Neighbors can be a blessing, but they can also be a major hassle to deal with. Even in some of the more rural areas of Illinois, most people have neighbors who live close enough to impact them with their behavior, and this is certainly true in densely populated areas. One subject on which people regularly disagree with the behavior of their neighbors is that of pets and other animals, especially dogs. A well-trained dog may be a man’s best friend, but a neighbor’s dog that is allowed to wander and harass neighboring people and property can present a major challenge. If you are struggling with a neighbor dispute over someone who lets their dog wander onto your yard, you may be able to take legal action. 

Should I Call the Police if a Neighbor’s Dog is in My Yard? 

A wandering dog may do no more harm than leave an unpleasant surprise on the bottom of your shoe. But when a dog presents a threat to children, elderly adults, or livestock, the matter needs to be taken seriously. If you have not already, try to resolve the issue by talking to your neighbor. It is possible that they may not be aware of the problem and could be willing to take steps to control their dog. 

However, most reasonable people try this as their first course of action and find that talking to the wandering dog’s owner is ineffective as well as deeply unpleasant. The next course of action you may consider is involving the police or animal control. Illinois requires dogs in private yards to be fenced in properly and your neighbor may face fines for failing to control their dog.