Duplex and dogs in backyard

[Courtney K Kromrie]

I share a side by side duplex with a family that owns 4 large dogs. I myself have two children (6&8 years old)

The family next to us lets there dogs outside to use the restroom or run around. My issue with this is that they do not go out and pickup after them regularly (maybe once a week) and they approach my children when we step outside our door. They are not aggressive but my six year old is scared of the large dogs getting right up in his face.

I feel like since it's a side by side duplex that we should be able to split the yard in half. I would only let my kids play on our half and they can keep their dogs on their half. The only issue is that the only way to do that is to have the landlord put a fence up (not going to happen) or to have the landlord ask them to put the dogs on leashes that are in the ground and have the leashes not be long enough to reach our side of the yard.

I hate that my children don't want to (and shouldn't have to) play around dog crap when they are wanting to play outside in the backyard that I pay rent for... 

We have lived in the rental for about a year and a half. My children only play in the front yard (less crap but still some) and never have stepped foot in the backyard because of the dogs. When we signed our lease we were not allowed to have any pets (I wanted a rental with no pets) 

I assumed that the renters next to us had the same rule. But they were there already when we moved in and I think our landlord used to allow pets in his rentals and that's why they are allowed to still have them.

I think a rambled a little but I think I included everything.

I feel like if I complain to the landlord he will either not done anything about it and try and push us out of his rental or he will ask the other family to chain them up and then that family will be pissed at us and still not chain up their dogs...

Not sure what to do. :(