Someone keeps making complaints about my chickens! (Update post #222!)

[Andora]

Quote:
After they started complaining last fall we decided to keep 3 of our little roos. But they hardly ever crow. Surprisingly many neighbors have told us they love hearing the roosters! One elderly neighbor sits out with coffee in the mornings at dawn to "enjoy" them.

scbatz, I'll send you a private message! I'm sorry you have the building inspectors visiting you too...I hope they aren't as rude to you as they are to us.

 

[Mattemma]

Are you able to get a copy of the complaint if it is written? We have to do written complaints for health or sanitation issues. You would think after multiple complaints you would be allowed to know who is wasting city time and money....and upseting you. I guess if the city wants to keep coming out and looking at your coop and hens...well have at it. You are legal in all ways.

In our area unfounded multiple complaints for animals,children,or whatever will get the complainer a TICKET.Look into that.They deserve one.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

This person is just plain 'ol lying now. Why don't they just get a life?????

How about investing in an electric fence and a guard dog or two?

I bet they are sneaking on your land to make these stupid complaints.

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

I can't beleive that someone would go to such lengths over something that's clearly not happening. I hope I don't run into any of these problems when my new flock comes home.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Someone may well have your yard under camera surveilence.
I wonder if its possible to figure out if a camera is focused on you?

 

[unknownbbq2126]

if you find out who it is you should take a bunch of roosters over to there house and put them in there yard then by the time morning comes it will sound like world war three at there house. I get alot from this one lady that lives down the road about me riding my dirtbike on my dirtbike track in my backyard I wish people would just leave every body alone.

 

[chzheadgrl]

I have to agree with some other posts and if you are able, get a lawyer. The "enforcers" have clearly been to your house enough to know that your yard is clean and legal. I think its borderline harassment! How many times do they need to come to your place to prove everything’s alright?!!

 

[urban dreamer]

Threads like this make me nervous about having chickens in the city. I know we are within our legal limits and we are abiding by all regulations because our next door neighboor is the code officer. He's said before he can't understand why we would want chickens, but he's never said or done anything more or less than that. I honestly think most of our neighboors have no idea we have chickens.

 

[ranchhand]

Andora, it's a slow night here at the house so yes, I have read every single post in these 22 pages. (I know, get a life, right?)

I would like to suggest that most others do the same. It's a complex series of events.

I am amazed that this has suddenly come back after 6 months of no activity. But make note of that, it could be someone has been "away" for 6 months.
Get locks on all your fence and pen gates. It could be that your chicken issue escalates into an attack on them. And of course, check your house security and be very aware of kids whereabouts. The fact that this has suddenly popped up again is scary. I think a police report is in order, just an FYI for them.

Ask the neighbors you do know well to help keep an eye on all of you and to call police if they see anything suspicious. You and DH need to keep your tempers under control. Right now, you need all the official help you can get. Whatever you do, don't let a single white, fence climbing hen get out! Guess you need to check Cheapcycle again.

Good luck.

 

[cassie]

I think whether you have chickens is the very least of your problems. You have what amounts to a stalker, and if it's not the chickens it may well be something else. Remind the code enforcers next time they come out that just because they have received a complaint, it does not therefore mean that the complaint is true or valid. Particularly since the complaints are all coming from the same source. As others have suggested, you need to observe and document. Keep a notebook handy so you can easily write things down as soon as they occur. Check to see where someone must be standing in order to be able to observe what time the chickens are let out. That may give you a clue.

Privacy fences are expensive, but have you thought of a living fence? I have seen beautiful yard fences made of livestock panel with climbing roses growing over it. It doesn't take long before the panel is completely covered by the roses. There are also hedge roses. Simplicity available from Jackson Perkins is a good choice. They are pretty, grow well in a variety of conditions and require little care.

If you do consult an attorney, ask about filing a John Doe complaint for harrassment. These are done when the identity of the perpetrator is unknown. The name of the culprit is inserted in the complaint later when he/she is identified.