Troublesome neighbor
 

Our neighbors need advice. We live in Monarch Grove and have a wonderful group of people living on our block of Gonzalez Lane. One of our neighbors is an issue. They watch people walking their dogs and remotely turn on their sprinkler system whenever people walk by. We have an elderly lady with dementia who regularly gets doused as she walks her small dog. Everyone is very respectful and picks up any dog poop. Our scared neighbors automatically move to the other side of the street. We feel stalked and sad.

If the elderly lady with dementia has kids or other relatives who visit and you neighbors have a way to contact I would do that if I were in your shoes. They can make the decision about contacting the police. This does sound like they could be placing the woman with dementia in harm's way if these bad neighbors deliberately douse this poor woman with irrigation water.

Are the water sprinklers watering something other than their own lawn/property? Does the lady walking her dog step on their lawn?

They may have motion sprinkler which automatically comes on when detecting motion. I have it too, so animals will stay off the lawn, I think it’s a great idea. I’ve watered myself a couple of times when I forgot… it’s no biggy.

Now if the sprinklers water the street than that should be reported.

It's sad for sure Tal. The lady with dementia shouldn't be walking a dog without a guardian with her.

I don't blame the property owner for their actions. I hope they never miss any person who disrespects their property. Carry On! :boxing2:

Depends on what they are doing. If they wait for the woman to walk the dog along their street in front of their house and then turn on the water from their system's controls probably in their garage and know that this woman has dementia then that is a different matter.

If it is automated to come on when there is any motion that might be a different matter. Then they are not targeting someone they should know has dementia.

It’s sad and unfortunate but there’s always a bad apple in the bag. I have 3 in my lovely neighborhood. Perhaps it’s because I’m picturing my neighborhood, which has no sidewalks so I would just walk on the other side of the street? I don’t understand how the water is hitting her unless it’s not hitting the actual yard?? Good luck. It does sound like it’s on some sort of auto sensor. Or maybe you really do have the worst neighbors.

great idea...shes tired of stepping in dog crap in her yard! smart cookie that one...

Hi, I see you’re a junior member. I should let you know, some of the regulars on this site are sort of rude and will always side with the person the OP is complaining about. I watch it all the time and it’s always like the same 5 people. Just so you know. Have a great day and I would advise walking on the opposite side of the street.

I have a few questions.

How do you know they are activating the sprinklers? It could be a sensor system.

Are the people getting wet on the street? If they are on the lawn, then that’s their problem. I suspect they are on the lawn based on your “everyone is respectful and picks up the poop” comment.

Why do you feel stalked? That seems like an extreme reaction based on what you wrote above.

Well I would imagine that here in the bubble just about every street has a resident that fits the description “elderly with dementia “. The good news is the irrigation water won’t hurt her or her dog maybe just a little stinky. I run around in my yard with them on adjusting the sprinkler heads occasionally. My back yard (fenced) is my dog’s bathroom. I don’t care if neighbors let their dogs potty in my front yard as long as they are responsible. One thing to note when everyone is concerned with dog poop the urine from el perro kills grass but if it gets watered immediately it won’t damage it

You did not state if the water from the sprinklers are going into the road spraying the walkers or just spraying onto the owners property. There are little signs that can be put out there that say “No dogs on lawn”.
Better et, just pretend there is a car parked in front of his house and walk around it.
Remember it is his property, not everyone loves dogs…..

[QUOTE=MaryShields;2015479]Our neighbors need advice. We live in Monarch Grove and have a wonderful group of people living on our block of Gonzalez Lane. One of our neighbors is an issue. They watch people walking their dogs and remotely turn on their sprinkler system whenever people walk by. We have an elderly lady with dementia who regularly gets doused as she walks her small dog. Everyone is very respectful and picks up any dog poop. Our scared neighbors automatically move to the other side of the street. We

If the sprinklers are properly calibrated to water only the lawn and not into the street (while allowing for drift from any wind, to stay off of the street) - I'm not seeing the problem.

Where are people supposed to walk their dogs? There aren’t sidewalks.

since the answers are "all over the road" (as usual) Here's the thing -

If it can be proved that every time (key phrase) someone sets foot in front of that house the sprinklers go on AND that it's vengeful, you have a case..

If it isn't every time then you have a$$h&&&s which gets handled differently - typically confrontation.

In order to prove this you'll need videos with time and date stamps over several days. Yes it's a lot of work, and people like this count on the fact that no one (especially here) will bother - however Ring has made this so very easy. You just need a Ring cam (any wifi motion activated cam will do) and it needs to be set up to trigger on that property and it's movement. one key factor to note is Ring is highly admissible where some cheap off brand may not be. Call it name notoriety

All this about where are the sprinklers pointing is BS nitpick junk, water in the road etc has ZERO bearing on this. You need to establish if this is purposeful.

I much prefer confrontation first, it might settle the reasoning portion. Also you know what you are dealing with and then it's easier to deal with.

I think the message here is simple. the person is sick of other peoples dogs, crapping on their lawn. picking up is not the excuse for letting your dog do it. why can't the dogs, go on their own lawns? it is not ok to let them do it, and pick it up. I don't care what issues the people have. it is absolutley wrong. I say, water that lawn and if that is what it takes, then so be it.
and don't give me this easement crap either. there is no excuse...

I love dogs. Don't have one. Where are people supposed to walk their dog? Not my problem and using my yard for a toilet is quite unacceptable. Who is engaging in the transgression here?

As for the dogs on lawns... that is a big no no.

Very easy fix.
Go buy a plant sprayer /hudson sprayer.
Fill it with water.
Make sure you get out there in full view and spray the hell out of the easement daily as they approach.

Give the illusion of putting down chemicals.
Problem solved.

Add to the deception.... place an empty bottle of Roundup on the drive way like it is being used.

You will be amazed ........ People are sheep

I agree! Lots of people who don’t have dogs take pride in their lawn and spend a lot to keep it looking nice. If people with dogs use somebody’s lawn for a toilet that is not fare. I doubt the owners are sitting there waiting for someone to toilet their dog on their lawn. The system is on a sensor. Dog owners should toilet their dogs on their own lawns and not someone else’s lawn.

On their own property.
In the dog parks

Here’s an idea…talk to the neighbor whose sprinkler goes off. We don’t seem to communicate with each other anymore. It could be a completely innocent thing and yet we take it to social media to make accusations.

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe the way I look 👀 at this is foolish. SHE SHOULDN’T BE WALKING A DOG ALONE IF SHE SUFFERS FROM Dementia.

Absolutely correct. Our dog is NEVER allowed to use someone else's yard. He uses only our back yard and we pick it up. Period. If we walk around Silver Lake, it gets picked up. Not everyone is courteous about that either and it's a shame. Walk your dog around your own yard, then take it for a friendly stroll to meet the neighbors.

Just go talk to them. Explain what they are going. I have found being direct and respectful gets to where you want to go.

Simple solution
 

Walk on the other side of the street

Um... They actually joined this site a year before you did...

"Junior Member" only refers to the # of posts one has...

Those who are more "chatty" (like me) will move up in the rankings quite quickly... :icon_wink:

If your neighbor doesn't want dogs in his yard that is his right. I don't want them in mine, either. Why do dog owners think everyone's yards are bathroom for their dogs. Why can't they use their own yard and just walk their dog if they feel the need. There are also dog parks. Believe it or not, not everyone loves your dog like you think they do.

The "Trolls" will file a complaint about the "No Dogs" or "No Pooping" signs... It happened to our neighbors across the street...

Dog parks exist. The issue isn't walking your dog it is using the bathroom in someone's yard OTHER THAN THE DOG OWNERS.

people try to justify that it is ok as long as I pick it up? well, it is not. they won't accept that. and the excuses are great. "I'll pick it up." " there are no sidewalks", and on and on. they deliberately let their dog, go on other peoples property. my dog goes on his own lawn. if I walk him, and I think he is lining up for a big one, I make him do it on the street, and pick it up there. does anyone have a problem with my dog going on the street as opposed to someones private property, as long as I pick it up?
it's like the gun argument. it's not the gun, it's the person holding it. it's not the dog, it's the person holding it.

A Case for WHAT? There is no Case here, there is no wrong doing. Turning on your sprinklers to keep someone from your property is not illegal.

Next season on CBS, "CSI, Sprinkler Investigation"... :1rotfl:

:mademyday::coolsmiley:

And they'll still make a deposit along the way... Just make sure you pick it up...

The reality is, you cannot time when a dog does what a dog does...

One problem "non-dog owners" are missing is that when the sun beats down on the street, the temp can cause serious burns to a dog's feet. Try walking barefoot just off your driveway if you don''t believe me. Walking along the edge of the grass is the only safe place for them.

And I agree, those who don't clean up after their dogs are jerks.

It took 20 posts but best advice.

I agree that you shouldn't let your dog on other people's property.

If you are in the easement, you are not on "their" property though. While they may mow it, maintain it, sit on it, roll in it, etc., it's not theirs. They can't build on it or put anything permanent on it. They might think it's theirs, it ain't. The setbacks are a lot further back than most people realize.

I don't let my dog go into other folk's yards, so I'm not defending that behavior.

Turning on a sprinkler if people are walking past is something a real @33!@#$ would do. Karma has a way of costing people money though. Toggling it on and off all the time like that and the valves might stop working(rodents chewing the wires attracted by the cool water in the valves) and the heads might just fall apart, almost like someone hit them with a hammer.

People walk their dogs because it is necessary and fun for the dog. Walking on the concrete is cooler and, at least in the designer homes, you do not own the property from the curb to about 13 feet in. As to “forcing” a dog by pulling him out onto the road, yikes, nasty. Picking up after your dog is the issue. Address it politely and hope it works, then you can go further if it doesn’t.

First off, let me say that I feel for disabled folks, and I am sorry if they end up with unpleasant surprises when they venture about UN-escorted.
That said, as far as anyone else is concerned I would not take issue if someone took a hose to a dog (and/or the dog owner)on their lawn.
Another note: I love animals and especially dogs, but I would NEVER allow my dog to go on someone else's property.

For those that have motion operated sprinklers, I would be interested in where you obtained them and how you like them.

What is totally rude and unacceptable is those that take their dogs for a walk and will allow them to defecate at their next door neighbors yard, right after leaving their own property. My neighbor has NEVER even once had their dog drop on their own lawn, never. As a matter of fact, my neighbor once asked me to let them know when I treated my lawn with any chemicals so that they would not injure their dog when it went on my lawn. Don't know about you, but that seems like someone is asking a bit too much.
Let me reiterate, I love animals. But, you have no right to use my lawn as a bathroom. I put quite a bit of money and effort into making my lawn look nice and do not wish to smell or step into landmines left by folks that refuse to allow their animals to dirty their own lawns. If that makes me a bad person, then I can live with it. As far as I am concerned, taking advantage of someone else's charity, generosity or just good nature is being an example of the substance left by their animals.
And for the dummy that walks (?) their dog by driving beside it in a golf cart while it is leashed, you do not deserve to own a pet and should be reported to the humane society. If you are disabled, then get someone to walk the dog for you. This is not National Lampoon's Vacation where people laugh at the sight.
Warning: Do not bother complaining to me if my sprinkler (that sprinkles my property) gets you wet if you are trespassing.

There are voluntary dog areas that villagers designate as places to allow your dogs to empty when walking.
They are marked by white crosses in front yards.
Anyone wishing to join the scheme, just need to plant a white cross! .:icon_wink:

Same thing
 

We had one of them in our area, when they finally moved they went around and wrote up 29 house for violating the decoration standards. She also turned on sprinklers. We even tried to be nice to them complimented them on landscaping, but some people are just jerks.




QUOTE=MaryShields;2015479]Our neighbors need advice. We live in Monarch Grove and have a wonderful group of people living on our block of Gonzalez Lane. One of our neighbors is an issue. They watch people walking their dogs and remotely turn on their sprinkler system whenever people walk by. We have an elderly lady with dementia who regularly gets doused as she walks her small dog. Everyone is very respectful and picks up any dog poop. Our scared neighbors automatically move to the other side of the street. We feel stalked and sad.[/QUOTE]