what a yukky situation. As the owner of a barking dog, it’s not pleasant for us either. Sounds like your neighbours aren’t nice or spend time with their dog. If they were, I’d suggest offer to walk their dog and build a relationship that way. If if’s a restricted breed then that’s a concern, keep complaining and talking to everyone – council, local member, who ever you can think of and hope they move!

I get my hackles up,as soon as you said it’s a restricted breed. It’s the owners treatment that makes the dog aggressive, not the dogs fault. But you need to get something done before your kids are hurt. Keep pushing whoever you need to push

Unfortunatly bat option I have is move house! We had issues with our next door neighbours dog to the point hey started threatening us we had to move as we couldn’t take the threats, abuse anymore even when speaking to the police she out on a huge act and told us that we need to stop otherwise they would book us,

When you say a farm fence I presume it is only wire or mesh. If so that fence is not suitable for residential living, not safe for children or pets. Depending on the breed of dog, it may be a breed that has the natural instinct to round up sheep or chase what it considers to be stray animals. e.g. we had a border collie/kelpie cross. On one occasion my two nieces are riding around on our driveway. She gradually edged them in closer and closer until they were practically touching. Her natural instinct was rounding up anmials such as sheep or cows. She didn’t touch them at all. We realised what she was doing and had a good laugh about it as it was so funny to watch. Bear in mind she was only about 6 months old. Maybe you should approach your neighbour to pay half the cost of a higher sturdy fence.

well we had this issue with dogs where we used to live. we tried to park the car as a visual barrier (noise still alerted the dogs though) and got a gazebo for the kids to play in. They hated going outside but my eldest would just play and ignore the barking and snapping and when the neighbours were home, they would tell the dogs to shut up. They never walked their dogs and that probably was half the reason. The dogs started getting used to the kids but basically we were renting and the dog owners weren’t so who can you complain to.

Thank you so much for all your answers! It has helped a lot I did end up ringing animal management again as our neighbors are not reasonable especially when they have been yelling out things to use over the fence whilst they are inside.

The dogs behaviour is getting more aggressive as each day goes on the dog again yesterday afternoon tried to get into our yard to get our cat. We do have animal management coming out to see videos and notes that have been taken.

Putting a fence up that the dog can’t see us is an option but again that will require talking to the neighbor as all cost are to be split 50/50.

Fingers crossed it gets nipped in the but over the next couple of days? Our kids only go outside when we are out there now as I can’t trust the dog

We had trouble with a neighbours dog that barked from sun up until they came home at 10pm and took it inside for the night. Animal welfare could do nothing, warnings fell on deaf ears, they were never home to be served with papers etc. So the dog won. (Not the dogs fault) The owners need to take responsibility. Some people just get so bent out of shape you can not deal with them and you have to let the authority do that for you. I am sorry you have to go through this. Please think about erecting a nice safe fence inside your property line and keep your family safe. It would be the less hassle all round if you do this. The fence should be high and have no way that their dog can see under. That’s why I say have the fence built inside your land so you have two fences to stop that dog. Best of luck!

First I would make sure the children don’t play outside until the dog is dealt with as their safety is paramount. I would not deal with the neighbours as they seem unreasonable and things could get nasty. Get back to animal management, let them know that things are no better and that your children cannot even go outside and ask them to take matters further on your behalf. Also if other neighbours are bothered by the dog, get them to lodge a complaint as well.

I would keep ringing animal management until something gets done. Don’t worry about seeming vindictive, safety is more important.

It’s only been a week. I’d give them a little time these things can’t be fixed just like that. Maybe approach them about your concerns it’s better then not trying at all

Having been in this situation, I would recommend not communicating with the neighbour at all if possible, go through animal control, advise them of the difficulties you are experiencing with the behaviour of the neighbour as it affects your enjoyment of your property, keep a detailed diary, this is extremely important, when they abuse you report them to the police on every occasion, unfortunately these things happen and some people are unreasonable, we eventually had to spend several thousand on camera’s, which they got the police to us about, fortunately they split up and sold, our life is now blissful and we had no idea the effect that it was having on us with stress, we thought we were handling it well!!! So keep records, report all behaviour to animal control and the police as if they decide to be abusive as you may need a restraining order at some stage, you would hope commonsense would prevail but it does not always

Also; make sure you document everything too!

I would keep complaining and keep everything above board especially if they are starting to be nasty to you.

It sounds like you will have to persist with the formal route as your neighbours are not being cooperative. You and your family need to be able to feel safe in your own yard.

How awful for you! I would contact animal management again as the welfare of your children is a priority. I know it is not pleasant; but sometimes it has to be done. As you have tried to talk to them and they have been unreceptive; it is probably your only way to go. Good Luck!