Dogs have often been referred to as man’s best friend, and for most people, these gorgeous animals bring a lot of joy and comfort. However, it is important to remember that they are still animals, and unfortunately, not all dogs are as friendly as you’d like them to be. A lot of this depends on how they are treated and trained by their owners, but this doesn’t make it easier when faced with an aggressive dog. This scenario can be quite scary and has the potential for you to be seriously harmed. So, what do you do when your next-door neighbor has an aggressive dog that makes you uncomfortable? Here are some tips you might find useful.
Keep Your Distance
You’ll likely do this out of instinct anyway, but one of the best things you can do if you live next to an aggressive dog is to keep your distance. If you have children, make it clear to them that they are not to go near the dog either, even if it might seem calm and friendly sometimes.
Secure the Borders of Your Property
Your neighbor might keep the dog behind a gate in the backyard, but that doesn’t mean that it will never get out. To give yourself better peace of mind that you and your family are safe if the dog was to ever escape, make sure that you have secured the border of your property. Keep the gates to your backyard locked, and make sure any fencing separating your yards is strong and doesn’t have any holes in it, and is high enough that the dog can’t jump over.
Speak to Your Neighbor If You Feel Comfortable Doing So
You might find that bringing your concerns to your neighbor might offer some resolution to the situation, whether that is them agreeing to keep their dog away from your property and kids or even looking at behavioral training. However, as mentioned previously, dogs are often aggressive because of poor treatment from their owners or because their owner wants them to be that way. If you are uncomfortable talking to your neighbor about their dog and are worried that they will have a bad reaction, it’s better to avoid confrontation.
Call Animal Control
This should be a last resort, but you can get in touch with your local animal control authority if your concerns are increasing over the dog's aggression or perhaps are worried about it being mistreated by its owner. Their intervention might result in the removal of the animal or be enough to make its owner take better care/control of their dog. At the very least, they can give you more advice on how to handle the situation. If the dog attacks you or your family members, you can contact a dog bite attorney and take legal action against the owner.
Everyone should feel safe in their home, and if you have an aggressive dog next door, this can be very stressful. If you would like to try and address the issue and create a more comfortable living environment for yourself and your family, consider these tips and see if they can make things better for you.
