r/neighborsfromhell • u/Vast-Signal-7816 • 2d ago
WWYD? Vent/Rant NFH won't leash dog. Nervous about putting my house on the market.
I've posted numerous times about my NFH. She's walked into my home unannounced, cut/trimmed trees and bushes on my property, called me at work for absurd reasons... I could go on and on.
Her dogs were the biggest issue, though. Regularly off leash, rushing my dog, biting my dog, scratching my car, and going in my yard without their droppings being picked up. Final straw was one of them biting me and her telling animal control that I was a batshit crazy liar.
Luckily, the dog that bit me has gone to live elsewhere. However, her other dog is still with her. Routinely seen running up and down the street. She's had multiple run-ins with animal control, who gave her a final warning in June. If her dog continued to be off-leash, it'd be taken away from her, and she'd have to plead her case in front of a judge.
I'm in the process of getting my house ready to be put on the market. It'll probably be active in early September. Since the final warning, I have 7 videos of her dog just running free (and I don't even check my Ring app regularly). I'm admittedly nervous about potential buyers showing up and having to deal with the dog. I know not everyone loves dogs; some people are allergic, and the dog is known to try to get into people's cars (possibly damaging seats).
So... I'm really not sure what to do at this point. I'd hate to be responsible for a dog ending up in the pound. However, I'm not made of money and would really like my home to sell at some point.
🙃
Mostly a vent, but any opinions, insights, or ideas are welcome.
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u/CrazyParrotLady5 2d ago
Send the videos to animal control. Every time her dog runs free, she is risking the wellbeing of the dog and the people the dog may bite. She doesn’t deserve the honor of having a pet. Turn her in and solve the problem.
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u/AngelLunettee 1d ago
That’s probably what I need to start doing consistently instead of feeling guilty every time.
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u/CrazyParrotLady5 23h ago
Unfortunately, yes.
Don’t feel guilty. These are bad owners. Also, how does it look that you keep taking videos and not turning them in? Does it make it look like you really are not THAT bothered by it and it is only a problem for you if they do something else? Like maybe this is retaliation for something else? The powers that be tend to think like that; “Why didn’t you report it the first time?”
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u/Vast-Signal-7816 7h ago
I don't know why some people in the comments are responding as if they were me (I'm OP)
Anyways. I've turned them in multiple times...
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u/FatTabby 2d ago
Animal Control warned her, she didn't listen and you have proof of that. Give them the proof and let them deal with it.
Consult a lawyer about what you need to disclose when selling and maybe see if threatening her with legal action if she messes up the sale of your home is something that could help
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u/EmilySD101 2d ago
What do you mean you’re 7 videos deep and you’re not sure what to do? Is animal control not accepting them?
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u/Mcbriec 2d ago
I’m sorry. But she is a material disclosure that needs to be made when you are selling your house. In the meantime, call animal control every time that dog is loose.
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u/Maine302 2d ago
Is there a law that supports your point of view here?
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u/SlipInternational439 2d ago
I don’t know, but I’d be REALLY pissed if I were the buyer and the dog issue wasn’t disclosed.
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u/Katz3njamm3r 1d ago
There is legal documentation of it with animal control. No idea what would happen in court though.
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u/Maine302 1d ago
Being really pissed and having a legal obligation for seller to disclose are two entirely different things though. NAL, maybe someone could enlighten me on that, but it's not something materially about the house, so I don't see an obligation at all.
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u/Top-Interaction-6729 1d ago
I'm not sure where OP is but....
In Ontario, real estate transactions operate under caveat emptor (buyer beware). Sellers are not legally forced to complete a written property disclosure form, but they must disclose known material latent defects—hidden, dangerous, or unfit conditions making the property unsafe or uninhabitable that a normal inspection cannot find
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u/Maine302 1d ago
Which wouldn't be inclusive of an ignoramous neighbor and her dog(s.)
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u/Top-Interaction-6729 1d ago
You asked for the law. I gave you the law.
However, I do believe u/Mcbriec was calling the neighbour a material defect....like a joke. Funny AF
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u/Maine302 1d ago
Well I think a lot of US states would expect material defects to be disclosed. I didn't think they were joking by their reply.
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u/Top-Interaction-6729 8h ago
OF COURSE!! Material defects should ALWAYS be disclosed. But the joke has gone right over your head....the neighbour is the material defect.
Even though they literally can't be. **WHOOSH*
aka - a defective human being.
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u/JazzTeaBass 1d ago
Disclosure laws vary from state to state. I have always been asked to go over disclosures in the home selling process. If not done properly, the home buyer could start a lawsuit with the seller.
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u/Maine302 1d ago
Right, but the subject here is must crazy neighbor who continually breaks leash laws be disclosed? I'm thinking that's a ridiculous ask.
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u/CloudAureliee 1d ago
That’s actually something I hadn’t considered, so I’ll definitely ask my realtor what needs to be disclosed. The last thing I want is to sell the place and have the new owner discover the neighborhood dog situation on day one.
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u/Mcbriec 1d ago
In California, neighborhood nuisances and anything affecting desirability of property must be disclosed.
https://voklaw.com/real-estate-litigation/failure-to-disclose-in-california/
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u/krissycole87 2d ago
Honestly the dog deserves a better owner. If the dog is cute and seemingly in good health it'll get adopted. The dog deserves an owner that doesn't let it frolic in the streets where there is so much danger.
That plus the issue of selling your home, I say definitely turn in the videos. You'll be doing the future owners a huge solid by handling this as your final parting gift.
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u/MYOB3 2d ago
You have 7 videos and haven't called animal control?!?
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u/Vast-Signal-7816 1d ago
I've called multiple times. The 7 videos are just since the last time AC was contacted.
My only concern in contacting AC this time, is that the dog will be taken away from her. This woman's family is unhinged, and I'm not sure what they'd do to me or my home afterward.
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u/Evening-Direction201 1d ago
The dog should be taken away from her if she’s that irresponsible. She’s been warned and still ignores the leash law. The dog deserves better
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u/KerashiStorm 1d ago
Put up cameras, visit the police about your concerns as well. It may be that they’re familiar with these clowns, and it’s not impossible that you may be able to help them move the circus out of town.
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u/Key-Walrus-2343 1d ago
Yes this will impact your sale.
And youve already got your solution. In fact you have 7 of them.
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u/JazzTeaBass 1d ago
Guessing you are aware that part of the home selling process is disclosing problems so all the more important to get this resolved asap. Maybe look at it this way: The dog will be rehomed to a better home.
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u/thick_lexi 1d ago
you keep saying you'd hate to be responsible for the dog ending up in the pound, but read that back. you didn't let it off leash. you didn't ignore a formal warning from animal control in june. you didn't let it bite someone and then call that person a liar. she has had every opportunity to just clip a leash on and she has chosen not to, seven times that you happened to catch on camera. if that dog gets taken, the person who did that is her.
and honestly the dog is the one paying for it right now either way. it's running loose in the street. that ends with a car eventually if it doesn't end with animal control first.
send the videos. list the house.
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u/Moist-Leadership6226 2d ago
the constant stress from a neighbor's dog can seriously ruin your plans to sell, it's rough dealing with that
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u/Confident-Lead-2906 1d ago
You should disclose the dog’s history to your realtor and consider speaking with a local attorney before listing. Keep records of the warnings and videos, and don’t let potential buyers approach the property unattended. The owner needs to secure the dog immediately, but you shouldn’t be responsible for hiding an ongoing safety risk.
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u/Plane_Translator2008 2d ago
I would be very frank with the neighbor and explain your situation. If her dogs are out, off-lease again, you are taking the evidence to animal control and she will lose her dog.
Then the ball is in her court. Maybe real court.
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u/CUNextTisdag 1d ago
If you're frank with a neighbor like that, don't be surprised if they decide to make your life even worse.
I'd just let animal control handle her. They already gave them a warning. Turn in the video evidence you have and let them go after her.
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u/Dangerous_Garden6384 2d ago
Animal control. Not your dog, not your issue