Fear Thy Neighbor Gone to the Dogs – Surviving a Neighborhood Nightmare

Living next to a neighbor who's gone to the dogs can be a nightmare. You might experience noise disturbances, property damage, and even safety concerns.

The average American homeowner spends around $500 per year on noise-related issues, which can be a significant burden. This is especially true if the noise is caused by a neighbor's barking dog.

In some cases, the noise can be so severe that it leads to sleep deprivation and decreased quality of life. A study found that prolonged exposure to loud noises can increase stress levels and even lead to anxiety and depression.

On a similar theme: Neighbor Dog Bites

Dog attacks can happen to anyone, including neighbors. A pit bull in Lenoir, North Carolina, repeatedly roamed at large and injured the five- and six-year-old daughters of a neighbor in 2008.

The dog's owner, Roland Younce, was a disabled Vietnam veteran. Younce was sued by his neighbor for $1,910 to cover the medical bills of the injured daughters, but lost the case.

The reason for the lost case was that the daughters were on Younce's property when bitten. This highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's pets.

Monique Hansman, 53, was injured by a free-roaming bull mastiff named Roxy in 2020. Roxy was owned by neighbors Ronald and Sandra DelSerro, 82 and 78, respectively.

The attack was severe, with Monique Hansman describing it as "not just a simple bite." Roxy was notorious for being ill-behaved, which contributed to the severity of the attack.

A fresh viewpoint: Why Do Dogs Attack Other Dogs

In many neighborhoods, a sense of community has been eroded, leading to a breakdown in social bonds and a lack of trust among neighbors.

Crime rates have increased in some areas, with a 25% rise in reported incidents over the past five years.

The absence of community events and activities has contributed to this decline, leaving residents feeling disconnected and isolated.

A local park that once hosted community gatherings and children's playdates now lies empty and neglected, a symbol of the neighborhood's lost sense of community.

A fresh viewpoint: Why Do Dogs Attack When They Sense Fear

Studies have shown that neighborhoods with strong community ties have lower crime rates and improved mental health outcomes.

In one neighborhood, a resident-led initiative to establish a community garden has helped to foster connections among neighbors and improve the local environment.

However, not all neighborhoods are experiencing the same level of decline, and some are finding ways to rebuild and strengthen their community bonds.

A neighborhood watch program has been established in one area, with residents working together to monitor and improve safety in their community.

In some cases, victims of dog attacks have sought protection from the courts, but to no avail. Klonda Richey made approximately 13 calls to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center and at least 11 calls to the Animal Resource Center, seeking protection from the dogs who killed her in the months before her death.

The lack of accountability from the owners of aggressive dogs can be staggering. The wife of the owner in the case of Guy and Harper DelSerro fled to Pennsylvania, where they own multiple businesses and homes, leaving the victims to deal with the aftermath of the attack.

In the case of Klonda Richey, her neighbors' dogs were identified as "large-breed pit bulls, mastiffs, or Cane Corsos." These types of dogs are often associated with aggressive behavior, yet their owners may not take responsibility for their actions.

The family of Guy and Harper DelSerro has not received any apology or condolences from the owners of the aggressive dog that killed them. This lack of acknowledgment can be devastating for the families of victims.

Monique Hansman noted that the owners of the aggressive dog in the DelSerro case claim to be broke, yet they have a trust fund. This raises questions about their true financial situation and whether they are taking responsibility for their actions.

In the case of Klonda Richey, her neighbors' dogs killed her in her own home, despite her efforts to protect herself. She installed a fence and a security camera, and even sought a civil protection order, which was denied.

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The aftermath of a dog attack can be devastating for victims and their families. Behind every story of a fatal or disfiguring dog attack is a story of injustice that will be suffered by the victims and survivors for the rest of their lives even if the physical scars heal.

Victims often suffer from long-term physical and emotional trauma. The attacks occur because the dog owner acted with what courts of law describe as “depraved indifference toward human life.”

The physical scars may heal, but the emotional scars can last a lifetime. Depraved indifference toward human life can also extend to animal life, making the situation even more tragic.

For another approach, see: Other Dogs Attack My Dog

Monique Hansman and her family were forced to live in hiding due to harassment from the DelSerro family.

They hid from the DelSerros for months, constantly feeling like prisoners in their own home.

The harassment was so severe that Monique's family had to park their truck partially on the easement to avoid being seen by the DelSerros.

This was one of many incidents of harassment, with the DelSerros repeatedly calling the police to complain about minor issues.

The final straw came when Ronald DelSerro murdered Monique's husband and child over a $500 fine and a requirement to put up signs on the fence saying the dog was dangerous.

Monique Hansman and her surviving children are trying to rebuild their lives. The physical scars may heal, but the story of injustice will linger.

Behind every fatal or disfiguring dog attack is a story of injustice that will be suffered by the victims and survivors for the rest of their lives. This injustice often begins with a dog owner's "depraved indifference toward human life."

The depravity usually starts with acquiring a dog of a known dangerous breed and disposition. This sets the stage for a tragic outcome.

Allowing a dog to run amok, terrorizing neighbors and sometimes family, is a common precursor to a fatal or disfiguring attack. It's a sign of a deeper issue with the dog owner's behavior.

Monique Hansman and her children tried desperately to avoid becoming victims, but they were unable to get public officials to act promptly and decisively. This lack of action has left a lasting impact on their lives.

The controversy surrounding "Fear Thy Neighbor" has led to criticism from some who argue that the show's portrayal of dog owners is unfair and biased.

Some critics point out that the show often targets owners of smaller breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Poodles, as being more prone to aggression.

The show's focus on dog bites and attacks has also been criticized for being sensationalized and misleading, as not all dog bites result in serious injuries.

Some have argued that the show's emphasis on breed-specific legislation is misguided and ineffective in preventing dog bites.

Discover more: Bernese Mountain Dog Show

Monique Hansman put up a sign on her lawn to raise awareness about a murderer's estate profiting from their crimes. The sign explained that Ronald DelSerro, who murdered her husband and child, is selling his house for a significant profit.

Ronald DelSerro purchased the house for $125,000 and is selling it for $270,000. This substantial increase in value is a direct result of his heinous crimes.

The Hansman family has been represented by Trey Lytal, a partner at the West Palm Beach law firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, since July 22, 2020. However, years may elapse before their case goes to court or is settled with any sort of reparations.

Monique Hansman's sign on her lawn is just one example of her efforts to raise awareness about this issue. She has been expressing her frustration with how her family has been abandoned to grief and loss at least three times.

In the case of Klonda Richey, she made approximately 13 calls to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center and at least 11 calls to the Animal Resource Center seeking protection from the dogs who killed her.

The dogs' owner was denied a civil protection order, which left Richey feeling vulnerable to the aggressive animals.

Richey was so scared of the dogs that she installed a fence between the two houses and put up a security camera to monitor when the dogs were off leash.

The fact that Richey's pleas for help were ignored by authorities is a stark reminder of the need for accountability in animal control.

The Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center received Richey's calls, but it's unclear what action, if any, was taken to address her concerns.

Richey's tragic death highlights the importance of taking reports of aggressive animals seriously and taking swift action to protect victims.

Inferno of Hate is a prime example of how a situation can escalate into a nightmare. A man with severe health problems forms a friendship with an equally ill woman in his apartment complex, but things take a dark turn when her demands for help become overwhelming.

Her demands quickly become intolerable, and she turns her wrath on him. This is a stark reminder of how quickly a situation can go from bad to worse.

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