Is there a leash law in PA? I live in a gated community in a very nice development. I live in a house that is kind of like a townhome except the homes are not attached but they are right next to each other. My neighbors 2 houses down from me lets their 2 dogs off a leash at all times. They also house 2 cats that roam free. Both of their dogs have had numerous incidents that they come onto my back patio & stand there & bark at my dog through my screen door. The cats also roam onto my back patio & my yard & hiss. I am just fed up with it at this point because I have a 3 month old baby & it is causing chaos in my household from my dog watching their animals come onto my property. My dog will bark & wake up my baby. The neighbors act like they own the whole back yard & let their animals roam free at all times. I've had different occassions where I've had guests over on my back patio & their dogs will come onto my patio & bark at us. The neighbors will come over & get their animal(s) & act like it's no big deal. I've reported them to my HOA administrator because I know there are laws within the development regarding this. My question is, if this continues & I call my local police department, will the neighbors get a fine automatically from me telling them what is happening or do the police need to actually see the dogs on my property to fine them? I hate to get the police involved because of the prestigious development we live in, but these neighbors are renting their home & I own my home & they just don't want to seem to adhere to the bilaws of our community. I dont' want to get into an awkward situation by confronting them. I've already dropped subtle hints that they should leash them & keep the cat away from my property. It's not working. Help!
tl;dr
Don't call the police. Call animal control. Do it every single time those dogs are on your property barking at you and your animals.
Most cities have leash laws. How well these laws are enforced varies greatly from area to area. Calling AC and being the 'squeaky wheel' will get the best results. If you report feeling threatened by these dogs then you're more likely to get a result (which can be some pretty heft fines in some areas).
Most cities have leash laws. How well these laws are enforced varies greatly from area to area. Calling AC and being the 'squeaky wheel' will get the best results. If you report feeling threatened by these dogs then you're more likely to get a result (which can be some pretty heft fines in some areas).
First I would talk to the local Animal Control, then the Police then I would by some pepper spray and use it thru the screen if they are that close. I have used Halt, the same pepper spray mail carriers and meter readers use on many dogs to get them away from my own dogs. I would stress to AC and the cops that you are worried about being bitten by the loose dogs and also your baby is in danger. You could also find a lawyer, got a friend who is one? and have him draft a letter to the HOA that you will sue if they do not enforce the area law.