I WOULD say that I don't live nearby, just that I have seen the dog when I was driving by on the way to xxxx. That way they couldn't accuse anyone on their street, and also, most police-type places, and in fact many businesses, too, have caller-ID, and I wouldn't want my credibility harmed by them seeing an out-of-state area code, and so dismissing the complaint.

Stenograsaurus, do let me know, email me if you want, if I can help. If I do call someone, you'd have to help with a couple little fibs - is the dog visible from the street at all? And is your street on the way to anywhere?