Can a neighbor sue me and ask me to move from my house because I have several dogs?

Answer 1

Perhaps they can if you signed a neighborhood association contract promising not to do that. Answer Yes, a neighbor can ask you to move. (But do not confuse this with him forcing you to move.) And one person can indeed bring an action against another for just about any reason in this day and age, including issues over animals. Let's look in on this. Most communities have codes that speak to noise and sanitation issues regarding dogs (or other animals). If there is one or more code violations for which you (and your dogs) are responsible, then a neighbor can complain to the county animal services people. That's law, but there is usually a fairly broad range as regards what is and is not allowed. And decisions by county officials can sometimes be a bit subjective. If you have done what you can to minimize the effects of the dogs on your neighbor, they often cannot act. Has your neighbor made any complaints to officials? In writing? And what has happened? Did you get a letter? Write one yourself? Some people who complain will, after speaking to you directly, complain to officials and attempt to "get the law on their side" in the issue. These official complaints can be used as a type of springboard to civil action. If your dogs present a nuisance to a neighbor or neighbors, then a claim can be made in civil court that the dogs are noisy, smelly, flea-infested, or anything else that the neighbor can think of. This is separate from complaints to the county animal people. And if a neighbor hires an attorney or appears in small claims court naming you as the defendant then you'll have to respond. Whether or not you own the home, the above will apply. If you are a resident in an area with an association, as noted in the first post, you will have to respond to a complaint there. If you do not own the property but rent or lease it, then the issue will doubtless come before the owner. This is something you will have to prepare for if your name is not on the deed. It is probable that you have already taken steps to minimize the impact your dogs have on neighbors. But you will have to take a hard look at the law (almost always county codes, but city codes may apply) where you live. This is something you can do yourself. And you can get "advice" from an animal services employee as regards what you can and cannot do (as long as you just "chat them up" and don't ask for legal advice - which they cannot give). The best situation is the one where neighbors can resolve issues between themselves. Arbitration might help in this respect. Sometimes officials step in and set the limits for action, but with issues over animals, there is a lot of latitude in what the officials will or will not do. The court will make decisions where the sides cannot and a case is brought. Best of luck sorting this one out.