Neighbors who are abusive to their spouses and\or children, if they have no pets themselves, will often choose to abuse the pets of their neighbors. In my experience this is particularly true if the abuser knows how important those pets are as part of the family. If the neighboring pet owner doesn't see or hear this abuse first hand there are "behaviours" to watch for just as there are in children. Your dog will appear fearful and will be hesitant to go out the door of the house which is nearest to the door where the abuser enters and exits their home. Even while in the house, your dog will turn their head toward the abuser's house, alert and bark very agressively or "worry whine" as I call it. We know that our dogs hear much more than we can, even through building walls and closed windows. The abuser delights in teasing your dog when it is out exercising in your yard, particularly after dark during the last outing for the night. The abuser may hide and then purposefully use objects or shake\pound the fence to cause the dog to run toward the fence, barking agressively.Then the abuser will be sure to inform you the following day that your dog is vicious and dangerous.My point is that pet guardians should pay attention to their surroundings which includes occupants and\or families in neighboring homes. It is about power and control. The abuser knows that while on their own property, the dog owner cannot complain or report their behaviour to anyone if they expect consequences. Since a dog cannot protect itself from verbal and emotional abuse or "mind games", it is up to us, the guardians of the dogs to make sure they are protected as much as is humanly possible. I must not leave the dog alone outside, even for a short time if I know the abuser is at home. I must be very vigilant for food scraps being tossed over the fence. Take care to notice anything that is new, something that you didn't see in a certain spot before that the dog may pick up and injure themselves. Be creative with visual barriers and secure fencing. Document,document,document including pictures if you find something which may be significant. Establish a police presence. I called and asked for a visit from a member to discuss an issue. He told me exactly what I needed to do, in order for them to take any action.I didn't wait for a member to knock on my door when I was completely unprepared. Lastly, as I have done and continue to do, if the neighboring family includes children you can pray that at the end of each school year(coming up on my fourth)that if your neighbor is a renter, they will move on, choose to buy or get evicted for disturbing the public, or because the house is being sold. In the meantime, stay close to your dog, giving the clear message that you are aware of what is happening and that you are not going anywhere anytime soon. Once you take your own power back, the abuser is forced to take some down time to come up with some other hideous plan to establish their perceived position of power and control. Remember these abusers are sick, be proactive when it comes to your own safety. And the dance of good and evil goes on and on....................