Hello, thank you in advance for any advice that you may give me.
Here is my situation. My neighbor has two dogs that like to dig holes and break my fence wire. It is a normal wood post fence with utility wire fencing stapled in, the kind you can buy on a roll. His animals will dig a hole to get underneath the wire and push the fence up,thus creating a hole about the size of a small pizza, or larger in some cases. There are around 10 or 12 holes in my fence. To make matters worse, now I have to walk my dogs on a leash so they can use the bathroom, because they can escape out of the newly created holes. My fence was very expensive and I would like to use it.
This has been going on for months, I have confronted him five times about it. After asking to have my fence fixed, I grew frustrated and called animal control. I have filed nine complaints to Animal Control. They informed me that he has been fined seven times for leash violations. There was a new hole this morning, so I have decided that court may be my last option. He usually sticks trash like 5 gallon buckets or old wood posts in the holes to plug them, and the dogs just dig new holes.
What I would like to know is if there is anything else that I can do before civil court? It costs ninety dollars to file, and I really do not have the money or time for this. I work full time and attend college full time as well. If I did file a claim, here is what I have.
I have digital pictures of all damage.
I have also just taken pictures of his dogs running around in my backyard after they broke in.
I have record of all complaints to animal control.
Can animal control force him to chain his dogs up?
Do I need a lawyer for this?
Do I need to write my neighbor a formal letter telling him that I will take him to court if he does not repair my damage? Or should I just file the claim and let the court system deal with it?
Should I call the police department and file a property damage complaint so that can also be used in court?
Do I need to fix the fence in advance and sue for monies spent, or should i get estimates first and sue for the estimated amount?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!!
Here is my situation. My neighbor has two dogs that like to dig holes and break my fence wire. It is a normal wood post fence with utility wire fencing stapled in, the kind you can buy on a roll. His animals will dig a hole to get underneath the wire and push the fence up,thus creating a hole about the size of a small pizza, or larger in some cases. There are around 10 or 12 holes in my fence. To make matters worse, now I have to walk my dogs on a leash so they can use the bathroom, because they can escape out of the newly created holes. My fence was very expensive and I would like to use it.
This has been going on for months, I have confronted him five times about it. After asking to have my fence fixed, I grew frustrated and called animal control. I have filed nine complaints to Animal Control. They informed me that he has been fined seven times for leash violations. There was a new hole this morning, so I have decided that court may be my last option. He usually sticks trash like 5 gallon buckets or old wood posts in the holes to plug them, and the dogs just dig new holes.
What I would like to know is if there is anything else that I can do before civil court? It costs ninety dollars to file, and I really do not have the money or time for this. I work full time and attend college full time as well. If I did file a claim, here is what I have.
I have digital pictures of all damage.
I have also just taken pictures of his dogs running around in my backyard after they broke in.
I have record of all complaints to animal control.
Can animal control force him to chain his dogs up?
Do I need a lawyer for this?
Do I need to write my neighbor a formal letter telling him that I will take him to court if he does not repair my damage? Or should I just file the claim and let the court system deal with it?
Should I call the police department and file a property damage complaint so that can also be used in court?
Do I need to fix the fence in advance and sue for monies spent, or should i get estimates first and sue for the estimated amount?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!!
