Protecting Your Property From Neighbors' Pets

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If your neighbor's pet wanders onto your lawn, what can you do about it?

A Texas volunteer firefighter started a figurative firestorm when he posted a picture of his neighbor's dogs whom he shot and killed after they had, more than once, entered his barn and harmed his livestock.

After the last incident, he told his neighbor that he'd kill the dogs if they entered his property again. It turns out, you shouldn't test a Texan.

It also turns out, this is apparently a thing, common enough that Texas has a law that protects homeowners who kill dogs or coyotes who harm their livestock.

Still, it's one thing to do it, it's another to be proud of it, dude. But what can suburbanites who don't keep livestock but do try to keep nice lawns, do to prevent a neighbor's dog from doing what doggies do?

You can't take it upon yourself to kill Fido. That's inconsiderate. And animal cruelty. And not neighborly.

Most townships have codes that require leashes on pets - cats and dogs - so call your township to find out what the statute requires.

If your neighbor's pet is leaving souvenirs on your property, you can require your neighbor to pay for the cleanup.

But remember: before hiring a lawyer or calling animal control try finding pet repellant sprays whose scents keep animals away or, the most novel approach of all, talk to your neighbor.

A pristine lawn is only enjoyable if seeing the neighbor on the other side of it doesn't make you furious.