This person lives about 1/4 mile from me, but in my neighborhood. This summer she complained about my chickens to the HOA. The HOA rules say that no one can keep poultry "for commercial purposes"; and the board had previously ruled in my favor. I knew I was golden, but still had to deal this the management company, who called animal control. Animal control was cool, my chickens were legal (as I knew) and well kept. Dealing with the management company was hell, and my complaints got them fired from their position.
When the board met, they informed the complainer that I was legal, and that to change the rules 2/3 of the homeowners in the HOA would have to approve the change. I also told her I was within the legal limits of the city.
To even find out which house had chickens, she had to search. From the front of the home there is no way to tell which house on the cul de sac has chickens. She must have heard my rooster. I do have about ten feet of the run on the road that is outside the neighborhood limits. This area has a 6 foot privacy fence. For the complaint with the homeowners she either climbed the fence or took a picture through it. My chickens cannot be seen from the road.
Fast forward 6 months...I find a note from animal control to call them. I do, she says some one complained that they saw "buzzards in my yard eating dead chickens". Animal control said everything looked fine to them, and I went to the city to find out who complained. It turns out it is the same person, now lying to law enforcement. The chickens cannot be seen from outside my yard without coming onto my property or touching my fence.
She is also starting a petition drive to change the HOA rules, which is well within her rights. She is also a newly elected board member, so I will probably be attending all board meetings now.
My question is when does this cross over to harassment, and when do I take action? And if I take action, how do I do it? Any suggestions?
When the board met, they informed the complainer that I was legal, and that to change the rules 2/3 of the homeowners in the HOA would have to approve the change. I also told her I was within the legal limits of the city.
To even find out which house had chickens, she had to search. From the front of the home there is no way to tell which house on the cul de sac has chickens. She must have heard my rooster. I do have about ten feet of the run on the road that is outside the neighborhood limits. This area has a 6 foot privacy fence. For the complaint with the homeowners she either climbed the fence or took a picture through it. My chickens cannot be seen from the road.
Fast forward 6 months...I find a note from animal control to call them. I do, she says some one complained that they saw "buzzards in my yard eating dead chickens". Animal control said everything looked fine to them, and I went to the city to find out who complained. It turns out it is the same person, now lying to law enforcement. The chickens cannot be seen from outside my yard without coming onto my property or touching my fence.
She is also starting a petition drive to change the HOA rules, which is well within her rights. She is also a newly elected board member, so I will probably be attending all board meetings now.
My question is when does this cross over to harassment, and when do I take action? And if I take action, how do I do it? Any suggestions?
