Aubrey, TX asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Texas

Q: Addressing issues with neighbor's aggressive dog and ESA policy.

I rent an apartment and share a fence in my yard with a neighbor whose large pit bull-type dog constantly barks and growls at my small dog. The dog has even jumped on the fence, showing aggression, though it hasn’t jumped over. My neighbor speaks no English, and communication hasn't resolved the issue. The leasing agent claims they spoke to the neighbor, but the problem worsened, and they mentioned that if it's an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), any type of dog is allowed. I have documented these incidents and shared them with the leasing agent. Animal control redirected me to the sheriff, who said they couldn't do anything but documented the situation. What steps can I take to effectively address this issue, considering the complications with language barriers and the dog's possible ESA status?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: It sounds like you have done what you can do under the circumstances. You might consider erecting some type of screen along the fence you share with your neighbors or putting an outdoor kennel in your backyard to protect your own small dog in the event that your neighbor's dog breaks through the fence and tries to harm your dog.

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