Woman forced to call animal control when neighbor's exotic pets, a tegu lizard, sugar gliders, and a small snake, repeatedly escape into her yard, despite many warnings after failed promises for better enclosures: 'I’m done running a surprise petting zoo'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 5, 2025 8:00 AM EST

Imagine waking up one Sunday morning, pouring yourself a deliciously piping-hot cup of coffee to sip from your front porch, but as you're about to take a seat on your favorite porch swing, your sat feet-to-face with a stranger, who's already marked their territory. However, it's not just any stranger, but a giant Tegu lizard…'Tod is out again', you scream to your irresponsible neighbor with a huff! 

This neighbor is fed up with running 'a surprise petting zoo' (minus the 'petting' part) because these animals resemble nothing about pets and everything about exotic wild animals! Living beside a lady who owns a giant lizard, sugar gliders, and a small snake has its complications…The fact is, this woman could deal with knowing about what exists next door, but she definitely didn't sign up for daily surprise interactions with these creatures! 

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  • The problem is that her 'pets' keep escaping into surrounding neighbors' yards, and after many failed promises to invest in proper enclosures, this neighbor is done with feeling as though both she and her dogs are at risk! So after the most recent visit, with her young niece present, her patience wears thin. If her neighbor was not going to listen to her, maybe animal control could get the message acrossl!?

  • 01
    Woman freaking out in her front yard.
    via billionphotos

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

  • 02

    AITA for calling animal control on my neighbor’s exotic-pet collection after multiple escapes into my yard despite repeated warnings?

    So my next-door neighbor collects exotic-but-legal animals. think a tegu lizard, a pair of sugar gliders, and a small snake she swears is super chill.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 03
    At first I thought it was quirky and honestly pretty cool, until the great escapes started.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 04
    The tegu slipped under our shared fence twice, I found a glider clinging to my screen door at midnight, and the snake turned up coiled behind the paint cans in my garage while my dog went nuts.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 05
    Each time I texted, helped corral the animal, and suggested real fixes: secondary latches, escape-proof feeding routines, and a check on enclosure gaps.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 06
    She always apologized and promised upgrades on order, then went right back to propping doors open and carrying enclosures outside to air things out.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 07
    Woman holding a giant snake.
    via Kali withcamera

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

  • 08
    Last week my niece came over to play and we had to pause the backyard because the lizard was sunning on my patio chair, again.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 09
    I told my neighbor, clearly, that the next escape meant I'd call animal control because I'm done running a surprise petting zoo and managing my dog around unplanned wildlife encounters.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 10
    Two days later the snake was back in my garage. I documented it and called. When your hobby spills into other people's space yo should think twice continuing your hobby, my guests and dog did not consent to surprise contact, and repeated escapes put the animals at risk too, cars, predators, panic.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 11
    I gave friendly warnings, offered practical fixes, and only escalated after the pattern didn't change. Calling the appropriate agency to enforce basic standards protects the pets, the neighbors, and, frankly, the owner from a worse outcome.
    via PurpleDerry077
  • 12
    Dog chasing little girl running with a ball.
    via przemyslawiciak

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

  • 13
    AppleKitty01 NTA. You gave them multiple chances and clear warnings. At that point, calling animal control wasn't petty, it was responsible.
    via AppleKitty01
  • 14
    Unfair Feedback_2531 Not good for the animals either. Dangerous.
    via Unfair_Feedback_2531
  • 15
    Chilling_Storm NTA they aren't doing right by the pets and are endangering them and the public. The pets deserve to be with responsible owners. Slight yta for waiting so long
    via Chilling_Storm
  • 16
    RedReaper666YT NTA - you were far more patient than I would've been. I would have called Animal Control the very first time one of those exotics appeared in my yard
    via RedReaper666YT
  • 17
    SquareRootBeer1 NTA. Your safety matters. I was in a similar situation where my neighbor's dog kept running on to my property towards me and the delivery drivers that would come by every so often. One of them didn't even wanna get out of his car because of the dog. I tried talking to her about it numerous times and each time it fell on deaf ears. So, when it happened again, I called the police and the humane society. And that was the last time it happened. So again, NTA. You gotta do what you go
    via SquareRootBeer1
  • 18
    Neither-Investment95 NTA. Not only is it dangerous to you and your pets, it is dangerous to the animals. themselves. If the neighbour can't look after them or house correctly and safely, then she shouldn't have them.
    via Neither-Investment95
  • 19
    two golden retrievers lying on the grass.
    via afloimages

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

  • 20
    Spinnerofyarn NTA. It's a form of animal neglect because those animals might not have the good fortune of someone being able to stop the dog before it hurts them. Or a cat could get one of them and of course there's the risk of being hit by a car. Not to mention that if they aren't caught and found in a timely manner, they could starve, especially the sugar glider. I would imagine those animals also should be in a temperature controlled environment. Once is an accident. Twice is a bad mistake. T
    via Spinnerofyarn
  • 21
    maverick1973wayfarer She sounds like a terrible pet owner! Save the exotics, contact the SPCA for advice. Animal control might just kill them.
    via maverick1973wayfarer
  • 22
    ShoeSoggy9123 NTA but AC will probably not do anything about it. Nor will the neighbor. I'd tell them the next time it happens you're gonna have it up on FB Marketplace or Craigslist 'Free to Good Home'
    via ShoeSoggy9123
  • 23
    SuperPetty-2305 No, you are way more understanding than I am. The first time a lizard was in my yard, I'd be calling animal control.
    via SuperPetty-2305
  • 24
    Areyoulam Call the association of those kind of pet owners. Not only will they come get the animal but will put it in rescue to a better home.
    via Areyoulam
  • 25
    Creepy_Addict ΝΤΑ As someone who has exotic pets, the "escapes" are unacceptable. Tegus can be dangerous; at the second unwanted visit, I would've called. Snakes should be in a secure enclosure, locked if they are large snakes. Sugar Gliders are small and can be eaten buy any numerous animals. They shouldn't. be able to leave the house.
    via Creepy_Addict

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neighbors pets neighborhood askreddit neighborhood-drama animal control neighborhood-stories horrible-neighbors entitled animals bed-neighbors entitled people exotic-pets
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