Fences and neighbors (and bears, oh my!)

[ws4ever]

What do you do if a neighbor alters the boundary fence between your yard and his–his fence, on his property–which then allows your pet to sneak through the low, unraveled material, into his yard–then sends a strange letter saying that he has no responsibility to mend the fence and will send your dog to the pound if it sneaks into his yard. Note: there is a pot-bellied pig and barking dog behind a cyclone fence at the neighbors on the other side of his yard. The pig just may be interesting to my dog.

Next, in the letter he says that I need to build an entirely new fence in my yard, instead of his connecting the two existing sections of his own fence. The boundary fence has always been on his property, built by the previous owners of his house before a big remodel.

I understand, as a pet owner I’m responsible to keep my dog in my yard, but a significant section of the actual 6′ wood fence is missing, plugged by a low section of aged large-mesh green metal wire, you know, the kind you’d see for temporary barrier use at a hardware store. He’s completely aware of the incongruity, even mentioned that it’s sad if my dog is getting cut by the loose metal in his fence.

He’s twice admitted he needs to build the fence himself, but has reneged. Over time, it seems he is someone who requires conflict in order to feel that he has “safe boundaries” or a sense of control.

What would you do, or what advice would you give, if you were me? Thanks.

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[alki_2008]

I’d build a fence on my property, so that my dog doesn’t leave my property. There’s no requirement that the neighbor host the “boundary fence”, and there’s no requirement for the neighbor to choose a fence style that keeps your dog out of his yard.

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[ws4ever]

But if a neighbor deliberately causes the problem by altering the fence? That’s almost like saying I can take his cat to the pound when she comes over to beat up my cat. Perhaps legal, but not the right thing to do. Or toss weed seeds onto his perfectly manicured lawn, just because I can do it? In a neighborhood where people are civil to each other, it’s odd to find alley-fighting mentality. But I guess that’s how some people think. Poor them!

Meditation works for me. It’s his fence. He can enjoy it. Meanwhile I’ll supervise my dog and bolster his fence with lovely plywood sections.

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[JimmyG]

It’s his fence? He’s under no obligation to keep it up.

You want a fence that keeps your dog in? Build one.

But you may want to check with these people at the Dispute Resolution Center:

http://www.kcdrc.org/

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[Carson]

Build a super ugly Cyclone fence right on your side. No dog will get thru that, then build a nice looking fence on your side to cover the cyclone fence. Problem solved, but not cheap!!

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[KBear]

Your pet is the one who needs the fence, so this is your responsibility. Perhaps your neighbor would be willing to make adjustments to his fence if you offer to pay for it. Otherwise, your only recourse is to build your own fence.

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[johnnyblegs]

I have a cyclone chain link fence that I’m wanting to tear down. About 50 feet long. You’re welcome to it, if you want it. Then you can build a fence on your side, as Carson mentioned. 2 for the price of 1!

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[Carson]

Its easy to take down, not easy to dig out the poles in concrete, but the fence part is easily removed and re-installed with new poles.

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[JoB]

have you offered to pay for replacing the section of fence that he tore down?

i suspect it would be a lot cheaper than building a new fence on your side of the property line.

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[MargL]

I think KBear has the right idea. If you offer to help him repair the fence you will get the benefit of a fence without having to pay for an entire new fence on your own.

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[alki_2008]

But if a neighbor deliberately causes the problem by altering the fence?

Sorry, I don’t see how the neighbor altering his own fence is “wrong” or un-civil. You say his alteration causes the problem, but a valid argument could be made that your having a dog is causing the problem.

And putting weed seed on a neighbor’s property is vandalism…intentionally causing damage to a neighbor’s property by seeding it with weeds is not analagous to altering a fence that’s on your own property. No way! I’m glad I don’t share a property line with you.

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[Irukandji]

Contact Invisible Fence Northwest. Install fence and train dog, ignore neighbor.

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[ws4ever]

Invisible Fence sounds like the ticket. Thanks, Irukandji!

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[luckymom30]

Wow! Am I glad to have friendly great neighbors!

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[JanS]

When I was a homeowner, back when I was married, etc. etc….some neighbors had a dispute about a fence. It was over a matter of inches. They had the police out numerous times, went to court numerous times, ended up with restraining orders against each other…all over a stupid fence. So..be the bigger person, be the good neighbor, do what you have to do to fix the fence issue…it makes everything so much easier.

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[ALS]

While invisible fence works for some dogs, you need to know your dog to assess whether it’ll work or not. Some dogs are smart enough to learn that they can run through the shock and that a little momentary discomfort is followed by a reward (freedom) on the other side.

Some dogs are just too smart for their own good!

Also, invisible fence is expensive. If it’s just a small section that is the issue, you’re much better off working with your neighbor to pay for the repair/replacement of that section.

While it wasn’t very nice of your neighbor to alter the fence and then turn around and blame your dog for getting out, technically he was within his right to do so.

I would offer to work with him to fix the section, or just suck it up and build your own on your property.

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[karen]

When we put up our fence we were told by the fencing company that a fence built on the boundary line is legally owned by both neighbors. Because of that we had to have permission from the other neighbor to remove the old fence and build a new one. We did have the option of building a new fence entirely on our own property.

Since we happen to have great neighbors it wasn’t an issue.

Good luck.

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[JanS]

I can’t resist :)

quotes” Good fences make good neighbors” and

“Do not mend your neighbor’s fence

before seeing to your own.

?Tanzanian Proverb”

“It’s better to pick a fight with your in-laws than with your neighbors.~ Indian Proverb”

“Love your neighbors, but don’t pull down the fence.~ Chinese Proverb”

ok, done…back to your regularly scheduled programming ;-)

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[ws4ever]

Thanks, Jan S. I had great in-laws! These are the only strange neighbors I’ve had so far, so otherwise I’ve been blessed. I may end up fencing my other yard, which would be more useful in the long run. Thanks for offering up ideas, “guys”.

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[JoB]

before you fence.. take a drive around the neighborhood to check out the creative way some of your neighbors have approached fencing…

any neighborhood will do.. but i have noticed some particularly creative fencing just east of 35th between morgan and thistle lately

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[ws4ever]

Thanks, JoB. I’ll take a dogwalk past those. :)

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[Kevin]

I had a friend who had a similar neighbor issue. What he did was to get an old toilet and installed it right next to the property line so the neighbor had to look at it. He did the “neighborly” thing and bought some colorful plants which he planted in the bowl. Perfectly legal :) And the funny thing was, that it really looked kind of nice.

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I knew someone else who decided they did not like the looks of their neighbors professionally installed chain link fence, so they planted their own “fence” of bamboo trees to protest what they considered was an ugly fence. Keep in mind how invasive bamboo can be by putting in a soil barrier to control it from getting out of control.

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Just a couple of ideas for food for thought :)

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