Kids throwing rocks in my yard.

[lunarpowered]

I know this may sound petty, but I have some neighbors that have kids who like to have "rock fights". They keep throwing some fairly large rocks on my lawn in the process and it is killing the blades on my mower.

Tonight I filmed them throwing rocks at each other and even hitting their parents car with rocks.

I have chickens and they also have dog that keeps getting through my fence. I've talked to them about the dog and they tell me stuff like "it's a stray" and won't take responsibility for it even though they are feeding it.

My question is how should I proceed in getting their kids to stop throwing rocks in my yard knowing how irresponsible the parents are?

I've also thought about if a car was driving by and my mower kicked a rock into it, I would be responsible.

[lunarpowered]

I posted this thread from a mobile device and accidentally posted under the wrong section. Please move to General Chat.

[TripleDigitRide]

Jerk-off neighbors are always a touchy subject. 

As far as the dog goes, get some pictures and try to find it a good home.

 

As far as the rocks go, I'd suggest politely sharing your concerns with the parents. If that doesn't work....

 

[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxCEkGk6HI[/media]

Edited October 29, 2013 by TripleDigitRide

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

[quote name="lunarpowered" post="1055788" timestamp="1383089804"] I know this may sound petty, but I have some neighbors that have kids who like to have "rock fights". They keep throwing some fairly large rocks on my lawn in the process and it is killing the blades on my mower. Tonight I filmed them throwing rocks at each other and even hitting their parents car with rocks. I have chickens and they also have dog that keeps getting through my fence. I've talked to them about the dog and they tell me stuff like "it's a stray" and won't take responsibility for it even though they are feeding it. My question is how should I proceed in getting their kids to stop throwing rocks in my yard knowing how irresponsible the parents are? I've also thought about if a car was driving by and my mower kicked a rock into it, I would be responsible.[/quote] It's apparent these people are douches. You're going to need to do the following. 1. Put up no trespassing signs on your property. Next time the kids throw rocks in your yard call the cops and have them arrested if they are juveniles. If not have the parents arrested if possible. It's obvious the parents aren't going to stop them. 2. Shoot the dog, bury it, and don't tell anyone. (shoot, shovel, shut up method). Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy. Edited October 29, 2013 by tdoccrossvilletn

[TripleDigitRide]

It's apparent these people are douches. You're going to need to do the following. 1. Put up no trespassing signs on your property. Next time the kids throw rocks in your yard call the cops. It's obvious the parents aren't going to stop them. 2. Shoot the dog, bury it, and don't tell anyone. (shoot, shovel, shut up method). Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

While I would try to work it out between myself and the neighbors, contacting the police is always an option. Unless the dog is vicious, I could not condone killing the dog.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Do not shoot the dog unless it is a threat to you or your animals. Catch it and turn it over to the animal shelter. The neighbors may be saying it isn't their dog but if you shoot it they can make your life miserable if they can convince the authorities you shot the family dog. And despite what some people think, killing a companion animal is against the law unless it is a threat. Also, you want to really piss someone off then kill their kid's pet. At least if you turn it over to a shelter they can get it back and it might cost them money. Money is the biggest motivator to people like this.

 

As far as the kids throwing rocks I would approach the parents and ask them politely to keep their kids from throwing rocks on your property. Next step would be to have a letter delivered in writing saying the same thing. Then after that I would go through the courts and ask for a court order preventing it. I am not sure LE can, or should, be involved in what is a civil matter. During this whole time I would try to get as much video evidence as you can to support your court case as well as for proof when they decide to damage your property.

[gregintenn]

Jerk-off neighbors are always a touchy subject. 

As far as the dog goes, get some pictures and try to find it a good home.

 

As far as the rocks go, I'd suggest politely sharing your concerns with the parents. If that doesn't work....

 

[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxCEkGk6HI[/media]

Now that is just awesome! :stunned:

[lunarpowered]

1. Put up no trespassing signs on your property.

 

So, the kids were opening up my gate and coming in my yard to get their dog out, but I have a dog of my own and told them that was not okay.

 

I made these No Trespassing signs and put them on both of my gates last week:

 

The dog still gets in periodically, but the kids haven't been coming in my yard anymore.

[vontar]

guess you need to upload the video to youtube.  :D

 

With any luck it will go viral.

Edited October 30, 2013 by vontar

[lunarpowered]

As far as the kids throwing rocks I would approach the parents and ask them politely to keep their kids from throwing rocks on your property. Next step would be to have a letter delivered in writing saying the same thing. Then after that I would go through the courts and ask for a court order preventing it. I am not sure LE can, or should, be involved in what is a civil matter. During this whole time I would try to get as much video evidence as you can to support your court case as well as for proof when they decide to damage your property.

 

I think this is exactly what I should do. As annoying as it is, it is far too petty to involve LE. I have prepaid legal and I was thinking about asking them if they would assist in a letter like you are describing. Not sure if they will, but it seems like it would have more weight if it the letter head was from a law office.

[Major Kong]

It's apparent these people are douches. You're going to need to do the following. 1. Put up no trespassing signs on your property. Next time the kids throw rocks in your yard call the cops and have them arrested if they are juveniles. If not have the parents arrested if possible. It's obvious the parents aren't going to stop them. 2. Shoot the dog, bury it, and don't tell anyone. (shoot, shovel, shut up method). Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

Don't do #2. This dog has no idea that his owners are douchebags. Killing the dog would make you a douchebag, much as suggesting that a dog be killed because of his owners is douchebaggish.

[lunarpowered]

I have no intention of killing any animal unless I am forced to protect my livestock which hasn't happened yet.

[tnguy]

If it's damaging your mower, small claims court? Nothing says "change your behavior" like a bill.

[bersaguy]

I don't know that I would go with a You Tube and make them celebrities for doing something totally wrong. I would keep the video for any legal steps I took in the future and I would make sure I kept any bills I had to pay to repair my law mower because of the rocks........jmho

[Monkeyman2500]

So could you just throw the rocks back in their yard?

[tnguy]

Obligatory:

[Guest Patty]

How about doing nothing and instead build a friendship with those kids. And then explain to them about the rocks and the lawn mower.

[lunarpowered]

Haha, I like the Eastwood meme. Edited October 30, 2013 by lunarpowered

[lunarpowered]

How about doing nothing and instead build a friendship with those kids. And then explain to them about the rocks and the lawn mower.

You sir are a better person than I.

[Pain103]

It's apparent these people are douches. You're going to need to do the following.

1. Put up no trespassing signs on your property. Next time the kids throw rocks in your yard call the cops and have them arrested if they are juveniles. If not have the parents arrested if possible. It's obvious the parents aren't going to stop them.

What exactly could they be arrested for? There is no criminal charge for a kid throwing a rock in your yard. It wouldn't satisfy littering. Its all civil and nothing the police can do about it unless they were throwing rocks at certain property trying to damage it.

[frankmako]

talk to them, all of them, adults and kids.  if that does not work call the law and file a report each time something comes up.  you got to build a case file before any action can be done.  if they do not stop then legal action is the only way to go.  but you got to build a case file before you can go forward.  

[Guest CCPT]

Everyone is right about the rock throwing being civil. Nothing LE can do unless they throw them at you or damage your property by throwing them. A good talk with the parents would be a start. Legal action or certified letter would be my next suggestion. Any small claims judiciary is likely to side with you since you have video evidence.

[tennessee01tacoma]

How about doing nothing and instead build a friendship with those kids. And then explain to them about the rocks and the lawn mower.

...by using your mower to launch the rocks back at them right?

[mikegideon]

Jerk-off neighbors are always a touchy subject. 

As far as the dog goes, get some pictures and try to find it a good home.

 

As far as the rocks go, I'd suggest politely sharing your concerns with the parents. If that doesn't work....

 

[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxCEkGk6HI[/media]

 

Damn man. I was thinking a potato cannon and a fresh sack of horse turds. You blew me out of the water :)

[Mike.357]

if these kids are throwing rocks at each other eventually one of them will clobber another and that may take care of it.

 

I'd go and talk to the parents.  Keep it simple and polite, then ramp it up a bit with each incident.  Maybe eventually they will do something.