If the gate wasn't there at all, how would public works crews get access to the electrical pole? My guess is that it would be through your yard or the the neighbors, but there would be a way.

In order to maintain as good a relationship with the new neighbors as possible, I'd go over again and let them know that you are planning on locking the gate, as unfortunately your dogs have escaped through the gate.

I would take the approach of telling them this as an FYI, not as if you are asking permission. I would not bring up their workmen or the question of who opened the gate and let the dogs out. Just smile politely and let them know that the gate will be locked shut from now on.

Do they even know the gate currently is a working gate? Would they know that it doesn't already have a lock on it? I might quietly lock it and deal with the reason why if they ever bring it up. Telling them about it before doing it might just open a can of worms, given how unreasonably they dealt with your reasonable request about the bright lights. Yikes! And if it turns out to be their fence, simply take off your lock. I think camlan's pleasant approach would be more effective with new neighbors who are invested in being neighborly.

I'm with peegee on this one - don't ask permission or even announce your intentions, just do it. Deal with it if/when your 'neighbors' (and I use that term loosely) bring it up. Sorry you seem to have lost in the god neighbor lottery this time around :-(

I think your first job is to determine who's fence/gate it is by lot line. AND, if it is in a public right of way for the electrical pole. All of this information should be recorded.

And, you might first try a zip tie.

Good luck.

because you said - "The people who used to own our home were good friends with our neighbors and when they decided to separate the yards with a chain link fence, they added a gate, so that their kids could come and go as they pleased. This gate is at the corner of our yard and is next to an electrical pole",

I would just put a lock on it and not say anything to the neighbors.

I'd just go ahead and quietly lock it also, but what sasafras quoted makes it sound like the fence belongs to the neighbors.

Thank you for the responses.

The gate in question isn't a "working" gate, as there is simply a latch between our houses.

I have no problem telling them I am blocking access and my dogs barking at them (we're talking a 14 yr old Yorkie with health issues and 12 yr old Yorkie/Chihuahua mix. We're not talking dogs that pose a threat.

Lock it and be done with it. And tell them their lights are bothering you and to get a dimmer bulb or you will shoot it out with a bb gun, LOL. I have no patience with jackhole neighbors