shooting trespassing chickens?

[Danigirl3]

Quote:
Jennyhaschicks, Where are you located in Maine? I know in my town in Maine we can put a fence right on the line and the pretty side does not have to go towards your neighbor. I found this out by contacting code enforcement. We also do not have a "leash" law but have a roaming law. Meaning they can be out running around loose but can not be coming onto your or their property. I found this out by calling animal control. I'm guessing this would apply to chickens as well. While I would have no issue at all with a neighbors chickens being in my yard others as you have found out all are not that accepting.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Maine Statutes:

"Title 12: CONSERVATION
Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
Subchapter 4: GENERAL UNLAWFUL ACTS PERTAINING TO HUNTING HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
§11209. Discharge of firearm or crossbow near dwelling
1. Prohibition. A person may not:
A. Unless a relevant municipal ordinance provides otherwise and except as provided in sections 12401 and 12402, discharge a firearm or crossbow within 100 yards of a residential dwelling or a farm building used for sheltering livestock, machines or harvested crops without the permission of the owner or, in the owner's absence, of an adult occupant of that dwelling; or [2005, c. 477, §8 (AMD).]
B. Possess a wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of this subsection, except as otherwise provided in this Part. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
This subsection may not be construed to prohibit a person from killing or taking a wild animal in accordance with sections 12401 and 12402.
[ 2005, c. 477, §8 (AMD) .]
2. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class E crime.
[ 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §140 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF) .]
SECTION HISTORY
2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 527, §1 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, §B140 (AMD). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 527, §2 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §§B422,C1,6 (AFF). 2005, c. 477, §8 (AMD). "

"Title 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
Part 9: ANIMAL WELFARE HEADING: PL 1987, C. 383, §3 (NEW)
Chapter 739: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 383, §3 (NEW)
§4011. Cruelty to animals
1. Cruelty to animals. Except as provided in subsection 1-A, a person, including an owner or the owner's agent, is guilty of cruelty to animals if that person:
A. Kills or attempts to kill any animal belonging to another person without the consent of the owner or without legal privilege; [1995, c. 490, §20 (RPR).]"

 

[txredneckmedic]

I would definetly put the fence directly on the property line.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
You can't legally center it on the property line without their permission--you would be building partially on their yard. You would essentially be giving them 1/2 ownership, or worse, they would be legally entitled to have you remove the fence from their property. You can build (if zoning allows) so that the outside edge of the fence abuts your side of the property line.

 

[farrier!]

Quote:
You can't legally center it on the property line without their permission--you would be building partially on their yard. You would essentially be giving them 1/2 ownership, or worse, they would be legally entitled to have you remove the fence from their property. You can build (if zoning allows) so that the outside edge of the fence abuts your side of the property line.

If....the property is zoned ag then the fence laws of the state apply.

Most states require a line fence. It is called a line fence because that is where it is, on the property line.
A township or county can require more then the state but not less.
There are laws on what is a legal fence and what is not. All the states I know require the cost of the fence to be shared along with upkeep.
There will also be a law stating who is an approved fence inspector.

So.....first ask your local (township or city) board who is the designated fence inspector and you can ask for a copy of the fence codes.

What we think or feel is appropriate means nothing compared to the local and state laws.

 

[spotman47]

The fence is a good idea and maybe the only one. Its a common rule in our area to keep it back 1-1.5 feet because of maintence you might have preform on it . But theres no rules on the color of the post or board fence his side,it should be bright pink so he can enjoy it!

 

[Whispering Winds]

OH MY GOSH, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT NEIGHBOR? Do you have attack chickens? I swear, I always say I will never be shocked again, BUT . . .I would call the sheriff and just inquire. It's one thing to shoot a dog or other animal that is attacking, but for someone to shoot a plain little ole' chicken just puttering around looking for bugs is a total jerk and other words I can't say . . .

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

On a list several years ago someone suggested getting very obnoxious coloured cheap interior paint for the side of the fence facing an obnoxiois neighbor.

 

[farrier!]

Years ago I had an ass of a neighbor who complained about me taking in four dogs for a woman while they were homeless. We had a really nice pen with dog houses made of combo panels.

So....when I had to move the dogs I moved in 3 feeder pigs right on top of his property line and about 200 feet from our house..... I had to do something with all those panels!...

Pigs were legal.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

Thanks for all the help.
To lighten this up a bit on my end dh wanted to put bright orange snow fence around them. Of course it's not very tall fencing but he knew he could get a charge out of them. Then he said he was going to sit a fence back a foot or so from the line and let the weeds grow up.
We also have pigs.

He thought about putting them closer to their property since it would be perfectly legal to do so. They don't like our pigs either.

I wouldn't let him do any of these things because I am trying to keep the peace since we have to live beside them.
Someone asked... I am in Hermon.

Whispering winds.. I don't know for sure if my neighbor would actually shoot them, but it had me worried enough which I am sure is their plan. Like I said I am home all day and most of my day is spent outside. They just plain and simple don't like chickens. I guess some people don't.

Oh, for a kicker. She told me last fall she called animal control. I guess the guy told her if it was her he would shoot the chickens.

I feel like putting in a complaint. What an ass.