Some people live near neighbors that leave their dogs outside. This can be frustrating, annoying, and heartbreaking to see. However, it is not always illegal, or even wrong, to do so. If you have concerns about your neighbor’s treatment of their dog, you should first talk to them directly. There is a good chance they are doing everything right. If you have an immediate concern for your neighbor’s dog’s health or safety, you should call authorities so that the dog can get the treatment it needs.

Barking dogs, or healthy dogs left outside in regular weather, do not constitute emergencies, and it is likely not illegal. You want to approach any situation with a neighbor with caution and grace, especially when it concerns their dog.

Here is what you should do if your neighbor leaves a dog outside, including multiple steps and options to consider for future action and conflict resolution.

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Here’s What to Do

1. Gather Your Thoughts

Before you do something rash, you should take a moment to collect your thoughts and organize them. What is bothering you about your neighbor’s dog being outside? Are you concerned for their welfare? Are you annoyed by the barking? Do you just disagree with their lifestyle?

While no experts would be likely to recommend letting a dog live outside full time, it is not necessarily illegal to do so. As long as a dog has proper shelter (shade and covering), food, water, and basic necessities, they may be able to spend significant time outside. It’s when they don’t have these things that it potentially becomes a problem.

With that in mind, organize your thoughts and make sure that you can deliver them in a clear and concise manner.

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2. Talk to Your Neighbor Directly

The best thing to do in any conflict or dispute with a neighbor is to talk to them directly. Your neighbor might be very nice and accommodating to your concerns. Many people think that talking to a neighbor about a problem is going to be difficult, only to learn that their neighbor is very nice and open to talking. You should go to your neighbor directly, in person, if possible, and relay your concerns in a calm and professional manner.

You should avoid contacting any authorities or third parties before talking to your neighbor. Going around your neighbor can sour the relationship and turn someone who would have been nice into a grump. You should also avoid leaving passive-aggressive notes, texts, or voicemails. These kinds of conversations should be had face-to-face for the best results. You should also be willing to listen to your neighbor and be open to hearing what they have to say. There might be a good reason for their actions.

Once you have talked to your neighbor and gathered their side of the story, then there is no excuse if things do not change, especially if there are concerns about the dog’s welfare. This way, everyone will be on the same page.

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3. Don’t Make Baseless Accusations

Seeing a dog left outside for long periods of time can be upsetting, and it can make people emotional. During your interactions with your neighbor, you need to refrain from making any baseless accusations. While you might think that leaving a dog outside is cruel or abusive, your neighbor could be doing everything right within the letter of the law. Accusing them of animal abuse or neglect can break the relationship and make your neighbor defensive. In extreme cases, accusing a neighbor publicly of a crime or animal neglect can result in defamation lawsuits against you!

For example, if you get mad and post something on Facebook about how your neighbor abuses their dogs by leaving them outside, and your neighbor gets fired but then exonerated of any wrongdoing, you could be in serious trouble. It is okay to relay your concerns directly to your neighbor, but do not make baseless accusations, especially in public or on social media.

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4. Know the Law

The law is different in every state, and each state can have different rules governing dogs that are left outside. For example, in Florida, it is a misdemeanor to leave a dog outside in freezing temperatures or if there is an active severe weather alert. In Texas, dogs can be left outside in extreme heat if they have “adequate shelter.”

Fines and charges can also differ. In some states, leaving a dog outside could be a simple fine with no criminal charges. In other states, it could be a misdemeanor or greater. Before you accuse a neighbor of wrongdoing and before you call any authorities, you need to brush up on the law to learn whether your neighbor is actually doing anything wrong in the first place. Calling outside help only to be told that you are overreacting, and the law is not on your side can be a waste of time and supremely damaging to the harmony of the neighborhood.

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5. Document Your Concerns With Evidence

If you are confident that your neighbor is doing something wrong or illegal and you have already talked to them and have done your research about the law, you should document your concerns and gather evidence. In most cases, you will need to make an official statement to authorities in order for charges or an investigation to proceed. The more evidence you have, the better. It will also be beneficial to your case if you have already spoken to your neighbor.

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6. Call the Proper Authorities

The last resort should be to call the authorities. Unless you see your neighbor’s dog in active distress or have clear visual confirmation of abuse or neglect, you should try and refrain from getting authorities involved. If you suspect that your neighbor is neglecting their dog, have your evidence ready for any potential investigation. If you suspect that your neighbor is neglecting or abusing their dog, your best bet is to speak to the appropriate local authority. Most counties have special units that investigate and respond to allegations of animal cruelty.

If your concern is about a dog barking or a noise complaint, you should call the local police’s non-emergency line. There are few noise regulations during daylight hours, but most areas have strict decibel limits after certain times (usually 9 PM or 10 PM) that your neighbor’s dog could be violating. In most cases, police will have a conversation with the neighbor about any potential noise complaint and give them ample opportunities to correct the situation before it escalates to a fine or charge.

Is It Illegal to Leave a Dog Outside?

Just leaving a dog outside is not a crime in and of itself. In most areas, it is legal to leave a dog outside with proper shelter, water, shade, food, and fencing, even if it is annoying or frustrating to neighbors. Consistent dog barking is also usually not illegal, especially during daylight hours. Some areas have nuisance laws that can potentially govern a dog that barks constantly, but not always. If you are concerned about your neighbor’s conduct or behavior, you should research the law and consider taking further steps to rectify the situation.

Signs of Animal Abuse or Cruelty for Outdoor Dogs

If you are wondering whether your neighbor is neglecting their outdoor dogs, there are some signs to be aware of. If you see any of these signs, you should raise immediate concerns with your neighbor and potentially with local authorities.

Signs of animal abuse or cruelty can include but aren’t limited to:

Animal cruelty likely does NOT include:

Conclusion

When dealing with a neighbor, it is always a good idea to try and put yourself in their shoes and treat them the way you want to be treated. After all, you would likely not respond well if your neighbor called the cops on you based on inaccurate or baseless accusations or misunderstandings. All conflicts are best resolved in person, face-to-face. If you have immediate or pressing health concerns about your neighbor’s dog, you should call authorities to have the situation remedied immediately. Otherwise, it is a good idea to proceed with caution and kindness for the best results.

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Featured Image Credit: Conor Brown, Unsplash