The Grass Doctor

How do I keep a neighbours puppy off my lawn?

Ok - I know this has been covered before - but here's the twist. I live in an "open plan" street. i.e.we have no front fencing - our gardens are meant to "blend" Anyway, next door is brand new and they have no lawn. I, on the other hand have a huge, beautifully kept lawn and it takes me hours to keep it that way. Next door has a Pit Bull puppy that craps on my lawn about 3 times A DAY. I cannot use sprays and potions that will kill my grass, also, I cannot use things that will be washed away as the reticulation is on daily. My neighbour couldn't care less where his dog is, he is nasty and abusive, however, he is still my neighbour, and, as a single mother with children, I don't want to make an enemy of him. Yes, you read right - this person has a Pit Bull - a dog listed on the DANGEROUS DOG law, yet it has no fences keeping it in, it roams the street all day and has no collar. If I call the Ranger, he will know it's me, as this is a new development and I am his only neighbour. Can some one please clarify what a BB gun is, please. many thanks!

Public Comments

1. rabbit traps
2. Have you tried speaking with the new neighbor? If you have to no avail, I would file a report with the local police department about the dog.
3. Well Kynance, Unfortunately you have to "man up" a bit and be heard if you want this problem to go away. Neighbors can be a pain in the ass. You have a couple different tacks you can take here. If you think he might be responsive to a talk, you could ask him to keep his dog off of your lawn. If you don't think this will work, then you don't really want to let the cat out of the bag. You implied that there is a dangerous dog law on the books where you live. You could call in an anonymous report of an unleashed pitbull in your yard, and maybe a warning from the authorities will make this guy keep his animal penned in. Is there any way you could plant a barrier hedge? Even once this guy has his own lawn, the dog will still roam wherever he wants. At the risk of the guy not liking you, I still think the direct but friendly apprach is best. Just talk to him. If it doesn't work, you could start collecting the poop and putting it on his porch or walkway! It's a tough situation.
4. A BB Gun will do a lot to keep the dog off your property. Or, you can buy one of those electrical fences and put it up on the property line. When the dog crosses over, ZAP! I would call animal control the next time I saw the dog out without a leash. Your city probably has a leash law. You can pick up the poo and fling it back onto the owners property. The next time you see the dog on your side, spray it with a hose or pepper spray. If all else fails, a 38 lobotomy will stop a charging pitt bull in its tracks. But you need to check the gun laws in your city/state before discharging a fire arm. If the dog is charging you, or threatening you or your children, you have every right (at least where I live) to kill the dog. My opinion of threatening-Has it ever growled at you while you are on your property? If so, take it out.
5. You will have to come up with something that will scare the animal when it is on your property. Try using your car alarm when the dog is near it. You can also put a small wire around the yard at the dogs height that will give it an electric shock. My favorite is a pellet rifle. It does not cause serious injuries and it is quiet but then you have to be a good shot and it only takes one hit to teach the animal to stay away.
6. talk to the neighbors
7. Capture the dog when he's on your lawn, and give it to the authorities and tell them you found a stray!
8. BB gun wont hurt dog more than a sting and it will learn to stay off yard