Need advice on how to handle neighbor's dogs

[dogluvr]

My neighbor has two St Bernards. This guy is never home and his dogs live in the backyard. Since they receive little or no attention, they get bored and dig under his fence and escape frequently. One time his dogs actually broke through our wood fence and came into our backyard behaving all agressively! (Thank goodness my dogs were in the house at the time) I am nice enough to put his dogs back in the yard if I happen to see them wandering around. My other neighbors have called Animal Control several times and they were taken to the shelter until he got them out.

Yesterday I noticed that the neighbor has built a dog run for the dogs - against MY fence!! This is the same place where his dogs broke through. I am SO concerned that his dogs will dig under my fence and get into my yard again. Once they start digging, it's really hard to get the hole filled so that they won't dig again. Also, I am afraid that my dogs will see the other dog's hole and start digging also. I am aggravated that I have to inspect the fence EVERY TIME I let my dogs outside (my dogs live in the house).

In the past, I have left this guy notes when his dogs have gotten out. I have let him know that his dogs have broken the fence into my yard, and that I have repaired the fence. Animal Control have left several notices, so I know that this guy knows his dogs are a problem. He hasn't acknowledged any of my notes and I never see the guy home.

What would you do in this situation? How can I prevent HIS dogs from digging into my yard? I am trying to be a good neighbor, but should I call Animal Control on him? Do I have to wait until his dogs come into my yard - AGAIN? Any advice offered will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long post, but this guy is an ignorant jerk!! Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

[Mojave's Mom]

Don't you just hate it when people treat situations like these like they just don't matter??

If I were you, I'd try going over to his house to talk to him if ever you catch him at home. I'd keep it very civil but I'd get my point across that it's a concern...for the safety of HIS dogs as well as yours and your family. Suggest he move the dog run to another part of his yard or if that is not possible, then I'd suggest digging under the fence where the dog run is and fill it in with some cement. That way, the dogs can't dig into your yard anymore.

If he doesn't listen to or agree with any of that, then I'd dig on MY side of the fence and put down some rocks and my dog's doo doo. I'm sure his dogs would give up the digging for sure at that point.

Good luck and keep us updated!! :D

[Sheenagirl]

How about driving steel stakes (rebar) into the ground (close together) in a line - right next to the dog run - along your property line. That will deter the dogs from your yard - then when the neighbor goes out to check his dogs (hopefully) he will see where they have dug - but if you drive the stakes deep enough they can't get into your yard. Lot of work for you, but problem solved. Then maybe your neighbor will DO SOMETHING!!