Woman Finds Holes In Fence, Realizes Her New Neighbors Are Spying On Her

“Good fences make good neighbors” is all solid advice if one’s neighbors don’t own a hand drill. Because try as you may, some people think boundaries, both emotional and also physical are sort of a fun suggestion at best and are perfectly ready to ignore them.

A woman asked the internet for some advice after discovering that her neighbors had not only drilled holes in the wall to spy on her, but that they were also purposefully taunting her dog. We reached out to the person who made the post via private message and will update the article when she gets back to us.

Nosy neighbors are a nightmare

Young woman smiling while holding a baby and an elderly woman watching, illustrating neighbor mom spying and fence holes.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

But one woman learned they had literally drilled holes in her fence to spy on her

Text excerpt discussing neighbors drilling holes in fence to spy and taunt dogs, creating a tense atmosphere.

Neighbor admits her mom drilled holes in fence to spy, denying she was taunting the dogs or spying intentionally.

OP says: “Here’s a photo of just a few of the holes. Some holes are tiny tiny little nail marks but there are several drilled holes. Some are at angles. This is just a handful of the holes in the fence”

Close-up images of a wooden fence with holes drilled, showing signs of spying and neighborhood curiosity.

Image credits: Silver_Pop_1398

Neighbor admits mom drilled holes in fence to spy, claims curiosity not malicious, denies dog taunting.

Text excerpt describing a neighbor’s experience hearing a dog whistle sound before neighborhood dogs bark loudly.

Close-up of a curious dachshund dog outdoors with a blurred green garden background, showing alert expression.

Image credits: Melissa Whitecross / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Confrontation over whistle denied by neighbor, involving claims of spying through drilled fence holes and dog taunting denial.

Text showing frustration about patching a fence and dealing with issues caused by a neighbor spying through holes.

Frustrated woman covering ears, reacting to neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy.

Image credits: engin akyurt / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text about a neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy, denying taunting dogs.

Image credits: Silver_Pop_1398

It’s pretty easy to annoy someone who lives near you

Nightmare neighbors are bad enough when the issue is loud music, overgrown yards, or parking. But when neighbors overstep boundaries with intrusive and harassing behavior, such as drilling holes in a fence to spy or knowingly agitating your dogs, the issue is more than just an annoyance. It is a matter of personal safety, privacy, and protecting your peace of mind. Handling it requires a mix of calm strategy, clear boundaries, and, when necessary, official intervention.

The first step is to document everything. It may feel uncomfortable to keep notes on your neighbors’ behavior, but details matter. Record dates, times, and descriptions of what happened, and if possible, take photos or videos as evidence, since it’s a physical violation of your property. The same goes for incidents involving your dogs, whether they’re being taunted, provoked, or disturbed in ways that leave them agitated. Documentation ensures that if the situation escalates, you’re not left relying on memory alone, you have proof of a pattern.

Direct communication can sometimes resolve issues, but in cases this invasive, it has to be approached with caution. Pounding on their door in anger will fuel the fire instead of putting it out. And if you do speak with them, keep it short, keep it calm, and keep it factual. Tell them clearly that the behavior isn’t acceptable and that you’d like it to stop. Avoid getting into arguments or trading insults; the goal isn’t to win a shouting contest but to get your boundaries documented.

It’s also wise to reinforce your privacy in practical ways. Patching or covering holes in the fence, installing outdoor cameras, or even adding noise machines near your dogs’ area can serve as both protection and deterrent. These measures aren’t just about securing your space, they also send a signal that you’re aware of the behavior and taking it seriously. Cameras in particular can be powerful, since they provide undeniable evidence if harassment continues.

Sometimes one has to dig in for a bigger fight

Two women having a tense conversation outdoors about a neighbor drilling holes in fence to spy.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

If the behavior continues, it may become necessary to get authorities involved. Start by calling your local animal control or police on the non-emergency number and ask about your options. In most areas, putting holes in a fence counts as property damage, and knowingly agitating dogs can count as harassment or even cruelty, depending on the circumstances. Homeowners’ associations or landlords, if applicable, might also have a part to play since they typically have rules about respecting property lines and maintaining neighborly conduct.

Most important, maybe, in managing a nightmare neighbor is taking good care of yourself. Such disputes can be stressful and consuming, especially when they infringe on your sense of safety in your house. Boundaries are not just stopping the behavior, but also how much energy you decide to invest in it. Beyond documentation and reasonable actions for safeguarding yourself, don’t let their behavior occupy your peace of mind. Friends, family members, or even neighbors who empathize with your frustrations can prevent you from feeling isolated.

Finally, neighbors who make peepholes to spy and antagonize pets aren’t just obnoxious, they’re doing something that violates some major boundaries. By staying calm, recording consistently, protecting your privacy, and escalating through proper channels when called for, you protect yourself, your dogs, and your sense of home. Nobody gets to choose their neighbors, but you do get to choose how assertively and smartly you respond.

Some readers had mixed reactions to her post and she debated them in the comments

Reddit comments discussing dogs and ultrasonic sounds in relation to neighbor spying and fence holes.

Reddit thread discussing a neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy and deny taunting dogs.

Reddit comments discussing neighbor drama about dogs barking, anxiety, and fence holes related to spying and taunting claims.

Reddit comments discussing a neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy and deny taunting dogs.

Red and black Pest Xpert wasp jet can with spray nozzle used for pest control and long reach wasp spraying.

Others tried to give some advice

Comment warning about neighbor drilling holes in fence to spy, suggesting to install cameras for security.

Comment discussing Vietnamese superstition and bad luck with examples related to yard rituals and behavior.

Screenshot of a social media comment suggesting filing a police report about vandalism related to a neighbor spying through fence holes.

Comment suggesting to install cameras, patch fence holes, and document behavior to address neighbor spying through drilled holes.

Text post with advice on handling a neighbor spying through fence holes and dealing with taunting dogs.

Text excerpt discussing shade cloth, hedging, and investing in curtains and privacy screens for homes.

Text about creating private backyard spaces, emphasizing privacy and ignoring neighbors, with a bold tone.

Comment advising reporting neighbor who admitted to drilling holes in fence to spy, then denying taunting dogs.

Screenshot of a comment about a neighbor’s mom drilling holes in fence to spy and denying taunting dogs.

Comment discussing concerns about a neighbor's mom drilling holes in fence to spy and the risks of taunting dogs.

Comment discussing hole size in a fence and suggesting plastic eyeballs for spying, relating to neighbor spying fence holes.

Comment discussing a neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy, with advice about legal action for fence repairs.

Reddit comment discussing a grandma living in a garage and concerns about adult protective services involvement.

Neighbor admits mom drilled holes in fence to spy, then denies dog taunting in this curious neighborhood dispute.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a neighbor’s mom drilling holes in a fence to spy and deny taunting dogs.

Neighbor admits mom drilled holes in fence to spy, then denies taunting dogs in suburban backyard setting.

Neighbor admits her mom drilled holes in fence to spy while denying she taunted dogs through the gaps.

Comment discussing setting up a garden watering system aimed through holes drilled in a fence to spy.

Text comment about drilling holes in a fence to spy, suggesting using glass marbles to block peeping neighbors.

Comment discussing fence vandalism and advice on handling neighbor spying and dog taunting incidents.

Comment discussing neighbor’s mom drilling holes in fence to spy and implications on privacy and community relations.

Neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy, then denying taunting dogs in a residential area.

Some readers also shared similar stories

Comment advising to cover fence holes and use a camera to catch neighbor spying and taunting dogs before reporting to police.

Neighbor admits her mom drilled holes in fence to spy on dogs, then denies taunting or provoking them to bark.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment describing a neighbor spying through drilled fence holes and ongoing harassment.

Comment discussing neighbor’s kids throwing rocks at dog, highlighting issues with taunting pets and neighborhood tensions.

Text excerpt discussing a neighbor admitting her mom drilled holes in fence to spy but denying dog taunting claims.

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