neighbor called police bc i have dogs and he has a 3 yr old daughter-

I agree, but.....
 
The OP goes off and leaves her large dogs outside alone and unattended.  This man was living there for who knows how many years probably peacefully enjoying life.  Then someone moves in with THREE large dogs, leaves them out when she goes away and his CHILD is *may be* in danger.  I know how I would react as a parent.  I would NOT be a happy camper.
 
And gosh darn it, why CAN'T the little girl play in her sandbox in her safe and secure back yard without Dad being in constant attendance?  No reason he or mom HAS to be out there every single second.  Yes, children need to be supervised, but, as parents we also like to create SAFE zones where they can be kids without us breathing down their necks every second.  If Dad has to pee, shouldn't his child be safe while he runs in and does it?  Should she HAVE to come in for the 3 minutes it takes dad to walk to the bathroom and relieve himself?
 
Honestly, I like most dogs better than I like most kids, but I see the dads concerns here.

Wow, what a discussion!!
I want to just add one thing, dogs CAN and DO jump fences,,,even high ones so the neighbor has every reason to be leary (although, why not be nice and talk to your neighbor instead of threatening???)    And gee, as the owner of the dogs, you don't want them getting out and hurting anyone or themselves anymore than the neighbor wants his child hurt.   
 I had a neighbor that had pitbulls and the female Sarah could jump the 6 ft fence from a standing position. Bubblegums breeder told me that she can jump well over 7 ft from a standing positing, and I saw her do it while on a leash, so I could never leave her behind a fence.  I walk Bubblegum all the time, many neighbors have fenced in yards with their dogs in them, and if they are barking at us while we go by, I'm very nervous until I get completely by.  You know, some of these dogs behind the fences might be the sweetest dogs in the world, but when they are behind that fence they seem to protect..
Mickeyboo I'm glad that you are taking the responsibility for your dogs, and I hope that you and your neighbor can come to a peaceful ending here, because it really sucks to live next to a neighbor that is looking for trouble,,,especially when you have dogs,,because unfortunately trouble is easy to find.

Dyan is absolutely right...dogs can and DO jump fences.  Sheba very easily clears the 5 foot fence from a standstill, and I have no doubt she could just as easily do a six foot wooden one.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Should she HAVE to come in for the 3 minutes it takes dad to walk to the bathroom and relieve himself?

 
Three minutes is a loooong time. More than enough time for a child to walk over and stick their hand through a hole in the fence, which is why - if the fence is shared - both parties should work together to make it as safe and secure as it can possibly be. That doesn't sound possible in this case, so if neither party is willing or able to take on the responsibility of replacing the fence themselves, than the dogs and/or the kid should probably be supervised all the time. The kid can't be outside ALL the time, so it would probably be easier just to put the dogs up when she is. Of course, since Mickey said there has been another layer put up, it may not be an issue anymore.

When I had my first dog before he died, who is the brother of my dog now, I would let both of them brother and sister play out in the backyard. Both of them being German Sheps, they were always after eachother but in a playing way. The only time they got mean would be when one of them by mistake hurt the other then they would bark. This stupid annoying lady would yell at me every single time I let the dogs out. This was when I was younger - she had a big problem with it. She even confronted my father about it, all nice and all. Then she confronted my calling my father a lier and etc. What was worse was that she was saying they were mean to eachother - and this was because she came up right to my fence. I had to hold both of them on different arms back because they just did not like her for some reason. And she though they wanted to hurt eachother, she was not that much there.

I never saw the problem, I could let those two go outside and they would keep eachother entertained for hours on end. They loved going outside and playing, and espeically being that one of them lived in PA with my sister they took the time they had and used it wisely.

The lady still turns on her light when I let my dog out, if she says anything these days I really have no respect for her. I would just walk away.

Yep, Kelly, you are right that the fence seems to be a mutual responsibility, and it sounds like the dad is being a total jerk, but, I'm thinking that he has some genuine concern for his child and probably isn't thrilled that he CAN'T go in to pee without taking his child.  And, remember, the OP is NOT home when the dogs are out so can't bring them in when the child goes out.[:@]

Glenda, again I agree with you.  The parent should have the ability to go inside for a few minutes and let the kid outside alone without having to worry about her.  But the OP does say that one dog is tied up and the other isn't near the fence.  Granted, you are right, some dogs can and do jump fences (without their owners knowing or wanting to know that they do), but others don't.  I don't think we know the full story but it does seem like the fence is shared and that the father isn't being as helpful as he should be for such a worried parent.  If it were my kid and I was that worried about it, I'd be right there with hammer, nails and boards in hand to help the neighbor get the fence fixed properly.  I don't think that either parties, dog owner or parent should be relying on the other to take responsiblity for what is their own responsibility. 

i think whoever said to ask the neighbor for help putting the fence up was right on.  if you re nice about it and show that you understand his concerns and are willing to remedy the problem he would probably be glad to help you, and maybe start to like you.  it would be a great way to break the ice and get things rolling in the direction for a better relationship with your neighbor.

Hi

maybe you could reinforce the part of the fence that faces his property with a chin link fence. Just
one section on his side but keeping the original fence. It would maybe shut him up until the child grows
up enough.
Pam

If this were me, I would try to be as proactive as possible, like what was mentioned before.  Reinforce or replace or double up on the fencing.  (Regardless of ownership) If cost is a factor, could you plant shrubs there to keep a barrier between dogs and three yr old fingers? That would look nice and also help alleviate the problem.  Also, I would document (just in case you need it later) everything said and done with dates, times, words, etc.  Nothing wrong with asking a sheriff to come out and talk with you both, to mediate. Also, keep ducks in a row, shots and licenses current!  Are you friends with the people on the other side of you?  Make friends with them, and find out if there is ANY way possible for these new friends to actually call you at work if the dogs were to bark for any amount of time.  This way you would know very accurately if and when they bark.  Lastly, leave lots of desireble activities in the yard while you are gone (like stuffed or frozen kongs and the like) to help keep pups busy.   Also, if you and the protective daddy are calm enough offer to bring over one kid friendly dog to meet the child.  You never know, it might help.  I hope this works out with a happy ending for you Mickyboo.  Jules