harrasement and threats from neighbor over my chickens

[RaisinAFlock]

I'm having this problem with my neighbor who has been harassing me over my chickens, making totally false claims about my chickens almost making him crash on his motorcycle in our shared driveway, making his dogs sick, he has threatened me alone directly several times, won't say anything to my husband or my mother who lives on the other side of our house, lied to our lanlords, has threatend me that if I don't do something to contain my chickens or get rid of them he was going to take matters into his own hands and kill them. I've scince had 4 hens and a rooster show up dead of no obvious issues. My gates are unlocked and able for him to enter my yard at night, and when no one is home, and we have reason to believe that he had poisoned some of them they have wandered into his yard. I have called the police on him and reported the harrasement. I have also notified my lanlords of his actions. I am now pregnant, so I have been trying to avoid the extra stress, worry, and anxiety of the situation so I've been seeing my counselor again. (I was harrased, stalked, and video taped by an old neighbor of mine for 5 years and suffer from PTSD) prior to finding out about the pregnancy I was literally in the process of filing a restraining order called an anti harrasement order, but did not follow through out of fear of him seeking retaliation and me being pregnant. I am upset because the police don't seem to care too much unless I follow through with the courthouse so he can then be arrested but in order to do that I have to face him and allow him to respond and again I am afraid of him and the health and safety of my unborn baby because he is highly unstable, aggressive, and a drug addict. Advice?

 

[LRH97]

These are always difficult situations. I will say if I were in your shoes, my first priority would be to keep the chickens out of his yard. Whether it be with the use of a fence or run or whatever, your safety and your baby's safety are first always. Don't give him an excuse to come and talk to you. It is a two way street when you're close quarters with neighbors. Some people don't appreciate chickens coming in their yard, and we must respect that (especially in this case, because you seem to have a jerk neighbor who would rather make the effort to kill your birds than ask you nicely to keep them off his property). If he has threatened to harm you, I would most certainly go after him for threat of bodily harm and harassment. Lock your gates, and like I said, don't give him a reason to approach or speak to you. It's not worth your or your child's safety.

 

[Brooksville352]

See if he speaks shotgun. That's a language that every one speaks.

 

[RaisinAFlock]

I have been keeping my chickens contained in the run for the most part, occasionally letting them into my fenced yard, but not very often. They are busy being broody and blessing me with baby chicks! I haven't been letting them out to the garden which is across the shared driveway, its a part of my yard, that is unfenced, but is next to fenced pasture, however I can't seem to contain the chickens in it because the neighbor on the other side always leaves the gate open for his chickens to come forage in the pasture. I really hate having to lock up my chickens all the time. I am stuck in a lease. And have a baby coming in 6 months. I try very hard to not add fuel to the fire with this guy, but sometimes my chickens escape and usually wander to the garden. For a bit then wander back. I can't clip the wings because they can't escape the hawks eagles raccoons etc being up against the woods. If he happens to see them out of the yard or me he honks his horn and cusses me out. I don't really understand what his problem is.

 

[tcstoehr]

I'm sorry, but in the presence of neighbor complaints, you absolutely MUST keep your chickens contained to your own property.

 

[JJSS89]

You NEED to file a restraining order and I submit you should look at having a legal method of lethal force at your disposal. i.e. concealed carry.

 

[LRH97]

You NEED to file a restraining order and I submit you should look at having a legal method of lethal force at your disposal. i.e. concealed carry.

I agree. God forbid it should come to that, but if he is unstable, you should have a way to protect yourself.

 

[DRGLENNON]

See if he speaks shotgun. That's a language that every one speaks.

I completely agree! I have had problems with a few neighbors that moved into my neighborhood(they have since moved). You would be surprised how target shooting in my back yard kinda ended it. One did call the police because I was shooting a gun but the nice officer explained the gun laws to them.

Just like in school you have to let bullies know you're not a victim. I would also suggest a security camera. If you catch him on camera you have proof. It's no longer your word against his. You also want to make sure you are keeping up with your responsibilities as a pet owner and confine your animals so they are not getting on his property. I realize your pregnancy can make you feel venerable just a heads up sometimes it makes you feel invincible too. Just manage the stress as much as possible and take care of yourself. Remember " This to shall pass." You have a lot to look forward to. Don't let a bully steal one minuet of this special time. Good luck!