What started as a complaint about a dog using the wrong yard quickly escalated into an argument serious enough for police to get involved.
Officers were called to Ritchie Street after a woman complained that a neighbor repeatedly allowed his dog to defecate in her yard without cleaning it up.
According to the report, tensions boiled over when the woman confronted the dog owner about it.
The caller claimed the man became argumentative and that her daughter believed he attempted to spray her with pepper spray during the confrontation.
🌶️ “I WOULD IF SHE ATTACKED ME”
When officers spoke with the man, he denied actually spraying pepper spray.
However, he reportedly admitted he told the girl he would use it if she tried to attack him.
Police advised the man to keep the dog off the neighbor’s property moving forward.
The woman ultimately decided she did not want to pursue charges and simply wanted the incident documented.
No formal report was filed.
🐶 WHY DOG POOP DISPUTES TURN INTO REAL NEIGHBOR FEUDS
Police say disputes involving pets are surprisingly common neighborhood complaints.
Arguments often involve:
- Dog waste left in yards
- Barking complaints
- Loose dogs
- Property damage
- Owners refusing to clean up after pets
And because neighbors continue living next to each other afterward, emotions can escalate quickly.
⚠️ HOW TO HANDLE THESE SITUATIONS SAFELY
Police generally recommend:
- Staying calm during confrontations
- Avoiding threats or physical escalation
- Documenting repeated problems with photos or video
- Contacting animal control or local officials if needed
Because once arguments turn personal, even something as small as dog poop can spiral into threats, police calls, and long-running neighborhood drama.