Im crying my eyes out..stupid me!!

[Bizzymammabee]

oh bubby this is a mess. I am so sorry you are going through this. I will pray that the bark collars work for you. In the mean time try a spray bottle until you can get them.


Good luck hon. It's a hard situation to be in.

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by teffiemoore

GIIIRRLLL, you know you catch flys with honey...bake her a pie and tell her what a nice and patient neighbor she has been....that you are working on keepin these babies of yours quiet everyday and you would just DIE if anything ever happened to them....big smooch on her cheeck ...rinse and repeat if necessary

I agree! Does she have kids? Start being really sweet to her kids - give them little presents, etc. If not kids, find out what is important to her and try to subtly buy her off that way. I once had a neighbor who had 5 - 6 dogs in a neighborhood whose restrictions only allowed 2. But she was the sweetest thing ever, none of us would have ever dreamed of reporting her!

And, although in theory I am strongly opposed to bark collars (and debarking), this is one of those "last resort" situations where I couldn't possibly object. {Note - please let's not turn this thread into a debate about these. Sweetr72 doesn't need that right now}. You gotta do what you gotta do!

[BubblPopElectrc]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

it sounds like your neighbor could be alot worse, nicer too but there are many neighbors who would've just called the police and reported you and not approached you at all so you are lucky in that respect that she at least gave you a warning.

I agree. I think it's really nice that she at least came to you before giving your name to the police. Now-a-days, most people wouldn't go through the effort of doing that.

I'm sorry, but I'm a little sympathetic for your neighbor. There is nothing worst than dog's barking- especially if you aren't a dog person. I don't think she would be trash-talked just because she doesn't want to her dog's barking while she is in her own home.

[prettypuppypink]

I read on another forum that a breeder uses the "air spray" that is used to clean a computer keyboard. This stopped her dogs barking. It's worth a try.
Jessica

[daniellealberta]

From what I read in your post it sounds like there are three separate issues here, all of which fall under different bylaws.
1) Barking
2) Number of dogs
3) Licencing

Since these are three separate laws, unrelated to one another from a legal perspective, that means that where the dogs live has no bearing on who licences them. In my area (Edmonton), you are allowed to licence three dogs and six cats. That is also the maximum amount you are allowed to have in your home. It is expected that all the animals in your home are licenced. It also means that each animal could be licenced by a different person who lives at a different address, and you would still be in violation of the laws that given how many animals can live in each home.

That is why boarding kennels need a business licence in order to be exempt from these bylaws. If they didn't, they would be subject to prosecution, even though all the dogs are licenced by different owners. Since they are all residing at the same address, without the business licence they would be in violation of the maximum numbers for pet ownership. Bear in mind that if you were to consider this as an option, you would need to apply for a business licence, pay business taxes, and subject yourself to whatever inspections would be necessary in order to run a legitimate business from your home. You would not be exempt from the law unless you jumped through all the necessary hoops and could prove the legitimacy of your business.

I don't want to frighten you, but the truth is that many pet complaints originate and progress because of persistent complaints from neighbours. Even if the barking stops, she may still have issues with you having three more dogs than you are allowed. Please don't make the situation worse by deliberately trying to evade the law. If the truth comes out, and it you do end up going to court, this will not help your cause. Remember that from a legal standpoint, you are in the wrong, and your neighbour does have the law on her side.

What I mean by that is that if the police (or whoever enforces such laws in your area) investigate and find that you are breaking the law by having five dogs, ultimately THEY will decide if the dogs are to be removed, and which dogs are to be removed from the house (and keep in mind they may take all of them and forbid you from owning dogs at all, now or in the future). In addition, THEY will decide where these dogs will live (typically, they are taken to the local Humane Society, and put up for adoption).

I hate to be a downer, because I can tell you love your dogs and want what is best for them. The problem is you are knowingly breaking the law, and if 'convicted', it is your dogs who will ultimately be punished. I would hate to have that happen to you. I would strongly urge you to start looking for new homes for your dogs, or a new home for your family where you are allowed to keep five dogs.

[MyFairLacy]

Did you look into a kennel license? There is almost always a way to get around the number of pets law - and it usually requires some kind of permit or special license. Just wondering if that is something your area offers?

[yorkiegirl83]

Daniella, I agree with what you are saying.. but I think that there are some areas that might not be as bad as they seem. I am one dog over the limit, and I didn't know. Most people don't seem to know what the limits are either, so I seem to be in the majority(although my next door neighbor knows the law).

I am registering one of my dogs to a different family member, and have a hard time believing that the city would be able to prove that my 4th dog lives with me. It will be licensed to my dad... my sisters come over all the time, so how could someone truly know she is living with me unless they are taking pictures, recording times that she is here, ect? The city clerk basically told me to do that, and that it would be impossible to prove.

And, in order for someone to really KNOW if I have my little girl here, they would need to be in my home which would require a warrant. I think in order for it to go to court, in which case they will usually give you time to find a suitable home, the neighbor must sign a complaint and go to court as well.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful or start an arguement. I just think the limit laws are a bit ridiculous, and not only that, but they aren't exactly posted anywhere that the average person would know about.

I get really defensive because I know the hell that I go through worrying about something that I didn't even know was against the law constantly. My dogs are never left alone unattended, freshly bathed, my yard is always completely clean, I'm a wonderful neighbor that does not blast loud music or let my dogs bark all night. But still, I have to worry that someone might call in on me over a technicality.

Even my local humane society did not know that there was a limit! It really brings me to tears when I read these posts because I directly am affected by it and I have spent so many nights in tears.

I know your comment was not meant to be hurtful, but helpful... but everytime I read these posts I feel as if I am in their shoes and it just kills me.

[daniellealberta]

I am trying to help, and I appreciate that there are people who have many dogs and take wonderful care of them all. I am concerned because I know how vindictive neighbours can be if they feel their rights are being violated. It is her neighbour that concerns me, because no one can know how far they are willing to go, and I'd hate for her to have a neighbour that would take this as far as possible and cause her dogs to be taken from her home and placed in new homes without her input.

I'm hesistent to wade any further into this, but I have to say that ignorance of the law is not a defence. And in this particular case, the poster knows she is breaking the law. Even if she didn't know, her neighbour certainly might, as you pointed out!

Also, something that I didn't mention in my previous post - if she has more than the legal number of dogs in her home, it is unlikely they are all licenced. That in itself is a violation of the law, and will give her neighbours even more 'ammunition' against her!

The bottom line is that I want all dogs to live in good homes. I don't want this lady, who sounds like she loves her dogs and cares for them, to lose her dogs to strange homes because she is breaking the law. I would prefer to see them go to homes she is familiar with where she can visit them regularly rather than having them seized and be adopted by strangers, even if these strangers might provide excellent homes for them, too.

[yorkiegirl83]

I do understand where you are coming from and that you are trying to help, so please don't think I was attacking you or what you said.

The end of my post more or less turned into a rant about the laws and the fact that they aren't well known rather than what you said and I hope you don't take any offense to it.

I do know that not knowing the law doesn't make it right, but I am willing to go to court and fight for what I believe my rights to be if it happens to become an issue with any of my neighbors. I have seen court cases won of this nature.

I think that there should be pardons for certain cases, where the law was not known if there are no valid reasons for complaint. Say my neighbor was to complain that my dogs barked or something to that effect -- I just wonder how they would be able to prove that, as I know that it is not true.

It just seems that some people that are unhappy and mean will take advantage of the fact that there is a law, just to be jerks and not because there is a real reason to do it.

See, here I go again not even replying to what you said... just off in my own world. It just gets me so heated up!

So please, again I do respect what you said and think you said it tastefully.. I guess it is just hurtful sometimes to see something in print so near and dear to you

Originally Posted by daniellealberta

I am trying to help, and I appreciate that there are people who have many dogs and take wonderful care of them all. I am concerned because I know how vindictive neighbours can be if they feel their rights are being violated. It is her neighbour that concerns me, because no one can know how far they are willing to go, and I'd hate for her to have a neighbour that would take this as far as possible and cause her dogs to be taken from her home and placed in new homes without her input.

I'm hesistent to wade any further into this, but I have to say that ignorance of the law is not a defence. And in this particular case, the poster knows she is breaking the law. Even if she didn't know, her neighbour certainly might, as you pointed out!

Also, something that I didn't mention in my previous post - if she has more than the legal number of dogs in her home, it is unlikely they are all licenced. That in itself is a violation of the law, and will give her neighbours even more 'ammunition' against her!

The bottom line is that I want all dogs to live in good homes. I don't want this lady, who sounds like she loves her dogs and cares for them, to lose her dogs to strange homes because she is breaking the law. I would prefer to see them go to homes she is familiar with where she can visit them regularly rather than having them seized and be adopted by strangers, even if these strangers might provide excellent homes for them, too.

[reeses]

Originally Posted by Tiggerwit

Ger her a yorkie. I think she's jealous.

Yup! Lol.

[sweetr72]

Hi guys,
I like that my thread has brought on a fair a calm debate..I wish I could change the laws but I cant and YES I am breaking the law!! I have placed my Shih Tzu puppy with my best friend...she is licenced and all of her shots are up to date..

Sadie, Darla and Reece are ALL licenced by my municipality...I got ALL three of their dog licences renewed the same day without a word being said to me..believe it or not!! My vet knows all of my dogs and have never said a word to me either...he is in our muncipality too!! Soleil isnt licenced YET and doesnt need to be yet either as she is under three months old...

Sadie came with my common law when he moved in...he was his dog...Darla and Reece were mine...I didnt know about the two dog limit until about a month ago when a friend of mine with two dogs told me so...never has a word been uttered by the municipality when we went in to licence them or from the vet when we were in vaccinating them this and last year.

The neighbour is an 80+ year old lady...no kids or grandkids to sweeten up to but I plan on treating her right!! I dont think she is out to get me..just wanted to not hear the barking...I explained to her that my dogs are like my children and she does seem somewhat sympathetic..her house is up for sale and has been for a few months so I am praying that it sells LOL...I also want to say again that they were not barking non-stop or left alone for hours on end..only when someone walked by the alley that runs by our fence...but now that we are going out WITH them that has completly changed.

I did buy bark collars but have yet to use them and will most likely return them to Wal-Mart...we have been working REALLY hard on keeping them quiet and it has worked like a charm...they dont go out together at all...and when they each go out someone is out with them now...its almost like they know something is going on...

I hope to be able to licence two of them in my BIL's name this week..and hopefully if animal control ever did catch on we would at least have the opportunity to keep them with my breeder until something else could be worked on like finding them new homes...until then I will just do my best to lay low and hope that day never comes..

We have also began looking for a home out in the country...it might take a few months to find something we like but we are looking..

I do understand why certain dog laws are in place but really the law should be looking at the farm dogs that arent being tied up and chasing cars (I hit a farm dog two weeks ago ), dogs that are running loose through town, dogs that are being tied up to trees and clothes lines day in and day out all year long, dogs that are not cleaned up after or taken care of physically and hygenically..I wish the law worked so each individual case was looked into and treated with some logic..I am a better dog owner with 4 dogs than some people that only have ONE!! Last year I called the police and a neighbours dog in a different town I was in..he was tied to a tree 24/7..the owner was never home as she had two places she was living in...and the dog barked incecently for hours on end with no food and no water..the police came by...looked at the dog, knocked on her door (no answer) and left..the dog remained on that tree until we moved away!! I also called animal control on a dog that was running the streets all the time..his fur was in terrible condition..we always fed and watered him but he needed a home where he could be kept safe...they came right away and told us they have picked him up many times...you know what?? he was back on the street two days later..I threw my arms up!! My dogs are the best looking dogs in town, have the best vet care, groomer care and are spoiled to no end...they are bathed regularly, walked all the time, go to the dog park...go everywhere dogs are allowed, sweet and well mannered...and IM BREAKING THE LAW!!! Its unreal, unfair and sad...yes its unfair for me to have 4 dogs and know I could loose them...and I also know I could talk until Im blue in the face and nothing will change legally...but who do you choose when you can only choose two?? Soleil is only 8 weeks old..yes I could rehome her easily...but do I choose Darla or Reece now?? Sadie stays..she is 5 years old...so do I flip a coin..eeny meeny miney mo?? Do I rip my daughters heart out?? I dont have the answers..

Dawn

[yorkiegirl83]

Dawn,

I think your neighbor is seeming more reasonable, and as long as the barking does not persist, I really think she will leave you alone.

She clearly wants to move out of the area anyhow, so it seems strange that she would try to "turn you in" when she may not even be there soon.

I really feel for your situation, but I think that even if you are two over there are things you can do in order to prevent the complaint (as it seems you are doing).

I think it is hard to get a judgement against someone on something like this unless there is a valid complaint, in which case they would need proof. In certain situations the county can also allow an owner to keep their dogs in some cases (even if they are over). I also think situations like this take quite a while to evolve.. (the police don't just show up and take your dog).

I remember watching Hogans Know Best.. that VH1 show about the Hogans and they were involved in a battle over their many animals.. 5 or 6 dogs.. birds, roosters, ect....

They had to get rid of some of the farm animals, but were allowed to keep ALL of their dogs even over the limit, so just know this isn't a total dead end. There are always things to do, and I personally would not rehome until I absolutely knew I had to.

Good luck to you <3

[YorkieTime07]

her problem is she now thinks she has some type of hold on you with that backwards compliment of hers!! LOL I would just ignore her completely and continue to enjoy your dogs and hopefully she will move on to harass another neighbor or move!!!! lol she is apparently a lonely person if she has nothing better to do than put all her energy into trying to upset your household!! You and your hubby should invite her over for dinner!! lol betcha she would love all the attention from your babies!! lol

Originally Posted by sweetr72

Oh...I forgot to mention...my neighbour came over to my place of work today and told me what a good job we have done keeping them quiet today and last night and then said "luckily I didnt tell the police who you are or you would only have two dogs today" and then smiled..I thought...why offer a compliment and then follow it up with a threat...what IS her problem????

Dawn

[yorkieusa]

Dawn, I'm feeling for you right now. Good luck!

[judyeve]

Originally Posted by YorkieTime07

her problem is she now thinks she has some type of hold on you with that backwards compliment of hers!! LOL I would just ignore her completely and continue to enjoy your dogs and hopefully she will move on to harass another neighbor or move!!!! lol she is apparently a lonely person if she has nothing better to do than put all her energy into trying to upset your household!! You and your hubby should invite her over for dinner!! lol betcha she would love all the attention from your babies!! lol

I think that's a fabulous idea. Invite her to dinner. She's about 80 with no kids, so she probably is lonely. Just keep a couple of dogs somewhere else for that evening. She doesn't know exactly how many you have right?