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Question
My next door neighbor came over to my house on June the 10th with a baseball bat in hand threatening me because apparently he hit his son's ball in my backyard. He went after the dog with said baseball bat to try and retrieve his ball. When he came to my front door he was drunk and cussing me out about the dog. I told him that had he asked I would have gotten the ball out of the dog's mouth for him. He then told me that he should be allowed on my property anytime he feels like it. He also said that I should not be allowed to have a vicious dog in my back yard. I ended up closing the door in the neighbor's face because I thought for sure I was going to get hit with the bat. I then went to the back yard to get the neighbor's ball out of my dog's mouth and he was standing there again shouting and threatening me. He told me that next time my dog Charges him he is going to shoot the dog and then come after me. I called the local police and nothing was done. I also filed a complaint in the DA's office and they have told me that they can do nothing about this. My son is autistic and this incident could have caused him never to talk again. Why isn't there something I can do? Also the neighbor the Thursday before last took a lawnmower after my dog while his three year old watched. His three year old also saw him go after my dog with a bat and then witnessed him threatening me. Most recently he trimmed his hedges which when they grow come into our yard and left the trimmings laying right beside my vehicle. What exactly can I do the police do not want to do anything and the DA's office is not getting back to me? I took the dog to the vet and she said that the dog would lick the neighbor to death before hurting him unless provoked and in this case he was provoked by the neighbor taking a bat and trying to hit him with it.
June,
I am not sure what you want me to do. If both the police and the prosecutors officer have told you that no laws were broken then I would have to defer to them since they are there, I am not, they investigated the incident and they know the law in your state.
Your only other option it to sue the neighbor in civil court. You would need an attorney for this and I am not sure that there are many attorneys who would take a case like this.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 5 | Clarity of Response = 8 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I wanted to let you know that I have called the DA's office and they have been having problems with this particular police department so they are giving me a number to call to report the officers involved. I have also called a local attorney who says they are in the wrong the neighbor should have went to jail and something should have been done. Anyway thank you for your help. I know without you living in my state or township that it may be difficult for you to answer my question but you tried and I thank you for that. June | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jack Toomey
Expertise
Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don't ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.
Experience
I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, missing persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have "street experience".
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.
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