False Accusations of Dog Loose

[mejawh]

My question involves defamation in the state of: We live in a private property modular home community. It used to be only available to buyers but when the owner was going broke he opened it to renters. We have been here six years and have had no complaints about our dogs, my boxer in particular. I went outside one day and a guy came up to me and started yelling about my dog being out at 2am and chasing his wife down the street. My boxer gets kenneled inside at night and when we are not home. I was in bed that night and so was my dog. I told him he was mistaken and that I can assure him my dog was inside at the time of the incident. Two days later I received a letter from the community office stating that my "pit bull" was running lose and vicious dogs are not allowed in the community. Next time they see my dog they will have it taken away. I called them and stated they are wrong and i can guarantee my dogs were inside at the time. She was very sarcastic in saying "oh, then I guess there's another boxer in the neighborhood that looks JUSt like yours". I said guess so, but it wasn't mine. Then two days later I received another letter with the same content. A day after that, the guy's wife jumps out of her car and starts snapping her fingers at my mom saying she better go get her dog that's loose and starts pointing down the street. My mom assured her my dog's were inside at that very moment and that wasn't our dog. The lady kept yelling and saying it was too our dog and we need to control it. So I went to the community office to complain about this harrasment and false accusations since they were tenants of the office. I have never seen these people before and did not know who they were but the office did. I told her that they were harassing me and told her the situation. She said, "Oh your the one who's dog's running lose around the neighborhood! You need to control that dog or we will take it away!" I told her it wasn't my dog and that was my complaint. She continued to be sarastic and rude saying she didn't believe me and that she sides with the other people. This is a frustrating situation. I have never had any complaints about my dog and these people believe someone who's been here a week. In my eyes this is slander and defamation. The office doesn't believe me because these neighbors keep telling them it is my dog. What can I do or is there even anything I can do?

[seniorjudge]

Q: What can I do or is there even anything I can do?

A: Keep your dog inside 100% of the time except for potty breaks and then make sure it is on a leash.

[Scruit]

Idea 1:
Put a bright red collar on your dog that can be seen from a distance. Have them take a good picture of the 'loose' dog the next time they see it out. Given them a disposable camera if you must. Then you can show them a picture of your dog. If their pictures are clearly of a different dog then...? Even if the neighbors don't accept that, the supposedly 'impartial' community office should accept that they are pictures of two different dogs.

Idea 2:
Tell them to call the police or the dog warden next time the see the dog out. Have the dog carted off. When they show up at your door grinning because 'your' dog has been taken away you can say; "Here's MY dog."

Idea 3:
Tell them next time they see the dog outside their house they should throw beet juice (or some other non-toxic non-harmful food-grade coloring that will grow out) on it then come get you right away (quicker than you could wash it off). When they come running to you saying; "I just threw dye on your dog!" then you can show them your un-dyed dog.