This is the s**thole of a house that sits 20 feet behind my home. And yes, those are raccoons, just some of the myriad wildlife occupying the house. Cute, aren’t they? And possibly carrying rabies, which is rampant in Western North Carolina.

This house is now an environmental health hazard (that’s lead paint flaking off of it into my yard), a fire hazard (for obvious reasons) and a wildlife habitat.

We’ve talked to the guy who owns the house about all this and more. Hell, we’ve offered to buy the house (as have others). The guy is, ironically, a respected businessman. But, clearly, something is way off. One of the neighbors says that if he sells the s**thole, half the money goes to his ex-wife, which is why he doesn’t want to sell.

In the mean time, I don’t allow my kids to venture behind our home because of the dangers. It sucks, really.

I’ve talked to a city home inspector and read the housing code on-line. I’ve talked to the county animal control unit. No one wants to do anything. The city wants a complaint signed by at least five neighbors. Then they might come take a look. Last time I called animal control, they came by and left a note on the guy’s door. Then nothing happened. I don’t want the house condemned, because then the city will just board it up and leave it. But I’m tired of asking the owner to fix stuff, and then having nothing change. I’m tired.

UPDATE: Writing this got me fired up, so I called the city housing complaints office. Again. They promised to send an inspector out today. I told them that I want follow-up, dammit. Now I’m mad.