- Jun 9, 2009
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Nambroth said:
bertman and janinepeters,
Is it okay to let a dog wander where it will? A horse?
Why do I bring this example up? Because sometimes it is unfair to wait until you have a complaint.
Nambroth, you raise some good questions. We don't have the same rules for all domestic species because they all have different habits and needs, and pose different problems for neighbors, and to differing degrees. However, in our town there is actually no leash law, so dogs can, in fact, roam free. Sometimes this creates conflict between neighbors, but most people are able to work it out amicably.
My next door neighbors have 2 large, loud dogs. They have an electric fence for their dogs, but fences are not 100% effective. To protect my chickens, I fenced in a 1/3 acre area. There have been some problems (one of their dogs killed one of my chicken, and there have been additional close calls), but we have worked out a schedule: they let their dogs roam in the morning if they want, and I keep my chickens in until noon. It works for us. Friends tell me I'm nuts for letting their big, loud dogs in my yard at all, but I feel strongly that we should all solve these problems peacefully, while doing everything possible to provide all of the involved animals with the opportunity for a good life. Most people are quite reasonable if you are reasonable yourself. I don't intend to ever call the police or animal control.
You are right, sometimes it is unfair to wait until you have a complaint about your free roaming animals. Therefore, it is good practice to ask your neighbors if they have any problems with your animals, and if they do, work at something that satisfies the involved people, without making the animals suffer. I have done so, and I have bent over backwards to accommodate all of them without depriving their animals of a good quality of life. Other than the neighbors with the 2 big dogs, all my neighbors have cats, and I don't mind in the least when they roam into my yard.
Is it okay to let a dog wander where it will? A horse?
Why do I bring this example up? Because sometimes it is unfair to wait until you have a complaint.
Nambroth, you raise some good questions. We don't have the same rules for all domestic species because they all have different habits and needs, and pose different problems for neighbors, and to differing degrees. However, in our town there is actually no leash law, so dogs can, in fact, roam free. Sometimes this creates conflict between neighbors, but most people are able to work it out amicably.
My next door neighbors have 2 large, loud dogs. They have an electric fence for their dogs, but fences are not 100% effective. To protect my chickens, I fenced in a 1/3 acre area. There have been some problems (one of their dogs killed one of my chicken, and there have been additional close calls), but we have worked out a schedule: they let their dogs roam in the morning if they want, and I keep my chickens in until noon. It works for us. Friends tell me I'm nuts for letting their big, loud dogs in my yard at all, but I feel strongly that we should all solve these problems peacefully, while doing everything possible to provide all of the involved animals with the opportunity for a good life. Most people are quite reasonable if you are reasonable yourself. I don't intend to ever call the police or animal control.
You are right, sometimes it is unfair to wait until you have a complaint about your free roaming animals. Therefore, it is good practice to ask your neighbors if they have any problems with your animals, and if they do, work at something that satisfies the involved people, without making the animals suffer. I have done so, and I have bent over backwards to accommodate all of them without depriving their animals of a good quality of life. Other than the neighbors with the 2 big dogs, all my neighbors have cats, and I don't mind in the least when they roam into my yard.
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