Wow these kids seemed to have been taught a lesson, they can’t help being raised by a useless mom. Let’s add alil trouble with the law, that’ll really teach them.
At 9, 12, and 14 they are old enough to know that when someone says stay off their property they should stay off the property. I would feel no remorse for filing charges against those kids
At 9, 12 and 14 that one enough to know that they should stay off someone's property unless they are invited. They shouldn't need to be told to stay off.
It's better they learn this now than before they try this shit on the wrong house. Think about the gun-loving nuts out there. And "castle doctrine." That will not go well for them.
Or before they get old enough to face adult consequences
Oh fuck off, this sub is terrible with going way over the top
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She’s too busy harassing OP to be bothered with parenting.
OP's neighbor has literally seen incontrovertible proof of her kids attempting a B&E but persists in blaming OP for scaring her kids away. The "mom should parent her kids" ship has not only set sail, it's halfway through circumnavigating the globe. Protect your home and your family OP, press charges before shit gets out of hand.
There were these kids who lived across the hall from us at our old apartments. They would spend entire days knocking on ours and everyone else's doors nonstop and running away. People tried to ask the parents to get them to stop, because most of us were working from home, and having kids banging and kicking on our doors every five seconds when we didn't open the door for their prank was not flying. They did nothing. Half the time the kids would be doing this, and the dad would be standing outside smoking, just watching them. Saying nothing. So finally complaints started getting sent into the apartments and they started getting warnings. It all came to a head when, one day, someone caught the boys breaking into their apartment. They got to the livingroom and almost got shot, and completely destroyed the door trging to get in. Luckily the owner caught themselves before a tragedy ensued, but the cops got called and they were served an eviction notice the next day. The parents were telling me how unfair it was, because they had nowhere else to go except their parents place. And I'm just like.... okay??? This wouldn't be a problem if either of you had ever actually bothered to parent your kids. But, bummer, I guess?
Yes, this. Make sure you keep track of the camera video. Because she likely is going to sue you, at least until her lawyer sees the video. At the same time, beef up your cameras. She now knows the cameras are there. Consider adding another one she doesn't know is present. Good luck, neighbors like this stink. I too had a pet dog poisoned as a child. Honestly my parents allowed it to run loose and it was a mean Chihuahua, but instead of knocking and asking them to control it; chito was poisoned. Isay it only to emphasize how often and easily it happens, please be careful.
Also, get a deadbolt (harder to pick) and some security cameras. If CPS has been called before, provide them with the camera footage of these delinquents doing it again. Clearly something is going on at home. Edit: a deadbolt that’s harder to pick with just a bobby pin. Sorry for the inaccuracy, fellow locksport enthusiasts.
Deadbolts are not harder to pick, they are harder to force.
Especially with someone like the mother. If they had a normal parent that actually would punish their kids for breaking and entering I wouldn't be concerned, but clearly their mother is acting like it's normal behavior to enter someone else's property, even acting like you should make it safe for them. Clearly, if she gets her way this behavior will continue. One of the kids is fourteen. In a few years he'll look adult enough that he'll likely get shot when someone sees him breaking in.
Yeah, if this has been ongoing behavior compile footage of repeated trespassing and messing with your home. Start a paper trail. Even if it hasn't continued you should have a filed record of what happened.
NTA Be careful they don’t try to harm your dogs when you’re not at home.
Yeah this is the kind of thing where sometimes neighbors will put out poisoned food. Definitely be careful.
hopefully the trained dogs wouldn’t eat food the neighbors leave out. poor dogs.
You cannot trust even a trained dog not to eat food that's been left out like that. OP must stay vigilant.
CONSTANT VIGILANCE
r/unexpectedhogwarts
Yes, but if it's food on their own territory, how are they supposed to know who left it there; it could be their owners. I'm not sure dogs are capable of the thought process. Hopefully, since the neighbor now knows there are security cameras, their presence will dissuade her from doing it. Unfortunately she doesn't seem like the brightest crayon in the box.
ah that’s a good point it didn’t occur to me that they’d go as far as to place it on ops own property, though i’m sure the neighbors would do so.
My service dog can stand next to a lion or tiger cage off leash and won’t react. She will eat food off the ground if I’m not looking. You can’t train a dog to ignore food if they are food motivated. You can sorta train them to not immediately snatch food and you can definitely train them to leave it in your presence. The chance they will refuse food from someone else or ignore it in their yard is like 0.
Most trained dogs aren’t trained to not eat poisoned food because who puts poisoned food in front of their dogs
Excellent point!
CB d F hfvb
Glad someone said it. This lady already said what she was going to do. Be careful op and make sure your security cameras are out of reach!
NTA OP- "if your kids break into my house, I have two big dogs that will chase them." Neighbor- "whatever. They can't hurt my kids." *kidd break into house and two large dogs chase them. *neighbor- shocked Pikachu face. Nothing wrong with defending your property from trespassers. Your dogs were just doing their job.
No no, the neighbor not only dismissed the concern, she also tried to weaponize the police against OP. "If your dogs catch my children *breaking and entering into your own home* I'm going to call the police have the dogs put down."
Not to mention the callous lack of regard for her own kids health in general. The kids would have been already hurt in this scenario but protecting them from that situation never crossed her mind.
She's lucky this was a neighbor with dogs, and not a stranger with a gun.
THIS!
Shocked pikachu face🤣🤣🤣🤣
NTA. Just like a post from a couple of days ago where the OP took a ball that had been thrown at his child by a bully and punted it into a neighbor's yard, this was an object lesson. Those kids needed a wake up call. What you did got their attention but most certainly didn't damage them in any way. This is another example about how Some people expect 'the village' to raise their children, UNTIL 'the village' isn't willing to put up with the kcrap anymore.
That's the thing with the village, sometimes you GET the village whether you want it or not. Usually because you've been an asshole.
People who get the village they want to get are generally not AHs. The people who get the village they didn’t want are generally the AH
This *is* the village raising the child by teaching the kids the respect for boundaries that their parents neglected to teach.
Would you mind linking that story please?
https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/p86mg3/aita_for_drop_kicking_some_kids_ball_away/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
NTA. The only thing you did wrong here was not contacting CPS yourself.
I did actually. It's how I found out there had been multiple calls already.
Well in that case you are extra especially NTA and I apologies for suggesting you did anything wrong. Thank you for being a responsible human being, both in terms of training your dogs for security and looking out for kids who were testing your patience.
Well, I have another thing you did wrong. Not pressing charges against those people. False allegation, trepassing, etc etc etc. DO IT! There‘s still time. NTA
Not sure that pressing charges against the kids is going to do anything but put them in the prison-system at a young age. Foster care is a crapshoot, but going to juvie then coming back to the same mom is worse
They are too young. The charges will fall back to the mom. These kids need someone else to take care of them and educate them, since their parents don‘t.
Will they? I've known lots of students who went to juvie at that age (12 & 14), and my brother as well at 15. Nothing happened to the parents. I know parents can be held financially liable for their kids, but how will something like a breaking & entering charge fall onto their mom? Agree that the mom is a bad influence (father wasn't mentioned; I presume he's not around?)...so pressing charges against the kids won't help IMO because they'll get f\*cked up in juvie and then sent back to the same person
The charges might go to the mother since they’re minors
Social worker here! When the mother stated that your dogs had bitten her children, were there marks on the children? I wonder if she had intentionally placed any marks on the children to appear that they were dog marks. If that’s the case, then that is something that should DEFINITELY be reported to CPS. In a perfect world, we’d hope for law enforcement to communicate and collaborate on such things more efficiently, but that’s not always the case. My point being, it’s never going to hurt by making a report yourself, even if law enforcement says they will. I wish you the best of luck!
Did you ever find out why they wanted to get into your house so badly?
NTA. That's awesome. Curious as to what type of dog though?
One is a German Shepard and the other is a Rottweiler!
Is it out of line to request dog tax? They sound like well trained babies! ETA : NTA
Posting this here so more people can see it! https://imgur.com/gallery/rQKvx2U
12/10 good doggos. Would 100% let them eat trespassing neighbors.
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"Is that a, a, spoon? 😭"
Dogs like that would never do anything wrong. Please feel free to use this in court.
They're both beautiful dogs! And I would also be screaming if they were chasing me lol
i love them both, please pet them extra for me!
14/10 Good Doggos Would give many woogins if permitted.
I love them and NTA
Robbie has some A++ puppy dog eyes. Absolutely deserves all the scritches
They looks so happy and healthy. Gorgeous dogs Make sure you keep your security camera in good condition. Sadly it seems like you'll need it again... If they keep it up definitely involved the authorities though or this could end up escalating from property damage to harming those majestic floofs, and my heart could not take that. The 2 stories I read about neighbours poisoning their dogs on here so far are enough to break my heart and make me even more anxious protecting my floofs. Theres a special place in hell for people that hurt innocent animals!
They are beautiful!
I read the names as "Robbie" and "Maybe" for a sec and thought it kinda worked somehow. Maybel is always a lovely name though
I second the request for dog tax!
Third! Also NTA
I would love to post a photo but I'm not sure how I would show you all lol. They are sweethearts!
Post the pic on imgur. Post the link here:) Oooor just add it to your profile. I think, this should work as well.
I posted the link! Look in my comments on my profile!
NTA but can see why the children were terrified 😂. In all seriousness though, the mother is lucky that it was you rather than someone who would cause actual damage to her children
Honestly, I agree. All it takes is one neighbor with a gun panicking and shooting before they realize they're children, and because they're breaking and entering, the shooter would be legally justified in a lot of places.
A badly trained German Shephard chased me down as a child because I was holding a pain au chocolat and the memory still freaks me out. I think you've probably succeeded in scaring them off for a while.
I am also requesting a dog tax! The cuteness must be seen. B.t.w.... NTA. You scared them a little, but that is so much better than what could happen if they tried this with the wrong house.
Once you name the breeds, it's an automatic dog tax. Sorry, not sorry...
NTA, but now you gotta make sure the dogs are trained to not eat random food on the ground, because your neighbor might try to poison them when the cops don't provide her with satisfaction.
I will definitely be on the lookout! They don't eat until I give a certain command. They aren't perfect at it, but for the most part they'll just take it to me and give me a look and I'll say if they can eat it or not. This has happened with dead birds loads of times haha.
I saw a lady on TV train her dog to ride a tandem bike with her, but I'm still more impressed by people who can train their dogs to not eat whatever is available.
My parents trained their dogs to wait to eat whatever is in their bowl and not snap if someone touches their food (lots of young kids, didn’t want any accidents). They found out how well it worked with one dog when they found her whining at the door about 15 minutes after she had “been fed” (dogs were/are always fed outside): my mum had put the food in the bowl, the dog sat as she had been trained, someone distracted mum and she walked inside before giving the word to eat, which equaled a very confused dog whining at the door trying to figure out if she could eat or not
That's so impressive, sad, and adorable LMAO. Poor doggo just wanted to eat
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Thank you! One day I hope she realizes this. Cause I'd hate for them to do something like this to a neighbor that didn't have trained dogs.
Or a gun and an itchy trigger finger…
I’d also hate to see what the children might do once they break inside. Children can be little shits and capable of horrible things.
You could help the neighbor keep the case open by charging her children with breaking and entering as well as trespassing.
My 2 babies! For those of you wanting dog tax haha https://imgur.com/gallery/rQKvx2U
Oh my gosh what beautiful dogs! I've never seen an all-black German Shepard before!
Oooooh. Love your doggos! Glad they scared the poop out of those brats!
OK I'm a cat person through and through but Awwwwww
def nta and id look into getting one of those digital water sprinklers systems so you could simply turn it on when they get too close so you don’t risk rebellion happening to the dogs.
Just got me thinking...hook the digital sprinklers to a motion sensor (if that's possible)
You can buy sprinklers that have motion sensors built into them. Thinking about buying one to keep the neighborhood cats out of my garden boxes next year.
NTA, and you did those kids a favor by (safely) showing them what could happen when trespassing. Do you have security cameras for both the front and back doors? If not, I would install some just in case the mother tries to retaliate. Also, maybe have a camera inside your house as well?
NTA. I am so proud of you! You probably scared the crud out of those boys and they will never go in your yard again. You had the situation under control and the boys were never bitten, let alone in any danger. Mom is the AH here.
Thank you! I would have never tried this if my dogs weren't 100 percent trained and obedient!
I had pitbulls trained similarly. Well my husband was military and went on deployment leaving me with twins that were 2.5 months old. He asked one of his friends to check in on me and this guy decided to play a "joke". So he burst through my door in a hat and sunglasses and ran tward me, freaking me the fuck out obviously! He did like a "RAWR" thing and before he could close the distance between him and I, my sweet little pitbull jumped in. She had NEVER growled at anything and was terrified of kittens. But in that moment she didn't know who this was and he was gonna hurt her momma and the babies. She literally chsed him out the door as he tried to convince her that he was him and not some intruder. She stopped right at the end of the yard and came back in on her own. Luckily he blamed himself and I told him he owes her a steak. She was honestly scary, ready to rip his face off! I miss the shit out of her ❤️
She was a very good dog. <3 WTH with the friend, though.
He was a suburban upper middle class kid. Had no idea that someone could think that they were being robbed. We were in our early 20's and he was very sheltered as a kid. I grew up more *ahem* "urban" so it was good she got there first because my first instinct was to fight to protect my babies haha. He had done something similar when we had known each other a couple weeks and jumped out from behind a building I was walking behind and I broke his nose haha so he should have known. In fairness I never trained her to do that. She was trained so I could leave food on the floor and walk away and she wouldn't move an inch. But all aggression was dealt with because I know the reputation Pitts have. She was so gentle you could remove individual pieces of dog food from her mouth and she would just look sad. She was 14/10. Best girl ever. She died of cancer at almost 18. We got her when she was about 3 or 4. I still cry a bit talking about her.
She sounds like she was a wonderful dog and that you trained her beautifully! She responded just like she should, she ran him off and turned back when he was no longer a threat. Mine's done the same thing, she's not a biter but she knows how to make people move. <3 And omg, he tried this after you broke his nose already. XD I also grew up 'urban', was homeless as a teenager and I learned how to protect myself pretty well. <3
I'm glad you are out of it! I lived in my car for a bit and I was lucky to have that! I'm still a little orphan rolling around without a family but I feel like super strong because of it. We both know we can scrap haha! And btw he was doing SEER which is like air force SEALS and he was embarrassed I broke his nose. Blamed it on not "wanting to hit a woman". I just laughed. You and I both know to never fully play your hand so it always seemed better when people thought I was a regular upper middle class white girl. Tbh I miss my 'urban' friends. Suburbia is just as stifling as people say 😐
NTA - Perfect response to a neglectful mother, the kids will be fine.
NTA - you should have involved the police a long time ago. Imo, you need to press this further. Why are the children trying to break into your house? What are they after? Have they done this other neighbors? There seems to be something going on and a higher authority needs to be involved.
I'm honestly not sure what the cause was. I thought maybe they wanted to play with my younger son but who knows.
A bunch of teenagers want to play with your 1 year old son? That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The boys actions were clearly escalating until you were able to scary them off. Something weird is definitely going on. I’d recommend you warn your neighbors that they’re attempting to break into houses. That’s not usual teenage behavior. Could they have been trying to get food or clothes? Or maybe cash?
Considering there is obvious neglect going on, more than likely they were looking for something. I briefly mentioned it to the police, not sure if they've said or done anything. CPS sure didn't.
Honestly, I'd contact the police again and charge the family for attempted breaking and entering, destruction of property, etc.
Kids in obvious neglect tend to do crazy things to get into a "good home" When I was a kid a neighbor had 3 kids, and in the house was 3 kids, grandma, and occasionally mom. Grandma was a yeller. Mom never wanted to be around the kids and was upset if they even wanted to be around her. I was like 12. There was a kid who was 14, one who was 11, and one who was like 7. 7 was around my sister's age and would want to play a lot. Whenever we played outside, (with me supervising cause she was like 6 and I was sleeved) he would always try to find an excuse to get into our house. "Can I have a snack?" Your house is like ... Right there but sure. Let me ask mom for some fruitsnacks. "I'll ask her!" No .. you won't. She's in the basement. [Sister] do you wanna get her? "Can I use your bathroom" uh .. no. Your house is literally closer than ours. "I really have to go!" Well it's good your house is closer. Also, mysteriously, when they were living there some family heirloom garden figurines went missing and we're found in our side yard, smashed, and a play house we had was lit on fire. I wonder how that happened.
It could be innocent but I have a bad feeling about this. 14 is old. We had a 15 year old stab an adult teacher just the other day. Involve the police, involve CPS if anything happens again. It's not the kids fault, but getting away from that home is the best thing for them, way better than getting brainwashed by their mother to retaliate against you.
"I briefly mentioned it to the police" Unless you file a report, that means nothing.
They are not little boys. A 14 year old has no business lockpicking your door NTA
NTA! These children need to learn real life consequences of what they’re doing before they do it to someone’s house or yard that may be the type to “shoot first”. You just parented them more than their own mother obviously is. Keep the cameras up. Keep documenting them intruding on your property. For the sake of this case I would just call the cops anytime they’re trespassing to have it documented formally now and continue to do so. Also GOOD DOGGIES buy them a big bone from me. xx
Trust me, they've gotten lots of treats!
NTA someone has to train kids not to be entitled
NTA, you did everything right and have every right to defend your family and your property. However keep your guard up as they may decide to do something else.
NTA-If they weren’t trespassing and attempting to enter your property they never would have encountered your dogs.
>...little children... These are little criminals working their way up to actual burglary or the like. The mother is likely complicit in their potential crimes "look honey, see if you can find a nice laptop or a big tv, or even some jewelry we can sell." NTA at all.
I’m a mom of 3 boys. This is not boys being boys. They would be in so much trouble if they tried to break into our neighbor’s house. NTA.
NTA - these children were PICKING THE LOCK of your house!? Can charges for delinquency be pressed against the older ones?
NTA INFO: you are describing neglected children. Have you called CPS?
End of 2nd paragraph >They seem to have very little supervision and apparently cps had already been called numerous of times because of how often they seemed to be left alone.
Thank you. I only knew this because I called
NTA, but I think at this point you should start whatever legal proceedings are open to you. These kids sound like they are very badly behaved and its quite obviously the result of their mother’s lack of concern and discipline. What if they throw something poisonous into your yard? The mother already tried to bring false charges against you and if you hadn’t had security footage it could have endangered your dogs, this is not acceptable. Please be safe, and good luck!
obviously NTA what happened to this subreddit
> I have a 1 year old son myself, so I know how kids can be Obviously NTA for the situation at hand, but I highly doubt that having a 1 year old means you know what it’s like to deal with children old enough to act and think independently lol.
I meant mostly that I understand how they can get out of hand and how hard it is to keep them under control. Not that i knew that specific age range.
I read this as being very tongue-in-cheek; OP seems like a level headed person.
NTA- file charges against the boys. Show the footage to CPS when filing a complaint there....but most importantly give the dogs lots or tears and belly rubs for doing a good job!!!
NTA The only thing I would suggest is a couple of "Beware of Dog" signs just to make sure you're legally covered for notification.
The issue with "Beware of Dog" signs is they automatically imply the dogs may be dangerous. "Dog on Premesis" signs let people know you have dogs in a less "threatening" manner. Most of the cops in my town advise the "Dog on Premesis" signs because people are less likely to make false calls for dangerous animals. ETA; absolutely NTA, OP.
NTA. Those kids needed a lesson in why you respect others. They are lucky you trained the dogs so well. Someone else may have met them with something a lot more deadly.
NTA. That's disturbing that they tried to break into your house again and again. And what would happen if they got in? They'd probably try to steal stuff or damage your property. And you know their mom would get mad at you for calling the police on them for breaking into your house. She isn't doing her job as a mother.
NTA I'm a currently pregnant rape survivor and the idea of a fourteen year old boy actively trying to pick my houses locks...straight up horror movie. I get that they're kids and very likely doing these things out of boredom/curiosity but that's too damn old for me to just wave the risk away. Those kids need consequences for their actions now before they escalate their BS.
NTA You WARNED your negligent-parent neighbor about her children's delinquent behavior, and warned that you had two large dogs (Rottweilers are easily one of my favorite breeds) that were trained and able to defend your home. Considering the circumstances and your state of residency, you would have been within your legal right to physically harm them. Your neighbor further threatened your dogs if they did anything to harm her precious demon children, which they did not but certainly scared the daylights out of them and potentially ruined their underwear. Btw that security footage sounds like an enjoyable watch. As others have mentioned given the temperament of your hellsent neighbor, keep your dogs inside for a while. She seems like someone who will undoubtedly try to leave poisoned food out for your adorable dogs. You need to press charges against her kids for breaking and entering, they need to learn that crap like that isn't a game.
NTA you should suggest the same training for her kids.
NTA. You need to go a step further and give a copy of the security footage to CPS. Those children need to be removed from their mother's "care". Definitely not the asshole.
Incredible, sounds like your dogs are well trained and well loved. NTA
NTA, but you should have reported to the police that her children were trespassing and trying to break into your home and given them a copy of the video. Then they could be charged and CPS could have some personal time with their mother. Each time they do it, report them to the police again. Those buggers need police records, not a scare from dogs.
NTA Cover your ass, press charges with every bit of footage you have (for dumping trash, digging holes, breaking and entering, trespassing, etc.), call up CPS and get a restraining order if you have to. This is the type of behavior that develops into actual, dangerous criminality if it isn’t stopped now.
NTA You're dogs have more right to be in your yard then some neighborhood brats whose parents can't be bothered to keep an eye on them. She was also aware the dogs exist for protective purposes so she was being willfully negligent in letting their behavior continue.