Expert: Robin Flynn - 9/4/2010

Question
Hi,

I have been walking my pet dog up and down the road where I live for over 2 years no.  I live down a road with houses both sides so there is a pavement both side of the road.  My do will urinate on both sides of the pavement depending which way I walk him.  He has never been off his leash and I never let him walk on peoples gardens or driveways.  But on 31st Aug 2010 this year one neighbour decided to challenge me quite aggressively stating that I keep letting my dog foul on his garden when I don't even let him near.  He does however, wwee on the pavement on whichever side of the road im walking him on.  He then stated that he has pepper and POISON which he will put down. I took tis to be a clear threat to my pet. Can you please tell me if I am doing anything wrong when I stated to this awful neighbour that the pavement is a public walkway and I was doing nothing wrong.

Im I correct is stating this, also I take this as a clear threat towards my dog.

Please help, as I do not know what step to take next.  I am not keeping my dog indoors just to keep him happy.

Kindest Regards
Karen Murphy

Answer
Hi Karen,

After reading your e-mail, it doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. You have a right to walk your dog on leash on a public walkway. I'm sorry that happened to you. I get many e-mails from people who have problems with neighbors. Some people simply don't like dogs or some just like to complain or start arguments. It's unfortunately something we occasionally have to deal with. I had a neighbor once who told me all dogs are disgusting and should just go away, as in make them illegal to own. Some people are just crazy. I don't believe you have any legal recourse for a threat to property - (that is what the law considers our dogs, property), just my opinion. If you want some legal advice I would send a request to an allexperts legal expert.  If it were me I would walk my dog on the opposite side of the street when I am near his house. Not because this guy is right or because I don't have a legal right to walk him near his house but because some people are just jerks and I wouldn't want this guy to do anything to hurt my dog. It's not fair to you but sometimes it's just easier to avoid a problem. I would also talk to other neighbors with dogs and ask them if they have encountered any issues with this guy. It always helps to battle an issue if you have a group of people that disagree. I'm sorry, I wish I had a fantastic remedy for this sort of issue but I don't. Best of luck to you and I'm glad to see you are looking out for the best interests of your dog!

For the animals,
Robin