How does one deal with the neighbor's noisy dogs that are occasionally even loose in the area?

I live on a long driveway that is shared by six houses. The neighbors opposite me are college aged, and they have 3 dogs. When the people are gone, the dogs bark continuously. When the dogs are left indoors, they bark. When they are chained in the yard, they bark and whine. It’s incessant.

Today, one of the dogs was out and off any leash. I left my porch to go to the mailbox at the road, and the dog chased me and growled viciously. I had to back up to my porch without getting my mail.

I called the police and animal control. The policeman who came was very helpful and went to the neighbor’s house where no one was home. He told me that when the dog threatened me, I should bend over and make like I was picking up something to throw at it. I later did this, and the dog did indeed retreat. Still, I should not have to resort to such actions to walk on my own lawn and driveway.

The animal control officer came and cited the residents, who still were not home, for leaving a dog loose without a leash on it. They are not allowed to take a dog that is at the place where it belongs at the time they see it.

I rent my house and called the owner who knows well the problems caused by the tenants of the other house. She promised to call the landlord of that house and have action taken. This is not the first offense.

Is there anything I can do on my own to alleviate the situation?

Have you dealt with animal control problems with neighbors?