Frustrated man threatens to report inconsiderate neighbors to authorities, after refusing to secure their trash, causing returning bear visits that spill rotting garbage all over his front yard: 'They said I should move to another city if I don’t like it'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Sep 16, 2025 5:00 AM EDT

A 500-pound Black Bear roaming through your front yard may seem extremely frightening, but it isn't nearly as dangerous as an entitled neighbor. However, both make you want to stay indoors at all times. This patient neighbor is beginning to see red as he is met with a daily spread of trash across his front yard. After many failed attempts at suggesting his neighbors get a hook so that the bears stop returning and turning his yard into a scene out of the 2010 documentary, Wasteland, they tell him to take his suggestions and shove it…where the bears can't reach (cough, cough) 

So this fed-up neighbor decides that he can no longer let his kindness be taken for weakness and decides to file a complaint against the uncompromising couple…Maybe that'll force them to purchase some hooks for their trash cans, after realizing that they are not only endangering their neighbors, but encouraging risky behavior for the bear…

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  • Some people are so covered in entitlement that they begin mimicking the smell of this man’s front yard…rotten and unpleasant. So before you decide to make your neighbor’s life complicated, sit and think about what they are requesting, and if it doesn’t add any additional stress to your life, and it helps protect wildlife, we don’t see a problem in helping out. 

  • 01
    "I finally snapped after coming home and having my entire driveway reek"
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for refusing to “just deal with it” after my neighbors keep letting bears drag trash into my yard?

    I live in a neighborhood that's known for black bear sightings. The whole neighborhood knows the deal, you have to secure your trash.
    via velvetsun23
  • 03
    Or a bear will come digging in it. My nextdoor neighbors refuse to do that. They keep their trash cans on the side of their house.
    via velvetsun23
  • 04
    Which is directly next to my property line. Almost every week, the bear knocks their bins over, drags garbage into my yard, and makes the whole area smell.
    via velvetsun23
  • 05
    Like rotting food. They attempt to pick it up now, but the liquids and smell always stay behind. I have already brought this up to them several times, fairly nicely,
    via velvetsun23
  • 06
    Asking if they can handle their trash. I even offered a cheap solution they could use, a $10 strap from Amazon that would keep the cans secure, but they ignored it.
    via velvetsun23
  • 07
    This week, I finally snapped after coming home and having my entire driveway reek of rotting trash as soon as I opened my car door. I wrote them a firm message saying if this continued,
    via velvetsun23
  • 08
    I'd file a complaint with the authorities. Their response was basically saying I should just "get used to it" because we live near bears, and that I should move to another city if I don't like it.
    via velvetsun23
  • 09
    Also, the cities they suggested still literally have bears there. They said there's no law requiring them to secure their trash and that they "don't want to deal with hooks on a daily basis."
    via velvetsun23
  • 10
    For the record, I've never reported anyone before, and I'd prefer not to have neighbor drama, but I'm tired of cleaning up their mess and having my yard smell like literal rotting garbage.
    via velvetsun23
  • 11
    I looked it up, and apparently the county actually does have an ordinance encouraging trash to be secured in bear prone areas. AITA for threatening/reporting them instead of just dealing with it?
    via velvetsun23
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10554316544
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    Bubbly Chicken_9358 "AITA for threatening/reporting them instead of just dealing with it?" But you tried to deal with it. You offered them options. You tried talking to them. They would apparently rather pick up trash and risk training a bear that their house is the place to find dinner than deal with hooks.
    via velvetsun23
  • 14
    At this point, reporting them is the right thing to do, if only for the bear's sake. Keeping bears out of trash is as much for the bear as it is for the humans.
    via velvetsun23
  • 15
    socaligirl-66 NTA. It's also unkind to the bear for them to get used to eating human food. Puts them at risk of being captured in home areas that they could potentially hurt themselves in. They're literally attracting the bears almost intentionally to both of your homes. I'm sorry for them and you.
    via velvetsun23
  • 16
    kindlypogmothoin You need to build a fence that will contain the garbage, and therefore the bears, on their side of the property line.
    via velvetsun23
  • 17
    clkinsyd NTA - anyone that lives near bears knows you don't leave trash out. It's not good for the bears! It gets them accustomed to people too, which brings them into more conflict with people. You need to report them for your own good. as well as the bears.
    via velvetsun23
  • 18
    Paconianphysics I also live in a bear prone area. There's an ordinance that residents take basic responsible action to prevent bears getting into the trash. It's a pitiful fine. Best thing you can do is put up a fence. Good fences make neighbors and all that. Another fun one is a motion activated sprinkler.
    via velvetsun23
  • 19
    Next best thing is document the occurrences and then notify the city. This usually falls under nuisance laws as well.
    via velvetsun23
  • 20
    Fast Philosophy_5308 NTA. You asked them to secure their garbage cans. They've refused, even though there's a county ordinance for it. Having said that, I would proceed without any expectations for change.
    via velvetsun23
  • 21
    Large S ologist_587 NTA. You've been quite accommodating thus far. There comes a point where things need to be handled, sounds like you're past that point now. File the complaint with the city and see what happens.
    via velvetsun23
  • 22
    CupOk5687 NTA. You've tried to be a good neighbor, and their dismissive attitude proves you're not the problem here.
    via velvetsun23
  • 23
    Esmer Tina Report them to whom? If there is someone to report them to, why would you be an AH for reporting them? They are attracting bears.
    via velvetsun23
  • 24
    lastunicorn76 Report them yesterday!
    via velvetsun23

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neighbors compromise neighbor-nightmare returning trash bear-season bears authorities hooks non-negotiable horrible-neighbors unfair messy trashcan food front yard difficult people dangerous
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