Neighbor and my dogs

[oachs83]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota

Sorry if this is in the wrong subject but I tried to find the best one please direct me if I am in the wrong place.

So I have two just turned 1 year old Germain shorthair dogs. I just moved to a new place and put up a invisible fence. For the first month I lived here I did not have th fence and if the dogs happened to see a bird they would chase it. I never had to chase them over ten minutes and most of the time they would come back. Now I have the fence working and I am trying to get the bugs out of it. Today the neighbor comes outside to take his dogs across the street to "go potty" (that way he doesn't feel he needs to pick up the doodie) and his dogs come out barking and pulling on the leash. I thought I had the fence dialed in but my male dog trotted through the fence into the street to get a sniff of the dogs (no aggression whatsoever just curiosity). My neighbor starts to yank his dogs back yells at my dog uses his foot to get my dog away and starts to yell at me. He tells me I need my dogs on a leash and if they ever step foot into his yard he calling the pound. Now my dogs have never ever shown aggression and I have never heard them bark ever unless they are playing together. My dogs have gone through their yard before I got the fence going but have only passed through the yard. They have never pottied or even stayed in his yard for ten seconds. I realize legally that is probably not o.k. but I don't want him calling the pound on me for something so harmless. The dogs are not left out unless I am outside and we are usually out for a half hour a day at the most. I don't want any strikes against me if my dogs happen to run through the fence again. Is there anything I can do? Thanks P.S. it really is a bummer because the last thing I wanted was a fued with the neighbor I have tried to talk friendly to the guy before but he seems old and crotchety.

 

[Hot Topic]

You've got to do something about the fence. If your dogs keep getting through it, something is going to happen, and as with most things of that nature, it isn't going to be good.

Your dogs are probably not as bad as your neighbor thinks they are and probably not as good as you think they are.

 

[oachs83]

I hopefully have the fence figured out but I can't test it unless they try to run through it and I am not going to purposely zap them that's just cruel. I am not saying my dogs are perfect, I understand this. They are still pups and many know that you go through a few growing pains no matter who you are when there at that age. I was just trying to state they are not aggresive or barkers. Exactly what can the pound do if they are not caught in the act? I mean if I really have to I can do the same about his dogs constant barking everytime I am in the backyard but that is the last thing I want to do. I have heard rumors he is moving in a half year or so and the other neighbors don't seem to get along with him either. I don't want a strike against me for a guy with a chip on his shoulder.

 

[quincy]

Most cities and townships have leash laws. You can check with your local office to see what the penalties are for having a loose dog or a dog that is reported to have been loose. Sometimes, I know, the city will pick the dog up if he is found wandering, and you must pay a fine to have the dog released. It really just depends on your particular area's ordinance.

I hope your dogs have tags so, if they do run off, you can be contacted. And good luck with the fence training.

 

[oachs83]

Our law is if the dog is left to roam free with owner allowing it to you can get a fine. Like I said I am always watching them and within a minute I get them to come back. One time it took me almost ten. But I am always outside, they probably get out once every two weeks on average before the fence wsa installed. Now they just got out this one time.

 

[AnotherMoron]

Electronic fences are a bad idea and this is why, they keep your dogs in, but they don't keep other dogs out. Your dogs may be the sweetest things ever, but can they defend themselves against an attack from a bigger dog or malicious teens? You need a proper fence and you need to keep your dogs under control. That's part of being a responsible dog owner. 30 seconds is too long for them to be out of your control. 10 minutes is just plain unacceptable. If you won't train them to listen to you then they need to be leashed or put inside a proper fence. It only takes a split second for a dog to turn vicious. They are animals, they have drives they can't always overcome, and no matter how well you know your dogs, you can't tell what they will perceive as a threat and decide to attack, OR what they'll decide to play with, like a toddler, or a small dog, and kill by mistake. I have a GSP and her prey drive is so high I wouldn't let her off her leash on a dare. They're hunting dogs, they chase, it's what they're bred to do.

You're taking some pretty serious risks by not fencing your animals and it's irresponsible.

 

[quincy]

AnotherMoron makes some excellent points.

I can certainly agree that an electric fence is not the best way to contain an animal. Those whom I know who have used them have experienced some of the problems AM mentioned (to a lesser degree). The fences, themselves, have often malfunctioned, as well. Having your dogs picked up by the city or being fined for them running loose, then, would be the least of your worries.

While in theory electric fences sound like great ideas, and are nice aesthetically, in reality they do not prevent a major lawsuit should any of the conditions AnotherMoron describes occur.

 

[oachs83]

First off I don't need you to tell me how good or not good of a pet owner I am you don't know me and I don't know you. If I wanted that the title would be "Tell me what kind of pet owner you think I am?" or "Do you think electric fences are good for containing dogs?". I very much realize hidden fences are not bullet proof that is why I stated a couple times allready that the dogs are only out when I am out. That is great your GSP is a very hyper driven dog. Is it my dog no it's yours so don't profile every single GSP based on your dog. Mine happen to be very calm gentle dogs. My main question is what type of legal action could be taken if my dog where to happen to walk into his yard for 2 seconds and he happen to call the pound on me? The reason I went into details before is to give a example on how my dogs where behaving compared to his yet he wants to take action onto me. I don't need added comments so keep those to yourself.

 

[msiron]

First off I don't need you to tell me how good or not good of a pet owner I am you don't know me and I don't know you. If I wanted that the title would be "Tell me what kind of pet owner you think I am?" or "Do you think electric fences are good for containing dogs?". I very much realize hidden fences are not bullet proof that is why I stated a couple times allready that the dogs are only out when I am out. That is great your GSP is a very hyper driven dog. Is it my dog no it's yours so don't profile every single GSP based on your dog. Mine happen to be very calm gentle dogs. My main question is what type of legal action could be taken if my dog where to happen to walk into his yard for 2 seconds and he happen to call the pound on me? The reason I went into details before is to give a example on how my dogs where behaving compared to his yet he wants to take action onto me. I don't need added comments so keep those to yourself.

and fences aren't bullet proof either if you have drivey dogs that can jump like gazelles or easily scale an 8' footer. Drivey dog get tunnel vision and go on a mission. I know I have 2 Mechelaars'.

The only solution is to do EVERYTHING you can, if you have to hook them to a 100' or 200' lead, then do it and use a wide collar for the least amount of throat damage.

Or juice up the fence. They get a warning tone before a shock. Dogs aren't stupid and will learn fast, tone means stop, or ZAPOLA and pain.

 

[Zigner]

Your dogs have a history of getting loose from your yard over and over and over again, yet you expect your neighbors to take your word for it that you've got it under control?
You don't have your dogs under control and your neighbor is well within his rights to call the pound EVERY time your dogs get loose. Too many times getting loose, and you're gonna have that nice (wo)man in uniform knocking at your door.

 

[oachs83]

Your dogs have a history of getting loose from your yard over and over and over again, yet you expect your neighbors to take your word for it that you've got it under control?
You don't have your dogs under control and your neighbor is well within his rights to call the pound EVERY time your dogs get loose. Too many times getting loose, and you're gonna have that nice (wo)man in uniform knocking at your door.

I guess I was not clear enough on keeping the opinions to yourself huh? I do not believe I ever stated how many times they have ever gotten out but you sure seem to know don't you? For the record they have gotten out a grand total of 4 times - 3 without the fence and once with it. It all has been because I am still training them and you can't keep them on a leash to see if their properly leash trained can you. Yes I know I have more work to do with them. Also the 4 times they did get out they only went into his yard once and all they did was run through it. Also the whole incident did not happen in his yard it happened 5 feet from the end of my driveway. So please someone with some actual legal knowledge could answer that would be great I have enough opinions allready thanks. I by no means am trying to be a ass but I just would like some answers to my question not opinions.

 

[Zigner]

I'd have called by the 2nd time - you have a nice neighbor.
I absolutely abhor arrogant dog owners who feel that their "right" to be an irresponsible dog owner somehow trumps the rights of their neighbors to enjoy a safe and peaceful neighborhood.

 

[Zigner]

For the record they have gotten out a grand total of 4 times - 3 without the fence and once with it.

For the record - you are not being very truthful with us...

For the first month I lived here I did not have th fence and if the dogs happened to see a bird they would chase it.

You've only had 4 birds in your neighborhood?

And, my earlier statement actually implied that your dogs were out a total of 4 times.

 

[quincy]

I think, oachs83, that you are dismissing too quickly the concerns mentioned by the other posters. Those ARE the legal issues you could possibly face when your dogs run off, for one minute or ten.

You have the city ordinance, for one thing, which requires dogs to be on a leash and/or under the control of the owner, the violation of which is a fine.

You also may have the unexpected dog fight that could occur, not necessarily started by your gentle dogs but by a dog on a leash and under the control of its owner, the leashed dog of which may not react well to two rambunctious dogs approaching.

Any injuries to the leashed dog, and you would be held liable for any and all vet bills. Any injuries to the dog owner, and you would be responsible for any and all medical bills. And, if your dogs did, intentionally or otherwise, bite the owner, your dogs could be taken, labeled vicious dogs, and possibly put to sleep (I don't know if Minnesota has a one-strike law for dogs that bite).

If your dogs ran across the street in front of a car, and the car swerved - more liability.

Hmmmm. What else? I am sure there are other situations that I am not mentioning or that were not mentioned by the other posters.

At any rate, as unlikely as any of these situations may seem to be, they could occur.

So, those are the legal issues. Your neighbor calling the pound is not the most serious of them, by any means.

Like I said earlier, I know people who have the electric fences and they have had their dogs run past the fenced areas on more than one occasion. Good dogs do that.

If you have a dog park in your area where you can train them and/or use a 100' lead as msiron suggested, those may be better solutions until your dogs are fully trained.

Edit to add:

You may want to check out this site, www.animallaw.info, specifically www.animallaw.info/statutes/statestatutes/stusmnset.htm, for the laws that apply to dogs in Minnesota. Minnesota consolidated dog laws are covered under several different statutes, and dangerous dogs are defined in several sections, and there is a statute on dog ordinances. Etc.

 

[oachs83]

Quincy thank you for being polite and I will take what you said to heart. You make good points that some do not always think of. I am aware of the consequences if my dog would be aggresive towards someone or another animal. I guess I am so sure and how timid they are that nothing is going to happen. I guess if something does I have no one to blame but myself.

On a side note: for the other joker that seems like they would be great friends with my neighbor. I have lived here for just under 2 months and I stated they have gotten out about once every 2 weeks. That would make 4 so sorry I was not be untruthful. Also it is people like you that make these forums full of useless junk. People don't want to listen to rude remarks and asumptions about stuff they are not even asking. If you want to make a point you don't have to be so rude or smug. It is funny how people talk to others when they get behind a computer screen.