We Need Some Help......off Topic

[momsgoofy]

This is obviously a very sensitive topic, but I think the OP has every right to ensure that her family and property are protected and remain entact as is. I also agree that not every Pit Bull and Rottweiller is a menace to society, but there are going to be MANY large dogs located adjacent to the OP's home so her conern is very justified. I think many replies have given great advice on how to start working on the matter such as seeking out the "letter of the law" on ordinances and such.


I would just like to add about 25 cents of my own thoughts on this...

1. A new neighbor with one or more dogs will present a noise issue for someone who's not had a dog as a neighbor before...we have a sweet basset hound next door who is constantly outside howling at all hours of the day and night...not pleasant at 2am.

2. A fence is not always going to keep any dog contained...after moving in the owner of that sweet basset hound had a fence put in...your standard chain link of about 4 feet high, which that basset hound attempted to jump...she got chest high and almost hung herself doing it. Also, if the Rottweillers the OP is talking about are diggers like my sister's rott, well, then good luck, because that dog has dug out under the fence and escaped from the 6 ft. privacy fence...end result was that sis had to dig out under the fence and bury chain link to prevent the dog from digging out.

3. The smell of a few dog's excrement on a hot summer day is disgusting...I can't imagine what 50 would do for the pleasantness of being in my own backyard with that adjacent.

4. Any animal lover and owner, whether it be one family pet or a few, or a breeder who really cares about the animals will have ample area for the dogs to run and if the yard in question is a typical backyard, then the dog owners moving next to the OP should be penned up themselves for not allowing the dogs enough space to run...it has been my experience with dogs that it it those that are "caged" without proper venues for exercise are the ones that tend to become aggressive.

5. For the OP...I'm sure that you are not the only neighbor who will be potentially effected by this situation. Have you discussed it with them? What are their concerns? I think it might be good to discuss it with them and if need be take a group concern to the town council or whichever avenue would best deal with the situation. I do realize that one of the neighbors is the potential problem's realative, which might make it difficult, but it's worth a shot.

Also, to the OP I wish you the best of luck in resolving this issue...I can only imagine all that may be going through your mind with this. If it were me in your shoes, I would do everything within my power to prevent the new neighbors with all of their dogs moving in next door in order to retain the integrity of my home.

 

[crusoe2]

I agree with the previous poster who said there is a difference between having one of these breeds as a family pet and having large numbers of them bred and raised in close proximity. Even when the dog is a family pet you can't be too careful - a friend of mine's grandmother was killed by a pit bull that attacked her and two other elderly women for no apparent reason. One of the women was the dog's owner and all of the women had walked by the dog going inside the house and he paid no attention to them. When they came out to leave just a little while later the dog was still in the same spot and appeared to be perfectly normal but he attacked for some reason. Not only did he kill my friend's grandmother, he seriously injured one of the other women - I won't even try to describe how vicious it was. This may have been an anomaly but these things do happen and I don't blame the OP for being concerned.
On a lighter note, I've also seen my neighbor's dog climb on top of his dog house in order to get over the fence and then hang there by his leash, barking until someone came to his rescue - and the not-so-bright animal did it several times until the owners finally moved his house away from the fence (maybe they weren't so bright either ). Point is - even a tall fence may not pose much of an obstacle to a large dog with a little determination.

 

[Ask"WhyNot?"]

Do you have a Homeowners Association? If you do, I'd check the convienents. Ours limits you to two dogs per property. You may also want to check if this business can take place in your area. Is your property restricted? In some areas even a home business can not be taking place in a residental area.

If there are no laws limiting the number of dogs or business requirements, your only options if you don't like the breeding of dogs (or breeds being bred) is to move yourself. Or make sure to fence in your yard and change your children's play habits. Not great choices, but it might be your only option.

 

[Feralpeg]

I agree with the previous poster who said you should talk with your neighbors. Even if there is no ordinance against having multiple dogs or breeding dogs in your area now, you could go to the town council and request such an ordiance. It might take awhile, but it could be done.

 

[littleprissboutique]

Thanks for all the info guys...

Yes, I do understand that all rots and pits are not dangerous. It is how they are raised. But, I do not want my child to be 20 feet from 25 pits and 25 rots.. Who is to say that one may not snap for some reason...?

There is a lot of concerns here..

1. If one starts barking they will all bark--- We will be up all night..

2. Smell

3. How on earth can anyone say these dogs will be NICE.. 50 dogs fighting over attention??? There is no way these dogs are going to get the love they need.

4. Eyesore

5. The apple does not fall far from the tree...... Her daughter who lives on the other side of the property that this FL family is moving to ( two houses down) has a problem with being clean.... Not their person, but their yard and house. Her home is always junked ( food wrappers on the floor, clutter, and BUGS). The yard is mowed maybe 3 times a year. So, I am very nervous about how they will be..

5. BUGS AND FLEAS-- We have a contract with a pest control company. I am so afraid they will drop us as soon as they see what is coming in... You can not tell me that 50 dogs will not send fleas my way.. My dd is allergic to flea bits and mosquito bites... Also, If they are not good house keepers, bugs will make there way to my house too. I can not stand bugs.

_________________________________________________________________

We have a home owners assoc. but it does not effect the houses behind us..... You never know what will move in next to you... I guess I may have to go express my feelings with the golf course.. I know a lot of elected officials play golf on our course, so maybe the staff can do something about it... Our house is the last one that is associated with the course, so that is why they can not zone them or tell them what to do.

I know for a fact we do have a city noise ord..... For every time it is broken, it cost 50 buck per dog....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is my only hope... I will be outside every night with my camcorder and dont think I wont turn them in everyday... Our noise ord works like this... They have to bark for 5 min, then you can call the police, show the proof, and they take care of the rest. I really dont want to be a bad neighbor, but I have no other choice. If they dont care that a three year old is next door, than I dont care to turn them in.... I guess I will have to see what kind of people I am dealing with when they move in. I will go and talk with them and tell them my concerns. Then I will know what other steps to take.

Thanks guys for all your help.... ( hugs )

 

[james'mommy]

Are there really 50 full grown dogs moving in behind the OP? What sounds more realistic is that there are several grown dogs and their litters that have not yet been sold. The larger the dog the larger the litter. My rott was one of 13 puppies. Most likely 50 dogs is a temporary situation.

 

[1sttimeWDW]

.....

 

[Nancyg56]

I have a pit bull mix who is a sweet,loving, loyal dog. That said, I would have a FIT if adjoining neighbors decided to raise 50 pitbulls and rottweilers. There is a big difference between family pets and family breeders, and a puppy mill. I agree there is NO WAY 50 dogs can be anything but a puppy mill. These folks may have had to leave Florida due to zoning laws.

I would: 1. Check zoning laws 2. Call your local police and county commisssioners to find out if this breeder legally breed in your town. 3. Google for any articles you may be able to find about breeders in Florida to see if these folks got in trouble in Florida. 4. See if you can figure out what company they are using for home owner's insurance--probably not as hard to do as you may think, as many states have just a few companies that provide 90% of the homeowners' insurance. I don't think ANYBODY will insure a puppy mill. This may even be public record in your state--you may be able to get the info from the state insurance commissioner's office. 5. Consider contacting people at the state level (governor, representative to the state legislature, etc.) if you do not get satisfaction locally.

The insurance thing is a big one in our area. Our neighbor has two pit bulls. he has a fenced in back yard, and they are kenneled in the yard. He is responsible, and his animals are never seen roaming. Can't even hear them bark. His insurance company cancelled him. He was hard pressed to find a company that would insure him, and the premium was vey high. He did not realize that his insurance company would have an issue with his dogs, and did not know how they found out about them. At the same time, the new insurance company inspected his roof.....you know what happened next.

 

[tlbwriter]

The insurance thing is a big one in our area. Our neighbor has two pit bulls. he has a fenced in back yard, and they are kenneled in the yard. He is responsible, and his animals are never seen roaming. Can't even hear them bark. His insurance company cancelled him. He was hard pressed to find a company that would insure him, and the premium was vey high. He did not realize that his insurance company would have an issue with his dogs, and did not know how they found out about them.

When we bought our first home, our agent asked if we had dogs. I don't remember if they asked when we had renter's insurance, but it was an issue for homeowner's insurance. This was in 1999. Earlier this year I mentioned to my agent that our dog had died, and wondered if it would impact our rates. She said no, they're not even allowed to ask if you have a dog any more, let alone ask what breed. I don't know if that's a state law or what, but it was a surprise to me.

 

[welovedis]

Op-Sounds like you've gotten some good advice on where to start, good luck!

When we bought our first home, our agent asked if we had dogs. I don't remember if they asked when we had renter's insurance, but it was an issue for homeowner's insurance. This was in 1999. Earlier this year I mentioned to my agent that our dog had died, and wondered if it would impact our rates. She said no, they're not even allowed to ask if you have a dog any more, let alone ask what breed. I don't know if that's a state law or what, but it was a surprise to me.

I'm not certain where you're located, but here in NY they can and do ask what type of dog and if it is a type of dog that is considered "high-risk" they will either charge a higher premium or refuse to write/renew the policy. Also once a policy is non-renewed or turned down by a company, that information is shared with other companies, just like a credit report is shared-its called a CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). Just an FYI.

 

[stacy6552]

Are you in a HOA? I bet they have guidelines on dogs, especially quantity.

 

[JodyTG]

I'm sorry, but if it were, me I'd do everything possible to make these people either get rid of the dogs or not move in. They breed these dogs...in their backyard...doesn't sound like a responsible breeder to me. It sounds like an illegal puppy mill. A breeder usually has acrage with a huge, very clean, air-conditioned barn where the animals are kept with a veterinarian on standby.

Contact the SPCA in your area and tell them your concerns. They are fighting everyday to get rid of puppy mills and just may be your best source of information.

Good luck and let us know how this turns out.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I don't have any advise for you but I will say good luck. I too would be scared if that many dogs were going to be living that close to me. I know that no breed of dog is "bad" but any breed of dog can potentially bite and some dogs have more of a reputation than others.

 

[Maryr1]

As a dog owner I read this with some interest. I have 2 dogs and 1 DD 7 years old. I am a fairly experienced dog person-I have always had "working" dogs-therapy type dogs who have done obediance, agility etc. Above and beyond that the fact that these 50 dogs are at times viewed to be dangerous & unpredictable breeds, ANY 50 dogs living together would develope a "pack" mentality. I would be very nervous living next to any pack of 50 dogs. Also, I agree that in all my years of dog owning I have yet to meet a responsible breeder who had 50 dogs in a residential setting. Just my thoughts-I also would check with the AKC-they have the names of local breeder contacts and clubs as well as breeder referral information. Good luck!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

PrincessKitty here again (cleaned out my cookies, forgot my password, and couldn't sign onto the DISboards--had to come back as PrincessKitty1! ).

You also might want to talk to these people's relatives (the ones who already live in your neighborhood) and let them know you will do everything legally possible to keep 50 dogs from moving in, and if they do move in, you will do everything legally possible to make them move away. Yes, she will be angry with you, but she is going to end up being angry with you (probably even more so!) if her family moves in and you start calling the police about noise pollution, dogs at large, etc.

Another thought is to find out who owns the land behind you (if not already owned by the relatives) and let the owners know you will do everything legally possible to stop the sale in order to keep your daughter safe from these dogs.

Hopefully, these actions alone will stop the dogs from being brought ito the property. It would be great if you can nip this in the bud before it happens!

 

[tlbwriter]

Are these people buying the property, or will they be renting? If they're renting, speak to the owners - they may not be thrilled with the idea of 50 dogs either.