Bad neighbors

[nancys]

Just to let everyone know - I would not put Jake to sleep, because of the mean dogs. However, I feel bad for him, because he is so afraid of the other dogs.

Almost everyone in my neighborhood has complained about these dogs & their owners. Sometimes I feel sorry for them (the dogs) because they just don't get taken care of. I can hear them crying winter & summer becaue they are kept outdoors and are too hot / cold. Plus as I said they are constantly having puppies - this summer one of the little puppies came into my yard. My nephew was there and he was thinking about taking the puppy home with him, so he could have a better home.

The police have tried doing something about the dogs, and the neighbors have been fined several times, but pay $5.00 amonth on the fines.

This family has 3 small boys (all under 3 years of age) living with them. The night I had Jake out for a walk & their dogs attacked him, all 3 of the little boys were standing out in the street, probably not more than 4 feet away. It's just unbelievable to me that they would even want these dogs.

I try to keep Jake indoors as much as I can, but I do put him out on the porch when I leave, because he eats the cat food if I'm not there to catch him. He is a pretty good old dog & I have never seen a dog who's a bigger baby.

A petition is a good idea - I've wondered before if the neighbors couldn't do something like that. Thanks everyone.

[nancys]

I had several people tell me that I should have had the last vet bill sent directly to the dog owners. But it would not have accomplished anything, becasue they simply would not have paid it. And then they would have probably have damaged to my car or house. They are a wacky & dangerous family.

[IRescue452]

Try checking craigslist.com for cheap fencing, I see it quite often in our area

[wolfsoul]

I would go to small claims court, honestly. Get a lawyer and sue them for medical bills and emotional distress. It is likely they would have to surrender the dogs hafter that.
If that's a no-go, I would get a neighborhood petition and take it directly to animal control and city council. They can't continue to dodge this forever. Yes, they might put the dogs down -- but it sounds as if the dogs are not having a good life and are keeping other dogs at risk for death too. You have to pick your battles. If you contact the SPCA and tell them about any inhumane conditions the dogs are being kept in, they should also be on it.
If none of that works and you want to keep your own dog from being at risk, you should just buy a nice dog run if he needs to be kept outside. Get one with a roof so no one can get in. It'd be safer than just installing a new fence. Or get your neighborhood to pitch in and purchase a wireless fence for the owners. Not that they deserve "gifts" but it might be worth it.