Your Neck of the Woods Chat- Memorial Day 2012

Heehee.

You could, always, hold another Plant swap---teee....heee......

Ugh...the dreaded neighbors...only thing worse at times? The dreaded HOA!! I hear ya Gita!! I will mention that all of our townhouses on my row have the 6 footer fences and it hasn't kept anything from growing in my backyard. Course my yard still gets sun even with the fence. My one neighbor (I covet her end unit with the larger size yard) - seems to not like anything - including mowing (she likes the snakes that come even less so it does finally get mowed). Her beautiful little maple (correction - the OWNER'S little maple) - was hacked to smithereens a year or so ago. I like to about cry. Not that I know what I'm doing by any stretch but she just randomly decides something is bothering her every 3rd year and butchers it....I kid you not. I can only imagine what she thinks as I'm out there attempting to find another 'spot' to put yet another plant in the ground...LOL 'Crazy Plant Lady' - yup...I can hear it now. You know she must LOVE LOVE LOVE the clematis and passifloras that make there way over the fence in the back. That's it Gita...think of the vines you could plant to pretty up that fence...

Wow, I have a fence story for you all.

I just witnessed a friend of a neighbor get attacked by the neighbor's dog. The friend (teenager) jumped the fence into my yard. The dog then jumped the fence into my yard (which I didn't think it was capable of). The owner then jumped the fence into my yard to catch the dog.

After witnessing this, I sat there for 5 minutes thinking about what I needed to do. Then I called 311, which was closed. I called animal services, which was closed. So I called the police non-emergency number.

They came, talked to me, and went to talk to the neighbors.

The fence is 4-5 feet high and covered in ugly ivy. I had planned on replacing it at some point and thought the dogs (they have 2 vicious dogs) were too fat to jump it. Now I'm scared $#i+less.

I'm still shaking. I don't even know what happened to the kid that was attacked.

edit: I was so freaked out I left out a word

This message was edited Jun 8, 2012 6:27 PM

Wow Terri - I know that this really shook you up. It has me shaken up just hearing about it. Vicious is a scary word and I know vicious dogs and steer clear by all means. Did the police give you any ideas of what you may do from here on out? I really don't understand folks keeping dogs who are capable of harming other lives. I feel badly for the dogs in these cases too. Being an animal lover and know what blessings my animals have been to me, gives me a true feeling of kinship with animals, and I really, really get upset when hearing of neglected and abused animals. I can't imagine and don't want to know what goes in to making mean dogs.

Anyway....so sorry that you had to be subjected to this and I hope the teen is okay. Please send an update when you have one.

Ruby

Thank you Ruby! I've already calmed considerably. That was one scary thing to witness.

I kept thinking that could have been me. That part of the yard is in horrendous condition because the dogs are so scary. But I've recently started to work around the fence, because I just couldn't stand the mess of weeds getting to be as tall as the fence.

I normally ignore the dogs and most of the time, they stop barking at me after about 15 minutes. They do sometimes put their paws on top of the fence, but I don't think they've ever been mad at me enough to try to jump it. Now that I know they can jump it, I'm afraid to go out into my yard.

They're actually very good with the 3 kids in the household (baby, pre-adolescent, teenager), but anytime a friend comes over, the dogs go NUTS. They make this barking noise like they're ready for blood. And now I know they are capable of attacking people, not just putting on a "barking show."

The dogs prevented my other neighbor from working on her yard, so she shooed them away with her spray hose, and the father came back and yelled at *her.* This poor older lady! She's in her 70s and there's no way she could protect herself against that dog.

I'm waiting for my husband to come home, so we can go together and talk to the father about this. We're going to ask nicely for him to built a 6 foot tall fence around his backyard. I don't know if they know that I was the one who called the police, but I kind of want them to know that we're very serious.

Vicious dogs aren't something to take lightly. You never know when they may attack. That teenager might have done something to really upset them enough to go over the fence but you can't really chance it. Some dogs just get too protective and will react at anything them feel is a threat to their home or family.

The dogs are probably used to you though, they know you're on the other side of the fence everyday, wondered what this teen did to provoke them or even if he did?scary

Yes...they are protecting their yard - their family etc etc. The fact that the teenager (right or wrong) was running from them only makes the situation worse. The best of dogs are dogs and their prey drive WILL kick in esp.when guarding their 'stuff' and when there's more then one dog. It then becomes pack mentality with prey drive kicked in. Cocktail for disaster. SS if they've never bothered you - chances are they won't. They're barking might be just that - barking. 2 of the 4 I have (only one is actually mine - and she's not a barker) will bark if they see anything moving - human or animal. Drives me insane - I'm constantly correcting them. None of them are 'vicious' dogs (I have 2 rotties, a pitt x lab, and an Akita mix) - nor have they ever bitten anyone...but they are protective of their yard. It's a dog thing. Avoiding eye contact with the dogs and sudden movement...simply ignoring them and going about your business as you have is the perfect way to react to their barking. Going over and expressing your concerns is spot on - I would want someone to come to me if they were frightened of my dogs and you will be helping your other neighbor out as well. MY yard is surrounded by a 6' board on board fence.

Oh no, these are absolutely vicious dogs, and out of control.

I've witnessed the dogs try to bite other people that come to their house, with absolutely no provocation. The dogs weren't being threatened in any way. They would literally go into "attack mode" from zero to a hundred in a split second. It wasn't just territorial barking, but lunging, teeth baring, and the kind of barking that's more like screaming. Absolutely heart-stopping kind of screeching. The scariest thing about this is that they don't respond to the owners when they get like this and the only thing that works is tying them to a tree with a short leash.

Today, the teenaged neighbor was outside with a friend when the dog started attacking. Even though the teen owner was right there, he couldn't stop the attack. The friend was helplessly cornered in their yard, and that's why he jumped into my yard.

It's one thing if they bark to warn or try to protect their owners; it's another thing altogether if the owners have zero control of their dogs as soon as they have a friend over.

I shudder to think what would have happened if I'd been in the backyard when this happened, or if I'd been out there with my cat or my mother. I think the dog could have easily turned on me instead. The dogs go absolutely bonkers when my cat's in the yard with me. I'm surprised they haven't jumped the fence yet to get at her, and now that one of them has jumped it once, they might try to do it again.

After what I've witnessed today, and having witnessed their viciousness in the past, I don't feel safe in my own back yard anymore. Meanwhile, I need a way to protect myself, just in case they do decide to jump the fence again. I've no idea when/if the neighbors will be putting up a fence big enough to contain the dogs.

If it were me, I'd talk to the neighbors very politely. Being angry won't help. You should tell them orally, very politely, that the dog(s) have already attacked the friend, and that if they attack again the police will order them destroyed. So the best thing for them to do is build a taller fence, to protect their own dogs.

Then write a very polite letter to the neighbors, hand deliver one copy and send another by certified mail; I'd cc the local police and the humane society and your local congressman. I'd recite what happened, without adjectives and ask that they build a fence for your safety. Very very polite. Include the names of your neighbors and the friend, if you have that info.

I would also call your homewoners insurance, the humane society, the local police, etc. and ask for advice.

I'm not kidding. You want to be sure the "next" time isn't considered the "first" time by the authorities.

If it were me, I'd get the fence built myself and wouldn't wait for them, and I'd get it built on all sides. If the dogs escape, they could jump another side of the fence. Maybe you can just build an extension on top of the existing fence. I know it'd be expensive, but then you can have a fence that you'd like to look at (maybe just have it open slats at the top to let the light it), and you won't feel so helpless. If they build a fence, it might be ugly.

Another approach would be to offer to split the cost of the fence with the neighbors.

Of course your neighbors are fully liable for their dogs behavior, but they are also your neighbors and you will have to live with them, so it isn't a good idea to really antagonize them.

And I'd research whether dog deterrent sprays work, and I'd have a can handy outside at all times in case they should jump the fence, plus a can in the front of your house. I'd put that in the letter too -- stating that after what you witnessed today, you have no choice but to use the the spray on their dogs if their dogs come into your yard or if they attack you or someone else. And adding that you do not want their dogs to come into your yard and that you do not want to use the spray on their dogs, but that you feel you have no choice.

This message was edited Jun 9, 2012 10:55 AM

Keeping a pepper spray tucked in your waistband may make you feel a little more secure when your out in the yard. Be sure you know just how to use it quickly and effectively. Ric

Thank you HM. I'm feeling calmer about the situation today, and trying to think logically about what needs to be done for my safety.

I purposefully didn't talk to them last night, because I was still too emotional. I don't think I would have been very polite last night.

It's a very good idea to write a letter. I'll definitely do some more research on dog-deterrent sprays. I had my husband take pictures of everything today, including all the plant damage, foot steps, height of the fence, etc.

Thank you all for your support!

Good luck with all of this Terri. Again, I am shook up just reading about it. It is so scary. Good idea to have not spoken with neighbors last evening. As everyone is warning....be as polite as you can when approaching the neighbors.

You have also been given some good ideas for deterrents also. Thinking of you today.

Ruby

Very good ideas about documenting with pictures and copies to different agencies. Very scary to witness that. Good luck

The **** has finally stopped long enough to make a major effort in the garden and it's going well. Holly's also working on her beds and the greenhouse is finally emptying out. I'm trying something different with the tomatoes this year. I'm planting them in a wall I made from 2 concrete reinforcing panels and 2 post. I'll post a couple pictures when I get a chance, and report the results as the season progresses. Ric

Ric, no rain down my way in a week. Everything is drying up fast. Too much rain, too little rain, never seems to be just perfectly in between for us gardeners LOL! I'm trying to imagine your tomato set up, but not having much luck - it will be funny comparing the image I have in my head to the actual pictures when you post them.

Had beautiful weather on Saturday for the high school graduation party we held for my niece Brooke. Great turn-out for Brookie Brooke, and much fun was had by all - great cook-out and fishing/swimming in the pond. Towards the end of the evening, my crazy sister in law wanted to "sing" (choke, choke - she is horrible and knows it LOL) to her own music and somehow messed the stereo up - now the outdoor speakers aren't working at all. I'm sure it is just some combination of settings that need to be reset, but for the life of me, I can't figure out what she did to try to undo it. A kid could probably fix it in seconds - me, I'll be hauling out the manuals this evening....

I am in the same boat. I have a pic in my head of Ric's setup, but am sure it is nothing like the real thing.

Yay, for Brookie Brooke!!! I about choked on my coffee when you said a kid could fix it in a jiffy. Oh, sooooo true.

I am so excited, my 10 yr old grandy arrives tomorrow from Oregon and will be here til we start driving her home on July 2.

Jan, How excited you must be. What fun you will have.
LOL Terry, You are right about the child fixing the electronics.
Ric is doing a great job on the Veggie Garden. He asked me what I thought of his support idea for the tomatoes and I told him I thought he was trying to squish them. LOL We will see how they grow over the summer.

So here are a few pictures of Ric's support trellis. He put up two posts and attached reinforcing panels to either side and sandwiched the tomatoes between. It will be interesting to see how this works.

I like that idea, Ric. My friends with the huge veggie garden used tensioned wires (3, spaced probably 18" apart, running horizontally) to support long rows of tomatoes last year, and it seemed to work very well. How the heck did you plant them??

I end up planting tomatoes in the same spot each year -- rotation just doesn't work for my garden layout -- so I'm thinking I could use some sort of support system with cattle panels or wire... just a matter of gittin it done.

He put one side up planted them and then put up the other side.

I like that idea also and visually it isn't obtrusive. Is that the word I want?

Yep, needed pix to figure out that tomato setup - so "concrete reinforcing panel" is the correct term for what I've always just called wire grid. I was visualizing something akin to those concrete jersey barriers on the highway LOL. I kept thinking no way, but ya never know with Ric.... That is a nice setup - would probably work nicely for blackberry/raspberry canes too.

Cool tomato idea. I'll also look forward to the reports.
BTW, we are back and had a very good time. We all went to Curacao in the Caribbean. Garden looks kinda dry but everything is in pretty good shape.

How easy will it be to remove to plant next year?

Sally -- welcome back -- sounds like a wonderful trip! I'm jealous!

Any pics, Sally?

Glad you had a great vaca!!!

Sally, glad you had a good vacation - I love the Caribbean even though I've only been there once. Did you partake of any of that blue alcohol Curacao while in Curacao LOL?

Jen, all you do is remove 5 deck screws in each furring strip (the 2 grey strips on each post) and it's free. I could probably remove a whole side in less than a minute.
Jill, even assembled you could easily plant a 9-12" plant thru the wire, I just happened to have a mature "early girl" in the greenhouse to move out. I was hoping for ripe fruit by Father's Day, We'll see. Ric

Welcome home Sally!

This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 8:48 PM

I haven't even downloaded my camera yet, though my DD borrowed a nice digital camera and took a zillion pictures.
We got to BWI at 12 30 in the 'midnight.' I could barely keep my eyes open from Miami to here. We got home, I almost literally passed out on the bed. I was reallly wiped out!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL Ric, you have , um, five days to get that ripe tomato!!!

Can't wait to see those pics, Sally!! Ric - I LOVE that idea!!

Sally, glad you had a great trip!!

Finally confirmed some family plans, so...

Hypertufa Party, June 24! http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1264631/

Sounds like soo much fun. Enjoy

Sally looking forward to pics and trip tales. Can't beat a trip to the Caribbean.

AMEN to that!!!!!!! ;)

Dinner inspiration?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1265163/

This totally messed up my color scheme...I don't even know what it is, def NOT what I ordered

Really pretty Jen, I think I might have something that looks like that.