Vicious neighbor dog, who is responsible??

[queenjane]

I have two 2 yr old boys, both of whom are very respectful of dogs and cats. (Meaning, the most they do at home with our cat is sit next to him and lightly pet him, and they have yet to really approach a strange dog, such as a neighbor dog, they are more tentative)...we spend half of each week at my mom's home (i'm her caregiver) and they of course play outside in the yard. Usually i supervise them, but they have gotten to the point where i can wash dishes in the kitchen (looking out the window at the yard) or maybe run downstairs and throw some laundry in. Often, i am out in the yard with them, but i will sit on the deck and read while they explore the yard. The yard itself isnt huge or anything, just a typical suburban yard in a neighborhood of ranch homes. My mom's house backs up to two houses, so half of her yard is the backyard of one house and part of it (behind our garage) is another house, seperated by a four foot chain link fence. If the kids are behind the garage, i cant see them unless i go with them (they dont often go back there)...

So thats the background. Directly behind my mom, there lives a boxer who was a puppy last summer. We LOVE this dog. He is the sweetest dog ever, he NEVER (ever!) barks, and he just sits quietly by the fence waiting for the boys to come over. The boy s just stand next to the fence talking to him. No problems. People are super nice too. At first i was worried about the dog, if perhaps they stuck their fingers through or something, but i talked to the owner and i'm confident its an ok situation. The dog never even jumps on the fence, he literally sits there silently enjoying the boys (he comes looking for them and will wait until they come over.)

But, i noticed some new people moved into the house thats behind the garage (either they are new or their dogs are), they have two german shepards with VERY loud, sharp barks, and apparently two small dogs i've never seen. My fs used to be really into dogs, but after he was scared to death being surprised by the scary barking, he runs away from that part of the yard saying "dog bite! dog bite me!" (even though he wasnt bitten), and is somewhat scared now. He was even scared of his boxer buddy, until i helped him see that wasnt the dog with the scary bark.

The GS neighbor has a little pond and some lilac bushes up against the fence, and i havent seen either dog right up at the fence but they could access it if they wanted. Apparently they often keep one of the dogs chained up closer to their house.

So, i was talking to boxer owner about the dogs next door, and he tells me that they told him one of them is "vicious" that it has bitten several people in the family including a niece (which may be a child??), i think boxer owner even put up a privacy fence cuz those dogs go crazy when his dog is out there. He warned me not to let the boys near them, and we commiserated how much it sucks to have a biting dog next door.

Well, that made me nervous enough...until i was out there the other day running around the yard w/ the boys, having fun, and the GS owners were doing yard work in their yard. I was saying things to the boys like "yes i know....i see the dogs...yes thats a big bark, its ok though, just stay over here" and the lady calls out to me "Dont let them near the dogs, dont let them stick their hands through the fence, this one is NOT FRIENDLY, he's a rescue and is very protective of the yard!" ....i didnt quite know what to say to this?! I just said something like, well they dont usually stick their fingers through the fence, and they get along really well with the boxer (which she said oh yes, he's such a nice dog)...

I feel bad for them if they rescued this dog and he bites...but...what the heck? what am i supposed to do? My boys should be allowed to play in the yard without worrying about these dogs right? I dont THINK they are going to get near that fence because they are already scared to death of the dogs, but it really bothered me that she was putting the responsibility on ME to keep them away and not on herself for keeping her dog up (which she mostly does but what if one day she doesnt??)...i'm not sure if a dog would actually bite through the fence...?? the boys of course have tiny hands...if you had a biting dog and toddlers lived behind you wouldnt you at least put up a privacy fence or something???

I'm not one of those people who would go to the city and complain about someone's dog but it really bothers me that this dog is now a known biter and lives behind us. Advice???

[Mama Mko]

Could you plant bushes or something on your side of the fence so that your kids are even less likely to go over there?

I don't think the people have to do anything other than keep their dogs in their yard, which they are doing.

[pacificbliss]

I would put up some mesh or put redwood slats in the cyclone fence just in case. I think ultimately it is their responsibility and their liability but I would not want to have to find out. Of course, I a in CA where here have been cases of people getting into another person's yard, getting bt by a dog and winnng a lawsuit.

[queenjane]

There really isnt enough room between the back of the garage and the fence to plant anything, but maybe putting in some sort of barrier like mesh or something would work. I just can't believe someone would TELL someone that their dog bites...isnt that a huge liability?? I cant imagine their homeowners insurance would be exactly pleased with them keeping a dog with a history of biting.

Beyond the risk of a bite, its kind of a bummer that every time the dogs are in the yard when my boys are they start this sharp "scary" barking (not just typical barking but like "i want to rip your face off" barking) that sends my boys into hysterics. Luckily thats a pretty good deterrent for the boys to not even approach the fence, but it sucks that they have to deal with that, i want them to like dogs not be afraid of them.

I did make a point of telling the boxer neighbor how much i love his dog and how good he is, though....makes me appreciate that dog more.

[greenmagick]

Honestly, I think the neighbor was responsible in telling you the dog is aggressive....

It does suck..no doubt about it...but as long as the neighbors are keeping the dog in the yard, it is what it is. Maybe they would split the cost of a privacy fence? Talk to the owner, see if they will work with you on the barking...I would also see if they mind you feeding treats...you could toss treats over the fence when you are outside to help the dogs settle, but that would be with the owners permission as besides allergies, some groups of dogs will fight over food and that is not going to help.

I realize its annoying that you have to do anything...ideally, the neighbors shouldve put up a privacy fence etc.

[lifeguard]

I agree with Greenmagic - I would much rather know a dog is aggressive. I don't know that I would necessarily go by what the neighbour of the neighbour said as far as the dog's history.

Why don't you walk around to the front door one day, introduce yourself & chat with them about the dogs so you can find out the correct story & work on strategies together to make the situation safe for everyone. It may turn out it's not as scary as the bits of info you're going on now.

As for the barking - well, I have a gsd & she does sound scary as heck when she barks but she is totally harmless. It is one of the reasons we have her though. Unless they are barking incessantly there isn't really much that can be done - dogs bark.

[-Grace-]

You are still responsible for monitoring your kids. If they stick their hands through the fence and get bitten, you're responsible. You were warned, and their limbs were on someone else's property by going through the fence.

Plant bushes (if it means the boys can't play right in that spot, the safer they'll be), or put up a wooden fence.

[Alyantavid]

I think the neighbor did the right thing.

Yes, your kids should be able to play in your backyard. But the neighbors should be able to own dogs as well. The yard is fenced, they've warned you, they've done the responsible thing.