So sorry to hear your having problems with your neighbor. It can make yours and everyone elses lives miserable.
If it were me, I'd be notifying my local police of what he said just to get it on record.
Just curious but why do you dogs bark at him (if in fact they do bark at him) when he is in his backyard?

Julia

All I can say is the 6 foot privacy fence that surrounds the back yard was the best investment we ever made. I have too much experiance in dealing with bad neighbors, fortunately they usually don't stay too long.

I would let him know that #1 they are Rat Terriers, and that they are just doing what they are bred for, and #2 that if anything "happened" to them there other things might "happen". My last neighbor learned all about accidents and mishaps. He should have never threatened me.

Dogs are excellent judges of character, and it sounds like they have his number. I would call the Police EVERY time you think he is abusing the wife or kids. Sooner or later they will take out the garbage, and you will also be doing his family a favor.

Julia, They bark because the neighbor has his senile father living there,who doesn't speak English(who goes to the bathroom in the yard) and he stands at the fence and waves his hands at the dogs. There was no reasoning with the neighbor. My daughter is an attorney and she and I went to the police. They said it was my right to have the dogs, they weren't a nuisance and also suggested I do a fence, so hopefully he didn't poison the dogs. But what good is my rights if my dogs are dead? God Bless America. Rights for everyone else.

I love my privacy fence and you will too. Dogs bark, the neighbors bark at me if they hear any little noise if I am out back. They can't see me but they hear things. If I were you I would NOT let my dogs out there unless you are with them, even if you get the fence, something could always be tossed over the fence for them. Good luck and wait out the neighbors, maybe THEY will move. Sounds like they are unhappy people anyway. I have a neighbor who plays his music so loud that my son couldn't hear his own TV in his room. I had asked the neighbor nicely one day if he could play it a bit lower and he agreed, That lasted awhile. The other day my son got mad when he couldn't hear the TV so he went over and pounded on the door until finally someone heard him and came to the door. She said she had told her husband to turn it down. Anyway things have improved since then. They have been nice and friendly neighbors except for this one thing. I am hoping things stay quiet. Good luck.

Dot with noisy neighbors

My sympathies. Goodness. Count me in with the fence crowd. What is that saying about good fences make good neighbors or some such? However, as pointed out, fences don't solve everything. I think mine is a 6 ft privacy fence. I live on a slope that looks down on the house behind me.

My dogs (especially one) notice everything...they can see into several yards. They aren't out much (house varmints) and I am usually with them when they are. I have found an arrow in my yard/garden from the kid on the back corner. A real arrow, mind you...the kind that could cause harm. I made it a point to stand on my deck where he could see me and watch him practice...and he was very careful, had his target positioned the other way...I've kept the arrow.

Directly behind is an obnoxious child who yells out "stupid dog" at the top of her lungs...not so much lately, as my neighbor on one side (both of my neighbors on either side are wonderful people...I am very lucky)...happened to be outside when she (the child) yelled this (the mother was out with her...)...and my neighbor said to me (very loudly...they already know about this), "Who is that RUDE person?" The mother and daughter went in shortly after that...and amazingly, not much has been heard since.

I would love to live without neighbors so close (although I would miss my great neighbors)just so my dogs could be dogs (they are extremely well behaved). However, they are getting old now (the dogs....me, too...lol) and we are comfortable here.

Ladypat, you did the right thing in reporting this to the police. That sure sounded threatening to me. I would definitely go ahead with the fence (as high as you can make it) and watch the dogs while outside, too. Look at it this way, the fence will also keep you from seeing things over there that you'd rather not.

I think I would not answer the door when that neighbor comes over. I am sorry this is happening to you.

Sometimes it seems the police have their hands tied...until something bad happens. We lived in a nice new neighborhood some years ago that started having some vandalism issues. Someone broke into my husband's truck (parked in our driveway). We called the police and they were very nice, very responsive. But, basically, we were advised to put out security lights, motion detectors, etc. I remember thinking...wait a minute, we're the victims and we have to take all the actions, spend all this money to keep lawbreakers out?? But, that's the way it is...

Take care now.

I was born and lived in the country on a farm/ranch, so it has taken a little getting used to since I live in town now. But, I have wonderful neighbors. I do "listen" to my dogs when there is someone around. My dad taught me to always pay attention to our dogs, and to trust their instincts and behaviour over my own if there was something strange happening. They let me know by the way they act that they "sense" the energy of someone, whether bad or good. If they are acting that way towards them, and are not usually "yappers", there is definitely a reason. They are trying to warn you the best way a loving, loyal dog can warn the people in "their pack" of the uneasy, unnatural energy that is being projected. Please be careful, yourself, as well as protecting your dogs!!! Jan G.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words of advice. Hopefully the fence will be up in 2 weeks. I am looking forward to the privacy. Amazing how one thing can just rock your world. Will post pics when the fence is up. Thank you all again.
Pat