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WWYD - neighbor/dog related
It's a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, and yet I am on edge because the dog next door has been barking for at least an hour straight. We live outside city limits, so I don't know if any barking regulations apply out here? Anyway the ppl next door leave their dog out for hours at a time and don't bring him in if he is barking. Isn't it just common courtesy to bring your dog in when he's barking? I feel guilty if my dog starts barking outside, and I send her in immediately. Their dog also got hit on the highway a couple months ago because they let him off his leash to wander around alone. He broke his leg, but he's recovering - thankfully he stays tied up now, but the barking doesn't stop.
To add a little more info to the situation, I know the neighbors are kept busy - they have five boys ranging from elementary to high school - so I am empathetic there. However, their yard is also a disaster area. There's always a bunch of random stuff strewn about their yard (not toys - like cardboard boxes, pieces of wood, pails, etc.). Not only does it look bad, but when it's windy their stuff always ends up in our yard. I've made DH bring multiple empty shipping boxes with their last name on it back to their yard, and their dog crate a couple times as well. Whatever we bring back over just stays in the spot where we leave it till the next windy day.
I love our neighborhood with the exception of the above - everyone is super nice. I'm just wondering if I should do anything or just try to be more "zen" about the whole situation. I've only talked to them about twice, and it was because of mail-mixups. Otherwise the parents are really never outside, just the boys.
What would you do? 
Re: WWYD - neighbor/dog related
If you have talked to them twice already then I would take it as they don't care about their neighbors. At this point I would call the police (most cities have the regulations listed on their website for barking). They are likely violating a noise ordinance and maybe a ticket/warning would make them realize how rude it is. Also, do they have food, water and shelter out for their dog? If they do then legally they can leave the dog outside, if not it would be considered neglect.
my read shelf:
To clarify, I haven't talked to them about their dog at all. I've only talked to them twice at all and it was regarding the mail. We moved here less than a year ago, and while we are outside very often, the adults at that hours are almost never outside - so there's been no easy opportunity to talk to them.
They leave the garage door partway open when the dog is out, so his water and food may be in there. I can't see it, but it might be there.
Do barking laws apply if you live outside city limits? I have no idea...
I would check with EP city regulations, but my guess is there is some sort of a rule. Quick Mpls google:
"Minneapolis City Ordinance 64.90. Dogs disturbing the peace. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, have in possession, or harbor any dog which by frequent and habitual howling, yelping, barking, or otherwise, produce noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace, quiet, or repose of a person or persons of ordinary sensibility, provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to duly authorized hospitals or clinics conducted for the treatment of small animals."
The rest of the page here.
That's super annoying. I bring Moe in if he barks more than three times or starts to howl. He can be such an annoying little sh!t, sometimes. Good thing he's cute.
EDIT: EP city has a law, but it doesn't say anything if you're outside the limits. I would follow the EP city rules (it says to just call 911 and talk to animal control) and they can direct you accordingly.
Sounds just like my neighbors. They've been to court because of the junk in their yard. I have zero patience with them and call the police and/or city to complain every time they do something to piss me off. I've also gotten into arguments with them about why they shouldn't hit their dog with a shoe. They've had 4 dogs taken from them in the 5 years we've lived here. It's a real pleasant situation.
According to the Eden Prairie city code, section 9.07 subd. 6:
No person owning, operating, having charge of, or occupying any building or premises shall keep or allow to be
kept, any animal which shall, by any noise, unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the
vicinity. The phrase "unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet" shall include, but is not limited to, the creation
of any noise by any animal or animals which can be heard by any person, including a law enforcement officer or
Animal Control Officer, from a location outside of the building or premises where the animal is being kept and
which animal noise occurs repeatedly over at least a ten (10) minute period of time, with the total number of
noises emitted exceeding thirty (30).
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Thanks for the help and advice, ladies. I need to update my profile because I don't live in EP anymore - we moved to West Central MN a few months back.
I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do, but I don't think I'll be able to just sit back and listen to the dog bark forever... plus the dog must be unhappy which makes me dislike the situation more. I am going to have to think about my next move.
I just sent you a PM.