I am new to your thread but did look through the 21 pages--this sort of thing makes me freaking nuts
so....
SCRAPS (local humane society) came out on Saturday. The woman was REALLY nice. She said that there was a report of "Severe Neglect." Seriously??!! After looking at the chickens, she shook her head and said I had the cleanest coop she had ever seen. Wanted to know if I would give lessons on proper ways to keep chickens. hehe. I asked her to make sure and have a good look at all the animals (horses and dogs) She looked around and told me everything looked great and it was a very healthy environment. I got a copy of the report to keep for my records. She said that she would let the neighbor know that everything checked out. Even though she couldn't tell me which neighbor called. hmmm I wonder who it was...?
The only odd thing that she said was about my mare that is about to foal. She asked when I planned to get her off the pasture? Now, I grew up on a ranch and all of our horses foaled on pasture with no help. I still do it that way and so does the rest of the family. We have never had a problem. Horses can take care of themselves. I do go out and imprint the foal the next day, and check everything out. She looked at me like I was crazy! She must be a person that keeps horses in a stall or something. Not that there is anything wrong with that! My horses just aren't kept that way. They prefer to break the ice in the creek in the winter to drinking out of the trough for goodness sakes.
I am new to your thread but did look through the 21 pages--this sort of thing makes me freaking nuts. Holy Crap, you have the patience of a saint!
Most states have Right to Farm Legislation so I Googled WA and lookie what I found-Washington Right to Farm Enabling Statute--http://ww.farmlandinfo.org/farmland...dex.cfm?function=article_view&articleID=28963
This applies to you: "Agricultural activity" means a condition or activity which occurs on a farm in connection with the commercial production of farm products and includes, but is not limited to, marketed produce at roadside stands or farm markets; noise; odors; dust; fumes; operation of machinery and irrigation pumps;..." I hope you sell eggs at your farmer's market as well as produce.
Importantly:
"A state or local agency required to investigate a complaint alleging agricultural activity on a farm is in violation of specified laws, rules, or ordinances and where such activity is not found to be in violation of such specified laws, rules, or ordinances may recover its full investigative costs and expenses if a court determines that the complaint was initiated maliciously and without probable cause. " So according to this, the Humane Society (who really has no jurisdiction because these are not pet animals but agricultural animals, IMHO) could take Mr Crabby-Pants to court to try to recover their investigation costs.
I would be inclined to call back the HS Officer and state that the 'gentleman' next to you threatened to kill your roosters and has been harrassing you. You are now worried becasue someone, you are presuming him, is calling out agencies in violation of the right to farm statute. I would then point her to the statute and ask her to comment.
I might even engage a lawyer to write your neighbor a letter describing your right to farm and asking him to cease and desist his malicious complaints.
I recall about 20 years ago there was a case where neighbors complained about a guy's home business where he sold hand-tied flies out of his garage. They got a cease and desist for his business so he looked up what was allowed and it didn't say anything about Hog Farming so guess what his new occupation was? A guys gotta make a living after all.
Good luck to you!
Great idea, but I would ask for small square myself because they are easier to move around, although the price per ton may be a bit higher he might go for it because the price per bale is so much less, being a city-boy and all
