My neighbors in the house directly behind me have 6 dogs. The people living next to them have 5 dogs. They constantly get each other worked up and all 11 dogs start barking.

I have talked to both neighbors twice in the past and they have both said they will try to keep their dogs quiet... it hasn't worked.

Well, as if that wasn't bad enough with them barking in the middle of the night and early in the morning, they have started jumping over the fence into my yard and coming up to my house and barking directly next to my bedroom window (this happened this morning about 5:30am).

Will I face any legal complications if I just open my back yard gate and let them run away?

Any suggestions?

(edit... I know this might seem like a troll with all of the lost dog threads on this board, but I can assure you it's not.)

[This message has been edited by What? (edited 10/1/2008 7:52a).]

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Will I face any legal complications if I just open my back yard gate and let them run away?

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Not only would I open the gate, I would "strongly encourage" them to get out of my yard

Alright... quick update:

I just went to take my trash can out to the street and was greeted by 2 of their dogs. I needed open the gate to get my trashcan, so I just didn't close it.

I'm sure this will just create another thread about lost dogs on myBCS.

Now call animal control and have them picked up! Yeah, I know its kind of mean spirited, but so is having 5/6 dogs and allowing them to bark all night.

I thought you could only have 4 dogs legally on your property? I could be totally making that up, but I am pretty sure I read it somewhere. Do you live in a homeowner's association?

Nope... no HOA

Within the city limits, you are only allowed to have 4 animals. Call animal control.

Any documentation online, so I don't look like a jackass?

Got this response from Bryan's Code Enforcement Supervisor, I'm sure College Station would be similar (not sure where you are).

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The city ordinance states that anything over 4 adult dogs should have a permit that is issued through Animal Control. If you would like to have them check a location you can call the non-emergency dispatch at 979-361-3888 and they will have an officer respond to the location or you can contact the supervisor at 979-209-5330 or pstepp@bryantx.gov and they will follow up.

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As long as the dogs are outside their yard, you won't look like a jackass. The animal control officer will also be able to verify the max number of dogs allowed.

ugh, sorry your going through all this.

i have a situation where my neighbors dog chews off the fence planks. my dog has gotten out into the neighborhood cuz of this. now i have been charged with having a dangerous dog, because he roams the neighborhood. i have to go to court on oct 6th since i have obviously pleaded not guilty to this.

when the dog(s) are in your yard, call the police right away.

have the dogs picked up.

i myself have given away my dog, just to try to lesson the possibility of actually getting charged with having a dangerous dog.

It has also been the case that you can call non-emergency and have animal control come out - if the dogs bark continuously - and they can write tickets for noise violation.

Just another route, although I think it is sometimes abused.

have you gone and visited with your neighbor? there might be a reasonable way to resolve the issue and find out why they have so may animals without getting animal control involved. anyway....just a thought.

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I have talked to both neighbors twice in the past and they have both said they will try to keep their dogs quiet... it hasn't worked.

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Here are the animal ordinances for Bryan/College Station within the city limits. It is probably good for everyone to know these. The rule is not just 4 dogs, it is 4 pets, I believe that it doesn't include pocket pets but 2 ferrets count as one.

http://www.brazosanimalshelter.org/ownership/g_animalord.html

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Animal Control officers enforce these ordinanaces in both cities. They are trained professionals whose purpose is to protect the animals and people of our community. These officers are concerned with the health and safety of the animals in their custody and realize the Animal Shelter is the best place for strays.

Key Ordinances

1. All dogs and cats over three months of age in Brazos County must wear a county license tag and/or AVID microchip at all times. License tags and chips are available at the Animal Shelter and veterinarian offices. Rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian is required.

2. A County License tag shall cover a period of one year from the date the rabies vaccination is given. With three year vaccinations a tag must be renewed each year.

3. It is an offense to have dogs and cats at large. An animal is at large if at any time it is off the premises of the owner or custodian of the animal and not under physical restraint. (City limits only)

4. It is an offense to allow a dog to make excessive noise by barking or howling.

5. If a dog enters your property, you may ask to have it removed and impounded.

Bryan Animal Control : 361-3888

College Station Animal Control : 764-3600

Brazos County Animal Control (outside city limits): 361-3888

6. All fees (impoundment, vaccination fee if needed and County license fee) must be paid before an animal leaves the Animal Shelter.

7. A permit is required to have more than four animals inside the Bryan or College Station city limits. These permits are available through Animal Control.

8. It is an offense to keep or harbor any wild animal within the city limits.

9. It is an offense to keep or harbor a fierce or dangerous animal, except lawfully maintained and permitted dangerous dogs.
Animal ordinances in Bryan/College Station should be observed as they are enforceable through the courts and are subject to fines up to $200.

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[This message has been edited by wapa (edited 10/1/2008 9:29a).]

Do what was suggested above.

But, keep a notebook. Write down the time and dat each time it happens. Also, vido and audio tape it on several dates. DO this for at least 3 months. Each month, ask them to take care of it. Document the time and date of each contact.

If you still have the issue after several months, file a lawsuit in small claims court. You will have all the evidence. Also, if in the city - document calls you make to the city. Call the police and report it when they are all going off, and document that too.

I have read about lawsuits like this succeeding if you can document all of the data.