I live in a terraced house with a shared entrace, when we brought the house we made it more secure around the back by putting up a higher gate ( as our dogs would have jumped over the one that was already there as it was only a small 3ft high ).
However we come back to the shared entrance, our house is what is known as a flying freehold we own the ceiling to the entrance because of the 3rd bedroom to our house is built over it ( hence our ceiling ) next door own the floor to that entrance, so we both have to give each other right of way.
However we no longer get on with next door because of his son that lives there, hes no boy hes around 40ish.  Because when we moved there we errected a gate for that entrance with next doors permission, to keep the houses and gardens secure, more importantly to keep our daughter in ( she was a born messer and forever opening the back gate when a toddler and walking down the entrance, the fact was we live on a busy road ) anyway the fall out was over the son wedging the gate on the entrance open on a permanent basis, we did point out that IF he didnt want us putting the gate up he should have mentioned it when we asked for their permission to do so. An arguement broke out and my husband removed the gate from the entrance.
Anyway since then he has permantley been locking their dog out there is no gate or fencing around their property it is all open around the back, when i walk my dogs i bring them up the entrance if it is wet outside, to save me wlking them through the front of the house, makes more sense to me to do so.  However since the argument over the gate i have no been able to as their dog is always outside, shes also gone to nip my daughter on more than one occasion which does worry me slightly.  I have tried to raise this issue by talking to the people next door but they wont agree to letting their dog in so shes permantley locked outside with acsess to their garden and the entrance, whch we can no longer use.
Is there anything that we can do about this, i fear getting the dog warden involved incase he takes their dog away?  But i fear that may be the only option we have as shes out all the time on the loose.  Any advice please other than calling the dog warden?

If the dog has gone for people ie, nipping, growling, genrally causing a nuiciance she could be siezed by the dog warden, futher more she is on the loose in a public place, how are you not to know she isnt a danger to anyone?  Other than calling the dog warden or the police i fail to see what more you could do?  What if she was to bite your child or anyone else around you?  I think you should be obligated the call the dog warden to keep people AND the poor dog safe its in your own intrests to do so.  If your nieghbours cannot let their own dog in to ensure it is not roaming around, they shouldnt and dont deserve to have a dog in the first place.

Yeah i have to agree,i feel sorry for the dog in this case :( But calling the dog warden will cause more animosity between you,can you be sure they wouldnt hurt your dogs in revenge??? There dosnt sound like there is anything you can do,your hubby should have stood his ground and kept the gate up,cant he erect it again??

I would call the dog warden, especially as its getting colder as each day passes. Does the dog have shelter, fresh clean water, fed daily ? With the garden not being secure its only a matter of time before he runs out into the road and causes an accident or worse. Its your duty to protect this innocent animal from the cruelty of his owners. We rescued a lovely X breed a year and a half ago and he was badly mistreated. We dont know excatly what happened to him but im glad he escaped so we could give him the loving home he needs/deserves. Too many animals suffer everyone needs to help where they can.