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@#^*# Neighbor

January 21st, 2014 at 07:38 pm

The neighbor that threatened to call animal control is at it again! I am so mad, I could spit bullets.

Now he has stopped at my parents house. (I have no idea how he knows us, or who they are.)

Apparently he came to MY house today while I was at work. He claims that there were no foot prints to my horse pen, so I haven't watered or fed him today.

Then he went INSIDE my barn and said there were sharp things in there that is unsafe for a horse. He also looked and snooped around and said I had no grain, so I am obviously starving my horse!

#1 There are no footprint because it is 30 mile an hour wind outside, and there is snow on the ground. Of course they would blow over. The water is frozen because it is 14 degrees outside.

#2 I DO NOT WANT people coming to my house when I am not home, and snooping through my stuff.

#3 No duh the barn is not safe for horses. That is why he is not in the barn!!! He has his own shelter.

#4 I have over 200 pounds of grain in there. And even if I did not, since when is it a crime to not feed a horse grain. (He gets hay 24/7 which is all he needs.)

He says if something does not change today he is calling animal control. I just do not understand. I am sitting here bawling. I do not think he has a case, but what if they come and decide he is right and I get in trouble or they take away my horse.

I want to call the police, but I do not want to start anything.

I will be stopping at walmart and getting a no trespassing sign on my way home. I do not think it will help though.

He needs to mind his own business. I know dozen of horses, with NO shelter. Why is he picking me on, when I have a shelter, and obviously well cared for animals. The only reason he even knows is because my house is out in the open and visible to everyone.

My parents are going to come help try to figure something out. But I am scared to put my horse in the barn again. He hates it, and he hurts himself.

24 Responses to “@#^*# Neighbor”

  1. Another Reader Says:
    1390333769

    This is actually a very common problem. People that don't understand horses call Animal Control all the time. They call and say horses are blindfolded (fly masks). Or the horses are dead (lying down to sleep). The ACO's here laugh about the complaints they get from the "Green Acres" people.

    Call Animal Control yourself. Explain to the ACO what is going on and that the neighbor came on to your property without permission and went into your barn. Tell them what arrangements you have for your livestock and invite them out to see for themselves. Then when the nosy, uneducated neighbor tells you they are going to call animal control, tell them to please do that so the ACO can explain proper horse care to THEM.

  2. laura Says:
    1390333880


    If he has already called animal control once (not sure if he did or didn't), then I would call them and let them know of the situation (what precautions you have taken, etc.) Also I would document the living conditions (date stamped preferable). And I would get the No Trespassing signs, as well.

  3. Regichka Says:
    1390334318

    Can you call police for coming in your house without you? That's call trespassing.

  4. Another Reader Says:
    1390334628

    The LAST thing Animal Control wants to do is confiscate a horse. They probably already have their hands full with abandonment and real abuse cases. Out here, the shelters get them when they are dumped out on back roads because the owners don't want to pay for hay at $18 a bale and up. The County shelter here used to see three or four horses a year. Now they usually have one or two a month at the shelter.

    Do make sure the horse has access to liquid water in the cold weather. That is something that could be a problem for you, as well as the horse.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1390335105

    ((Hugs)) Yes, I would call animal control yourself to get it cleared up. From what you say you are not in the wrong....keep reminding yourself of this. For all you know the neighbor has done this to others. He's a bully!

    And yes, maybe the police need to be called for trespassing. You might consider getting a video system if it become a real problem!

  6. klarose Says:
    1390336237

    I am worried to call animal control. I know my animals are in good health.
    But around here they don't handle big animals much.

    What if they think my pen is dirty, or my horse is sick because he is old and his coat is shaggy. They are not very educated, so I would be afraid they would not make wise decisions either. Frown
    He did not call them last time. But I am tired of constantly worrying that my neighbor is going to be coming to my house and snooping, and deciding if he feels that my animals are properly taken care of. I have had horses for close to a decade now. I think I know what I am doing.

  7. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1390336752

    I'm imagining a huge piece of plywood white on both sides for high visibility and painted in huge red letters, "NO TRESPASSING. THIS MEANS YOU, ED BINZNERGLE! The double sided sign is set up roadside so that everyone passing in both directions will get the message that Ed Binznergle is a trespasser.

  8. klarose Says:
    1390337309

    That is funny Joan! I was totally thinking of doing that. It would cheer me up a little at least. But I do not think my husband would like that idea.

    I can not wait until this winter is over. I am stressed about the pipes refreezing too. I have too much on my plate.

    I wish there is someway I could put up a big wall so my neighbor could not see what goes on at my house. But alas I can not. It is too big of a piece of property.

    I just feel like my privacy has been violated. I feel spied on creeped out.

  9. ceejay74 Says:
    1390337315

    I am so sorry. That sounds stressful as hell, with no easy answers. You want to get him off your back without turning him into an out-and-out enemy. I hope your parents can help you weigh the options and decide what to do next.

  10. Another Reader Says:
    1390339363

    If you live in a rural area, the ACO will have seen much worse than an old horse with food, water, and shelter available. If they see something they don't like, then make whatever change they want. That way, Animal Control will politely tell the neighbor that the conditions on your property are just fine.

    Can you padlock your barn? I would certainly do that, if it is possible. Maybe in the spring you can plant a screen of fast growing shrubs and trees between you and the neighbor. Out of sight, out of mind....

  11. klarose Says:
    1390339906

    I talked to my horse mentor. She raises and trains horses for a business, and she is who I bought my first horse from all those years ago. She said my horse is fine. She also said that she has personally called the ACO before on starving horses, and they did absolutely nothing about it, and there was a real case there. So she says not to stress about it. If they come out, explain the situation and how uncomfortable he is making me, and they will understand.

    I am still worried. I feel like a horrible animal owner. Frown But at the same time, I do not think I am in the wrong.

    I can not plant bushes to block my house. The neighbors house is not even within eye sight of me. He just drives down the road I guess every day and looks, and/or comes up my driveway and gets out and looks.

    Padlocking the barn is not an option either sadly. It is a big slide door barn like they use for parking tractors. It does not even latch. You just push it open.

    But your right. Changes are going to have to be made. My guard dog needs to grow up. lol

  12. LuckyRobin Says:
    1390340097

    Your neighbor has already started something. I'd file a complaint with the police over the trespassing. Then if he continues his antics, get a restraining order or an order of protection against him. He is harassing you for no valid reason, frightening you, spying on you (stalking) and may actually end up injuring your animal through his ignorance of animal husbandry. If he violates the order he can face civil and criminal charges.

  13. baselle Says:
    1390340735

    I have to second Another Reader here - your neighbor is a bully with strange city-dweller expectations about what its like to live next to a farm and he has figured out that your big handle that he can yank on is your horse. Even if its nerveracking, I'd call Animal Control first. Most of them, especially in a rural area, would raise horses also and understand the conditions. If your horse is visited by the large animal vet, he can be a good objective voice. Next time he comes, explain the situation. If the vet says that he doesn't see any issues it will give you confidence. Also, I am 99.999% sure that even if Animal Control does see something, they would give you a warning first. Not take your horse away first. Everybody is strapped and no one would have the resources to take on a neighbor dispute.

  14. rob62521 Says:
    1390341632

    Your neighbor is a big bother. I agree. Call animal control and be proactive. Then ask animal control to explain to Mr. Nosy that everything is OK. And, somehow you need to get across that he should not be on your property, if for no other reason, that you would be liable if he fell and hurt himself and could lie there quite awhile before you get home from work.

  15. LuckyRobin Says:
    1390344502

    And he could lie there for a while AFTER you get home, too.

  16. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1390349386

    I'm with the others - I would call AC and explain the situation. Have it on record with them that this guy is a bit of a loose cannon. I'd also call the police and report him for breaking and entering as well as trespassing - how did he get into your house? I think the more paper trail you have with the local authorities on this guy, the better. He needs to learn really quickly that his behavior is totally and completely unacceptable.

  17. Another Reader Says:
    1390350772

    Is the property fenced along the road? If so, install a gate across the driveway. Padlock it so no one can get on the property when you are not there. Yes, that's expensive and a pain in the neck to open and close, but it sets a clear boundary.

  18. ThriftoRama Says:
    1390354431

    Um yeah, no matter what it's not legal for him to come onto your property without your permission. Do your parents know who this is? You might want to have the police warn him about trespassing.

  19. Looking Forward Says:
    1390361450

    I agree with all the others.. call animal control and call the sheriff's department to report the trespass.
    I love the idea of the large painted sign!
    I do think you need to do something so your livestock water isn't frozen.

  20. klarose Says:
    1390405319

    Looking Forward I live in a VERY rural area. There are hundreds of cattle in my county. There is no way to get heated water out to all these pastures and farms. Water freezes, that is just how it is. They are watered before I leave, when I get home, and before bed. Most times he does not even drink, but I do offer heated water to all my animals from the house.

    But besides that, horses are very intelligent. He has a big trough, and it is only frozen on top. He actually knows how to put his foot in there and press down, which breaks the ice and he can reach the water underneath. So he is never without water.

    I bet cows do the same thing. It is quite amazing. Smile

  21. Looking Forward Says:
    1390421420

    I understand. Smile

  22. wisewoman Says:
    1390445230

    I would definitely alert the police, animal control and advise him you have done so. If he trespasses again, I would call the police and possibly file a stalking complaint. He's obviously got too much time on his hands.

    Good luck!

  23. kashi Says:
    1390681136

    Call the police! Trespassing is illegal and he should not get away with it. You should feel safe in your own home and on your own property.

  24. Mrs.M180 Says:
    1390868492

    I'm siding with the majority here; his actions are threatening and warrant police involvement. If *you're* worried about your horse then take some precautions (a blanket, a small submersible heater for the water trough, etc) but don't let this guy bully you!

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