Neighborly Harassment

Two weeks ago, the neighbor behind us screamed at my girlfriend as she was monitoring out dogs while they were out to potty.

She accused my girlfriend and I of beating/whipping our dogs with a bull whip. This is entirely untrue. In the same fit, the neighbor stated she "had video" of us beating our dogs with the whip. This can't ve true, as we do not beat or strike our dogs with anything. We do not abuse them.

The bull whip is used as a deterrent for their dogs' barking and charging of the fence. Their dog is out around the clock. When we let our dogs outside, their dog immediately charges the fence and kicks off a frenzy of barking and aggression of the dogs on each side of the fence.

When this happens, we have to take our dogs in immediately and they don't get to potty.

Using the whip prevents their dog from charging the fence and starting the barking fiasco about 90% of the time.

This is all we use the whip for - we literally walk on the back porch popping it lightly as a deterrent.

I feel the neighbors violated our privacy and made egregious accusations. They claim to have deleted the recording. It's important to note the neighbor's property is on a lot that's about 4.5ft higher than ours. Their windows have a view of our property from that elevated surface. Though a wood privacy fence is present, they apparently look through the slats at us often.

I've got approval from my HOA to raise the height of my privacy fence and add a canvas privacy screen.

My partner and I no longer feel that our privacy is secure and we feel like we're constantly being watched by these neighbors.

Today animal control and the police department showed up at my door to ask me about a whip being used on my dogs - the complaint was made Tuesday of this week. They left, having been satisfied the dogs are healthy and happy. My partner and I feel harassed at this point.

Is there anything I can do?