Unless you actually record him committing a theft or sabotage of your property, you're not likely going to get any satisfaction from the law with a possible exception of a Tresspass after Warning (assuming you also put up the signs). Same goes for the dogs, if your state/county/municipality has any 'dangerous breed' laws. If they exhibit any aggressive behavior at all on your property, put 'em down and bury the bodies. You have a tractor, the last part is easy. Don't give 'em the chance to be dangerous, and make sure no one can prove you did anything. Mail the collars back to him via general post with no return address from a downtown mailbox as a courtesy to let him know not to keep looking for them. I love dogs too, but I have ZERO patience for an aggressive large dog, especially where kids or gentle animals are involved. Aggressive little dogs (under 50 pounds) typically learn manners very quickly if they mess with me. A rolled up newspaper isn't going to do much to deter a 150 pound pittie, though. That normally requires a rolled up 9mm. 10 times out of 9, the only purpose of having aggressive pit bulls is to guard something that is probably not on the up and up. Check the leash laws in your county/municipality. If restraints are required, he's clearly in violation, and the sheriff shouldn't need a warrant if he 'sees' the animals roaming or if a complaint is filed. If you make a complaint, make sure you don't get named in it. Then the sheriff can coincidently discover whatever other violations are going on and involve other agencies as needed. If your friend wants, there's NOTHING that stops him from looking into anything that looks suspicious. He may not be able to search, but loose dogs typically don't have to be searched for, especially if they're being aggressive with him while he's just making a 'neighborly visit' to the newcomers.
As far as your security cameras are concerned, whatever they capture has to be on your property if you are going to file a complaint and use the video as evidence. At least that's the way it works in Alabama. Unless subpoenaed for possible coincident video content because of your camera location, NOTHING recorded on his property with your recording device is admissible for prosecution. In fact, recording anything on his property is invasion of privacy, and can turn something around on you pretty quick. Make sure whatever you record is on your property. My neighbor recorded a coyote standing in front of my shop (in my back yard). It was pretty cool to see and good information, but my first question ("Why are you looking in my back yard?") drew a VERY quick apology from him as well as an immediate adjustment of the camera. It's very serious business to record someone else's activities on their own property, however well intended. Law Enforcement is required to get warrants for such. Don't foul up your standing with LEO's or make their job harder (because it'll tip off the butthead next door that he's being watched). Do what you can to get eyes on, but if you show any recorded evidence from any property but your own, you just might create bigger problems for yourself than what you're reporting. Oh yeah, don't forget to turn your cameras off if you have to handle the aggressive pit bull situation the way they normally have to be handled.
As far as your security cameras are concerned, whatever they capture has to be on your property if you are going to file a complaint and use the video as evidence. At least that's the way it works in Alabama. Unless subpoenaed for possible coincident video content because of your camera location, NOTHING recorded on his property with your recording device is admissible for prosecution. In fact, recording anything on his property is invasion of privacy, and can turn something around on you pretty quick. Make sure whatever you record is on your property. My neighbor recorded a coyote standing in front of my shop (in my back yard). It was pretty cool to see and good information, but my first question ("Why are you looking in my back yard?") drew a VERY quick apology from him as well as an immediate adjustment of the camera. It's very serious business to record someone else's activities on their own property, however well intended. Law Enforcement is required to get warrants for such. Don't foul up your standing with LEO's or make their job harder (because it'll tip off the butthead next door that he's being watched). Do what you can to get eyes on, but if you show any recorded evidence from any property but your own, you just might create bigger problems for yourself than what you're reporting. Oh yeah, don't forget to turn your cameras off if you have to handle the aggressive pit bull situation the way they normally have to be handled.
