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Guy Moves Into A New House, His Neighbor Demands That He Keep His Dogs Inside So Her Children Can Play On His Lawn
A person’s home is their castle and we should all respect that. Right? Well, it seems like it doesn’t much matter if you’ve found the perfect house to live in if your neighbors are nosy, privileged, and willing to soil your reputation if you don’t give in to their demands.
That’s exactly what one redditor, a dermatologist in his thirties, experienced after moving to a new house that had a lawn for his well-trained dogs. However, his idyllic life quickly came to an end after his neighbor showed up and demanded that they keep his dogs inside… so that her children can play on the dog owner’s lawn. This just drips of privilege, doesn’t it?
Check out FaultFabulous’s full story below, dear Pandas. Oh, and there’s one thing that you should be aware of before we start: the lawn was already fenced.
RELATED:
A man shared how his entitled neighbor started making demands about his property the moment he moved into his new home
Image credits: Michael Hoy (not the actual photo)
At the end of the day, the lawn belongs to FaultFabulous. Since it’s his property, he’s allowed to do pretty much anything he wants to there, as long as he’s not violating the law. Couple that with the fact that his dogs are well-trained and rarely bark and you’ve got a perfect case of a person simply wanting to be left alone in peace.
Besides the entitlement, what also gets us really mad is the fact that the neighbor started spreading nasty rumors about the dog owner after she didn’t get her own way.
It’s like a scene from a TV show—a ramped-up version of Desperate Housewives. Ugh, the suburbs only sound great in your head, don’t they? They can be a nasty hive of wasps if you don’t immediately conform to the local community’s expectations.
Nobody wants to start an all-out war with their neighbors. However, in certain cases, it’s inevitable. Especially when diplomacy fails. If your neighbor is being incredibly belligerent, continues to disrespect your property rights, and is making your life hell, call the police. If that doesn’t help, consider taking them to court.
Of course, few people would want to start legal processes over a disagreement over a lawn. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and is bound to turn the community against you even more. So before you take that step, try talking to the disruptive neighbor directly. Be firm but polite, set out very clear boundaries for what you find (un)acceptable, but try to get to know their side of the story better. Who knows, you might find an unexpected compromise.
If that doesn’t work, well, then it’s time to get the other neighbors involved. Is there a local association that you could address everyone? Is there a different kind of potential mediator who could step in and help oversee the disagreement? Explore your options (and then maybe sue them because nobody’s going to be taking away your dogs’ lawn from them!).
But in all seriousness, if the neighbors are toxic and making your life miserable, perhaps it’s worth thinking about moving. Somewhere where the lawns are huge, the neighboring kids are respectful, everybody loves dogs and respects each other’s privacy.
The redditor gave some extra context about the situation later on
Here’s how people reacted when they read the dermatologist dog owner’s story
So, dear Pandas, what did you think of the story? Who do you think was in the right, the owner or the neighbor? Did this thrilling tale get your ‘get off my lawn’ and ‘dogs are awesome’ sense tingling? Have you ever had to manage a conflict with a neighbor? Share your thoughts and experiences below.
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JennyLaRue 4 years ago
As a child I never would've expected to play in someone else's garden. If it's an unfenced green area out the front of the house I could see a loose justification for it, but playing in other peoples back yards, absolutely no way!
N G 4 years ago
Unfenced area, absolutely - depending on the age of the kids, they likely dont understand the undefined boundaries between properties. Heck, some adults cant always get it right. But the fact that there is a fence, making this an ENCLOSED space, turns this into trespass.
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Tamika Love 4 years ago
I have a kitty with an injury. Neighbors dog did it. She apparently goes to visit one of the roommates who gives her pets. Someone asked if I was going to sue. 1. My cat, their yard. So no 2. Even if, why Would I do something to someone’s dog who was clearly projecting them on their own property? The dog could be put to sleep. That’s over board. I don’t understand why ppl feel the need to police others yards, animals, or lives.
Dilly Millandry 4 years ago
Tamika - I'm so sorry your kitty got hurt but thank you for being sensible about how you handled it. It's unfortunate that cats and dogs will sometimes fight. I do get the odd cat in my garden but I've learned to rattle the back-door handle loudly and make a big fuss before letting my dogs out to scare any cats away. I hate doing that as I love cats too but I'd rather the cats were scared of me and ran away and remained safe.
Load More Replies...
Carol Emory 4 years ago (edited)
My boss lives alone in her house in a nice neighborhood. She babysits her sons dogs from time to time. The dogs are fairly calm and only go outside on a leash as her yard is not fenced. The neighborhood boys have taken to entering her yard and crossing through her backyard which drives the dog nuts as they start madly barking. She's asked them to stay off her property and why. The response was her neighbor from across the street yelling at her from his yard that his kids are allowed to go anywhere they please. She said there are "No trespassing" signs posted and if they entered her yard again, police will be called. She even had cameras set up by a friend who is a sheriffs deputy. Since they saw his patrol car in her driveway..not a single sign of the boys crossing. Post "No Trespassing" signs and set up cameras. That will get neighbor lady to back off.
Nat Hedley 4 years ago
"You don't have the authority to give them permission to enter my property." That phrase. Seriously, me & my husband are farmers and deal with this stuff a lot - it seems to have genuinely not occurred to some people that they don't have that right. Some people are just d***s, though.
Load More Replies...
Monika Rhodes 4 years ago
That's insane and the whole idea of association sticking their nose in is even more insane.
lenka 4 years ago
NTA. No way in hell I would let my kids play in someone elses yard uninvited, let alone expect them to have that right. He should have turned around and said, "Oh I am so glad you bought this up because I am all for socialising private spaces, you know. I mean just the other day I was thinking that I might invite all the lads over to your place for a BBQ, because you have such a nice big BBQ and my friends like to cook BBQ. Wow. Amazing that I have found a community that shares my communist values."
Alicia Butterfield 4 years ago
Any new neighbour who doesn't say good morning any more because they listen to gossip rather than judging people as they find isn't worth losing sleep over. NTA
Honu 4 years ago
I'm guessing the neighbor lady made up some story about him, that he yelled at her, swore at her, or threatened her in some way. So now they think he's the bad guy.
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MuddyPuddles 4 years ago
I honestly thought it was a communal area at first until I read further. What a rude, entitled woman! I guess while her kids are playing on your lawn she gets a break, plus if they are injured you would be liable. I would seriously consider buying locks, no trespassing signs and a security camera for your property. Good luck and I hope you can resolve the issue. I may also consider writing a letter explaining your side of the story and giving copies to your neighbours as you don't know what rumours she's spreading.
Pervinca 4 years ago
I can undestand if she asked that because the previous owner let the children play. But if he said no, you have absolutely no right to continue with other argues. What if he asked about using the others garden as his dogs parks? You could ask it, but you have no right over other people propriety, unless they make something illegal or really irrespectful ( using your own garden for your own dogs is not in the list). Now, if I was the dogs' owner I would be very careful and put some cameras in my garden. I'm quite worried about the neighbours putting poisoned bait in the garden in order to kill the dogs. Maybe I'm too much diffident, but it is better to prevent.
JennyLaRue 4 years ago
As a child I never would've expected to play in someone else's garden. If it's an unfenced green area out the front of the house I could see a loose justification for it, but playing in other peoples back yards, absolutely no way!
N G 4 years ago
Unfenced area, absolutely - depending on the age of the kids, they likely dont understand the undefined boundaries between properties. Heck, some adults cant always get it right. But the fact that there is a fence, making this an ENCLOSED space, turns this into trespass.
Load More Replies... Tamika Love 4 years ago
I have a kitty with an injury. Neighbors dog did it. She apparently goes to visit one of the roommates who gives her pets. Someone asked if I was going to sue. 1. My cat, their yard. So no 2. Even if, why Would I do something to someone’s dog who was clearly projecting them on their own property? The dog could be put to sleep. That’s over board. I don’t understand why ppl feel the need to police others yards, animals, or lives.
Dilly Millandry 4 years ago
Tamika - I'm so sorry your kitty got hurt but thank you for being sensible about how you handled it. It's unfortunate that cats and dogs will sometimes fight. I do get the odd cat in my garden but I've learned to rattle the back-door handle loudly and make a big fuss before letting my dogs out to scare any cats away. I hate doing that as I love cats too but I'd rather the cats were scared of me and ran away and remained safe.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 4 years ago (edited)
My boss lives alone in her house in a nice neighborhood. She babysits her sons dogs from time to time. The dogs are fairly calm and only go outside on a leash as her yard is not fenced. The neighborhood boys have taken to entering her yard and crossing through her backyard which drives the dog nuts as they start madly barking. She's asked them to stay off her property and why. The response was her neighbor from across the street yelling at her from his yard that his kids are allowed to go anywhere they please. She said there are "No trespassing" signs posted and if they entered her yard again, police will be called. She even had cameras set up by a friend who is a sheriffs deputy. Since they saw his patrol car in her driveway..not a single sign of the boys crossing. Post "No Trespassing" signs and set up cameras. That will get neighbor lady to back off.
Nat Hedley 4 years ago
"You don't have the authority to give them permission to enter my property." That phrase. Seriously, me & my husband are farmers and deal with this stuff a lot - it seems to have genuinely not occurred to some people that they don't have that right. Some people are just d***s, though.
Load More Replies... Monika Rhodes 4 years ago
That's insane and the whole idea of association sticking their nose in is even more insane.
lenka 4 years ago
NTA. No way in hell I would let my kids play in someone elses yard uninvited, let alone expect them to have that right. He should have turned around and said, "Oh I am so glad you bought this up because I am all for socialising private spaces, you know. I mean just the other day I was thinking that I might invite all the lads over to your place for a BBQ, because you have such a nice big BBQ and my friends like to cook BBQ. Wow. Amazing that I have found a community that shares my communist values."
Alicia Butterfield 4 years ago
Any new neighbour who doesn't say good morning any more because they listen to gossip rather than judging people as they find isn't worth losing sleep over. NTA
Honu 4 years ago
I'm guessing the neighbor lady made up some story about him, that he yelled at her, swore at her, or threatened her in some way. So now they think he's the bad guy.
Load More Replies... MuddyPuddles 4 years ago
I honestly thought it was a communal area at first until I read further. What a rude, entitled woman! I guess while her kids are playing on your lawn she gets a break, plus if they are injured you would be liable. I would seriously consider buying locks, no trespassing signs and a security camera for your property. Good luck and I hope you can resolve the issue. I may also consider writing a letter explaining your side of the story and giving copies to your neighbours as you don't know what rumours she's spreading.
Pervinca 4 years ago
I can undestand if she asked that because the previous owner let the children play. But if he said no, you have absolutely no right to continue with other argues. What if he asked about using the others garden as his dogs parks? You could ask it, but you have no right over other people propriety, unless they make something illegal or really irrespectful ( using your own garden for your own dogs is not in the list). Now, if I was the dogs' owner I would be very careful and put some cameras in my garden. I'm quite worried about the neighbours putting poisoned bait in the garden in order to kill the dogs. Maybe I'm too much diffident, but it is better to prevent.
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