A 34-year-old man has shared how he took revenge on neighbours who repeatedly allowed their dog to poo in his garden, hurling the waste onto their new roof over several months.
The man, who does not own a pet, said he is forced to dodge dog mess in his garden every day. He previously lived in a peaceful neighbourhood and maintained good relations with most of his elderly neighbours, but matters changed when a couple of a similar age moved in with their baby and a sizeable dog.
Repeated complaints ignored
According to the man, the new neighbours routinely permitted their dog to wander unleashed and neglected to clear up after it, despite him requesting they do so on numerous occasions. He said the situation deteriorated to such an extent that he once inadvertently stepped in dog mess late at night and carried it throughout his house.
Writing on Reddit, he said: “I feel I shouldn't have to pick it up.” The dog was also allegedly a nuisance for additional reasons, barking incessantly day and night and lunging towards a couple walking past. He described the dog as “massive”, weighing over 110lbs, and said it was seldom kept on a lead.
Police and HOA warnings
Police had reportedly attended the property and cautioned the owners that they needed to keep the animal on a lead or risk animal control getting involved. The neighbourhood’s HOA regulations also stipulated that dogs must be kept on a lead or within an invisible fence when outdoors.
Despite the complaints, the man alleged his neighbours continued to disregard the issue. Matters deteriorated further when he overheard the pair laughing about his earlier appeals for them to clear up after their dog.
Revenge on the roof
Instead of challenging them once more, the man chose to take action himself. He revealed the neighbours had a new roof fitted in February, and over the subsequent five months, he ventured outside late at night armed with a shovel and hurled the dog’s waste onto their roof.
By July, he maintained the brand-new roof was “littered” with dog mess. Then, as temperatures soared to 36C, he finally witnessed the response he had been anticipating. Relaxing on his back porch with iced tea, he claimed he could hear his female neighbour yelling at her husband that their entire upstairs reeked of dog waste. The pair reportedly could not determine the source of the stench.
Public reaction and legal rights
Responding to his post, one user said: “Not picking up after your dog is pure trash person mentality. This is brilliant!” Another user commented: “Fantastic revenge. You were only returning their property. This was very civic minded of you!”
If a neighbour lets their dog poo in your garden, this is considered a civil trespass and a potential private nuisance. While it is not a criminal offence, if the mess builds up or causes severe smell, the local council can intervene under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Persistent and deliberate trespassing by a neighbour and their pet can also be treated as anti-social behaviour under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Councils can issue community protection notices or fines if clear evidence is provided, such as CCTV footage and the owner’s address. Often these problems can be solved with a gentle conversation, but if the issue continues, it is advised to contact the council and keep a log of the time and date of each offence.
