Our neighbors across the street have a 10 month-old black lab and a 10 year-old son. I am on a "Hello" basis with the parents. The boy is very disrespectful to his parents and they don't seem to have any control over him. He yells shockingly rude things to his parents when they are outside. It's the same with the dog - she always runs across the street to us and jumps on us with her muddy paws, and runs into our yard whenever she feels like it. The man told me she likes to chase cats, and the cats ought to stand up to the dog and "teach" her by scratching the dog and by not running away. The dog is sweet, doesn't hurt anything, just needs discipline.
Here's the problem. Yesterday, I saw the boy kick the dog in the ribs (the dog was lying down). Then he shook his finger at the dog and went inside.
I was in no position at the time to run outside and give the boy a stern lecture, which is what I would normally do. Now... what should I do? Tell the parents, knowing full well they have no control over the boy? Talk to the boy alone if I get a chance? What do you think I should do?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Here's the problem. Yesterday, I saw the boy kick the dog in the ribs (the dog was lying down). Then he shook his finger at the dog and went inside.
I was in no position at the time to run outside and give the boy a stern lecture, which is what I would normally do. Now... what should I do? Tell the parents, knowing full well they have no control over the boy? Talk to the boy alone if I get a chance? What do you think I should do?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.