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A Florida neighbourhood dispute over dog poop allegedly spiralled into a bizarre confrontation involving thrown feces, a physical fight and a child’s metal scooter. Trey Decloedt, 35, was arrested by Lake County Sheriff’s deputies on August 8 after an altercation with his neighbour in Leesburg, Florida, according to reports citing the arrest affidavit.
The dispute reportedly began after repeated complaints about dog feces being left around the properties without being cleaned up. Police say Decloedt entered his neighbour’s home carrying dog feces and threw it at him before the two men fought outside. He is also accused of raising a child’s scooter in a threatening manner during the confrontation. Decloedt disputes parts of the account and says the neighbour shoved him first.
Florida man’s dispute with neighbour began over dog poop
According to the reported arrest affidavit and body-camera footage, Decloedt had been involved in an ongoing disagreement with his neighbour over dog feces allegedly being left around the properties. Decloedt told deputies that he had complained to the neighbour’s wife about the mess and that she promised it would be cleaned up. However, he claimed that around four hours later, the dog poop was still there. The dispute eventually escalated, with Decloedt confronting his neighbour about the waste.
The neighbour gave deputies a different account of what happened next. According to the reported affidavit, Decloedt allegedly entered the neighbour’s home without permission while carrying dog feces. He allegedly threw the waste at the homeowner and struck him with it. The homeowner then pushed Decloedt back outside, according to his account. Decloedt disputed this version and told deputies that the neighbour had contacted him and asked him to come over to discuss the dog poop dispute.
The argument reportedly turned into a physical fight
The confrontation continued outside the residence and allegedly became physical. The neighbour told deputies that Decloedt punched him in the face during the altercation. Deputies later reported seeing a red mark on the neighbour’s forehead, while animal feces was also found outside the home. Decloedt maintained that the neighbour had shoved him first and claimed he had also suffered injuries during the scuffle.
The situation allegedly escalated further when Decloedt picked up a child’s metal scooter. According to the reported police account, he raised the scooter above his head in a menacing posture and threatened the neighbour with it. Available reports do not establish that he actually struck the neighbour with the scooter. The alleged threat nevertheless became part of the circumstances surrounding the criminal case.
Decloedt gave deputies a different version of events
Decloedt reportedly told deputies that he and the neighbour had previously been friends and had an understanding that allowed them to enter each other’s homes without knocking. He claimed the neighbour had invited him over to discuss the dog poop dispute. The neighbour reportedly provided deputies with a recording showing that he had previously told Decloedt he was no longer welcome on his property or inside his home because of the ongoing dispute.When deputies asked to enter Decloedt’s home to photograph injuries he claimed to have suffered during the fight, he reportedly refused. He also allegedly declined orders to come outside. Deputies eventually placed him in handcuffs and took him for questioning. After being advised of his rights, Decloedt agreed to speak with investigators and continued to maintain his version of the incident.
He faces multiple criminal charges
Decloedt was arrested on August 8 following the confrontation the previous day.
Reports differ slightly over the precise description of the charges. The New York Post reported aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, simple battery and burglary, while Law&Crime described the case as involving aggravated battery, burglary involving assault or battery and simple battery. The differences mean the charges should be attributed to the respective reports rather than presented as an uncontested list.Decloedt reportedly posted a $16,000 bond on August 9 and was released from custody. His next court appearance was reported to be scheduled for August 31, 2026. The case remains pending, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court. Decloedt has disputed key parts of the neighbour’s account and told deputies that he was invited to the property and that the neighbour shoved him first.
The bizarre neighbour dispute now heads to court
What reportedly began as a disagreement over unscooped dog poop escalated into allegations involving trespassing, a physical fight, thrown animal waste and a threat with a child’s scooter. The competing accounts will now be addressed through the legal process. Deputies documented a mark on the neighbour’s forehead and animal feces at the scene, while Decloedt continues to dispute key allegations made against him.
