Neighbors. . . what can you do?

[CV's mum]

On one side of our rowhouse, we have neighbors that I have endless complaints about, but most of it is just stuff I have to live with (until they move. . . fingers crossed!). I will be talking to them about one issue, however, that must improve, and I wonder if there is any legal/code ammunition I might be able to add to the discussion. Here's the deal: spring is on its way. They allow their 1.5 yr old dog to do his business in the small back yard. He is "underloved", IMHO, and goes nuts the second someone is in our yard. We will be creating a screen of some sort to block the view between the yards and to give me a little piece of mind that their dog won't jump the fence in a fit of rage. They rarely clean up the poo, and went they do, its in a haphazard way, and just disturbing the piles of poo makes a big stink. There are times when I can smell it from inside my house. I have a toddler and I really really want to use the back yard this year. Is there any city ordinance or something like that I could cite to strongly encourage them to really clean up their mess?

[ColeenH]

There is an ordinance (or law or something) that says that owners have to clean up pet waste from their yard 24 hours after the dog goes. My dad had this issue with his neighbors, who had two yappy dogs, never walked them, yet built a deck that covered their ENTIRE backyard, so the dogs had no grass to go in. Once a month, they would hose off the deck -- into my dad's yard.

My dad went through mediation to resolve that and other issues he had with them, and I don't know specifically which ordinance or law states what I mentioned above, but I wanted to let you know that there is something that you can cite. Maybe try calling 3-1-1? Or your local police station and ask about mediation?

[Seanibus]

There is an ordinance (or law or something) that says that owners have to clean up pet waste from their yard 24 hours after the dog goes. My dad had this issue with his neighbors, who had two yappy dogs, never walked them, yet built a deck that covered their ENTIRE backyard, so the dogs had no grass to go in. Once a month, they would hose off the deck -- into my dad's yard.

My dad went through mediation to resolve that and other issues he had with them, and I don't know specifically which ordinance or law states what I mentioned above, but I wanted to let you know that there is something that you can cite. Maybe try calling 3-1-1? Or your local police station and ask about mediation?

Actually, it's better than that. Under Section 10-105 (3) of the City Code, the pet owner must remove feces from private property within 12 hours or be considered a nuisance:

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.d...hiladelphia_pa

[Randy Alabama]

On one side of our rowhouse, we have neighbors that I have endless complaints about, but most of it is just stuff I have to live with (until they move. . . fingers crossed!). I will be talking to them about one issue, however, that must improve, and I wonder if there is any legal/code ammunition I might be able to add to the discussion. Here's the deal: spring is on its way. They allow their 1.5 yr old dog to do his business in the small back yard. He is "underloved", IMHO, and goes nuts the second someone is in our yard. We will be creating a screen of some sort to block the view between the yards and to give me a little piece of mind that their dog won't jump the fence in a fit of rage. They rarely clean up the poo, and went they do, its in a haphazard way, and just disturbing the piles of poo makes a big stink. There are times when I can smell it from inside my house. I have a toddler and I really really want to use the back yard this year. Is there any city ordinance or something like that I could cite to strongly encourage them to really clean up their mess?

These people obviously don't care about your quality of life ... by August you'll have all kinds of crazy ideas running around inside your head, from kidnapping the dog, to letting it out of their yard, to poisoning it. Good luck!

[CV's mum]

Actually, it's better than that. Under Section 10-105 (3) of the City Code, the pet owner must remove feces from private property within 12 hours or be considered a nuisance:

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of ammo I hoped existed.

[kateroo]

I can do one better - my neighbor sounds very similar to yours, except in addition to not picking up the poo, I discovered today that they have launched about one pound or so of the turdlets over the 6 ft fence and into my back patio. So very courteous of them! I will be knocking on their door, poo bag in hand. I'm pretty sure that telling them about this law won't help though. Is there a third party I can report this to?

[Braveheart]

I can do one better - my neighbor sounds very similar to yours, except in addition to not picking up the poo, I discovered today that they have launched about one pound or so of the turdlets over the 6 ft fence and into my back patio. So very courteous of them! I will be knocking on their door, poo bag in hand. I'm pretty sure that telling them about this law won't help though. Is there a third party I can report this to?

You can't do better for the simple reason that you don't have a case.

Ever watch Judge Joe Brown or Judy? What you need are photos and paperwork that details actual damages. Then
you aquaint yourself with the Pa Rules of Civil Procedure and file suit.
Don't waste everyones time with a suit unless you have proof of damages, since you pay the filing fee that is
reimbursed if you win. We have an issue with our neighbor over invasive english ivy, but since our pets sometimes
visit his yard it's a non-issue.
Just watch Judge Judy and you'll get the drift. For civil court such as child support or property just search PaRCP.