Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

Hi,
My elderly female neighbor of 15 years is harassing me by calling the police on my dogs whenever they bark;to alert me of someone approaching my residence, or when playing with my children. She is disgruntled after I put a 2500sqft addition on my home. I have always had dogs while living here. The police officer apologized for having to write me a ticket. I want to fight back and would like assistance. My other neighbors are on my side and wrote letters for me. The city atty would not even look at them and was quite a jerk. Please let me know if you could assist, or have advice for me. My hearing is 10/15/10. Thank you.

Asked on 9/20/10, 3:44 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Shelly Schellenberg MI & FL private practice

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You were given a citation for your dogs. This means that you are not following the ordinances regarding the care of you dogs. If you keep your dogs under control, on a leash and do not exceed the maximum allowable number of dogs, etc, you should not have any further problems. On the other hand, if your dogs are creating a nuisance in the neighborhood, by barking, making a mess or whatever, for your closest neighbor, then you may be facing future tickets as well. Tell your story to the judge. If you can convince the judge that your dogs were not barking, then maybe you will win. This is unlikely, since you would not have gotten a ticket if the police didn't hear your dogs making a lot of noise. Consider reducing the number of dogs that you keep in your home, or train them to not bark. Not every neighbor is a dog-lover, and you do not have the right to interfere with your neighbor's peaceful enjoyment of their own property.

Answered on 9/25/10, 7:18 pm

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