Neighbour's Kids Keep Kicking Ball to Our Backyard

Similar to another thread here from sometime back…but this time the other way around.

Neighbour's kids keep kicking their balls (football) over to our side..we have two small dogs who love hanging around in the garden + we have rose gardens. I am worried the balls would hurt the dogs. We have spoken to them repeatedly (kids and parents) when they come over to retrieve the balls, to not kick the balls too high. The kids have tried to cross over and we have warned them that the dogs could hurt them or they would hurt themselves if they fall. This has been happening over months and we have noticed the parents don't even care to supervise the kids.

I throw the ball over, tell them to please be careful, they nod and carry on as usual. There's also a big playing ground like 1 min walk from the place where every other kid plays.

At what point can we say enough is enough? How to tackle this situation? What's the ideal suggested next step?

Comments

  • +17

    Try not throwing the ball back and see where that gets you.

    All you can do is talk to them - anything else is likely to increase your problems.

    • +7

      VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION!

      Commercial quality bird netting from ebay (people can buy the cheaper stuff but worse off in the long run)

      Use a ladder and tie netting in between trees (quite high up) if near fence line or put up some posts (especially from your side) on the fence/brick wall/garage roof etc

      I used to have cricket netting up as a kid 7 meters high by 20 meters wide between trees on the fence line (made a great automatic wicket keeper as well)

      If the neighbors are too tight to pay for it or simply dont give a crap it may be in your interest to do it yourself as the benefit will far outweigh the initial cost for you.

      • +4

        If you cant do it yourself its a quick and cheap cash job for someone.
        Toss the balls back in the meantime, no use having a problem so close to home that could become more serious over nothing.

        • But if you are shadow warrior neighbors will be scared

      • +3

        But then what do you do with all the dead birds?

        • +2

          Neighbor has had the commercial bird netting for years - has never a single bird trapped/die.
          I have heard of problems from cheap netting though.

          Shade cloth is another option.

        • Covered fruit trees for many years with commercial nettings. Not only does it not kill any birds, the birds usually find a way in.

          • @greatlamp: Covering trees is different from stringing a net up across an open area of space. If the mesh is dense enough it would be ok but product that isn't made for birds (like sports netting) is too sparse for them to see from a distance.

      • I can just imagine all the garden spiders having a field day making webs with this netting.. I'd be scared of a shower of angry spiders everytime the ball hits the net.

  • +24

    They can't play at Park at moment due to lock down. Tell them on the next ocassion you can't give it back to them again after this last time if it goes over fence again next time due to this virus and they'll have to wait till it's over to get it back. That will get the parents over. Then tell the parents to watch their kids and tell them the same story.

    • -6

      They can play at the local park its called exercise as long as same household they will be right .
      All states and territories barring Andrew's one of course .

    • +5

      Virus can live for, what, 3-5 days on a hard surface?
      So yeah, quarantine the ball for a week before returning it.

  • -3

    If this is a regular thing and they clearly don't give a crap, I would return the lack of respect. I'd either give them back deflated/popped balls and blame the dog or prickly Rose bush, play ignorant and donate balls to the OP shop or even paint the balls .
    That's assuming the neighbour isn't crazy person who does not fear the law. Also consider how far they could take it, people got too much time on their hands during this lockdown.

    • +18

      Your suggestion is to pop a little kids ball ??

      • -2

        As I said, If the disrespectful behaviour is intentional and/or repeated after many chances. I don't believe in rewarding bad behaviour.

        • +1

          No you are suggesting damaging a little kids ball , thats a litte bit beyond not rewarding bad behavior and asking for some major trouble from the kids or their parents .

          • +3

            @qwerty: They've not specified the kid's ages, you don't know they're "little".

        • +1

          Popping a kids ball IS bad behaviour. I don't know who denied you compassion as a child but I'd like to have some strong words with them.

          They're kids playing ball in a backyard during lockdown, there are worse bl***y crimes than a ball going over the fence.

          • +1

            @MessyG: There's a difference between kids being kids and kids being bullies.

            I clearly stated the circumstances which my actions would apply. Please read carefully before going nuts.

            If this is a regular thing and they clearly don't give a crap,

          • +2

            @MessyG: Little kids with no lessons taught and discipline grow up to be adults with the same callous attitude and selfish behaviours.

      • +1

        Or paint the balls lol.

      • +1

        Crush their spirits in their youth so the feeling of cumulative lifelong dissapointment will feel familiar and strangely comforting as they mature. Possibly effective strategy actually.

      • You can deflate a ball without popping it.

        • I'd either give them back deflated/popped balls

          Thanks.

  • +67

    Throw it back over rubbed in dog shite

    They will soon get the message

    • This.

    • +1

      Actually not a bad idea tbh LOL. except kids might not notice/care?

    • +2

      Om LOL

  • +12

    Another First World problem.

  • +3

    Talk to the parents?

    • Done multiple times, no effect, things back to usual within the minute of them getting the ball back… Have spoken to the parents when they came over for the ball… nodded, went back, start playing and drop ball again within the next 15 minutes.

  • +30

    We have dogs and our neighbour's boys kick the footy over the fence all the time.
    If I get sick of getting it for them I bring the dogs inside and crack the gate for them.
    They appreciate it and are always respectful to my wife and I.
    They do try not to kick it into our yard because our blue heeler shredded one of their balls once, but shit happens.
    Try to see it from their point of view, they're cooped up but have 10 times the energy you do.

    • +6

      Been happening for 6+ months now…covid19 or not.

        • +19

          Please read what I typed in my OP. It isn't about throwing the balls over..its about privacy, hurting my dogs or the kids injuring themselves or getting bitten by the dogs. They are jack russels, they won't think twice to chase and bite someone in my property. Once you jump in, there's no way of going back up because of the rose bushes and frames..so..you are now trapped in the backyard with two really pissed off jack russels. What's next? make sure my dogs are trained to not attack intruders?

          • +6

            @shadowarrior: They way I'd look at is, when they're teenagers, do you want to be remembered as the friendly neighbour who always threw their ball back?
            Or the whinging prick next door that was more concerned about complaining to their parents about your roses.

            • +11

              @giftcardinspector: Either you have comprehension issues or you only care about yourself. You care if the kids will like you more than the safety of the kids??
              Hi influencer!

                • -3

                  @giftcardinspector:

                  If you're so concerned about the kids' safety, why not make sure they're always locked up inside?
                  Or better yet, chained to their beds.

                  You're messed up.

                  There's ways to deal with this without them thinking you popped the ball intentionally, just need think a little, try that.

                  • @Ughhh: I completely agree and I never said anything like that.
                    You need to read a little better, try that.

                • +3

                  @giftcardinspector: Why should he have to change his way of life to cater for the neighbour's kids. You really have deluded sense of what is common sense.

                  Many dog owners have pet doors so they can go out to the yard to do their business as they please. So the OP now has to worry about other people's safety in his own backyard.

                  Some people are really crazy

                    • +1

                      @giftcardinspector:

                      So people have kids, so now the neighbours have to change their way of life because OP is worried about his dogs.
                      Some people really are selfish

                      Wtf, do you not hear yourself? Who's the one expecting others to compromise and accommodate others beyond their legal obligations again?
                      Welcome back Karen.

                    • +1

                      @giftcardinspector: OP should care about the neighbours kids but the neighbours shouldn’t care about OPs dogs?

                      Does your expectation of adapting to suburban life mean accommodating other humans or only the ones with kids?

                    • @giftcardinspector: Nothing selfish about maintaining your way of life inside your own property.

                      Somehow choosing to live in suburbia involves sharing your backyard with the next door kids against your wishes?

                      You really have a strange sense of right and wrong.

                      Not saying OP falls in this bracket, but unless this is news to you, some people can't stand kids and choose to not have any of their own. Why would people like this place neighbour's kids' entertainment over the safety and wellbeing or their own pet? Get real!

                    • +1

                      @giftcardinspector: What are you high on?

            • +2

              @giftcardinspector: What a strange comment?

              Who cares how the neighbours remember you?

              And in this case, I'm only whinging because the kids next door can't get the message and stop kicking their ball over my fence within striking range of my Jack Russells.

              • -5

                @tallkid123: I'm done with the thread.
                Read the comments.
                In my opinion, you're just miserable neighbours who have too much time to site around and bitch on the internet, rather than trying to compromise with some kids.
                I hope you get a big old bag of flaming dog shit on your doorstep one night

                • +1

                  @giftcardinspector: I hate my neighbours too.

                  I had to call the cops 3 times this morning to get one of them to turn his music off which he had playing until 4:30am.

                  The next time he plays music, I've already got my base and speakers set up to vibrate our shared wall.

                  Actually, your flaming dog shit idea is not bad at all. I'll use that too as I've got plenty of dog shit lying around which I can't find any use for.

  • +14

    Paint the kids faces on the balls and put them on spikes on the fence, like The Walking Dead.

  • +13

    simple get the ball and kick the shit out of it back to them clearing some more houses.

  • +1

    Would speak to the parents. Only because you have dogs etc and don't want them in your yard when you are absent. If anything happens, you can say you have warned them.

    • +2

      Yes. Op needs to write this in writing before anything happens and it'll be too late.

      You have to have warned the kids and the parents multiple of times. Verbally and in writing. This will protect you from legal issues if your dog bites them

      • +2

        All communications have been verbal so far. Can write it, but I'd need proof that I even wrote something. They might just throw the letter in the bin as soon as they receive it.

        • +3

          Keep a copy in your computer. Not a bad idea to keep a diary of when and what you did too.

          Seriously if your dog bites a kid, that's a bigger headache to deal with.

          Do the best in your part and the courts will see that it's the other party's fault.

          • +1

            @mbck: just get a warning sign saying dogs on site, and they love biting kids and ballsacks

  • +7

    Have you tried stamping your feet and throwing a wobbly?

    Just toss the ball back, Grinch.

    Of all the petty (fropanity) to get your knickers in a twist over.

    • I personally get riled up when people claim to use lots of browser tabs.

  • +7

    Don't be the grump old neighbour, just toss the balls back. Kids will be kids. Its no big deal.

    • +6

      The trespassing with dogs on the property is the problem, if a kid gets bit it would likely end up OP's problem, not really fair on OP or the dogs…

  • +7

    tell your dog to bite the ball

  • +2

    I fail to see the problem here kids will be kids. Tell them to be careful but in all honesty, it isn't hurting anyone. Just chuck the ball back over.

    • +9

      No problem, the kids are tresspassing, jumping dangerous fences, and there are dogs on the property. Seems all good

      I bet the kids parents dont give a shit until the dog bites one their ballsacks off.

      • Won't somebody think of the grandchildren.

  • +2

    Bring the kids over, introduce them to the dogs and show them how they can get their ball back without climbing over the fence and risking injury or damaging the fence.
    Used to have the same problem when i was a kid. Good to hear they are outside having fun and not staring at a screen.
    If the kids are total r-soles then it may require a different approach.

  • +6
    • Kids kick ball
    • Ball hits dogs
    • Dogs bite kids

    Ciiiircle of liiife

    • +1
      • Kids kick ball
      • Ball hits dogs
      • Dogs bite balls

      Ciiiircle of liiife

      FTFY… :)

  • +3

    Go over and teach them how to kick properly.

  • Wow…let's stop kids being kids right. Don't throw them back and they'll learn to be more careful, but expecting balls to never come over your house is crazy. They can pay damages to house or dog if one occurs but welcome to life. I'm sure as a kid you your brothers or sisters did the same.

    Tough living in a world where this is an issue.

    • +2

      I want to unequivocally agree… However, what happens when these kids trespass and get hurt by the dogs OR by some other means like when jumping the fence…

      Yes they may well be held liable, but can you guarantee that to be the case Always… OP may be trying to figure how to avoid such a situation happening….

      The suggestion about adding some bird netting may be the easier option OP….

      • +2

        I imagine the liability would fall on the kids (pardon the pun). The dogs are locked inside a confined space. The onus for the childs responsibility is on their parents to educate and discipline them.

        This said…I was frightfully scared of dogs as a kid and I still jumped into backyards with huge vicious dogs to get tennis balls. It was frikkin scary but we were aware of the risks, very careful and learned a lot about life and responsibility for this.

        If it's a case of liability then ask council or a free legal team. There's nothing stopping that same child coming around and opening up a gate that us shut and getting in that way either.

        I appreciate the query. I am of course no lawyer, but I'd be flabbergasted if a person could be sued because a child that jumped into someone else's property got attacked by a dog.

        This all said I don't agree with dog…or pet ownership. So that's got me stumped too. In this world of animal rights…how we still allow animals to be locked up…even the vegans have no issue with it. Maybe it's just me.

  • -3

    Being that there is clearly at least the “potential” for either one or both of the kids and also the dogs of getting injured or hurt no matter which side of the fence you sit on (Hell yeah! A Pun!) with OP’s dilemma that risk in itself takes priority over the fact that they are just kids, it’s unintentional, they’ve got limited options due to the current pandemic or otherwise. Although it might seem trivial to some I would considerate it having the foresight to prevent something far more serious which in this cotton wool world something like one of the kids returning home with some shit between there toes to which you find these normally non attentive parents suddenly become the most caring and concerned humans to have ever existed but now are mercilessly seeking some form of compensation whether it be for the sudden back injury sustained by Dad rushing his son to the shower or the carpet cleaning bill to cover cost of the tiny dog shit scented footprints stomped through the house, these potential headaches however unlikely or likely all start off “trivial”, then consider someone genuinely does somehow end up injured and that headache becomes far worse. I tend to find the easiest way to go about most sticky situations is as easy as asking yourself what trump would do, then do the opposite, for instance I’m sure he’d of appreciated a little extra foresight and the chance to of been more proactive in how he handled and mistakingly treated as trivial this little virus from “China” that he was warned was gaining some momentum, instead its now a pandemic that’s engulfing the US also affectionately known as The China Virus 😅
    Anyway no matter which way you address it if you base the core of whatever you decide to do around reducing or even eliminating the risk of the kiddies and also your pups getting hurt then whatever’s remaining afterwards comes down to however you perceive and chose to view it.
    Id probably suggest with the current rules and restrictions more strict on being outdoors at the moment than even those recently placed on Carole Baskin when it comes to being left alone with her current and/or any future husbands whilst around the meat grinder you could chose become part of the action by throwing the balls back and encouraging them to throw them back again… If not for fun or just something to do it’ll at least become something that you can not only monitor closer ultimately giving you a little more control over the situation but by participating and building a rapport with them you may even find due to the new enjoyment of neighbourhood volleyball they become more mindful in the future whilst playing by themselves and try to limit to ball going over the fence as frequently knowing you will be less inclined to play with them again (at least if they are intentionally doing it anyway) Worst case scenario is that at the very least you get some fresh air and assuming no ones gonna die whilst playing even an opportunity for some outdoor exorcise which at this time is definitely a luxury…

  • +12

    When I was a kid this was just a part of life. Neighbours didn't care. We didn't care. I would even go so far as to say this is Australian culture, if you grew up in the suburbs. I feel sorry for OP.

    Footy, tape ball cricket, swinging on the clothes line, jumping the neighbours fence to get your ball, automatic wickie, one hand one bounce, bull rush etc. etc. icons of the Aussie backyard.

    • +4

      the mission to get your ball without being spotted was half the fun, or watching your sibling have to go and get it because they hit it over

  • Enough is enough!

    Make sure the ball DISAPPEARS

    After all. kids love magic tricks

  • +2

    Let them play. At least they’re not sitting around looking at a screen all day. How much does it really hurt you, anyway?

    • probably an issue when they jump over and hurt themselves or breaks the fence.

  • I copped some pretty heavy criticism in my thread. Was trying to have a little fun, but everything got all ‘internetty’.

    They are kids, let them play. You’ve done what you can to talk to them and warned them about dogs biting etc. kids will learn pretty quick about retrieving the balls when the dogs aren’t around, or how to get out of the way when the dogs come come tearing around the corner ready to attack.

    Throw them back when it suits you, don’t specially go out and throw them back immediately. Make it a bit inconvenient, but don’t be a jerk. You don’t want to end up the neighbour the kids love to knock and run - or worse.

    Can attest that netting helps. I’ve put up netting on our fence line and it really helps, but still get a few going over. Kids don’t have the balm control to keep it down all the time.

    We have a couple of good neighbours who would throw the balls back and the kids would do anything to help them out. Pretty sure they won’t be helping the narky lady that collects the balls and snaps at them when she sees them.

  • +2

    Easy…put a hole in the ball!!!

  • +1

    Our neighbours eventually stopped throwing our balls back because we did it way too often as kids. Eventually we also grew tired of not climbing fences or sneaking through gates as well.

    But I feel it was different times back then, these days it seems like if a kid makes a mistake and gets hurt, the parents sue or make a big deal, even though the kid was at fault and the neighbour wasn’t. Where as I’m sure my parents would have been more “well, it’s your fault you jumped the fence. Lesson learned?”

    I share you fear with the dogs. Kid jumps fence, dog bites kid, parents complain, you lose your dog :(

  • -3

    Be a good neighbour and put a self closing gate in, that way the kids won't have to climb the fence.

    • +1

      "Once you jump in, there's no way of going back up because of the rose bushes and frames..so..you are now trapped in the backyard"
      So, they have never jumped in or they are still in the back yard?

  • +3

    Tell them that you will charge them $5 each time they claim the ball back.

  • +1

    Simple solution : Paint with rotten stinking rubbish, next time they come to collect the ball; they will learn their lesson and will be careful not to kick over fence OR ask their parents to get a net that stops the ball within their yard.

  • +1

    Life in Australia. Throw the ball back if you happen to notice it.
    I would suggest that you also ensure your dog knows the kids next door and is friendly to them like the dog would be to one of your friends or relatives. This should already be the case if you have had the dogs and same neighbours for a while. The dog will then not bite them, but would still protect your home from strangers.
    Be a good and friendly neighbour, you don't want to be known as the grouch next door, there is nothing good in that for you or your neighbours.

  • We get balls from both sides ( both rentals ). Never seen it as an issue. If I know which side it came from back it goes. Kids are kids. Our dogs love to make teeth marks on balls. We even received boomerangs etc. the dogs know how to have fun. Unclaimed balls go into the bin once the dogs have lost interest. I look at it as freebies from heaven!

  • There are fair points on both sides of this fence ;)

    Explain your concerns (roses, dogs, risk of injury) to them and the parents (at the same time), and that it happens too much. Be reasonable and ask if they can play in the park. If they keep kicking it over, build a fence extension and/or keep the balls.

    If it's been happening for 6 months, is this an issue now because you are home every day and notice it more?

  • Pop the ball, now just say it must have hit a rose thorn. ;)

  • We have the same issue. They always kick 3-4 balls over and one kid is always climbing over. We just hide the ball and throw it back once a month or when we feel like it. But I think the dad keeps buying the kids new ball…We keep throwing it back or just leaving it there. Weirdly enough I think the other neighbours are climbing over and poaching it because the kids keep asking for the ball but we don't have any…Or possibly his other siblings are kicking it over the 4 houses it's adjoined to but hasn't told him…

  • I get neighbor's Kids kicking balls into my yard all the time. I throw them back when I find them. no biggy. Sometimes my dog(labrador) gets to them before I could. Sometimes my daughter claims them as hers. Some balls are still on my pergola roof. I never found this to be an issue.

  • -1

    Piss on the ball and then throw it back. At least you'd have the satisfaction of knowing.

  • I mean, I remember as kids it used to happen mainly with cricket balls straight over the back fence.

    My parents made a rule that if it happened first time, go and ask. If it happened again, bad luck. Game over for the day.

    Only time I jumped the neighbors fence was when our young cat got stuck and couldn't work out (or didn't want to work out) how to get back over. Was missing for a few days and finally heard meowing which made me think to look over and there he was. Quickly jumped, grabbed the little bugger and jumped back.

  • I thought the idea was to pick up the ball and boot it as hard as you can in the opposite direction soaring over 2 or 3 of the other neighbour’s houses…

    Well that’s what happens on the field during high school.

  • Only legitimate option is to turn your whole backyard into one big trampoline. Then the ball will just keep on bouncing into the next backyard.

    Although every now and then you might have to go looking for your dogs…

  • Invite georgie boy over.

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