How do I confront a neighbor who leaves dog poop on my lawn?

When you find dog poop on your property, and you clean up after your own dog, you may wonder how it got there. Not only is it gross and hard to clean off your shoes, but dog poop dangers include bacteria. In fact, dog poop is considered an environmental hazard, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Just one gram of dog poop may contain over 23 million bacteria, many of which can be dangerous to both animal and human health. Parvovirus, coronavirus, E. Coli, whipworms, Coccidia, hookworms, Guardia, tapeworms, salmonella, Campylobacteriosis are just a few of the many dangerous illnesses that can be spread through dog fecal matter. These dangerous diseases can spread over your lawn and inside your house, or be carried down into the groundwater where they can live for more than a year. Insects and other animals also are attracted to the dung, and they carry their treasures with them wherever they go.

Dog poop is not fertilizer

All the hard work of keeping your lawn green and healthy can be erased if someone else leaves dog poop on your lawn. It’s especially frustrating if you make the effort to clean up after your own dog.

Dog poop can destroy your lawn by causing brown spots and discoloration. Urine and poo produce excess nitrogen which can kill your lawn.

Solving the mystery 

First of all, it’s important to refrain from making assumptions. Just because you find dog doo-doo on your lawn doesn’t mean that your neighbor left it there on purpose. Don’t let dog poop dangers cause you to act rashly or out of anger: consider what might have happened and that this one-time transgression may have been an accident.

Did a stray dog pass through your neighborhood, leaving little gifts behind? Or did your sweet but preoccupied neighbor forget to bring a poop bag and promise to come back only to forget once he got home? Did your neighbor’s large dog escape his enclosure once again and head to his favorite spot – your lawn?

1. First, try playing detective to find out who or what might be behind this “dirty” deed. Using adequate precautions and distance, consider inspecting the specimen to see whether it came from a large or small animal. Ask nearby neighbors if they have been experiencing the same problem. Keep an eye out for any dogs passing by, and see if they stop on your lawn to do their business. Remember to never accuse someone of allowing their dog to poop on your lawn. Always get the facts straight first.
2. Once you have conclusively determined which dog has been causing offense to your lawn, find a polite way to address the dog’s owner. Consider using “I” statements and avoid sentences that start with “you.” For example, you might say, “I noticed that your dog has been using my lawn to relieve himself. I am not sure if you are aware, but dog poop can have very dangerous germs. Is there any way you could either pick up the poop next time or find a different spot for him to do his business?”
3. If the owner continues to allow his or her dog to defecate on your property, you can always set up a camera, or take pictures as evidence. Remember, the law is on your side. Whatever you do, stay calm, do not harass, threaten, intimidate, or otherwise elevate the tension.

Natural reactions

It’s OK to feel upset, irritated and annoyed when you find mystery dog waste. Don’t turn your feelings about dog poop dangers into behavior that could invite retaliation. If you’re upset about your neighbor’s dog: 

• Don’t cause physical harm to your neighbor or his or her dog.
• Do not light the dog poop on fire in front of your neighbor.
• Avoid yelling at your neighbor or causing a scene.
• Don’t take the dog poop and toss it onto your neighbor’s property.
• Don’t deliver the dog poop to your neighbor’s mailbox or front door.

Know your rights

You have a right to a clean, disease-free home and lawn. If a dog continues to trespass on your property without your permission and cause damage to your lawn, it might be time to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
 
Sophie Kaemmerle is Communications Manager at NeighborWho.com. NeighborWho’s mission is simply to help you better understand your neighborhood. Learn about your neighbors, the houses on your street, the current and past owners, access property reports and look up public records. Public records are aggregated to compile in-depth reports on properties & people—NeighborWho provides a wealth of information at your fingertips.