We live in a neighborhood where there are friendly neighbors, a lot of children and a good number of pets. Since this neighborhood is under the jurisdiction of the City of North Charleston, there is an ordinance that requires dogs to be on a leash and owners to clean up after their dogs.
Some time during 2012, one of my neighbors, that lives in a yellow two-story house in the cul-de-sac next to my property, decided to add a dog to their family. It’s my understanding that this is a rescue dog, which is commendable on their part.
This family has two boys that are elementary school age. The parents allow the boys to walk the dog frequently. That is alright in itself but the boys let the dog POOP in peoples yards and do not clean it up. In my opinion, this is not the young children’s fault or the dogs, for that matter. It is the parents!
This dog is very playful but has a tendency to jump up on some of the kids in the cul-de-sac. Even though the dog is being playful, it does scare some of the kids and a few of them don’t want to be out when the dog is out. Remember, the dog is supposed to be on a leash. Again, this is the parents fault!
Some time during the summer months I began to notice some piles of poop in my yard. Not immediately knowing where it came from, I just cleaned it up and went about my business. However, the piles of poop began to show up more frequently and in the same general location in my yard.
This fall I actually saw this particular neighbors dog doing its business in my front yard. I went over to their house and told the mom what was happening and the frequency of it. She said that she was so sorry and commented that the dog didn’t listen to any of them, especially the boys. I politely asked if they would at least clean up after the dog if it did “leave a gift in my yard”. Of course she agreed.
Well, needless to say it hasn’t stopped. As a matter of fact, one day a few weeks ago I and a friend were inside my house and saw the kids walking the dog on the leash and they let it POOP in my yard right next to my driveway. I opened my front door and told the boy that he needed to go home and get something to clean it up. Thank goodness he did.
Not long after that, I came home from work only to find a fresh pile in the same general spot. In my anger, I decided to escalate my actions – right or wrong. I went in my garage, got my shovel, scooped the poop and deliberately walked it over to their yard and placed it there.
There have recently been at least two more instances of POOP in my yard over the last few days. Needless to say, I want it to stop.
What should I do? Red pepper in the yard? Call Animal Control? Send the neighbor a letter?
You’re right it’s the parent’s responsibiity. And one thing we should not do is harm the animal or the kids in any way, shape or form. So, what to do? Here’s the three options I would consider in preferential order.
1) Add signage & antecedents. These sometimes work, and are fairly inexpensive. A few examples: http://www.mysecuritysign.com/POO/Dog_Poop_Signs.aspx.
If other neighbors ban together with you (many signs in the hood sort of speak) there will be a weight on the perpetrators conscience (since every yard except theirs will have a sign). This would be what I’d call the most peaceful method.
2) Install a motion activated sprinkler: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000071NUS?ie=UTF8&tag=amatgardforno-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000071NUS
After getting hit with water a few times the dog might stop coming around. (keyword might)
3) Put on a fresh pair of rubber gloves, pick up the poop, take it to the neighbors, ring the doorbell, ask to see the dad, shove and smear the poop in his face as mean & nasty & hard as you can, then punch him hard as you can, breaking his nose, telling him (in a Clint Eastwood voice) that “If I find poop in my yard one more F’n time, and I don’t care where it comes from, I’ll be back, Jack. and you won’t like it!” That’s the not-so-nice, nor peaceful way, but the most effective… trust me. 😉
Good luck!
So what have you done? Or, will do (if nothing yet)?
I’m curious and will want to know what works best