City demanded on my property !!

[KenK]

Some places do have volunteer code enforcement people. I think one of your neighbors is complaining about your horses so they sent the code enforcement people to check on it.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I doubt it.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Hm, good point Jersey. Did see a lot of that sort of thing happening to farmland and rural areas in Virginia. A lot of strong arm or down right sneaky tactics. Something to consider. Hopefully it is just an annoying neighbor who can be discarded by having the horse owners in your area who are dealing with the same thing band together.

 

[Mrs. Cannon]

This makes me very mad

Number one I don't like neighbors who start stuff over nothing (according to OP everything was fine and dandy) Second...... that they came onto your property like that and took pictures! I'm sensing a very large gaurd dog in your future! I'm definitely going to subscribe to this, I hope everything works itself out or you guys can get it fixed

 

[train2110]

I too would consider calling the police. No ID was shown, no proof they where from the city.

 

[jeremy]

I just saw your ad on BST, why are you getting rid of all of your animals?

 

[WyandotteTX]

I agree you should follow up and call the city and make sure they were actually city employees, just to ease your mind that they are not thieves scoping you out.

As for all of the "cant step foot on my property without a warrant" folks. When it comes to health codes etc they dont need a warrant to Inspect your property. It is not an illegal search or seizure of anything.....it was only an inspection......
Here in Texas a Game Warden can come into your house and search anything he wants to if he feels the need because he does not have to have a warrant.
Just pointing that out to let you know there are many instances where someone can come onto your property without a warrant. That is not a violation of any of your rights, it may feel like a violation though like the OP.

 

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
Actually, a game warden is a law enforcement officer, and game wardens can inspect all the public lands they want without a warrant. They do not have the right to step foot on private property without the owner's consent, and it has to be specifically related to a WILD GAME/WILD FISH complaint, not domesticated horses. Perhaps people commonly believe that they can do something (such as come onto private property) that they actually cannot legally do, but they've been getting away with it forever and ever so everybody thinks it's legal. It is never legal for ANYONE to search your property without your consent unless they have a warrant. Unfortunately, these "officials" intimated the OP to the point that she consented. She also consented because she has nothing to hide, but this whooooole thing smells fishy.

Oh, and when it comes to health codes, etc., and an inspector comes out, you have the RIGHT to have a police officer present for the inspection to protect YOU. You also have the right to take their pictures and include their faces. Tell them straight up, "No offense, but because I don't know you, I will have to verify that you are who you say you are with the city, so I need to see your face. Smile big for the camera now!"

I also would NEVER (as a woman) let an inspector or ANYONE in my house without an appointment, without a warrant, and without a cop present if I was home alone.

I remember the story Wolftracks is referring to, about the folks that went out pretending to be city or county officials, took pictures, then stole everybody's horses! It DOES happen, and your story sounds just so eerily similar.

If you were given notices without requests for a response, I would contact the city to find out if they actually give out those notices, or if somebody is playing fast-and-loose with their computer printer.

If it is all legitimate, I do know that here in California, you have the right to refuse to let ANY official on your property without a police officer present for YOUR protection. If such a thing happens again, ask to see their badges, then call the city while they're on your porch and BEFORE you allow them onto your property. If they are legitimate city inspectors, you have the right to see their official documentation. Not just their identification, but you have the right to see their paperwork that tells them to go out there and why.

If you're anywhere in northern California, PLEASE call McGeorge Law School in Sacramento and talk to someone there (they have a free or low-cost legal clinic). I know someone who went through something similar with "officials" harassing her on her property, and there are similarities to her situation and yours.

Don't get rid of your animals. Talk to someone and find out what you can do, legally, about this. If they ARE city or county officials, they had to have filed an official report as to their findings, and you have a right to see and have a copy of that report.

I fear, however, that you are being targeted for horse thievery. At the very least, you have a neighbor who is causing you some harrassment.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Yes they do need a warrant if you tell them they do an they need one anyway to look inside anything they cant see from outside. Health inspectors an game wardens have to adhere to the same laws as regular cops. They like to get you to give implied consent to keep from needing a warrant but thats not the same as them not needing one. If you stand your ground an tell them they need a warrant because you do not consent to any search of your property then they need one. If they still search without one they make it hard for them to charge you or fine you for anything they find.


Also asking for a warrant is not about weather or not they can search, its about finding out what they are actually looking for an covering your butt if you find your self in court later.

 

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
X2. Them having a warrant protects them AND you. It also is a documentation that they have a legitimate reason to be there, and shows that they're not just horse thieves setting you up as a later target.