Neighbors Kids Harassing Us

[TiredofItAll82]

We have had a history with our neighbors. We'd be friends for a little bit, then we'd speak up about their dogs getting under our fence and into our yard, or their dog barking all night, and they'd take it as all out war. About 4 1/2 months ago, we complained about their dog (whom they've left out even in the freezing cold overnight with nothing but a cluttered shed for shelter) barking all night, and let them know that if it didn't stop that we'd file noise complaints, etc. About 2 days later, their dog died. They decided to get their whole family together and blame us. They have no evidence whatsoever, and to be honest, we're not even sure if the dog is actually dead. We never saw a body. They keep saying they are "waiting for autopsy results", while they are calling us every name in the book, etc.

We have tried to just keep to ourselves, but a week ago, they got mad because we were talking to another neighbor (whom they have harassed as well), and broke a couple of pickets on our fence with their lawn mower. I called the cops and they said the only thing we could do is take pictures each time there was damage, and take it to the DA.

Now their 9 and 10 year old children yell at us every time we walk outside our house. Calling us dog-killers, calling us names, etc. They have taken to almost blocking my car in when we try to leave, and have started trying to bully my 7 year old. Their mother just stands there laughing the whole time.

We are about to put our house up on the market, as this whole situation has severally increased my anxiety, and we feel like we are prisoners in our own home. With it being children that are now harassing us, is there anything legal we can do to stop them? I'm hoping they'll be so elated that we're moving that they'll at least be quiet when potential buyers are looking. But just in case, we need to have some sort of legal recourse.

 

[Just Blue]

We have had a history with our neighbors. We'd be friends for a little bit, then we'd speak up about their dogs getting under our fence and into our yard, or their dog barking all night, and they'd take it as all out war. About 4 1/2 months ago, we complained about their dog (whom they've left out even in the freezing cold overnight with nothing but a cluttered shed for shelter) barking all night, and let them know that if it didn't stop that we'd file noise complaints, etc. About 2 days later, their dog died. They decided to get their whole family together and blame us. They have no evidence whatsoever, and to be honest, we're not even sure if the dog is actually dead. We never saw a body. They keep saying they are "waiting for autopsy results", while they are calling us every name in the book, etc.

We have tried to just keep to ourselves, but a week ago, they got mad because we were talking to another neighbor (whom they have harassed as well), and broke a couple of pickets on our fence with their lawn mower. I called the cops and they said the only thing we could do is take pictures each time there was damage, and take it to the DA.

Now their 9 and 10 year old children yell at us every time we walk outside our house. Calling us dog-killers, calling us names, etc. They have taken to almost blocking my car in when we try to leave, and have started trying to bully my 7 year old. Their mother just stands there laughing the whole time.

We are about to put our house up on the market, as this whole situation has severally increased my anxiety, and we feel like we are prisoners in our own home. With it being children that are now harassing us, is there anything legal we can do to stop them? I'm hoping they'll be so elated that we're moving that they'll at least be quiet when potential buyers are looking. But just in case, we need to have some sort of legal recourse.

What state?

 

[TiredofItAll82]

Oklahoma. Sorry.

 

[xylene]

I think you escalated the situation with calling the police for trivial fence damage.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

I think you escalated the situation with calling the police for trivial fence damage.

And this is helpful how? This is not the first time they have damaged our fence, and not the first time they have harassed us about their dog(s). I came asking for helpful legal advice; not criticism.

 

[not2cleverRed]

1) It's necropsy, not autopsy. Only people get autopsied. If they actually had a necropsy done, and it indicated anything like poisoning, they would still have to prove that you were the source of the poison, not the rat poison they'd been storing in the shed. It should not take 4 months for a necropsy. I have a neighbor that doesn't like my pets, and when one suddenly died a day after a confrontation, you can bet I got a necropsy to rule
out foul play. It took a day, not 4 months. A friend whose pet's necropsy required tissue sample testing took weeks, not months.

2) Don't take property damage like that to the DA. Yes, make police reports each time something like that happens. You do not have to "call the police" to your house to make a report, you can go to the police station. You then get an estimate for the cost to repair the damage and submit it to your neighbor in writing. If your neighbor refuses to pay, then you go to small claims for the cost of repairing the fencing.

I suppose you could ask a layer to write a cease and desist letter requesting that the members of the household stop slandering you. It would cost money, but wouldn't have any legal teeth - it would either scare them into submission or further antagonize them.

It seems like you and your neighbors are unable to effectively engage in adult (civil) communication.

"Almost blocking" you car is not blocking your car. Do not engage the children, as they are parroting what the adults have told them. Either go into therapy or take up meditation. Therapy might be better. My neighbor with Buddha shrines all over her front yard seems a bit prickly, but perhaps she doesn't actually meditate and is merely guilty of cultural appropriation.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

1) It's necropsy, not autopsy. Only people get autopsied. If they actually had a necropsy done, and it indicated anything like poisoning, they would still have to prove that you were the source of the poison, not the rat poison they'd been storing in the shed. It should not take 4 months for a necropsy. I have a neighbor that doesn't like my pets, and when one suddenly died a day after a confrontation, you can bet I got a necropsy to rule
out foul play. It took a day, not 4 months. A friend whose pet's necropsy required tissue sample testing took weeks, not months.

2) Don't take property damage like that to the DA. Yes, make police reports each time something like that happens. You do not have to "call the police" to your house to make a report, you can go to the police station. You then get an estimate for the cost to repair the damage and submit it to your neighbor in writing. If your neighbor refuses to pay, then you go to small claims for the cost of repairing the fencing.

I suppose you could ask a layer to write a cease and desist letter requesting that the members of the household stop slandering you. It would cost money, but wouldn't have any legal teeth - it would either scare them into submission or further antagonize them.

It seems like you and your neighbors are unable to effectively engage in adult (civil) communication.

"Almost blocking" you car is not blocking your car. Do not engage the children, as they are parroting what the adults have told them. Either go into therapy or take up meditation. Therapy might be better. My neighbor with Buddha shrines all over her front yard seems a bit prickly, but perhaps she doesn't actually meditate and is merely guilty of cultural appropriation.

Thank you so much for your reply. We haven't engaged the children at all and are ignoring thembut anxiety being what it is... We are leaning strongly on our Christian faith, and I'm just hoping they won't pull this stuff and scare away potential buyers. Again, thank you for the reply, especially information about the necropsy.

 

[Just Blue]

And this is helpful how? This is not the first time they have damaged our fence, and not the first time they have harassed us about their dog(s). I came asking for helpful legal advice; not criticism.

Sometimes when one asks for advice it will be, by necessity, critical. As an adult you should realize that.

 

[not2cleverRed]

And this is helpful how? This is not the first time they have damaged our fence, and not the first time they have harassed us about their dog(s). I came asking for helpful legal advice; not criticism.

1) If you think that their dogs are being neglected, report your concerns to the authorities/ASPCA. It is clear that you cannot communicate directly civilly, so simply don't engage. I am not trying to blame either party - just sometimes, it happens that neighbors are incompatible.

2) Again, document any damage. Report vandalism. If you have direct proof that your property has been damaged/vandalized by the neighbors, then get a repair estimate and request in writing that they repair the damage they caused. Then follow up in small claims.

3) While it is their responsibility to keep their pets in their yard, if you have repeated problems with dogs digging under your fence, then address the problem yourself. Put in a barrier that can't be dug under. Report the dog when it's running loose outside of its owner's yard.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

Sometimes when one asks for advice it will be, by necessity, critical. As an adult you should realize that.

Advice is not all critical. And the "advice" that was given about escalation, a blind man can see. This neighbor is a narcissist. I have dealt with them before. But never one I couldn't escape from. But at this point in the situation there's enough "criticism" coming from over the fence for a lifetime. So no, it's not really helpful. It's like saying "I think you shouldn't have put the candle next to the curtain" when someone's house is burning down. It's a moot point, and doesn't help to put out the fire.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

1) If you think that their dogs are being neglected, report your concerns to the authorities/ASPCA. It is clear that you cannot communicate directly civilly, so simply don't engage. I am not trying to blame either party - just sometimes, it happens that neighbors are incompatible.

2) Again, document any damage. Report vandalism. If you have direct proof that your property has been damaged/vandalized by the neighbors, then get a repair estimate and request in writing that they repair the damage they caused. Then follow up in small claims.

3) While it is their responsibility to keep their pets in their yard, if you have repeated problems with dogs digging under your fence, then address the problem yourself. Put in a barrier that can't be dug under. Report the dog when it's running loose outside of its owner's yard.

Thank you again for the advice!

 

[Just Blue]

Advice is not all critical. And the "advice" that was given about escalation, a blind man can see. This neighbor is a narcissist. I have dealt with them before. But never one I couldn't escape from. But at this point in the situation there's enough "criticism" coming from over the fence for a lifetime. So no, it's not really helpful. It's like saying "I think you shouldn't have put the candle next to the curtain" when someone's house is burning down. It's a moot point, and doesn't help to put out the fire.

Are you a PhD? If not how do you know your neighbor is a "narcissist"? And frankly is one is stupid enough to place a burning candle nest to a curtain then people should make one aware of the folly of that action.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

Not a PhD. But grew up with a diagnosed one as a father. Not hard to spot. Anyway, not here to argue. Just wanted some advice, which I got. Enjoy your day.

 

[Just Blue]

Not a PhD. But grew up with a diagnosed one as a father. Not hard to spot. Anyway, not here to argue. Just wanted some advice, which I got. Enjoy your day.

Then I STRONGLY suggest you do not pluck Dx'es out of your butt regarding the neighbor. Take a looksee in the libel/slander forum.

 

[TiredofItAll82]

Hi, yeah, I'm getting accused on an every other day basis of killing a dog, and they tell this to every person that walks by. Think I don't know what libel/slander is? Please, if you have no actual contributions to make, keep it to yourself.