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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: I think there's an elephant living
in the neighborhood. Every time we go out in our yard, there's a huge
pile. Why do dog owners sneak in under the cover of darkness and allow
their pets to mess in our yard? We like dogs; we've had dogs much our
lives. But we never allowed them to roam into the neighbors' yards. We're
really at the point of giving up our home. Any ideas? -- J.S., Louisville,
Ky.
A: First, learn the identity of the
subversive element. You can't fight a war unless you know the enemy.
Are owners actually walking their
dogs on your property? Or are dogs wandering over on their own?
In either scenario, those owners are
ultimately irresponsible. If you know who they are or who the giant dogs
leaving their giant calling cards belong to, write a warning to the owners.
Explain the problem in a logical manner, and, yes, tell them the law is
on your side. If they ignore this warning, call the authorities. We realize,
in many communities the authorities say they have more important matters
to deal with -- and they probably do.
We don't know how large your property
is, but you might consider a fence. For smaller yards, the Scarecrow is
very effective (although it may cost about $100). It's available at many
hardware and pet stores, or call 1-800-767-8658. This gadget is a water
hose with a motion detector. It squirts water when it detects motion.
Or you can keep night vigil with a hose, squirting the offending dog yourself.
If dog owners are actually walking
their pets on your property at 3 a.m., consider confronting them. We're
presuming you live in a fairly safe neighborhood. Still, call police as
you leave the house to reprimand these irresponsible and selfish people.
Keep them talking until the cops arrive.
Here's one more little secret: If
your yard has an entrance, pick up a pile and place it there. At night,
the offender won't be able to see it. Now the soiled shoe will be on the
other foot.
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