| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| iamacountrygirl |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 06:47:32 AM
Does anyone have close neighbors? I'm at wits end here.
My neighbor's grown daughter and her family moved in with him. The little girl wants a horse, and they're getting pushy about my horse. I've let the 2 kids over to pet him, that's fine, but they don't wait til I'm out there. They're getting persistant about trying to feed him, and go right up to the fence, even when told not to feed him please and stay back from the fence, as it has an electric wire. As persistant as they are, I wonder what they do when I'm not home. Not that I think they would intentionally hurt him, I don't, but the girl has scared him to where he bucked and ran. She would probably get hurt, and I would be liable. Not to mention if my horse got out or hurt I would be crushed! I've had him 14 years.
I've tried talking nicely, I've tried yelling 'get away from the fence', they may walk away that time but will do it again. And the woman's husband starting mowing my lawn last week...when caught he stopped, but geez. My Mom (80)told me she called my neighbor and informed the daughter where the property line was, even though they know where it is, and was yelled at in return. I was at work. A fence would solve that, but I can't afford it right now. If I had a husband it would probably help, but unfortunately I don't. Seriously, how do you get people to respect your property?
Some of my best friends are horses and dogs.
http://www.small-business-accounting-info.com |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| happydaze |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 5:14:12 PM
Our yard sign says" Big Dog on duty " no admission of biting or such. We subtly let our dogs jump and bark at strangers by taking our time calling them away . |
| Karrieann |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 12:10:31 PM
...when you send a letter, have it sent with a return receipt with signature... that way, you KNOW that they signed for it and GOT it..... keep all those paper trail!
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 11:40:07 AM
Your all correct - I have posted every legal libility sign for each specied of animal. I have contacted the local police to make them aware of continual issues as to lay the ground work in case there is trouble. I wrote both a personal letter from me followed by a legal letter written by my attorney. I don't know about CA but here if you are tresspassing most of the folks would shout you first before they would have to worry about their dogs. I am not one to go that far unless you are out to hurt me or my animals and a warning does not work. Here they state that if you have posted that your business and property is protected by guard animals then you have given legal warning which removes liability for trespassing... Again, check your books and also consult your local police... We had several years back folks stealing animals right out of pastures close to their houses. Police did not good but my local red necks sure may short work of them - two folks where shot - they hit their legs so they did not die and no charges for those protecting their lives and stock. Not saying shot folks.
We get folks here who even on Christmas Day think we are a place to kill a couple of hours before going to grandma's house. When I ask them what would give them the idea that it would be O.K. to just show up on a Holiday to pet my animals when I do not allow that any other day of the year - (I am organic and run a close farm) they had the nerve to say "Well why else would you have these animals if not for others to pet"? WOW, can you believe that?? It might be fun if it where not this happens alot. Folks are just nuts....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| amomfly |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 11:18:12 AM
I agree with Teresa and Grace. First call local law and animal control. Then send the letter. Then get the "no liability" and no tresspassing signs. All of these combined should stop them and protect you in case something does happen.
Good luck.
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 10:35:34 AM
I second the don't use beware of dogs or guard dogs on duty signs, here in California, it would be the same as saying your dogs will bite, and knowingly owning a dog that will bite, you are in legal trouble and your dog will be euthanized.
I had a woman try and sue me when she climbed into my pasture to take a picture of my cows and calves, she got her foot "fly stamped" on, and then said I had dangerous animals that people could get hurt by, and she wanted them destroyed and a whole bunch of money, thankfully the judge saw it for what it was, and thru it out.
Kathy, I would involve the local law and animal reg, cause you need to put this on the books, so if any of those people get hurt, it is already known that they were warned not to trespass, plus with the law telling them to stay away and out of your pasture, they will listen...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| iamacountrygirl |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 09:45:53 AM
I was thinking about posting several 'No Trespassing' and 'Don't feed the horse' signs along that side of the fence. I have seen the no liability signs too. I try to be nice but I think my tolerance is gone. The letter may be a good idea, maybe something legal sounding would make them take notice.
Grace, bless your heart. I too can be scary, intimidating I've been told...not sure why though... I'm just getting worn, you know? Tired of dealing with this all the time. If you wouldn't mind sharing, did you put any legaleze in your letter, or just plainly say, hey don't do this anymore? If you'd rather not say, that's ok. btw my brother had a Grt Pyr - sweetest dog I've ever known, besides my shephard/chow that is!
Thanks for the support and ideas!
Some of my best friends are horses and dogs.
http://www.small-business-accounting-info.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 08:45:25 AM
The only thing I would add is ber careful of the "Warning Guard Dog" signs because in some areas that is admission that you have a dog that bites and if a dog does bite- even nip- most courts won't give them a second chance because "You were aware of the problem."
I would also post the "No Liability" signs. I believe all states recognize equine activities as dangerous and don't place the liability on the owner- but rather on the participant
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 08:20:38 AM
Oh I feel your pain. When I purchased my farm I placed my fence two feet in from the property line so my animals would be left alone (organic and all) but even after many conversations with folks they still feel like if there are animals they should be allowed to do things like - strangers from the road, stop their car, climb my big wire fences to come in the pastures to pet the llams (mine are gurds so they will kick your a**) or pick up my little lambs and goat kids.. So what my lawyer told me is this - post signs everywhere saying no trespassing, Warning guard dogs (I have three Great Pry's) and then inform your neighbors in writting and keep a copy. Have it registered mail so they have to sign. Then if anything happens they are the one's who will be liable... Also, in the letter speel out that it is for the best interest not only for them but for your animals. Also, inform them that you might be forced into legal action if they can't respect proptery line. I know this sounds horrible but so is having a ill or dead animal... It sickens me that folks just can not have common sense and good manners... I hope things will settle down for you - by the way I do not have a husband and as my sons would say - Mom is much more scary then any man - also my background is in law so sometimes that is the only way folks get it....
Be Well and Blessings.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| Annab |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 08:02:13 AM
You might also want to explain what colic is too...if the people don't know.
Relay that this can be very costly and life threatening, so any "extras" food wise will require you to be there and verbal permission. |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 07:59:24 AM
Do you have any kind of home owner's insurance? That would take care of any injuries and keeps you from getting sued.
These people sure as heck aren't respecting your property or livestock.
I'd give a few more warnings then politely say that if they can't respect your wishes, you'll up the ampage on the fence. This will keep the horse further away when he sadly gets popped and might serve as a warning to the neighbors too. sounds mean, but when people get pushy, you sometimes have to fall back on more in you face approaches.
And next time you need to clean out a stall, call the little girl over and have her clean a stall first before riding. Maybe a few times of this might sour her as to the upkeep
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| Ingrid |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 07:49:42 AM
Not sure. I have a neighbour who was redoing her back yard (septic system) and asked to take the fence down until she was done. That was eight months ago. Now her dogs do their business in my yard all the time so now my dogs who were trained to go in one place only now do the territory thing and do their business where hers go. Have talked till blue in the face but now we know we have to re-fence at our expense. Can you put up signs that say electric fence or something like that or put yellow caution tape around the area. Sorry I don't have any useful suggestions sometimes neighbours are not so neighbourly.
Give thanks to yourself everyday for all the wonderful things you do! |
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