Did that peek your interest?  We had  some unplanned Friday night drama with my neighbor whom is less than desirable and perhaps a little crazy. He hates us and our precious dogs.  Sadly, he is a dog owner.  He  walks his little fluffy dog with a metal bat in his hand.  He often lifts his bat and shakes it towards our dogs whom are behind the fence in our yard minding their own business.  A little more history on this “less than desirable neighbor” referred to moving forward as “LTDN”  He had a dog, whom he tied up on his back deck when we left for weeks at a time.  He left bags of  dog food sliced open for self feeding.  This poor dog was not spayed, and attracted many strays.  This poor dog and her puppies were eventually picked up by Animal Control.  So sad……so you know the intelligence of this neighbor.

Last night, we had just walked in the house when our three dogs slipped happily out the fence and headed down the driveway.  They were minding their own business wiggling and running so happy to have bust free.  Unfortunately, their timing could not have been any worse.  Our LTDN happened to be in his yard with his dog.  The curious creatures they are  headed into his yard to check things out.  Note no barking, growling…just normal sniffing and wiggling.  The LTDN ran to his porch grabbed his metal bat and came after my dogs swinging.  About this time, my husband was in the yard and witnessed the entire thing.  “Why did you hit my dog?” and LTDN replied “They are in my yard!”.  Other words were exchanged and LTDN went back into his house but only after he had hit two of my three dogs with his bat.  Being the smart creatures they are they ran back into the fence. There was blood on the head of one of he dogs.  We never could figure out where it came from.  Fortunately, they all appeared fine. This all happened in less that 2 minutes.

We called 911 and the police arrived.  They were less than amused with the LTDN’s behavior and stated he cannot  to hit the dogs with a bat because they are in his yard. If he was being attacked it would be another story. Clearly this was not the case.   The officers left to go talk to the LTDN and he was standing at the edge of his yard, all puffed up, with his bat in hand. They had to yell  at him to drop the bat.  They had their word with him and left.

Just when I was trying to calm myself and the kids from the drama Part 2 unfolds…….LTDN obviously called Animal Control, whom got a report of three vicious dogs.  They were really nice, and totally understood it was an accident the dogs got out of the fence. They even recalled picking up LTDN’s dog a few years back.  Anyway, because LTDN had called Animal Control on us in the fall (two dogs busted out the front door) he  had to site us for 3 loose dogs since he did not cite us in the fall. I know the Animal Control Officer is just doing his job so I have no ill will towards him personally. It is just crazy LTDN can maliciously and unprovoked  hit my dogs with a bat and we get a $150 fine for “allowing a dog to run at large”

They were loose for less than 2 minutes! It was horrible for the children to witness!  It just heightened the drama.  It is hard to explain to a child why someone can do something so gruesome and get away with it.

After sleeping on this we continue to be angry that he hits our dogs with a bat and WE get a fine.   We called our attorney friend who is completely enraged!  She has advised us to appeal the citation. She had some other tips and suggestions we will put into action if needed.

I am in prayer about this evil man, his poor dog, and our situation.  We are just trying to be the better people in this situation. Blogging about this has helped me deal with my anger. I slept so poorly last night I blew off my 10 mile run this morning.  It was raining, so I just went back to bed.  I was emotionally drained all day!  Tomorrow is a new day! I am determined not to let LTDN hold any space in my head and my heart! I think I will pound it out on the pavement tomorrow!

I am a true believer that what goes around comes around so….Those who do evil………eventually get what they deserve.