[Athena E.]

AIBU 03.02.2025​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/Throwaway9871125:

Am I being unreasonable for not recalling my dog when she chased my neighbours off of my property?

'I (30, Female) have 4 dogs, but the one this story is about is a 4-year-old rottie named Bella.'

'A few months ago, new renters moved next door, and things have been unpleasant, to say the least. The neighbours are always screaming and fighting late into the night, and the men in the home have a habit of always trying to talk to or just watch me when I'm outside. This is not done in a friendly way, and it has made me feel very uncomfortable. I’m a single female living alone, and our police force isn’t the best, so I just keep my head down, hoping they’ll move out soon.'

'The other night, around 11 pm, I was outside with my dogs in the backyard. My neighbours have a chain fence, but I have no fence along my property except for the part that separates their property from mine. One of my dogs is on leash, but the other three are completely trained off-leash and do not leave the yard. I know some people may not agree with that, but I live in the countryside, and also my dogs have NEVER run off.'

'One of the women who lives next door, for some reason, decided to enter my yard because she wanted to “just play with my puppies”. Bella growled and walked closer to me, and I asked the woman to please leave but she just kept telling me it was fine and ignored what I was saying. One of the men decided to join her, and they came more onto my property, which then led to Bella barking and after a few moments of them continuing, she chased after them. She stopped running the second she hit the property line and went inside with me immediately after.'

'Now, these neighbours keep making comments about not feeling safe with their kids and how I should have called my dog back because they weren’t a threat. I don’t feel like I did anything wrong but I also don’t want the area to think that my dogs are dangerous, especially with the stigma against rotties. I also don’t want to stir up unnecessary drama when it’s already difficult living next to these people. Am I being unreasonable?'

 

[kdzimm]

If I was in your shoes I would have probably done the same things. You are entitled to feel safe on your own property no matter what others think or what the want to do. I also live on a property alone and can understand how you feel.

 

[FYCKOFF]

I fully agree with kdzimm, you have do e nothing wrong you have the right to fill safe .please be careful that they don't t r y and hurt your Bella. Try and get a fence up and gated to help protect your dogs and yourself.

 

[Mrtnst]

Anyone who fails to leave someone else's property after being asked to is trespassing and therefore has no right to complain if the property owner allows, or directs, their dog to 'see them off'. Especially if the dog is well enough trained to do no physical injury, unless directed to or if the trespasser/s become physically aggressive towards you.

However, I agree with @FYCKOFF, you would be advised to take care that your dogs are safe.

Clearly your neighbours feel entitled to do what they want on your land, but expect you to do whatever they want to make them feel comfortable on their land.

My mother had neighbours like that, who climbed over the fence onto her land repeatedly, and physical threatened my brother when he told them to stop.

They responded by throwing rocks at her windows and shooting fireworks onto her roof, during high fire danger periods, until the police intervened.

 

[Kayer02]

I think what you did was perfectly fine. They should not of been on your property ,especially at that time of night. You felt in danger so you have all rights to protect yourself when uninvited people come on your property. It is not as if you skitched the dog onto them. Contact Police , Real Estate & Council in regards to the facts so there is a legal record of the incident. I know you would probably be worried if things escalate however you can ask them not approach persons involved, you just want them to be aware of things that are going on.

 

[DiRose]

It was good that your dog chased them off, however I would be absolutely terrified now that they will bait your dog/s. Get a good fence, one they can't see through either. It will be hellishly expensive. Also agree register the incident so there's a record. People like that who argue and fight all the time with each will definitely unite to turn on you. Be safe.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Not unreasonable at all. Why did they come to your property at 11pm anyway? Bit late to play with the dogs. They were probably drunk. I too would advise you to let the police know so they have a record of the intrusion in case of further actions by them.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Report it to the realestate agency that handles the rental and have a word to the police in the event of something more serious happens. This will cover you and a record of their behaviour. Take care

 

[Mickie Stoner]

NO!

 

[Geoff01]

It's not unreasonable, it is your basic right to say who comes onto your property and who doesn't. In any case you have an absolute right to feel safe on your own property and if the dogs chased off someone who wasn't invited then good on them. Give them a special treat for doing it. This is the reason I keep a negotiator near me at all times. Any bastard that comes onto my property and doesn't leave when asked - well work it out for yourself. Don't be afraid to show these Muppets that you are not scared of them.

 

[Be-a- woof]

I think what you did was perfectly fine. They should not of been on your property ,especially at that time of night. You felt in danger so you have all rights to protect yourself when uninvited people come on your property. It is not as if you skitched the dog onto them. Contact Police , Real Estate & Council in regards to the facts so there is a legal record of the incident. I know you would probably be worried if things escalate however you can ask them not approach persons involved, you just want them to be aware of things that are going on.

I agree with the responses. I live next to a hotel in a small country town also on my own & elderly. I find Saturday & Friday nights a nightmare. I've had drunks try & force there way in, but soon leave when they meet my dog(A Maremma x Irish wolf hound)

 

[magpie1]

I think it would be wise to get a fence erected between the property's if at all possible....if you own your property then ask the owner from next door to go halves with you in it's construction....if you are renting then speak to your Real Estate Agency to ask the owner to construct it out of a necessity for your safety. Hope that you get some peace back into your life and that your feelings about being safe again returns to you. Do not feel that you were in the wrong at all.....you most certainly were not.

 

[Bagshaw]

I think what you did was perfectly fine. They should not of been on your property ,especially at that time of night. You felt in danger so you have all rights to protect yourself when uninvited people come on your property. It is not as if you skitched the dog onto them. Contact Police , Real Estate & Council in regards to the facts so there is a legal record of the incident. I know you would probably be worried if things escalate however you can ask them not approach persons involved, you just want them to be aware of things that are going on.

Totally agree. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to put with these undesirable individuals.

 

[deni67]

All of the above but if you have that dog on a lead tied to something then get it off straight away!!

 

[0498 805 634]

I think it is a good idea to letthem knowtheir boundaries. You are entitled to feel safe on your own property!

 

[Ezzy]

I believe you did everything correct. These people were trespassing & were asked to leave but chose to ignore your request. You gave them every opportunity to obey your request. Whether they may have been drinking at the time is not your concern.

I am believing you have lived at this address for some time & as renters they may be short term & what l call 'visitors' in your neighbourhood. You have clearly set the boundaries for these newcomers & it is for them to respect these requests.

I agree that you would be advised to notify the Police & state your case to the Real Estate Agent. Put anything to the Real Estate in writing being sure to keep a copy for yourself.

 

[Nozmo]

If I was in your shoes I would have probably done the same things. You are entitled to feel safe on your own property no matter what others think or what the want to do. I also live on a property alone and can understand how you feel.

You were in the right. They were trespassing.

 

[Testy]

I think it would be wise to get a fence erected between the property's if at all possible....if you own your property then ask the owner from next door to go halves with you in it's construction....if you are renting then speak to your Real Estate Agency to ask the owner to construct it out of a necessity for your safety. Hope that you get some peace back into your life and that your feelings about being safe again returns to you. Do not feel that you were in the wrong at all.....you most certainly were not.

I agree with all the comments but I would also be putting up cameras to record any further incidences.