**Navigating Toxic Neighbors: Seeking Advice**

Hey everyone,

I recently moved into my dream home after enduring years of poor living conditions with my former landlord. However, I've found myself living under a couple that I suspect has some toxic traits, and I could really use some advice on how to navigate this situation.

After my landlady shared my number without my consent, the boyfriend upstairs started messaging me. Initially, he seemed friendly, but his tone quickly shifted to questioning about my cats I had in my WhatsApp photo, warning me on the day I moved in that I shouldn’t let them wander because his dog might bark at them.

This behavior raised immediate red flags for me. Instead of a genuine neighborly introduction, I felt more like I was being policed by a stranger. Things took a terrible turn when, just after New Year’s, I was attacked by their large dog in our shared hallway. The dog lunged at me, biting my arm hard, but thankfully, I was wearing a thick jumper. The girlfriend didn't seem concerned at all, even when I showed her the bite. I did follow protocol and had to report the incident to the police, leading to a hospital visit, but still, no acknowledgment or direct apology came from them until my landlady requested one.

The situation escalated as I insisted on ensuring the dog was muzzled after that incident and them leaving a lot of mess in the hallway and expecting me to clean it up which meant i had to set boundaries again . After several failed communications, I eventually had to confront the girlfriend, who appeared intimidated before saying she felt too uncomfortable about my behaviour to update me (Which is weird exuse because I wrote clearly to post a note.) and I've been only assertive but also emphatic in my communication. After I calmly reminded her that I felt uncomfortable when her dog bit me without an apology, she abruptly slammed the door on me. She did tell me that the dog is now finally muzzled which is all I wanted to know.

To make matters worse, I’ve just paid several months' rent, so moving out isn’t an option for me right now. I am also in the process of making a claim against them forthe bite. As part of my efforts to create distance, I’ve set clear boundaries with my landlady going forward and have blocked the couple on my phone.

I took the step to warn neighbors without mentioning names in the WhatsApp group chat about the dog bite, knowing that this couple was included. I felt it was necessary because I was concerned for the schoolchildren who pass by our area, with a dangerous dog around.

However, I can’t shake the feeling of guilt, even though I’ve been assertive throughout this situation. I worry that assertive women living alone can be misinterpreted as aggressive. It makes me question if I’ve been too harsh or if my concerns come off negatively.

At this point, I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to deal with these neighbors moving forward. Has anyone else dealt with similar situations? How can I ensure my safety and peace in my new home without escalating the tension? Any strategies or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!