What can I do about my neighbors disrespectful, destructive kids and dogs.

ItchyAndAnnoyed · Sep 24, 2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

What kind of case do you believe this person could make? You are in the UK and I realize it's different from the US.

"Soaking the dog and kids" with a hose, whether or not they are in the garden, can get you arrested in the US so it's not good universal advice.

Hmm point taken about the hose. I'm not sure how if it's on his property but as you said your law works differently.

Can you not get a case against them for antisocial behaviour? That's quite common hear and often when it's raised and there is evidence the police give a warnign or caution to the offenders or an ASBO. Perhaps your laws are different there, but in the UK if neighbours behave in this way being antisocial, vandalising property and the like, you can - if it's ext4reme and the people don't stop- get them removed from their house, forced to move or, in the cases where intimidation and bullying involved, restrainign orders. Also, you can get 'distance orders' which means that if there's a lot of incident reports showing someone is intruding on your property, they get have to sign an order which states they will not in future. If they continue then they are in breech and can be prosecuted.

I have no idea what US law is like, or even that the OP came from the US, but I'm surprised similar things don't apply in that manner. Surely antisocial behaviour is frowned on by the law?

JudyKayTee · Sep 24, 2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItchyAndAnnoyed

Hmm point taken about the hose. I'm not sure how if it's on his property but as you said your law works differently.

Can you not get a case against them for antisocial behaviour? That's quite common hear and often when it's raised and there is evidence the police give a warnign or caution to the offenders or an ASBO. Perhaps your laws are different there, but in the UK if neighbours behave in this way being antisocial, vandalising property and the like, you can - if it's ext4reme and the people don't stop- get them removed from their house, forced to move or, in the cases where intimidation and bullying involved, restrainign orders. Also, you can get 'distance orders' which means that if there's a lot of incident reports showing someone is intruding on your property, they get have to sign an order which states they will not in future. If they continue then they are in breech and can be prosecuted.

I have no idea what US law is like, or even that the OP came from the US, but I'm surprised similar things don't apply in that manner. Surely antisocial behaviour is frowned on by the law?

All interesting and very different from US. In the US - and Canada - "anti social" behavior is certainly not acceptable, but it's not illegal unless it becomes dangerous. You can order a person off your property but getting a restraining order usually does little good - they stand on the property line and taunt you if that's the plan - if they live next door.

I personally had a problem some years ago, retained an Attorney, sued the people for an unintentional result of an intentional act (damage to my property, injury to my dogs, I lived in a hostile atmosphere), wording the lawsuit so that their homeowners insurance would be brought in. HO insurance investigated and dropped their insurance based on their proven actions. They couldn't get HO, the mortgage required it, they moved to another location (husband requested a transfer), and I don't know what happened.

I will say that their behavior was extreme. The son got a prison term of 10+ years for his behavior totally unrelated to me involving several underage girls.

Anyway - interesting info and I appreciate you spending the time to post it.

ItchyAndAnnoyed · Sep 24, 2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

All interesting and very different from US. In the US - and Canada - "anti social" behavior is certainly not acceptable, but it's not illegal unless it becomes dangerous. You can order a person off your property but getting a restraining order usually does little good - they stand on the property line and taunt you if that's the plan - if they live next door.

I personally had a problem some years ago, retained an Attorney, sued the people for an unintentional result of an intentional act (damage to my property, injury to my dogs, I lived in a hostile atmosphere), wording the lawsuit so that their homeowners insurance would be brought in. HO insurance investigated and dropped their insurance based on their proven actions. They couldn't get HO, the mortgage required it, they moved to another location (husband requested a transfer), and I don't know what happened.

I will say that their behavior was extreme. The son got a prison term of 10+ years for his behavior totally unrelated to me involving several underage girls.

Anyway - interesting info and I appreciate you spending the time to post it.

Ouch, sorry you had that kind of problem. No worries, I was subject to antisocial behaviour myself so after a year of liasing with the police and the council (the latter of whom did next to nothing despite it being their responsibility to) I learned a lot about it. Especially when we went to court.

The antisocial behaviour was similar in some ways, our washing hung out
On the line was damaged, hostile atmosphere, ourselves and kittens were threatened but thankfully not done upon . We also had constant harassment, night and day, intimidation and threats of violence- sexual and physical- it was extremely traumatising and I was glad when the man was given a suspended sentence and restraining order.

It's interestign how different these laws are place to place. Right now the Police are being slammed for not dealing with antisocial behaviour enough but sadly, the law doesn't let them and the councils are crap, and other witnesses failing to report the crime makes for no evidence.

JudyKayTee · Sep 24, 2010, 08:28 AM

And I'm sure you found what I found - other neighbors were hesitant and/or afraid to get involved for fear the harassment would turn toward them. AFTER my neighbors left other neighbors came over to tell me what they had seen and heard. Of course, by that time it no longer mattered.

ItchyAndAnnoyed · Sep 24, 2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

And I'm sure you found what I found - other neighbors were hesitant and/or afraid to get involved for fear the harassment would turn toward them. AFTER my neighbors left other neighbors came over to tell me what they had seen and heard. Of course, by that time it no longer mattered.

Exactly true, my neighbours are the same. I never expected them to actually get involved though when the sexual harassment was being screamed at me I would have liked someone to say 'that's disrespectful' especially as I'm by a primary school and his language was vulgar!

But to be honest, I feel quite annoyed that when asked (by phone), by the police and council, they refused to get involved and just confirm what happened. Over here they have the option of anon reporting and online reporting so the person wouldn't even be aware who did it unless it went to court. And even then they have the option to submit a statement which the defendant is not allowed to read or see from who it came.

So now when they try to draw me in conversation and gossip about 'how awful that man was and how great it's gone' I'm civil but decline to be friends. I (and my friend) spent the year in constant upset and had to be stressed with reporting and court and his behaviour, they merely fueled his fire by condoning it with their inaction.

I guess it annoys me because I stand up to bullies and am upset when others won't. Ironically, it was us refusing to join a 'hate' capmpaign and petition for a neighbour to be removed (who never did anythign but refuse his friendship advances) that made him turn on us, so in a way I understand it but it *everyone* had stood up he wouldn't have been able to and would have been removed very quickly.

just a jerk · Mar 21, 2012, 09:29 PM

Buy a cattle prod and every time the child is doing somthing nasty to your property use it. Don't let the parents see it happen. Then when they tell on you , you don't have a clue what they are talking about. I am sure the kids will never come over for any reason again.

mannblk · Sep 16, 2012, 01:08 PM

Contact your local Social Services Child Protection. It's obvious the children lack supervision by their parents.

nitesh k · Oct 19, 2012, 09:57 PM

HI
I am from Bangalore. I live in rented house since 6 years.Opposite house has a highly destructive 12 year old boy. He keeps troubling me and my property. Without any reason he will speak like: I will bomb this car he has done many scratches. He will stand in between the main door with cycle when I am going out. He will not move and finally he speaks very bad word. I do not understand what to do with this monster! pl guide.
Going to police is good but it spoils relationship as my house owner and that boy's grandfather - are brothers.

What can I do about my neighbors disrespectful, destructive kids and dogs.

Add your answer here.

Check out some similar questions!