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.
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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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!
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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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.
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.
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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.
"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.
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That's insane and the whole idea of association sticking their nose in is even more insane.
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."
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
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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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.
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.
When I was a kid "we were taught" not to go on other people's property. The operatve word being "taught". To ask, let's face it, it was a demand that you put YOUR dogs inside so HER children could trespass on YOUR property was the height of entitlement. Her kids are going to get a rude awakening when they get out into the real world and find out they are not entitled. She is acting like a spoiled brat for not getting her own way. Housing Associations are a control nightmare. A HA where my friends lived tried to control what plants she could have out front and how to arrange them. A no tresspassing sign would make it clear they have been told. If they choose t ignore it and the kids climb the fence and get injured or bit you're not liable for that. Yes cameras. You never know about people these days. People who won't respect other's rights are often the first one's to scream when they think theirs have been trampled.
Wow, entitled much. I'm in the uk and my whole street has unfenced front gardens. We all have lawns out front but most of us park cars as there just isn't much parking. There are some kids that walk through the gardens but they'd never just turn up and play!
It's disgusting that some people actually are like this and would spread sh*tty rumors about someone else just because they can't have their way. Parents like those should be sent to the pound and be put down. Sorry about the negativity, but this just pis*ses me off since it's uncocivable how many as*holes live on this planet. How the hell do they even come to be? Spoiled sh*theads.
Neighbors can be crazy. Our at that time new neighbor wanted that we should stay in our house when he and his wife are outside. We live there for more than 40 years and there is a large field between our properties. So no way we do as he wants.
I think he should use something to record voice, and go talk to her about it again. And then save it. And definitely get security cameras (good idea anyway...bonus if they feed to a phone when ever he checks remotely)
It varies, but recording someone without their permission is illegal in most States. I would try to attend one of their HA meetings to explain my side of the situation and find out what's going on. One has no idea what that neighbor has been saying to people. Could be accusing him of being a pedophile.
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My mother's property was full of flowers. New people moved in next door and the mother and children would wander around the yard plucking flowers and digging up specimens. When my mother complained, the neighbor would bang his metal garbage cans with a broom handle at two a.m.
That's awful. I hope the situation has resolved by now?
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It's your property so you can do with it as you please .. And strangers playing in your garden well they are trespassers
When I was a kid, my friends and I pretty much had the run of the neighborhood—-BUT we always knocked on the door and asked first! Most people were pretty cool with it. One older neighbor, who was in the local Garden Club and grew prize roses, was happy to let us look at (but not touch) the roses when they bloomed, then pick ALL the wild violets that grew in her grass. Another neighbor let us play with and walk their dogs, as the husband worked all day and the wife had her hands full with twin babies (it was the 1960s). But we always knocked on the door and asked first.
This guy is NTA. He was considerate enough to fence in his yard so his dogs don’t go on other people’s properties. This woman can do the same for her kids. Now, had she come to his door to welcome him to the neighborhood, and nicely ASKED him if her kids could run through his yard when playing, he may have suggested first setting up a closely supervised meeting between his kids and the dogs—-who just might get to like each other, meaning the kids could become neighborhood dog walkers——thereby eliminating both the fear of the dogs and the request to keep the dogs inside. But to basically order him to keep his dogs inside so her kids could trespass on his property, then to badmouth him all over the neighborhood when he said no, indicates an insane level of entitlement. Who knows if she practiced the same kind of emotional blackmail on the neighbors, to force them to allow her kids on their yards? F*****g psycho. There’s always one in the neighborhood, though they’re usually the HOA “Enforcer”.
I'd probably put up cameras and a no trespassing sign. If it persists I think I'd talk to someone like a lawyer or a landlord or something.
If my parents ever found me on someone's property I would have been in big trouble. What an entitled wench, she shouldn't be allowed to have kids because they are going to grow up just as entitled. gross.
UGHHHH this is too, too true!! I live in a condominium. The children, specifically my neighbors and all their friends, are super inconsiderate. They'll run across or ride their bikes across our patios like nothing. Run around our lawns and park their bikes or pull grass out like it's perfectly normal. Sometimes they'll even go into our little flower bed and mess with our plants, or step on them. It's madness! And we can't exactly complain to the office (we call it that, it's basically the owners and managers of the condo and who we have to pay rent to) because technically, they own our lawns (and the patio thing isn't enough of a problem for them to do anything about it). I have a few neighbors that tell each kid that comes running onto their patio to get off, but it doesn't really do anything, and they always come running right back a few minutes later. It's really sucky, to say the least. :<
Why would anyone let their child play in the garden of a stranger? STRANGER DANGER? This man might be wonderful, but still why would anyone think that's ok?
You should tell the local council if this continues, because you have the right to do so. 😏
The parents allowing the kids to play there, and expecting a new neighbor to be okay ----- Identical to my first two years in my current home. The previous owner didn't even take care of the yard, so if the fence was damaged/gate removed/etc. that was "normal". The place was a sh*thole in that respect. I spent two years telling people, and their kids, "Stay off my property." And I was the a-hole as far as everyone was concerned. I had dogs ripping up stuff, trash dumped, you name it, and even tho' we joined the HOA we were told "Well, people are used to it." Yes, but that doesn't make it okay. Of course, IATA. Even tho' the kids didn't ask, the parents didn't ask, etc.
The Dr. is absolutely within his rights. His property, his choice.
I don't think we need to be asked. We aren't children. Private property is private (the clue is in the name). If the kids hurt themselves in his yard or if they damage his property (footballs are magnetically attracted to glass windows), who is responsible? Or if he comes home to find something damaged or broken, who will he blame (even if the kids didn't do it)? Stay out of other people's property unless you are invited or you are in Scotland (right to roam).
Even Right To Roam has rules though. Don't make lots of noise being one of them. Don't leave rubbish, don't do anything that may harm wildlife, people or the landscape. Respect the interests of others. And take responsibility for your own actions. In short - be respectful. ETA - Private property is actually EXCLUDED from Right to Roam. You can't just walk into someone's garden and set up camp (which is the reason behind R2R)
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She sounds like my neighbour. I certainly don't envy him. I'd electrify the fence...that'd keep the little buggers out!
This is so absolutely ridiculous and so disruptive to the neighborhood. I don't know where people get the nerve to act like this. When I was a little girl, my grandmother's neighbor had a dog and it was scary. My grandmother didn't get mad at the owner for having it, she told us to stay away from it. She didn't try to control what someone else did in their yard.
Mother can buy a bigger property with a large yard instead of free loading on some one else
This is insane. This woman expects the OP to keep his dogs inside (even though he moved so they could be outside) so that her kids can play in HIS yard, which is FENCED IN.
I'd put up cameras first off. Then casually write a letter an send to the people in the area giving the stink eye. Maybe explain her issues. And you're new home is yours. Not a community park. And also if that fails I'd lounge in a chair w the dogs on the front lawn an smile at everyone for a whole week. Just to make them more uncomfortable. This will be a long battle by a Karen demanding entitlement.
OP needs to print out this post and all the comments and give it to the presumptuous parent who thinks her kids have a right to play in his fenced lawn that he bought specifically for his dogs. Sheesh! Some people!
THIS is what he should've done: "OH! Okay, sorry, sure! I'll keep them in all day, no prob!" Then, go talk to your other neighbors about the situation, tell them what she said, be friendly and explain about your dogs and that they'll be out. Then just leave them in the yard anyway, leaving that crazy lady to stew in her own entitled juices while she sees your dogs out. She'll go talk to the neighbors and they'll already know what's up! Problem solved!
My parents used to have two big dogs that were in a fenced in yard with "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" signs. The kids at the religious school across the street still came into their yard to play on a regular basis. My dad even went to their school board meeting to address the issue with no success. One day I came to visit and found the kids there again--one of them was teasing one of the dogs. My father had been hunting and was inside the garage butchering the deer that he shot that morning. I grabbed the leg bone and took it outside with me with both dogs jumping and trying to grab it. I showed it to the kids (and their teachers who were standing right outside the fence watching them.) I told them very politely, "If you continue to come inside this fence, keep in mind that this is all that is left of the last kid that did so." Problem solved! They never came back. Was I mean?
I also wouldn't trust that lady or anyone else in general but in particular all the neighbors that sided with her enough to leave my dogs out alone. It's bullshit and sad that it is like that but people are horrible. Especially those people who feel their spawn are entitled to anything they want and could care less about you and yours. I don't trust people with my kids or animals to begin with but someone like her NO WAY.
It's a also questions of legal responsibilities and home insurance. If something happens to those kids while they're playing on someone else's property, who's responsible? Depending on what happens, the owner of the property may not be legally responsible, that owner could still end up with an increase to their home insurance. Basing that on the example of: It's winter. You're having people over for dinner. Everyone has a lot to drink. The weather turns icy during the evening. By the time your now inebriated guests leave to get their taxis (because they're responsible folks), your front walkway is ice covered. Someone slips, fall, breaks an ankle. Who's responsible? You, the home owner.
Whenever we would play outside, we would be careful not to play on the yard or driveway of our neighbours. This makes me mad. She shops not let her kids play on the neighbours lawn, and he is right to tell her no. The law will back him up.
Years and years ago when I was in second grade, I was a tiny skinny little girl walking to my house after the bus dropped me off from school when the neighbor’s enormous dogs started barking like crazy and then they came racing toward me. I LOST it. I was terrified of dogs at the time and when the two huge dogs came at me, even though they were probably excited, it was terrifying and I lost it, just screaming for my mom, but the dogs’ owner didn’t even run for them, he just stood on his lawn and lazily called out “hey, come back” to NO effect, while the dogs kept coming. One slammed its paws into my chest and I snapped out of it and just ran like the wind to the door. My mom came out and she fended the dogs off but the owner actually didn’t even say or do ANYTHING. He just stood there watching me cry in terror and then just went inside his house. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with this article, where the dog owner has no wrong, but for some reason it reminded me of this sry.
Well I'd like it that when this site tells me I have a reply to my comment and I click on it, it takes me to the comment and not the top of the page expecting me to go through about 500 comments to find my own. Both aren't happening are they? Also I think he'd like to play with his claymores in her yard see what she thinks about it
So the kids like to climb over peoples' fences, essentially breaking into their property to play?? How is that ok?
Wait. Guy moves into a house and the neighbour tells HIM to keep HIS dogs inside so that HER kids may play on HIS lawn? WTF?? Even to ask the question AITA is preposterous! She needs to be told that her damn kids have no business on his property
If I come home to see kids playing with my hose, guess which snot nosed brats are getting sprayed with said hose.
HOA could argue for a right of way or easement so send a dated letter to them immediately stating that your property is 'No Trespassing' and post 'Beware of Dog' and 'No Trespassing' signs to protect yourself. It sucks but legally if someone is hurt on your property you're at fault. Do not engage with aggressive neighbours, tell them to write you a letter and that a lawyer will be keeping a copy.
We were always taught that you stay out of people's yards! Period.
people call the COPS on our dogs all the time--because they're 'barking'.......our dogs are not the only dogs in the neighborhood, how do you know ours are barking. Also don't call the freaking police! call the owners! they can do something about it a lot faster than the police!
Time to get cameras around the house and a lock for the gate. Both to keep the kids out and from anyone letting your dogs loose. If they have no boundaries themselves, you have to set them.
Karens of the world, Karm is watching. How utterly ridiculous of this woman demanding anything from a private homeowner when the animals are cared for and loved. Take your children to a public park,, Goofy!
No way are you the ass! It’s is your property that you are paying for, and she has no say over what you do with it. You bought a house with a very nice yard just for the dogs, so the dogs should have that yard. And I know I would be mad if some kids I don’t even know started running around my yard.
You don’t have to join the HOA to be bound by it... Obviously he’s not the asshole and he knows that, but I wouldn’t dare let my dogs out anymore, because someone WILL do something bad.
Install cameras ASAP please. People crazy enough to let their children use a private yard as theirs own can be crazy to try something against your dogs.
I would have asked the woman why she was promoting socialism by allowing children unfettered access to every yard as though they were no one's private property. It likely would have offended her.
I don't even let my kids step on someone's lawn when we're out for a walk, let alone play uninvited in someon's yard. I think most people consider this to be the proper way to behave and how to teach children respect for the property of others. That woman would be the first to sue if her kid tripped over a rock and scraped their knee on someone else's lawn.
He's NTA for not letting the kids play in his garden but the tone of the message sounds like he could have communicated with the woman better.
I don't care one way or the other about what the man does, me not knowing him, so have no investment in his life. I do find it stupid, however, that someone in the comments above--the ones directly to him---called the DOGS "doggies," as if the commenter is some babyish 3 y.o who can't quite put their words together correctly. If you're going to respond to adults on this forum, please use adult words. "Doggie" and "kitty" are for toddlers just learning to talk, not for full grown, supposedly mature ADULTS, who should know to refer to the animals---they are ONLY ANIMALS, nothing more!---as either dogs or cats. Birds, too, are birds, not "birbs," nor "birdies," and none of them, no matter the animal or bird, is your 'baby,' fur or otherwise! You did not give birth to the animals, so please call them what they are when on a public forum, not what you wish they would be! What you call them in your own home is yours to bear, but not on here.
OMG did I just read this right? Some entitled brat wants someone else to free up THEIR garden for her kids?! No way! A persons home is theirs and no one else has the right to demand anything from the owner, she should put them in her own garden, that’s what it’s for. I’d have called the police on her for making unruly demands!
Time to go to the town council or HOA meeting. Explain who you are, why you brought that house. That they should not listen to rumors spread by rude neighbors. And especially Why you don’t want the kids in/on your property due to liability.
Silly man. Simply call the police & file a criminal harrassment complaint. Call your lawyer & have him(her) send an (open) cease & decist demand for the defamation. People will take sides, she might escalate ... but ultimately she will move.
NTA. It's your property and your pets and saying "please bring your dogs inside so that my kids can use your lawn" is essentially the same as "please evict your (grandparent, uncle, aunt, etc) so that I can sleep in her bed". Both are rude and wrong to ask for and expect to receive. That old lady also spread false rumours, which is disgusting. Once again. NTA
Maybe next time ask her to keep her kids inside because they creep out the dogs. The nerve of some people. Even if the dogs bark occasionally. They are dogs. As if kids are quiet when they play outside.
This would be slow to do while building trust and friendships, but what an excellent opportunity to teach some neighbor kids about the joys of playing with nice dogs and at the same time cultivate some great playmates for your dogs while you are away working. Perhaps with time and understanding, everyone can get more than they imagined here.
I wonder how pet owners think they know when they are not home? Of course he has the right to leave his dogs out but no pet can be a public nuisance. Raising hell all day would not be okay - and I don't always believe what pet owners think of their darlings anymore than parents think of their children. There is more to this story.
I'd...be deliriously happy if where I lived people kept their dogs out of MY yard. It'd never occur to me to question a dog owner who was responsibly keeping their dogs in their own fenced yard for entertainment.
I think the OP should go to the HOA to report the woman for her behavior, including the fact that she's spreading nasty rumors about him.
She has no business telling you what to do. She has no business letting her kids play in YOUR yard. BUT you should never leave your dogs unattended whenever you’re not home. With neighbors like her, they’re going to be messed with. She sounds like the type who will purposely poison them or let them out. Also, you run the risk of her kids coming into your yard and one of the dogs roughhousing or worse. You will be responsible for whatever happens to the kids. It’s not worth it to leave the dogs out when you’re not there to supervise. Fence with a sign “PRIVATE PROPERTY, DO NOT ENTER” can help you if she does decide to get you in trouble with the board.
Loads of us don't go on Reddit so don't have a problem with that.
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YOU JUST ENCOUNTERED A KAREN! WITHOUT HER CALLING THE POLICE OR WANTING YOUR MANAGER! DO YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY THAT IS?!? (but still, your property, your rules. if some goddamn kids play on your property anyway, give then a big f*****g call to their parents)
I agree that he has the right to his property and I would have refused as well, but at the same time, I think he did a lot to escalate the confrontation. Just because she was an a** doesn't mean he needed to be. He could have still said no just as firmly without descending to her level. Or is that too Canadian?
Please put up signs, install surveillance cameras and tell that b*itch that if she or her offspring violates the boundaries of your property, you will take her to court.
1 nore reason to live on the countryside, rather then developed areas.
What the living *honk* *honk honk honk honk honk* now, the lawn is for the *honk*ing dogs, so f*ck off
This read as "Please keep your dogs inside so the kids can trespass on your fenced off lawn" We had an incident when we first moved in. We caught a kid (who turned out to be early 20s) in our garden retrieving a football. I went round to his house and spoke to his mum explaining that this was not acceptable. We would either kick the ball back over or he can come round the front and knock on our door. She apologised and got him down to apologise which he did and to his credit, he has been more careful. Our gardens back on to each other so he crawled though a gap in the trees that separate them.
Sometimes balls and yard toys go where you don't expect them... to say he can't go and get it seems a bit excessive unless he's causing damage or he's doing it on purpose.
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Um..... It's not obvious when you're wondering "AITA?" and your entire neighborhood is treating you like you have bubonic plague b/c you said, "No trespassing". Been there, done that, and your conviction in what's normal gets a hit or ten after a while.
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the majority of Americans are normal.....just saying
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the op said he had the biggest lawn but not the only lawn if there kids were so scared of strangers dogs just play in he house or in your own yard
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can i play inside your house by that logic because that makes absolutley no sence it is HIS PROPERTY and he has a right to not be trespassed
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It's the internet idiot. People do what they want
Load More Replies... 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!
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... 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.
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... 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.
"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... That's insane and the whole idea of association sticking their nose in is even more insane.
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."
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
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... 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.
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.
When I was a kid "we were taught" not to go on other people's property. The operatve word being "taught". To ask, let's face it, it was a demand that you put YOUR dogs inside so HER children could trespass on YOUR property was the height of entitlement. Her kids are going to get a rude awakening when they get out into the real world and find out they are not entitled. She is acting like a spoiled brat for not getting her own way. Housing Associations are a control nightmare. A HA where my friends lived tried to control what plants she could have out front and how to arrange them. A no tresspassing sign would make it clear they have been told. If they choose t ignore it and the kids climb the fence and get injured or bit you're not liable for that. Yes cameras. You never know about people these days. People who won't respect other's rights are often the first one's to scream when they think theirs have been trampled.
Wow, entitled much. I'm in the uk and my whole street has unfenced front gardens. We all have lawns out front but most of us park cars as there just isn't much parking. There are some kids that walk through the gardens but they'd never just turn up and play!
It's disgusting that some people actually are like this and would spread sh*tty rumors about someone else just because they can't have their way. Parents like those should be sent to the pound and be put down. Sorry about the negativity, but this just pis*ses me off since it's uncocivable how many as*holes live on this planet. How the hell do they even come to be? Spoiled sh*theads.
Neighbors can be crazy. Our at that time new neighbor wanted that we should stay in our house when he and his wife are outside. We live there for more than 40 years and there is a large field between our properties. So no way we do as he wants.
I think he should use something to record voice, and go talk to her about it again. And then save it. And definitely get security cameras (good idea anyway...bonus if they feed to a phone when ever he checks remotely)
It varies, but recording someone without their permission is illegal in most States. I would try to attend one of their HA meetings to explain my side of the situation and find out what's going on. One has no idea what that neighbor has been saying to people. Could be accusing him of being a pedophile.
Load More Replies... My mother's property was full of flowers. New people moved in next door and the mother and children would wander around the yard plucking flowers and digging up specimens. When my mother complained, the neighbor would bang his metal garbage cans with a broom handle at two a.m.
That's awful. I hope the situation has resolved by now?
Load More Replies... It's your property so you can do with it as you please .. And strangers playing in your garden well they are trespassers
When I was a kid, my friends and I pretty much had the run of the neighborhood—-BUT we always knocked on the door and asked first! Most people were pretty cool with it. One older neighbor, who was in the local Garden Club and grew prize roses, was happy to let us look at (but not touch) the roses when they bloomed, then pick ALL the wild violets that grew in her grass. Another neighbor let us play with and walk their dogs, as the husband worked all day and the wife had her hands full with twin babies (it was the 1960s). But we always knocked on the door and asked first.
This guy is NTA. He was considerate enough to fence in his yard so his dogs don’t go on other people’s properties. This woman can do the same for her kids. Now, had she come to his door to welcome him to the neighborhood, and nicely ASKED him if her kids could run through his yard when playing, he may have suggested first setting up a closely supervised meeting between his kids and the dogs—-who just might get to like each other, meaning the kids could become neighborhood dog walkers——thereby eliminating both the fear of the dogs and the request to keep the dogs inside. But to basically order him to keep his dogs inside so her kids could trespass on his property, then to badmouth him all over the neighborhood when he said no, indicates an insane level of entitlement. Who knows if she practiced the same kind of emotional blackmail on the neighbors, to force them to allow her kids on their yards? F*****g psycho. There’s always one in the neighborhood, though they’re usually the HOA “Enforcer”.
I'd probably put up cameras and a no trespassing sign. If it persists I think I'd talk to someone like a lawyer or a landlord or something.
If my parents ever found me on someone's property I would have been in big trouble. What an entitled wench, she shouldn't be allowed to have kids because they are going to grow up just as entitled. gross.
UGHHHH this is too, too true!! I live in a condominium. The children, specifically my neighbors and all their friends, are super inconsiderate. They'll run across or ride their bikes across our patios like nothing. Run around our lawns and park their bikes or pull grass out like it's perfectly normal. Sometimes they'll even go into our little flower bed and mess with our plants, or step on them. It's madness! And we can't exactly complain to the office (we call it that, it's basically the owners and managers of the condo and who we have to pay rent to) because technically, they own our lawns (and the patio thing isn't enough of a problem for them to do anything about it). I have a few neighbors that tell each kid that comes running onto their patio to get off, but it doesn't really do anything, and they always come running right back a few minutes later. It's really sucky, to say the least. :<
Why would anyone let their child play in the garden of a stranger? STRANGER DANGER? This man might be wonderful, but still why would anyone think that's ok?
You should tell the local council if this continues, because you have the right to do so. 😏
The parents allowing the kids to play there, and expecting a new neighbor to be okay ----- Identical to my first two years in my current home. The previous owner didn't even take care of the yard, so if the fence was damaged/gate removed/etc. that was "normal". The place was a sh*thole in that respect. I spent two years telling people, and their kids, "Stay off my property." And I was the a-hole as far as everyone was concerned. I had dogs ripping up stuff, trash dumped, you name it, and even tho' we joined the HOA we were told "Well, people are used to it." Yes, but that doesn't make it okay. Of course, IATA. Even tho' the kids didn't ask, the parents didn't ask, etc.
The Dr. is absolutely within his rights. His property, his choice.
I don't think we need to be asked. We aren't children. Private property is private (the clue is in the name). If the kids hurt themselves in his yard or if they damage his property (footballs are magnetically attracted to glass windows), who is responsible? Or if he comes home to find something damaged or broken, who will he blame (even if the kids didn't do it)? Stay out of other people's property unless you are invited or you are in Scotland (right to roam).
Even Right To Roam has rules though. Don't make lots of noise being one of them. Don't leave rubbish, don't do anything that may harm wildlife, people or the landscape. Respect the interests of others. And take responsibility for your own actions. In short - be respectful. ETA - Private property is actually EXCLUDED from Right to Roam. You can't just walk into someone's garden and set up camp (which is the reason behind R2R)
Load More Replies... She sounds like my neighbour. I certainly don't envy him. I'd electrify the fence...that'd keep the little buggers out!
This is so absolutely ridiculous and so disruptive to the neighborhood. I don't know where people get the nerve to act like this. When I was a little girl, my grandmother's neighbor had a dog and it was scary. My grandmother didn't get mad at the owner for having it, she told us to stay away from it. She didn't try to control what someone else did in their yard.
Mother can buy a bigger property with a large yard instead of free loading on some one else
This is insane. This woman expects the OP to keep his dogs inside (even though he moved so they could be outside) so that her kids can play in HIS yard, which is FENCED IN.
I'd put up cameras first off. Then casually write a letter an send to the people in the area giving the stink eye. Maybe explain her issues. And you're new home is yours. Not a community park. And also if that fails I'd lounge in a chair w the dogs on the front lawn an smile at everyone for a whole week. Just to make them more uncomfortable. This will be a long battle by a Karen demanding entitlement.
OP needs to print out this post and all the comments and give it to the presumptuous parent who thinks her kids have a right to play in his fenced lawn that he bought specifically for his dogs. Sheesh! Some people!
THIS is what he should've done: "OH! Okay, sorry, sure! I'll keep them in all day, no prob!" Then, go talk to your other neighbors about the situation, tell them what she said, be friendly and explain about your dogs and that they'll be out. Then just leave them in the yard anyway, leaving that crazy lady to stew in her own entitled juices while she sees your dogs out. She'll go talk to the neighbors and they'll already know what's up! Problem solved!
My parents used to have two big dogs that were in a fenced in yard with "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" signs. The kids at the religious school across the street still came into their yard to play on a regular basis. My dad even went to their school board meeting to address the issue with no success. One day I came to visit and found the kids there again--one of them was teasing one of the dogs. My father had been hunting and was inside the garage butchering the deer that he shot that morning. I grabbed the leg bone and took it outside with me with both dogs jumping and trying to grab it. I showed it to the kids (and their teachers who were standing right outside the fence watching them.) I told them very politely, "If you continue to come inside this fence, keep in mind that this is all that is left of the last kid that did so." Problem solved! They never came back. Was I mean?
I also wouldn't trust that lady or anyone else in general but in particular all the neighbors that sided with her enough to leave my dogs out alone. It's bullshit and sad that it is like that but people are horrible. Especially those people who feel their spawn are entitled to anything they want and could care less about you and yours. I don't trust people with my kids or animals to begin with but someone like her NO WAY.
It's a also questions of legal responsibilities and home insurance. If something happens to those kids while they're playing on someone else's property, who's responsible? Depending on what happens, the owner of the property may not be legally responsible, that owner could still end up with an increase to their home insurance. Basing that on the example of: It's winter. You're having people over for dinner. Everyone has a lot to drink. The weather turns icy during the evening. By the time your now inebriated guests leave to get their taxis (because they're responsible folks), your front walkway is ice covered. Someone slips, fall, breaks an ankle. Who's responsible? You, the home owner.
Whenever we would play outside, we would be careful not to play on the yard or driveway of our neighbours. This makes me mad. She shops not let her kids play on the neighbours lawn, and he is right to tell her no. The law will back him up.
Years and years ago when I was in second grade, I was a tiny skinny little girl walking to my house after the bus dropped me off from school when the neighbor’s enormous dogs started barking like crazy and then they came racing toward me. I LOST it. I was terrified of dogs at the time and when the two huge dogs came at me, even though they were probably excited, it was terrifying and I lost it, just screaming for my mom, but the dogs’ owner didn’t even run for them, he just stood on his lawn and lazily called out “hey, come back” to NO effect, while the dogs kept coming. One slammed its paws into my chest and I snapped out of it and just ran like the wind to the door. My mom came out and she fended the dogs off but the owner actually didn’t even say or do ANYTHING. He just stood there watching me cry in terror and then just went inside his house. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with this article, where the dog owner has no wrong, but for some reason it reminded me of this sry.
Well I'd like it that when this site tells me I have a reply to my comment and I click on it, it takes me to the comment and not the top of the page expecting me to go through about 500 comments to find my own. Both aren't happening are they? Also I think he'd like to play with his claymores in her yard see what she thinks about it
So the kids like to climb over peoples' fences, essentially breaking into their property to play?? How is that ok?
Wait. Guy moves into a house and the neighbour tells HIM to keep HIS dogs inside so that HER kids may play on HIS lawn? WTF?? Even to ask the question AITA is preposterous! She needs to be told that her damn kids have no business on his property
If I come home to see kids playing with my hose, guess which snot nosed brats are getting sprayed with said hose.
HOA could argue for a right of way or easement so send a dated letter to them immediately stating that your property is 'No Trespassing' and post 'Beware of Dog' and 'No Trespassing' signs to protect yourself. It sucks but legally if someone is hurt on your property you're at fault. Do not engage with aggressive neighbours, tell them to write you a letter and that a lawyer will be keeping a copy.
We were always taught that you stay out of people's yards! Period.
people call the COPS on our dogs all the time--because they're 'barking'.......our dogs are not the only dogs in the neighborhood, how do you know ours are barking. Also don't call the freaking police! call the owners! they can do something about it a lot faster than the police!
Time to get cameras around the house and a lock for the gate. Both to keep the kids out and from anyone letting your dogs loose. If they have no boundaries themselves, you have to set them.
Karens of the world, Karm is watching. How utterly ridiculous of this woman demanding anything from a private homeowner when the animals are cared for and loved. Take your children to a public park,, Goofy!
No way are you the ass! It’s is your property that you are paying for, and she has no say over what you do with it. You bought a house with a very nice yard just for the dogs, so the dogs should have that yard. And I know I would be mad if some kids I don’t even know started running around my yard.
You don’t have to join the HOA to be bound by it... Obviously he’s not the asshole and he knows that, but I wouldn’t dare let my dogs out anymore, because someone WILL do something bad.
Install cameras ASAP please. People crazy enough to let their children use a private yard as theirs own can be crazy to try something against your dogs.
I would have asked the woman why she was promoting socialism by allowing children unfettered access to every yard as though they were no one's private property. It likely would have offended her.
I don't even let my kids step on someone's lawn when we're out for a walk, let alone play uninvited in someon's yard. I think most people consider this to be the proper way to behave and how to teach children respect for the property of others. That woman would be the first to sue if her kid tripped over a rock and scraped their knee on someone else's lawn.
He's NTA for not letting the kids play in his garden but the tone of the message sounds like he could have communicated with the woman better.
I don't care one way or the other about what the man does, me not knowing him, so have no investment in his life. I do find it stupid, however, that someone in the comments above--the ones directly to him---called the DOGS "doggies," as if the commenter is some babyish 3 y.o who can't quite put their words together correctly. If you're going to respond to adults on this forum, please use adult words. "Doggie" and "kitty" are for toddlers just learning to talk, not for full grown, supposedly mature ADULTS, who should know to refer to the animals---they are ONLY ANIMALS, nothing more!---as either dogs or cats. Birds, too, are birds, not "birbs," nor "birdies," and none of them, no matter the animal or bird, is your 'baby,' fur or otherwise! You did not give birth to the animals, so please call them what they are when on a public forum, not what you wish they would be! What you call them in your own home is yours to bear, but not on here.
OMG did I just read this right? Some entitled brat wants someone else to free up THEIR garden for her kids?! No way! A persons home is theirs and no one else has the right to demand anything from the owner, she should put them in her own garden, that’s what it’s for. I’d have called the police on her for making unruly demands!
Time to go to the town council or HOA meeting. Explain who you are, why you brought that house. That they should not listen to rumors spread by rude neighbors. And especially Why you don’t want the kids in/on your property due to liability.
Silly man. Simply call the police & file a criminal harrassment complaint. Call your lawyer & have him(her) send an (open) cease & decist demand for the defamation. People will take sides, she might escalate ... but ultimately she will move.
NTA. It's your property and your pets and saying "please bring your dogs inside so that my kids can use your lawn" is essentially the same as "please evict your (grandparent, uncle, aunt, etc) so that I can sleep in her bed". Both are rude and wrong to ask for and expect to receive. That old lady also spread false rumours, which is disgusting. Once again. NTA
Maybe next time ask her to keep her kids inside because they creep out the dogs. The nerve of some people. Even if the dogs bark occasionally. They are dogs. As if kids are quiet when they play outside.
This would be slow to do while building trust and friendships, but what an excellent opportunity to teach some neighbor kids about the joys of playing with nice dogs and at the same time cultivate some great playmates for your dogs while you are away working. Perhaps with time and understanding, everyone can get more than they imagined here.
I wonder how pet owners think they know when they are not home? Of course he has the right to leave his dogs out but no pet can be a public nuisance. Raising hell all day would not be okay - and I don't always believe what pet owners think of their darlings anymore than parents think of their children. There is more to this story.
I'd...be deliriously happy if where I lived people kept their dogs out of MY yard. It'd never occur to me to question a dog owner who was responsibly keeping their dogs in their own fenced yard for entertainment.
I think the OP should go to the HOA to report the woman for her behavior, including the fact that she's spreading nasty rumors about him.
She has no business telling you what to do. She has no business letting her kids play in YOUR yard. BUT you should never leave your dogs unattended whenever you’re not home. With neighbors like her, they’re going to be messed with. She sounds like the type who will purposely poison them or let them out. Also, you run the risk of her kids coming into your yard and one of the dogs roughhousing or worse. You will be responsible for whatever happens to the kids. It’s not worth it to leave the dogs out when you’re not there to supervise. Fence with a sign “PRIVATE PROPERTY, DO NOT ENTER” can help you if she does decide to get you in trouble with the board.
Loads of us don't go on Reddit so don't have a problem with that.
Load More Replies... YOU JUST ENCOUNTERED A KAREN! WITHOUT HER CALLING THE POLICE OR WANTING YOUR MANAGER! DO YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY THAT IS?!? (but still, your property, your rules. if some goddamn kids play on your property anyway, give then a big f*****g call to their parents)
I agree that he has the right to his property and I would have refused as well, but at the same time, I think he did a lot to escalate the confrontation. Just because she was an a** doesn't mean he needed to be. He could have still said no just as firmly without descending to her level. Or is that too Canadian?
Please put up signs, install surveillance cameras and tell that b*itch that if she or her offspring violates the boundaries of your property, you will take her to court.
1 nore reason to live on the countryside, rather then developed areas.
What the living *honk* *honk honk honk honk honk* now, the lawn is for the *honk*ing dogs, so f*ck off
This read as "Please keep your dogs inside so the kids can trespass on your fenced off lawn" We had an incident when we first moved in. We caught a kid (who turned out to be early 20s) in our garden retrieving a football. I went round to his house and spoke to his mum explaining that this was not acceptable. We would either kick the ball back over or he can come round the front and knock on our door. She apologised and got him down to apologise which he did and to his credit, he has been more careful. Our gardens back on to each other so he crawled though a gap in the trees that separate them.
Sometimes balls and yard toys go where you don't expect them... to say he can't go and get it seems a bit excessive unless he's causing damage or he's doing it on purpose.
Load More Replies... Um..... It's not obvious when you're wondering "AITA?" and your entire neighborhood is treating you like you have bubonic plague b/c you said, "No trespassing". Been there, done that, and your conviction in what's normal gets a hit or ten after a while.
Load More Replies... the majority of Americans are normal.....just saying
Load More Replies... the op said he had the biggest lawn but not the only lawn if there kids were so scared of strangers dogs just play in he house or in your own yard
Load More Replies... can i play inside your house by that logic because that makes absolutley no sence it is HIS PROPERTY and he has a right to not be trespassed
Load More Replies... It's the internet idiot. People do what they want
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