The Denver Gazette

ADVICE

AMY DICKINSON Send questions to askamy@amydickinson.com or to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.

Dear Amy: My family has lived in the same neighborhood for 25 years. We’ve never had any issues — until now.

Our next-door neighbor has decided to start a day care in her home. (She has told us that she has a history of suing ex-employers and friends.)

The problem is that she doesn’t supervise the children when they are outside. They are in the street, in our front yard, in other neighbors’ front yards, in our driveways, etc.

I can live with that.

What I can’t live with is when they are in the backyard, they harass our two dogs. These kids shoot Nerf bullets at them, poke sticks through the fence, stand close to the fence and yell at them by putting their hands through the fence, etc.

The dogs are 90 percent in the house, but when the kids are outside screaming, the dogs hear them and go out through the dog door to investigate. I work remotely from home (thankfully) so when I see the children outside, I make my dogs stay inside. It is very annoying.

I am scared a child will eventually get hurt. Any suggestions on how to handle this? — Bothered

Dear Bothered: A child will eventually get hurt.

I understand that you are primarily worried about children in the backyard, harassing your dogs. But unsupervised young children also in your front yard? Not good. Unsupervised children in the street? Extremely unsafe.

You should minimize your dogs’ time outside when the children are there. But any and every time you see these children shooting projectiles at your dogs, you should personally go outside, tell them to stop it, and explain that they are hurting the dogs, even if they don’t mean to.

If you see unsupervised young children in the street, consider calling the police.

And then you should also report this unsafe day care business to the agency in your area that is in charge of regulating and investigating child care businesses.

You are obviously intimidated by your neighbor. I suggest you take all appropriate steps to force her to comply with safety standards.

TAKE OUR ADVICE

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2022-09-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.denvergazette.com/article/282364043551541

The Gazette, Colorado Springs