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Trespassing dogs

Started by RussellB5 • 12 replies • 679 views

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RussellB5 (Montana)
Posts: 23
Posted:
We have a small community with a public trail that runs through it.

We have 2 guys (who don't live here) walk their dogs and let them run across empty private lots to a street.
Our trail is clearly marked (keep on the trail, private property adjacent to the trail) or some such thing.

How can we politely enforce our trail policy? (to stay on it)

We really don't like these guys on our trails. They are loud and obnoxious, however, it is public and we can't forbid them.
Also, we have no proof, but many believe they don't pick up their dog's poo. We'd like to enforce that rule as well.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
It is called "Animal Control" or call the Police. The HOA doesn't need to get involved with this. I think we can recall a certain case in Florida that didn't end well when a HOA member approached someone they thought did not belong... Don't put yourself or you neighbors at risk. This is a responsibility of professionals. Just keep the area posted as private or no trespassing... Each state has different laws about posted land.
Former HOA President
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RussellB5 on 05/15/2019 4:02 PM

How can we politely enforce our trail policy? (to stay on it)


Fence your property
RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
In Horry County, SC a landowner may shoot a trespassing dog if not under the owner's direct control.

This is based upon the historical farming economy where a damaging dog could produce hunger.

However, the 'rules' still stand unchanged.
RussellB5 (Montana)
Posts: 23
Posted:
We can't fence it in. Nor do we wish to have fences. We simply want people to stay on the trail.

We also don't wish to shoot pets.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RussellB5 on 05/15/2019 8:26 PM
We can't fence it in. Nor do we wish to have fences. We simply want people to stay on the trail.

Short of hiring security to patrol the property along the trail, you may simply have to live with it.

If there is a leash law that is being violated, security cameras may help animal control in their enforcement.
JaredC (Texas)
Posts: 264
Posted:
Here in Texas you can mark posts that border your property with purple paint which is considered legal notice of "private property no trespassing". But that wouldn't really solve the dog issue.

I have to ask, as a practical matter, why do dogs running around an empty lot bother you? Others have suggested animal control, leash laws, etc. And I do understand you feel the humans are obnoxious. Is this really that important of an issue?
TimM11
Posts: 354
Posted:
We have two city-owned trails that run on our property (though with easements, technically they are on city property), so we deal with the waste issue sometimes. But you can't bar people from using what you don't own. So the options here are calling Animal Control or fencing your property.
RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimM11 on 05/16/2019 7:16 AM
We have two city-owned trails that run on our property (though with easements, technically they are on city property), so we deal with the waste issue sometimes. But you can't bar people from using what you don't own. So the options here are calling Animal Control or fencing your property.

? Did you mean: "We have two city maintained trails that run through an easement our property." ?

Y'all still OWN any property with an easement

or

Do you merely have an easement to use the city owned trails ?

sheez
RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
? Did you mean: "We have two city maintained trails that run through an easement our property." ?

oops

? Did you mean: "We have two city maintained trails that run through an easement ON our property." ?
TimM11
Posts: 354
Posted:
It can be whatever you want.
RussellB5 (Montana)
Posts: 23
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JaredC on 05/16/2019 5:48 AM
Here in Texas you can mark posts that border your property with purple paint which is considered legal notice of "private property no trespassing". But that wouldn't really solve the dog issue.

I have to ask, as a practical matter, why do dogs running around an empty lot bother you? Others have suggested animal control, leash laws, etc. And I do understand you feel the humans are obnoxious. Is this really that important of an issue?

Signage along the trail may help. Purple paint for a mile of trail might be unsightly and hard to maintain on a gravel trail.

There are no fences so these guys allow their dogs to wander into private property and leave poop.

The BIG problem is the trail is public and cuts through homeowners' and empty lots. These guys don't leash their dogs (when not being watched) and don't pick up after them (again when they think nobody is watching). Homeowners have complained and we want a pleasant solution.

Sure, we could call the authorities, however, that might create hostility and these guys might retaliate on the perceived homeowners who turned them in.
We can't ban them. It's a public trail.
At this point we may have no choice but call the authorities to police them. Maybe provide video and photos as proof.

RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
The effected HOs can spray the perimeter of their lots with white vinegar.

a/k/a dog repellent

Must be reapplied after each rainfall.

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