Who is responsible for a plant that would poison a dog or even a human?

I have a pet parent that is concerned about a toxic plant that is in the neighbors yard but drops its leaves in their yard. It is dangerously toxic to dogs and even humans if they consume the leaves! It is an oleander. This pet parent is concerned about puppy eating the leaves. She keeps clearing her yard of these toxic leaves but, of course, the wind keeps sending them back.

Who is responsible for a plant that would poison a dog or even a human?
HELLO, I WOULD GO TO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND TELL THEM THAT THE PLANT IS TOXIC TO BOTH DOGS AND PEOPLE I WOULD THINK THE PEOPLE PROBABLY DO NOT NO.. HOPEFULLY
Reply:There really is not much you can do about poisonous plants in a neighbor's yard other than to figure out a way to prevent the leaves from getting in your yard and doing a yard search before letting your pups or kids out in the back yard.

There are many plants with pretty flowers that are toxic and legal to have in a yard.

If you have a chain link fence between the two yards, you might consider putting up a wooden fence or reinforcing the fence area where the bush is with a wire mesh that is too small for the leaves to come through or for the dogs or kids to reach through to get ahold of the leaves.
Reply:If it is dropping leaves into their yard, then the dog's owners have the right to ask the neighbour to at least trim that part of the tree.... I'm assuming the yard is fenced? If they explain to the neighbour the dangers that are involved for their pet, I would imagine that the neighbour wouldn't have a problem with it.



If the neighbour refuses to do anything, your friends should contact the SPCA for advice on what else can be done to protect their pet. Either way, it is still the owner's responsibility to ensure that they keep their pet safe... if that means cleaning the yard several times per day, then that is what needs to be done.
Reply:A good question for your local authorities. Also, can the pet parent ask the oleander owner to clean up the leaves?
Reply:well maybe u could ask them to remove it but u really can't do any thing cuz its their plant on their yard srry
Reply:Wow...that's a good question. I would say that if the plant is fully in the neighbor's yard and the wind is blowing them into the pet parent's yard once they have fallen, there is not much that can be done. I don't think there is any law or ordinance governing you to be responsible for where leaves blow.



The pet parent could ask them NICELY to remove the plant after explaining the problem. If they refuse, there is not much to be done except to watch their dog closely when it is outside.
Reply:I have Oleanders and I have dogs. It has never been a problem. My dogs would be more prone to picking up a stick and chew on it than picking up a small, single leaf.



I always have plenty that drop under the huge bushes in my back yard and I do not crawl into those bushes to clean them up. Big yard, lots of plants and trees, lawn, pool... there's plenty to keep them busy and all could be a risk to my dogs.

Supervision isn't difficult to provide one dog.



Correction:

A single leaf probably isn't going to kill the dog although it could make the dog ill.

I suggest you both read up on the oleander and familiarize yourself with the symptoms. Clippings (seems as if dogs always find the temptation to chew a branch) and dead leaves are the greatest risk. The green leaves are bitter and seldom eaten. The wilted clipping and dead leaves remain toxic, are platable and are readily consumed.



In the end it is the pet owners responsibility to keep the pup out of harms way. Right? That's what my contract states.



You wouldn't let young children play alone when there's a swimming pool. Don't let pup/dog play alone in yard if there's a risk of ingesting something toxic.
Reply:If the plant is hanging over her yard, she can cut it to the property line without asking the neighbor. She should ask her veterinarian for further advise.
Reply:For temporarily until you can get the tree removed you can make or buy something that can cover the tree. Not remove it, but cover it with a plant cover. Try to find a clear one to get sun to it and let it get some oxygen and have the neighbor water it every day. Hopefully this will work by not letting the leaves fly around.





This is kind of what it should look like. If not, then have something just covering the leaves.

http://www.pvcworkshop.com/TreeCover.jpg
Reply:It's not the neighbor's responsibility but if the woman has a good relationship with her neighbor, there's no reason why she can't bring it up. Maybe the neighbor would consider moving the plant farther from the property with the dog. That would be her choice though. It's the responsibility of the woman with the dog to make sure the dog is kept safe, not her neighbor.
Reply:If the neighbors tree has leaves hanging over their fence, then your pet parent should ask them to trim that part of their tree. If they refuse to trim it, then your pet parent has the right to trim the part hanging over their fence.