City Living or Farmyard?

Dear Abby,

I am at a complete loss about what to do regarding my neighbor. She is an older, unmarried lady, and while I try to be respectful, her property situation is starting to affect my own quality of life. I have a privacy fence, which usually gives me some peace, but on windy days or during the hot summer months, I can smell a strong odor of dog waste coming from her yard.

I can’t really see over the fence, but I did notice a small gap that allowed me a peek, and I was shocked to see multiple dogs roaming around, with waste scattered all over the lawn. When I walk past her house, I also notice several different cats sitting in her windows. It’s clear she has far more pets than most city ordinances allow.

I live in the city, where there is a set limit on how many pets a household can have, and I’m worried that this situation might eventually affect the value of my own property. I don’t understand why people in a city need so many pets it seems like something meant for a farm, not a city lot. I’ve tried to mind my own business, but the smell and the sight of this neglect make it increasingly hard to ignore.

I don’t want to cause conflict, but I also don’t want this to continue affecting my home and my neighborhood. How should I handle this without creating unnecessary tension?

Sincerely,
Harriet L. Caldwell
Ohio