rh_scrapbooker
06-28-2007, 10:06 PM
You know I moved into a brand new subdivision in December.
In January, the next door neighbors moved in. You know how we knew they moved in? Their dog started barking. :(
For about three months, I had no idea there was anything I could do (besides telling them their dog barks for hours when they aren't home).
Turns out there is a noise/nuisance ordinance against barking for long lengths of time. And by long lengths, I'm not talking about 5 minutes...I'm talking about 45 minutes at a time. And always at night, when folks are trying to sleep.
So, one day I get a call from the sales agent here (there are a couple houses left to sell in the division), who has found out that one of my neighbors is filing a complaint against the dog and needs witnesses.
I called my neighbor and volunteered to be a witness.
Fast forward 2.5 months ---> today we go to court. The next door neighbor is rude, talks back to the judge, and plain old lies to the judge - the judge caught him on at least one occasion.
Keep in mind, in this court, the judge would normally take one of the violations, and suspend the others pending a successful resolution. Each citation, and the dog got *7* citations for instances of at least 45 minutes each, is $311.
The guy's attitude was so bad ("I've been railroaded" "you've already made up your mind" "these ladies are ganging up on me and they are lying through their teeth") that the judge actually imposed ALL SEVEN fines. Yes, that's right...the guy walked out of there with over $2100 in fines because he couldn't agree to resolve the issue or keep his mouth from shooting off. Sad.
In the meantime, he is also confrontational. I found out today that he confronted the neighbor who complained in our alleyway and called her several obscene names, and intimidated her by walking her way...she told him to stop, or she'd call the police. She did actually call the police anyway, just to have the incident on file.
He also came over to our house after the complaint was served, looking for the person who filed. He tried to intimidate my DH, and pretty much said, "If you've got a problem with my dog, don't call the cops, talk to me..." --- of course, he didn't leave a phone number, and he is never home. Sigh.
So, DH and I have agreed (since we are next door and closest to his wrath/retaliation) that we need to outfit me with personal safety gear. He is the type of guy to try something when a female is alone, we think.
Yikes. I was afraid something like this might happen if I testified. But I did it anyway.
Rachel
In January, the next door neighbors moved in. You know how we knew they moved in? Their dog started barking. :(
For about three months, I had no idea there was anything I could do (besides telling them their dog barks for hours when they aren't home).
Turns out there is a noise/nuisance ordinance against barking for long lengths of time. And by long lengths, I'm not talking about 5 minutes...I'm talking about 45 minutes at a time. And always at night, when folks are trying to sleep.
So, one day I get a call from the sales agent here (there are a couple houses left to sell in the division), who has found out that one of my neighbors is filing a complaint against the dog and needs witnesses.
I called my neighbor and volunteered to be a witness.
Fast forward 2.5 months ---> today we go to court. The next door neighbor is rude, talks back to the judge, and plain old lies to the judge - the judge caught him on at least one occasion.
Keep in mind, in this court, the judge would normally take one of the violations, and suspend the others pending a successful resolution. Each citation, and the dog got *7* citations for instances of at least 45 minutes each, is $311.
The guy's attitude was so bad ("I've been railroaded" "you've already made up your mind" "these ladies are ganging up on me and they are lying through their teeth") that the judge actually imposed ALL SEVEN fines. Yes, that's right...the guy walked out of there with over $2100 in fines because he couldn't agree to resolve the issue or keep his mouth from shooting off. Sad.
In the meantime, he is also confrontational. I found out today that he confronted the neighbor who complained in our alleyway and called her several obscene names, and intimidated her by walking her way...she told him to stop, or she'd call the police. She did actually call the police anyway, just to have the incident on file.
He also came over to our house after the complaint was served, looking for the person who filed. He tried to intimidate my DH, and pretty much said, "If you've got a problem with my dog, don't call the cops, talk to me..." --- of course, he didn't leave a phone number, and he is never home. Sigh.
So, DH and I have agreed (since we are next door and closest to his wrath/retaliation) that we need to outfit me with personal safety gear. He is the type of guy to try something when a female is alone, we think.
Yikes. I was afraid something like this might happen if I testified. But I did it anyway.
Rachel