Woman bans neighborhood kids from her home after several scares of her dog running away, she warns them with an admonition: "Actions have consequences"

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 17, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Welcome back people of the internet. When I was a kid, playing outside with the neighborhood kids was something I did every single day. Back then, you didn't have to necessarily make friends in school or somewhere else. All you had to do was go outside and other kids would be there to hang out. The exciting thing about the neighborhood kids was the fact that they were of all different ages. Some were a few years older than you, some many years older than you, some younger. You got to be exposed to different kinds of people, and I think to this day, that fluidity about meeting people is still ingrained in me. 
 

It can be difficult to be a parent with neighborhood kids coming over. You don't really know their parents, but you're still obligated to take care of them. In the story below, the protagonist is overwhelmed with the neighborhood kids coming over. Read the full story below.

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  • 01

    AITAH for banning neighbor kids from my house after repeatedly leaving the door open allowing my dog to escape?

    Cheezburger Image 10530141696
    via Ivan Babydov from Pexels / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My son has friends that come over all the time. I have reminded these kids to make sure they shut the doors so my dog doesn't get out. My dog has gotten out four
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187

  • It's definitely within her rights to tell these kids they're not welcome in her home if they can't be responsible enough to not let her dog escape. It's terrifying to wonder if you've just lost a precious pet, and no one needs that kind of pressure on them. 

  • 03
    times now because of these kids leaving the door open and it's always been difficult to get her back in. She's still young and doesn't mind very well (we are working on training but she
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 04
    hasn't done very well with it. She's an active dog and has not done well with recall). Just recently a neighbor's dog went
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 05
    missing because it got scared of fireworks and took off. Unfortunately the dog has not been found 10 days later. Last
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10530142720
    via TheSuitcaseStudio from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    night the kids came over and my dog got out again and it took awhile to get her back. When we finally got her back the kids were still at my house and I told them
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 08
    they can't come back over. I explained that I have told them multiple times to shut the door when they come in and they continue to not do so and I am
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 09
    not going to lose my dog over it. Maybe I over reacted but I was scared my dog would have the same fate as the neighbor dog.
    via u/Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 10
    rasalscan 16h ago • NTA. Actions have consequences and you shouldn't lose you dog over their inattention.
    via u/rasalscan
  • 11
    FlirtyHoneybun • 16h ago Not the ah le at all. Look, I get that kids forget things, but when it comes to pet safety, there's no room for
    via u/FlirtyHoneybun
  • 12
    "oops." I've had to have the same conversation with my nephew about our front gate. After the third time explaining why it matters, I
    via u/FlirtyHoneybun
  • 13
    started making him practice opening and closing it properly. If they can't respect something that
    via u/FlirtyHoneybun
  • 14
    basic in your home, they don't deserve the privilege of being there.
    via u/FlirtyHoneybun
  • 15
    Old_Celebration3... • 16h ago NTA. tbh it sounds like you've been more than patient, four times is a pattern, not an accident,
    via u/Old_Celebration3536
  • 16
    your don's safety has to come first, even if that means setting firmer boundaries with the kids
    via u/Old_Celebration3536
  • 17
    Cheezburger Image 10530143232
    via Wirestock from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    • AcanthocephalaO... 16h ago. NTA I'd have done the same thing. They aren't listening, and now you need to act.
    via u/AcanthocephalaOne285
  • 19
    Honestly, I'm surprised that after 4 escapes, you still have a dog.
    via u/AcanthocephalaOne285
  • 20
    BeachinLife1 • 16h ago NTA. If they can't do one simple thing (do they not have doors at home?) and shut the door, then they can't come back. It's that simple.
    via u/BeachinLife1
  • 21
    And besides, if either the AC or the heat is on, I'm not cooling/heating the neighborhood!
    via u/BeachinLife1
  • 22
    Prime_fem⚫ 16h ago You didn't overreact at all. Your dog's safety has to come first, and if the kids can't respect such a simple rule after multiple
    via u/Prime_fem
  • 23
    reminders, then banning them was the right call. Hopefully this teaches them some responsibility too. NTA
    via u/Prime_fem

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