Description

My neighbor at 801 Halsey (I believe that is their address. They are directly on the corner of Halsey and Russel Avenues) has not mowed their backyard in the year and 8 months that I have lived at my address and they have a privacy fence. Last summer I fought a flea and mosquito infestation all summer, losing revenue and sleep to no avail. Since that time, I have had to chase opossums that hiss at me out of my yard and they run right back into the neighbors yard through the large hole in the back of their fence that is connected with my yard. I have also had to deal with the foul odor of skunks that live in their yard as well. This summer it's worse. The fleas and mosquitoes are attacking me and my dogs ten times worse. My body is covered in infectious bite wounds and I itch constantly as well as my animals. I have even had my most recent puppy get sick and die (August 17, 2014, she passed) within a matter of 48 hours after showing first symptoms and having been a vet assistant for a year at The Animal Care Clinic on South Parkway, I wasn't even able to diagnose in time. I have missed work due to this, losing revenue while having to spend so much already. It's easily costing me $200 to $300 a month to treat this problem...again to no avail. The privacy fence apparently prevents the city from forcing them to mow their back area (weeds and grass have grown past the top of the fence ). I was also informed that the privacy fence is too high for it's location, blocking safe exit from our alley access and they are suppose to correct or remove the fence. I'm mentally, physically, emotionally, and monetarily exhausted. Please, is there any way you can help me? I just want them to mow their backyard like responsible home owners with neighbors so close. I want to be able to go out into my yard and walk my dogs without risking bites from bugs that transmit serious diseases.

I have bombed, sprayed, powdered, treated, and kept clean my home and my animals on a daily basis to combat this. It's exhausting while holding down a full time job. Our across the street neighbors have even offered to mow their lawn for absolutely free and they have refused except for this one single time they let him mow their front yard area. When he asked to do the backyard, they adamantly refused. I have contacted my landlady and I have also contacted Community Development today concerning this and am waiting to hear back from them. I do plan on contacting the EPA to see what they may be able to do about this since mosquitoes are known to carry serious diseases. I have bathed my dogs and searched them from head to toe finding not one single flea after treating the house and just as soon as I take them out back for a walk, they are immediately covered up again and in pain and agony themselves. I have one poor dog that is hypersensitive like I am and he just sits there and cries and shakes in misery...........as do I. We mow our grass weekly without fail as do our other neighbors. I have tried numerous times to knock on their door and politely ask them to mow their grass properly but nobody ever answers. I just don't know what else to do. I'm desperate. Last summer I simply stayed in the house and was not bit with this ferocity. This summer, however, it's devastating. I wake up every day with new welts on my body which I have had to spend a healthy chunk of money on treating myself as well as my house and animals and I stay in the house even more now but there is no escape. I have taken pictures, through the slats in the fence, of their yard and I have taken what pictures I can of my body where these bites are but cannot reach some of the more infected areas such as my entire back. I'm having to take Benedryl which leaves me drowsy and unable to drive so when it's time to go to work, I have to just endure the welts and itching and the Benedryl isn't fully effective. I simply do not want to get bit one day and end up with a serious disease or even dead all because these people refuse to mow their backyard. Please help me. Please. Yes, I'm crying as I end this message to you. It's destroying my home life and it's devastating my poor animals.