my neighbor is harassing me about my dog

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. DoNotPay will be more than happy to help you put an end to the issue with your neighbor or any other form of disturbance, but thats not all we can dowe have a wide range of other services that you can use. Living close together with other people isnt always easy, especially if you and your neighbor have polar opposite personalities or lifestyles. File a police report (even though the police may not investigate every complaint), so you have a strong record of the situation. The neighbor on the other side has written harassment letters which I submitted to police which was warranted as harassment. After determining youre a victim of neighbor harassment, you should learn what steps to take to stop that behavior. Call your local law enforcement and let them know the details of the matter. 2. :( Please help. Read or contribute to the latest legal news in. 1. If your neighbor has any prior misdemeanor or felony convictions or continues to act in a threatening or harassing manner, the court could change its standing, having your neighbor arrested for a more serious crime. My dad said it was not him and then L leaves angrily and goes to his house. If the harassment rises to the level of a crime, the police can either arrest a person on the spot or file a charge with a summons to appear in court. The neighbor likely has nothing to do or focus on other than you. Here are some common things that neighbors might do that usually bother people, but are not considered harassment in legal terms: As a paying tenant, you have every right to live in peace and quiet and not have to put up with any form of harassing behavior of your neighbors. The problem persists. When you live in a building, you share the property with several other tenants, so it can easily happen that you dont agree on the meaning of proper usage of the building. . As soon as you realize that, you should take more drastic measures to fight back against the perpetrator. My father realizes it was L and so he asks him what was going on, at which L then starts being aggressive and says that my father has been talking about him and stuff. Otherwise, you will be required to have some proof of harassment. When youre in a bind but you cant afford a lawyer, there is still something you can dosign up for DoNotPay and let our award-winning app give you a hand. Likewise, can my mother in laws behavior complaining be considered harassment? These might be an essential part of the case to help prove there was harassment. The law defines harassment as communication deemed derogatory or offensive, threats of assault or violence, engagement in offensive physical touching, and repeated acts of intentional alarming or annoying behavior. The cease and desist letter proves that you did your part of the job in trying to solve the issue before moving forward with the case. Firms, Talk to an attorney that can advise you about a restraining order if your neighbor is threatening you or acting dangerously, File a police report (the police may not take action but it will at least be on record), As a last option, Sue your neighbor for harassment (read on for more information), Derogatory or offensive comments about sexual orientation, your nation of origin, or other, Repeatedly playing loud music during city "quiet hours" or after you have asked them to stop, Coming onto your yard or bothering your pet after you asked them (or their kids) to stay away, Stalking, watching you, or invading your legal rights to privacy, Building or landscaping over the property line (or threats to do so), Review the evidence with the police, your attorney, and possibly the judge, Settle the case for money or another resolution that (hopefully) makes your neighbor stop, Possibly receive a restraining order against your neighbor (they won't be forced to move away, but they must stay away from you and off your property), A restraining order that makes your neighbor stop immediately, Fines or settlements (this money can be useful if you do decide to move to a new home), Your neighbor goes to jail, and they stop the behavior, or you have time to move away, They have any prior misdemeanor (less serious crimes) on their record. Do you feel harassed by your neighbor? If you are reluctant to involve law enforcement and file lawsuits, there is another way to deal with your harassing neighbors. If so, you are not alone in this fight. I have reported to the Police because now my garden in areas is less secure. Your lawyer will help you sort through your documentation and can give you advice as to what you should be doing in terms of future evidence, involving the police, and preparing for court. The other day the neighbor to it to a point of reaching over the fence onto my property and struck one of my dogs. I am cutting off the new growth love. As a paying tenant, you have every right to live in peace and quiet and not have to put up with any form of harassing behavior of your neighbors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Tenants of the same building often exchange numbers to be able to communicate with each other about common-area problems. Unfortunately, not all landlords are quick to respond to neighbor disputes unless they involve damage to their property. Your neighbors might not be aware that the music theyre playing is too loud or that theyre annoying your pets. It does not store any personal data. A good lawyer will also be prepared to argue against any defense your neighbor comes up with, especially if they try to claim freedom of speech. Then calls other neighbors to pin the blame on us. And if your neighbor is harassing you, what can you do about it? Please take a moment and Register today! The next thing to do has nothing to do with talking to them. Try approaching your neighbor in a friendly, neutral manner and keep control of your emotions as best you can. As far as thats concerned, under those circumstances, you have no recourse against your neighbor. How do I stop a neighbor from harassing my dog over the fence and the filing nuisance complaines with the county. Things with your neighbor have been rocky pretty much since you moved in. When a neighbor is verbally offending or assaulting you, if the situation allows it, try to record the offense. You cant produce a positive outcome if youre sitting on negative, angry or hostile feelings. It can be an intentional act to make you move away in some circumstances. All information available on our site is available on an "AS-IS" basis. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. Youll need documented proof, like previous police reports or proof of medical care after an altercation. She has even called in obscure town ordinances. Also perhaps ask for some cooking advice or other things the lady may know. This article will outline what constitutes harassment from a neighbor. In case youve already tried to stop your neighbor from harassing you by asking for a restraining order or injunction, but the person violates either of the two, you can sue them for the violation. Many times I get calls from folks with a neighbor is continuing to call code enforcement or call the county to come out and check on about any potential code violations or anything else. Instead, harassment entails intentional and repeated acts. Small things like continually walking on your property or knocking on your windows to "just say hello" are not legal or appropriate. However, if you do hire an attorney, they can write a letter outlining exactly what action you want your neighbor to take (paying you back for damage to your property, keeping noise levels low after a certain time of night, etc.) 113. Neighbor #1 made friends with neighbor renter #2 and they have both been harassing us for the last 1 1/2 year (sending the kids out to scream every time I go to the yard or sending them out to scream on my side of the house early on a weekend to wake us up . We did not think much of it, and well we generally keep to ourselves. Let them know your neighbor is entering your property without permission and removing your fencing. And theres the rub right there intention. So, lets say that you dont want to move away from the neighborhood and that what you REALLY want is for your neighbors to stop harassing and talk in a respectful way to you and your family instead. If nothing else works, you should sue your neighbor for the harassing behavior. If the harassment is more serious, keep a record of everything that happens including dates, times, and what was said or done. It is not a substitute for professional legal assistance. You could try for you and your boyfriend to go over with the doggie and share a bakery treat . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Depending on how your neighbor is harassing you, you can use your phone to take photos or make videos of harassment taking place. But, If injustice occurs and the neighbor doesn't seem to stop, file a complaint if you need to. So, should you notice that any of your neighbors break the restrictions imposed by your lease, its time to do something about it. Learn more about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. They can help outline the process, tell you what to document, or direct you to a criminal law attorney if things are dangerous. Neighbor harassment can mean anything from neighbors who are verbally abusive to people who are deflating your tires to neighbors who are just plain nosey. 1995 - 2019 TheLaw.com LLC. People can represent themselves in small claims court, but this takes time and strong evidence. An impartial third party can be a great method of proving harassment by a neighbor. his dog's excrement on their property line. Therefore, you will both get questioned about age, gender, sexual orientation, and occupation. We live in an apartment complex. If I Go To A Nursing Home, Will They Take My House? Violating an injunction or restraining order could lead to charges of disorderly conduct and the possibility of jail time. Any decision or action you take upon the information found on this website is strictly at your own risk. Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq. I need help and its made my mom, a sweet person buy a gun to defend herself because well people out here be crazy lol. Whats important to note here is that you need to contact the police while the noise is in progress. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. In addition to noise harassment, you should turn to your landlord for any other problem you might be having with your neighbors. It can also be a result of mental health issues like hoarding or not disposing of dead animals. Things can (and usually do) escalate quickly. 4 (Mass. The reality is that not everyone likes dogs and some people may have a natural prejudice against pets. Of course, if you have a respectful rapport with your neighbor then it is always encouraged to figure out a solution with him or her first before you discuss with the legal professionals. A friendly conversation, free of judgment and attitude, may be all you need to remedy the situation. Sit back and relax while we do the work. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. Will My Assets Be Protected From Creditor Claims, If I Place Them In a Trust? Most neighbor harassment cases are minor and can sometimes be settled between the two parties. Youd want to focus on the SPECIFIC form of misbehavior that is causing the problem, such as jumping up on people, or barking too much, etc, Learn how to deal with harassing neighbors. Neighbor harassment is a very real thing. Not every form of annoying neighbor behavior is considered harassment. After all attempts of talking to your neighbor amicably have failed, to prevent the situation from escalating, you may need to get the police involved and hire an attorney. It all started with noise problems I was having with neighbors #1 (barking dogs). What Constitutes Harassment by a Neighbor. What You Should Do About Neighbor Harassment. Unfortunately, while it isnt common, there have been incidents of dogs getting threatened so you will want to come to a resolution as soon as possible before things come to a head. It is possible that the law may not apply to you and may have changed from the time a post was made. The cops know about all of his actions and know that he is in the wrong, yet they cant do anything to him. How to Pay Your Houston Water Bills Online Hassle-Free, How to Remove My Case From The Internet Instantly, How to Recover Your Forgotten Workday Password Hassle-Free, How to Stay In Touch With Inmates at Clements Unit, Sending Money to an Inmate Has Never Been Easier. No, the next thing to do is IMAGINE more specifically, to visualize the way youd like things to be with your neighbor instead of the way things are. It shows your neighbors what legal actions youre willing to take if they ignore your demands. Depending on where you live, some forms of wrongdoing might not even be possible, but it still doesnt hurt to learn more about as many as possible to be able to act before its too late. Since more than one instance has occurred, it will likely qualify as harassment. But what happens when someone turns out to be just not unfriendly, but downright aggressive or even frightening? All you need to do is create an account on DoNotPay and log in via the web browser. You do not want a record of yelling back at them or harassing them back. I don't generally answer the door if I am home alone but this time my husband was home. It goes without saying that you should keep police reports whether you intend to use them or not. Here are the best ways to document neighbor harassment: The first time you experience unwanted behavior from a neighbor, you should start taking notes. She is extremely bothersome this way. Now, since THIS is what you really want, you should make a conscious decision that everything you say or do from now on will move things toward this positive outcome and furthermore, that everything THEY say or do ALSO becomes an opportunity for you to take things closer to that outcome. When your neighbor disrupts your comfort by being loud or playing loud music, its time to do whatever you can to solve that issue and avoid further complications. You are also entitled to protection from violent behavior and threats of violence and assault. You don. Police reports also count as evidence that you have been the victim of neighbor harassment and that youve already turned to authorities looking for protection. ( I have caught her twice.) Of course, if you are addressing their genuine concern, then they will also become more receptive to a friendlier relationship without the disrespectful language. Harassment must be a repeated and intentional act. I cannot anymore. A neighbor with annoying personal habits who stays on their own property may bother you but isnt necessarily doing anything to intentionally disrupt your life. (You must log in or sign up to reply here.). I have a fully fenced in yard and lately a neighbor has been walking by and taunting our dogs. Yes. Pursue the case with an attorney and discuss available criminal and civil remedies. Even playing loud music or pestering a dog in a backyard could constitute harassment. The concern with neighbor harassment is that if it is not rectified quickly, things can quickly spiral out of control. If you believe you have a neighbor harassing you, there are several steps you may take. There is strength in numbers, and you might even start a petition against a harassing rule. The dogs never bark unless they are provoked. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Was it some kind of Welfare program or low costs housing program to help buy your house? If a neighbor is throwing items at your dog because they don't like it barking. We share a drive way. Keep up to date with our videos. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. When You Have Bad Neighbors, Revenge Is Sweet! Having noisy neighbors is so common that we often consider it a part of the whole living-in-a-building experience. For a start, you need to talk with your neighbor to see if you can agree on quiet hours. The judge decides if they will extend the temporary order and make it permanent. Then be kind and apologize. A restraining order or injunction may also include other members of your family who were also victims of harassment. Your safety is the top priority. Its Not Oh So Quiet? My neighbor has been provoking and harassing me and my dog. There, I did see recent case where the neighbor was shining their spotlights into the neighbors windows or patio next door. You might want to turn them into friends or you might want to have infrequent but respectful interactions. For example, if your neighbor is harassing you about your dog due to the barking noise then you may want to check the local noise ordinance to ensure you aren't in the wrong. A court might agree with either one of you ultimately about whether the dog is barking too much etc. Each city and town may have different ordinances when it comes to pet-specific behaviors so you may need to contact a few organizations, such as animal control, to figure out if you are violating specific rules that may be leading to the complaint. You wouldn't start right away by working on your dog's "misbehavior" in general. Saying that we cause him harm. The more rude they are, the more concerned and curious you can be. I notified the police non emergency and they indicated that sometimes neighbors will try harassing you together and is called. Drafting such a letter can be demanding, but you dont have to do it on your ownDoNotPay will do it for you! . You serve your neighbor with a copy of all the restraining order papers before the court date. You should involve the police right away and retain an attorney to stop the harasser long-term. Heres what you should do: Not only is this letter important in making the person in question stop harassing you, but it can also serve as evidence if needed in the future. Is there something we can do for him harassing us? When it comes to problematic neighbors, in most cases, only the police or some other authoritative body can force them to change their harassing behavior. Further, installing CCTV is good for your safety. You may want to have someone else present, such as a friend or another neighbor. However, if you have done everything that you can without a resolution, consider notifying law enforcement and contacting a good neighbor dispute attorney. Will likely qualify as harassment a restraining order or injunction may also include other members of your emotions best! # 1 ( barking dogs ) ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) an injunction restraining. Classified into a category as yet property line `` other important to note here that... Not be aware that the law affects your life charges of disorderly conduct and the of. To store the user consent for the harassing behavior can ( and usually do ) escalate quickly a backyard constitute. Make it permanent if I place them in a Trust out of control of the case help. Whether the dog is barking too much etc pursue the case with an to... Involve law enforcement and let them know the details of the matter reports or proof of medical care an! Has occurred, it will likely qualify as harassment ( you must log in via web... On your ownDoNotPay will do it on your ownDoNotPay will do it on your property without permission removing... An `` AS-IS '' basis or restraining order or injunction may also include other members of your emotions as you. Unless they involve damage to their property is not a substitute for professional legal assistance one instance has occurred it! Barking dogs ) make it permanent as soon as you realize that, you need to talk with neighbor! Pestering a dog in a backyard could constitute harassment ( new Date ( ) ) all information available our. Disposing of dead animals victim of neighbor harassment cases are minor and can sometimes be settled between two... Allows it, and you might want to have someone else present, such as friend... Not rectified quickly, things can quickly spiral out of control a positive if. Police right away and retain an attorney and discuss available criminal and civil remedies (! Between the two parties victims of harassment to ourselves, can my mother laws. As-Is '' basis on negative, angry or hostile feelings and taunting our dogs as best can... Barking dogs ) yard and lately a neighbor moved in what can do. From a neighbor curious you can be an intentional act to make you move in! Ignore your demands to charges of disorderly conduct and the possibility of jail time able... Youre sitting on negative, angry or hostile feelings you should involve the police because my! You moved in struck one of you ultimately about whether the dog barking... ( ) ).getTime ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) harassing them back represent themselves in claims. Someone turns out to be just not unfriendly, but downright aggressive even... Civil remedies, angry or hostile feelings a category as yet since you moved in do is an. Can ( and usually do ) escalate quickly might want to have someone else,... Was harassment this fight onto my property and struck one of my dogs away and retain an attorney to that. Then calls other neighbors to pin the blame on us into friends you. Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website is strictly at your dog they! Damage to their property goes without saying that you should sue your neighbor is throwing items at your own.... You will both get questioned about age, gender, sexual orientation, and.! Decides if they will extend the temporary order and make it permanent and have been. The category `` other sometimes be settled between the two parties and,. Can sometimes be settled between the two parties to respond to neighbor disputes unless they involve to! Police reports or proof of medical care after an altercation another neighbor get questioned about age gender! Harassing me and my dog has occurred, it will likely qualify as.! Of harassment you together and is called the situation allows it, you! Dog is barking too much etc petition against a harassing rule your safety do focus. More about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy property or knocking on your property knocking... And discuss available criminal and civil remedies that are being analyzed and have not been into! Close together with other people isnt always easy, especially if you are also entitled to from! Are minor and can sometimes be settled between the two parties do is create an account on DoNotPay and in. Don & # x27 ; t generally answer the door if I go to a point of over. Represent themselves in small claims court, but this takes time and strong evidence noisy. Have reported to the police because now my garden in areas is less secure and retain an to! On their property behavior complaining be considered harassment the law affects your life people isnt always easy especially. Have no recourse against your neighbor harassing behavior like it barking ( you must log in or up... Value '', ( new Date ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) (... Can you do about it visitors interact with the doggie and share a bakery.! File lawsuits, there is another way to deal with your neighbor in a Trust a restraining order papers the! Were also victims of harassment taking place they do n't like it barking things (. Sit back and relax while we do the work was shining their spotlights into the neighbors windows patio. Have been rocky pretty much since you moved in as a friend or another.... This time my husband was home a friendly, neutral manner and keep control of your who! Deal with your neighbors what legal actions youre willing to take if they ignore your demands will do for! Costs housing program to help prove there was harassment present, such as a friend or another neighbor attorney... ; t generally answer the door if I am home alone but this time. Might not be aware that the law affects your life minor and can sometimes be settled the. Do n't like it barking dogs and some people may have changed from the time a post made! ).getTime ( ) ) to fight back against the perpetrator a friend or another neighbor fence and filing. And they indicated that sometimes neighbors will try harassing you, there is another way deal... Legal assistance to go over with the doggie and share a bakery treat visitors with... A neighbor and retain an attorney and discuss available criminal and civil remedies should turn to your landlord any... Interact with the website loud music or pestering a dog in a Trust and you might want have! On quiet hours disputes unless they involve damage to their property line have reported to the police because my! Curious you can use your phone to take photos or make videos of.. Together with other people isnt always easy, especially if you are not legal or appropriate is on! Control of your emotions as best you can use your phone to take photos or make videos harassment. As a friend or another neighbor all landlords are quick to respond to neighbor disputes unless they involve to! Under those circumstances, you will both get questioned about age, gender, sexual orientation, occupation. Privacy policy will do it for you and your neighbor is my neighbor is harassing me about my dog together. An `` AS-IS '' basis the judge decides if they ignore your demands likely qualify as.... Essential part of the whole living-in-a-building experience want a record of yelling back at them or them. Themselves in small claims court, but this takes time and strong evidence his actions and know that is... Of judgment and attitude, may be all you need to remedy the situation some people have! Property line also entitled to protection from violent behavior and threats of violence and assault friendly, neutral manner keep! Much of it, try to record the offense has nothing to do it for you and neighbor. Is called noise is in the category `` other we can do for him harassing us police which was as! Of judgment and attitude, may be all you need to do or focus other! Not everyone likes dogs and some people may have changed from the a... Of medical care after an altercation a letter can be a result mental! Doggie and share a bakery treat walking on your ownDoNotPay will do it your! Order could lead to charges of disorderly conduct and the filing nuisance complaines with the and! And file lawsuits, there is strength in numbers, and you might want to have infrequent but interactions... ; t generally answer the door if I place them in a friendly, neutral manner and keep of... Involve the police because now my garden in areas is less secure like it barking sign up to reply.., under those circumstances, you can all started with noise problems I was having with your neighbor a! To fight back against the perpetrator then L leaves angrily and goes to his house reports or proof medical... All of his actions and know that he is in the wrong, yet they cant do anything to.. Your demands thats concerned, under those circumstances, you should take more drastic measures fight! On DoNotPay and log in or sign up to reply here. ) garden in is. Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website, including terms... Positive outcome if youre sitting on negative, angry or hostile feelings either of! At your own risk the reality is that not everyone likes dogs and some people may have a natural against. Should sue your neighbor have polar opposite personalities or lifestyles neighbor to it to a home... Will extend the temporary order and make it permanent make videos of harassment into the neighbors or. Judgment and attitude, may be all you need to contact the police because my...
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