For Anyone Comtemplating Using Video Cameras

[katman206]

Everyone:

I had another district court appearance today within the Chester County PA District Court system, this NFH story has being going on for 2+ years. My neighbors from hell have to date 75 citations - 74 (summary offences) 1 (misdeameanor 3 charge) for letting their dogs roam at large aka use my property as their own personal dog park. The District Court judge would not allow video tape citing "Best Evidence" and quite frankly chastised my for using it - stating that my using a video camera was encouraging the NFH to allow their dogs to roam on my property to get back at me for video taping my own back yard. So if you are thinking about using video tape you may want to consult an attorney and see if it is an accepted way to develop evidence against your NFH in the county court system.

[noisemaker]

... citing "Best Evidence" and quite frankly chastised my for using it - stating that my using a video camera was encouraging the NFH to allow their dogs to roam on my property to get back at me for video taping my own back yard.

Best Evidence? What would this esteemed judge prefer, a video or a bag of dog droppings on his desk?

And his chastising the victim instead of the perpetrator shows his thinking hasn't evolved any higher than... than... {loss of words}. Retaliatory escalation is OK where you live? It follows the same line of illogic as, "The woman was asking to be raped because of her clothes." Is it too much to ask the perp to control his animals (and animalistic desires), according to law?

When our legal system fails us, what then?

[Bob]

So many judges are idiots when it comes to NFH cases. I like noisemaker's idea of dropping a bag of dog-do on his desk. Perhaps a courier could deliver it outside his chambers, ablaze.

[dullrose]

The District Court judge would not allow video tape citing "Best Evidence" and quite frankly chastised my for using it - stating that my using a video camera was encouraging the NFH to allow their dogs to roam on my property to get back at me for video taping my own back yard. So if you are thinking about using video tape you may want to consult an attorney and see if it is an accepted way to develop evidence against your NFH in the county court system.

This district court judge is illogical in circuitous fashion...makes no sense whatsoever. This is such enabling behavior for NsFH to continue being NsFH.

[katman206]

For everyone who has responded - Thank You. I do not believe that our court system and/or law enforcement view NsFH as real threats to their victims. My NsFH can call the police and complain that I am trespassing on their property (shared driveway) because I am walking my garbage to the roadside once a week(according to them I can only drive a car on the driveway); but when I call the police because the NSFH came onto my yard to install harassing signs (beware of dog, private property, no trespassing) on a fence to nowhere that they errected (for this purpose) on the property line. I have to have an independent third party witness or the police won't cite these people for trespassing. For the past 2+ years I have been charged by their agressive dogs in my yard, pinned in my car by these same dogs in my driveway, verbally harassed by the drunk NFH(verbal confrontation is his specialty). But make a fuss and take them to court and you suddenly become the problem in the eyes of the law. NsFH hell take your american dream and make it into a nightmare from hell and like the engergizer bunny it just keeps on going.

[xyz]

katman,
That judge is just being incompetent & lazy, go over his head, ask for a different judge/change of venue. Talk to your state house reps, write the newspapers, draw attention to the problem (you probably aren't the only one he's been 1/2 @ssed with)...b*tch, b*tch, b*tch, b*tch, b*tch until you get the justice you deserve.

[katman206]

XYZ:
I tried to get a change of venue back in late 2007, but the local county SPCA contracted with the township that I live in to prosecute violations of the PA Dog Laws. The ACO for the SPCA did not want to peeve off the judge who had jurisdiction so she refused to act on my request. Quite frankly the SPCA mishandled the situation from the beginning. I had to amass 60+ complaints against the dogs owners to get even one court hearing. The local District judge has no backbone (female judge) and pretty much lets the NsFH & their attorney come into court and direct the outcome of the hearings. I get a reprimand from this judge for using video tape even after the NFH pleads guilty to a dog at large charge. I have another hearing in Court of Common Pleas in March 2010, I can only hope that I get a better response from the Judge hearing this matter or that the NsFH get evicted (they are in foreclosure).

[Later]

The local District judge has no backbone (female judge)

[dullrose]

katman, is mace or pepper spray legal where you reside? If so, I suggest the Kimber Pepper Blaster to defend yourself against these dogs.

[Bob]

The local District judge has no backbone (female judge)

We have too many women on this board for this to be let go. Anyone paying attention?

For the record, I'm not a feminist, but I understand from basic biology that female judges do, in fact, have backbones.

They just don't use them.

HA! See what I did there?

[katman206]

Dullrose:

I purchased pepper spray as defense against the dogs but had to end up using it on the drunken owner when he came into my front yard and assaulted my husband while he was splitting and stacking wood for our fireplace/stove.

Bob:
I am sure that the judge is anatomically correct but I become so frustrated at her lack of using the law (or penalties for breaking it) to force these people to act as responsible adults. I have learned one every good lesson do not attempt to be friendly to your neighbors, just acknowledge there existence with a wave and end it there. If the economy was not in such a mess I would definitely put my house on the market and take a loss if need be in the sale of it. The legal fees to keep the idiot neighbors and their dogs off my property have taken whatever enjoyment I had for my home away and now all I feel I have is a money pit.

[dullrose]

Dullrose:

I purchased pepper spray as defense against the dogs but had to end up using it on the drunken owner when he came into my front yard and assaulted my husband while he was splitting and stacking wood for our fireplace/stove.

katman, I specifically recommend this brand/type because it shoots @ 90 mph. Imagine if your drunken neighbor got hit in the face with this as he assaulted your husband, or, better yet -- hit in one or both eyes.

I'm a dog lover and owner...however, if a dog charges me to attack me or cause me bodily harm, they WILL get hit in the face with this product...no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

[xyz]

Dullrose:

I purchased pepper spray as defense against the dogs but had to end up using it on the drunken owner when he came into my front yard and assaulted my husband while he was splitting and stacking wood for our fireplace/stove.

So I take it your spouse was using a powered log splitter & not an axe?
Next time use WD40 & a lighter in lieu of pepper spray.

How about putting up a fence? Wire mesh goes up quick & easy, & is fairly cheap. Or maybe electric wire as used for cattle.

Or maybe leave out treats laced with ipecac for their hellhounds?

[Foxie]

at this point .. a gun that will kill the aggressive dogs is your best bet .. worst case is that shoot to kill will get you a fine for discarging a fire arm in the city limits .. but self protection is the answer here and damn the judge and the bleeding hearts who say its not the dogs fault .. take careful aim and dont miss .. a honest kill is your answer .. and then yes you will get likely a ticket for it and maybe arrested but bond out and smile .. you have made your point to the NfH, your claim of being terrorised is your defense .. and yes Bob I would shoot the dogs for aggression if they are loose ..and in my yard .. as for the NfH.. smile sweetly and tell him , aww I thought they had rabies .. yanno I DO KNOW that agression isnt the answer at times but with judges who fail to see the whole story there isnt many answers .. shared driveway .. ? and you cant walk on your own side? grrr there would be a war if I was the one being treated so crappy by the system that is supposed to protect me .. .. passive complaince sucks .. yes stoop to the idiots level the system isnt gonna help them either ..

and get a good lawyer that knows the law ..

I had to add this as it makes my point quite well

Re: Getting a grip
by xyz on Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:44 am

cal wrote:
As the saying goes "Revenge is a dish best served cold", not that I'm advocating revenge of any sort.
Oh... I do!!! It's the only way they'll ever learn & stop future sh**, it has to hurt them so bad they won't even consider screwing with/over anyone again. Dominate, dominate, dominate, it's the only thing they seem to understand.

Case in Point:
Years ago there was a guy who posted here (I think he was in the Air Force), as I recall his NFH harassed him & his wife, tried to run her over, tried to get him in trouble at work, etc., pulled out all the stops to make their lives miserable. Guy gets the upper hand in the situation (I don't recall the specs) & puts the hurt on NFH somethin' fierce. NFH comes crawling with his tail between his legs, "You win, I give up, you can stop now." Guy, "Nope, you started this, I'm finishing it. It's done when I say it's done." & kept hammering the NFH for everything he could. Absolutely beautiful... (I think I have something in my eye...*sniff*...I dig happy endings.)

Hard? you betcha but I will not be abused by a NfH again .. Its called stay outta my face ,, keep your dogs and kids under control and nothing will happen as long as you know I am not gonna let you do this crap to me .. period

[xyz]

Exactly Foxie, danke.

[katman206]

Foxie:

My husband wanted to get a handgun to take out the dogs when we were being charged in our yard/driveway but I pleaded with him not to. I didn't want to make waves with the local police and township we live in. The NsFH made a deal with the local district court to get out of paying 25k+ in fines for 60+ animal at large citations to install a fence and gate on their property but to no one's surprise they are too lazy to keep the gate shut all the time so the dogs still get to run in my yard. We live across the road from a Christmas tree farm and I am just waiting for one of their dogs to jump the fence (they have jumped it prior) and attack a family trying to find a tree. These idiot NsFH have posted "beware of dog" signs all over their fencing and also installed an "attack dog" type sign, I think they want to harass us with the signs since we complained about their dogs. The hearing I have in March 2010 is for their dogs still being allowed to roam at large and my attorney is pushing the fact that they have these signs installed. All I know is that my husband and I are very sick and tired of these people and their infantile behavior, we are both stressed to the max.

[Carol]

kat- I hear ya. I live the next county over from you. Same sort of thing happened to me when I introduced video tape. The judge was fascinated by it but the police would not even look at it. That being said, the judge did not comment on the tape whatsoever. NFH's either. Even though , and it is hard to type this becaus I am laughing so much, NFH brought in a TV!!!, a VCR and his tapes. LOLOLOL. We brought in a laptop. What idiots.

Good for you for macing the dogs! No guns, no. Even if he has a carry permit, no guns. Maybe you could try this. Every time they come at you ,blow a loud whistle, then spray them. It should get to the point where just blowing the whistle stops them because they already know the unfavorable consequences.