Protecting Your Property From Neighbors' Pets

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If your neighbor's pet wanders onto your lawn, what can you do about it?

Neighbors of a Mississippi man were horrified when he constructed a sign on his lawn reading: if you have a cat, keep it on your yard or I will kill it.

Lighten up, Francis. Or get a fence.

The man, for his part, said that he wouldn't really hurt any cats, he was just mad that a cat came into his yard every day at 5 am, sending his dog into a barking frenzy and waking him.

Frustrating!

Not frustrating enough to, you know, kill a kitty, but those of us who keep our property nice do get fed up when a neighbor's animal wanders into our yard. So what can you do?

Well let's start with the obvious. You can't take it upon yourself to kill Fluffy. That's just inconsiderate. And animal cruelty. And not neighborly.

Most townships have codes that require leashes on pets - cats and dogs - so call your township to find out what the statute requires.

If your neighbor's pet is leaving souvenirs on your property, you can require your neighbor to pay for the cleanup. But remember: before hiring a lawyer or calling animal control try finding pet repellant sprays whose scents keep animals away or the most novel approach of all: talk to your neighbor.

A pristine lawn is only enjoyable if seeing the neighbor on the other side of it doesn't make you furious.