Irresponsible Neighbor

[Cloverleaf Farm]

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Yeah, it's one thing to "welcome" the animals that come in naturally, and another to teach wild bears to see humans as a food source...that makes them dangerous, what if someone's child was playing outside and that sow with babies came up to see if that child had food and killed him/her? The bears would end up dead, and the child would be dead, all because of an ignorant city slicker that wants to see some wildlife...

 

[katdam]

sounds like to me she's thinks she an animal rescuer..but really an animal hoarder...before too long she'll be letting the wild animals in her house!!

 

[CariLynn]

I grew up in the country...Nevada to be exact and have NO problem with wildlife in its proper place...in fact, the 32 acres we own we just put it into wildlife and land management status so no one can build around us and it can stay in its natural state. I also grew up on a working farm of cattle, horses, sheep, and chickens. If one wants to come to the country and feed the wildlife because it is cute and cuddly, then I personally suggest going back to the city...

This is why I have heartburn:
It is especially important to protect your horses from infectious diseases. One such disease, Equine Protosoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM, originates from opossums and some birds, and the horse fields can become contaminated by opossum waste.

http://www.horsebarn.com/content/horse-diseases/horse-diseases-possums.aspx

This is a devastating disease to a horse and horse owner, taking time away from riding, it is a very expensive disease to treat and often times, I have seen that the horse is never the same again, IF the treatment works.

AND:
Eric Dalke of Shenandoah believes there is one major reason why feeding should be outlawed — disease. Namely, Chronic Wasting Disease, which is on the doorstep of Virginia

http://www.outdoorcentral.com/2008/...r-1-feeding-deer-will-be-illegal-in-virginia/

And it is SO nice to know that others are like minded like her and would play dirty...what, going to shoot my horse like my neighbor across the street did when we refused to let him ride his 4 wheelers on our property???

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

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[denim deb]

Speaking as a naturalist, I would have called Fish and Game too. There is more involved in this than just feeding the wildlife. As has been already mentioned, she is creating a problem w/bears. She is also setting out food for raccoons. They can become a very real problem, not only for the number that may come, but also for diseases, like rabies.

Setting out the wrong food for animals can cause all kinds of problems for the animals. You are not doing the animals any favors by feeding them. In fact, you're harming them.

 

[Kittymomma]

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Folks, there is a difference between enjoying the wildlife in the country and having your neighbor run a half-way house for every critter that comes along. The neighbor is feeding bear for crying out loud. Bear that get used to getting their food around homes can easily decide to get their food from inside those homes and tend to no longer have a natural fear of humans. She's not only putting herself at risk, she's putting everyone in that animals range at risk. As far as the dear etc. while it may seem harmless on the surface of things the chance of disease spreading goes up signifigantly when you have an unnatural number of animals gathering in a smaller then normal area to feed.

It doesn't sound to me like the OP is an animal hater or even that she wants all the wild animals to stay off of "her" property. It seems to me like she just wants her neighbor to follow the laws and act responsibly.

 

[Tinkspirit70]

You did the right thing, you live next to her and as a horse owner myself, I would hate to see one of my horses hurt or attacked by a bear..

 

[CariLynn]

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Folks, there is a difference between enjoying the wildlife in the country and having your neighbor run a half-way house for every critter that comes along. The neighbor is feeding bear for crying out loud. Bear that get used to getting their food around homes can easily decide to get their food from inside those homes and tend to no longer have a natural fear of humans. She's not only putting herself at risk, she's putting everyone in that animals range at risk. As far as the dear etc. while it may seem harmless on the surface of things the chance of disease spreading goes up signifigantly when you have an unnatural number of animals gathering in a smaller then normal area to feed.

It doesn't sound to me like the OP is an animal hater or even that she wants all the wild animals to stay off of "her" property. It seems to me like she just wants her neighbor to follow the laws and act responsibly.

Thank you Kittymomma!! You understand what I am trying to say...and no, I don't hate any wildlife...

 

[redhen]

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Yeah. sure.. I'm a horse shooter now , because i would'nt call on my neighbor for feeding wildlife on her property...

You got it...

 

[speckledhen]

My own elderly neighbor does the same thing. It's such a dangerous thing to do and she refuses to believe that coyotes and raccoons are a danger to my chickens; now she has a little dog and one of those wild animals may do some damage to her own dog if she isn't careful.