Updates on the last pages: Neighbor is threatening me and my chickens

[LaFleche]

Because I was trying to prevent all of this from happening. I did what they asked because I was trying to be a nice neighbor. None of it helped or worked. I lived next to neighbors on the other side that were worse than these people for 26 years, and I feel more threatened by the drunk.

With this kind of neighbours your willingness to comply with their unwarrented demands and brazen behaviour will always backfire.

And just because the neighbour on the other side was even worse, does not make it any better.

I am really sorry that you feel trapped in this situation, but I think your best bet would be to stand up for yourself and put them in their place. Just draw the line and in case they are not willing to accept their own responsibilities and boundaries, you can always engage the authorities.

 

[CateK2652]

I guess I have to wonder why you are talking to him. His worries about his dog are his worries and he needs to keep his dog leashed or fenced. I think sending a letter notifying him that he needs to keep his distance from you and keep his dog controlled. Send a copy of the letter to your locality's administrator so they know what is going on. If it continues, then contact your sheriff and ask them to go talk to the fellow. Then, if that doesn't work, involve an attorney. Honestly, he has no business poking his nose into your business. Sounds like you have done due diligence as to your rights when it comes to local ordinances.

 

[Smileybans]

Sometimes you can’t fix things. So stop worrying about him and just make sure that you are following the law. You can contact animal control and ask for their help with this guy. His dog isn’t fenced, your chickens are. Relax and enjoy your chickens. File under, not your problem.

I’m trying so hard to stop worrying. But moving my coops is a huge daunting task. And they will be so far away I will worry about their safety. I have the electric fence but it just doesn’t feel like enough. And now I have to build a new run. In whatever timeframe the ordinance guy gives me, and make sure it’s so predator proof nothing will ever get in. It’s just so much to worry about.

 

[Smileybans]

With this kind of neighbours your willingness to comply with their unwarrented demands and brazen behaviour will always backfire.

And just because the neighbour on the other side was even worse, does not make it any better.

I am really sorry that you feel trapped in this situation, but I think your best bet would be to stand up for yourself and put them in their place. Just draw the line and in case they are not willing to accept their own responsibilities and boundaries, you can always engage the authorities.

I realize that now. I wish I had known how crazy this guy is. He was always so nice to me and my kids. It was all fake I guess.

No it doesn’t make it any better. I just thought I knew what a bad neighbor was. The other neighbor I had yelled at my kid once for using chalk on “his” sidewalk. The drunk neighbor was never like that.

I do feel trapped. Like I can do nothing but stand by and watch as others make decisions for me. I feel like writing a letter, as suggested by others, would make him worse. Like he would come over and threaten me more.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

I think you’ve gotten a lot of good help and advice from this thread, but ultimately you are the one who understands this situation and all of its complexities best, and you are the one who has to live it. So do what you need to do to come into compliance with the ordinance and maybe sleep on how to move forward with your neighbor for a night or two, and trust that you can make a good decision.

 

[aart]

I realize that now. I wish I had known how crazy this guy is. He was always so nice to me and my kids. It was all fake I guess.

No it doesn’t make it any better. I just thought I knew what a bad neighbor was. The other neighbor I had yelled at my kid once for using chalk on “his” sidewalk. The drunk neighbor was never like that.

I do feel trapped. Like I can do nothing but stand by and watch as others make decisions for me. I feel like writing a letter, as suggested by others, would make him worse. Like he would come over and threaten me more.

I'm sorry you are going thru this.
Sounds like you have a good start on communications with the local authorities,
who are the ones that matter.
Ignore the drunks as much as possible.

Hang in there, Deep Breaths.

 

[Smileybans]

I think you’ve gotten a lot of good help and advice from this thread, but ultimately you are the one who understands this situation and all of its complexities best, and you are the one who has to live it. So do what you need to do to come into compliance with the ordinance and maybe sleep on how to move forward with your neighbor for a night or two, and trust that you can make a good decision.

You’re right. Without the people here I wouldn’t have been able to get as far as I have. I’m just a worrier and thinking about the task of moving everything has me worried more. Hopefully the mayor can help some when I go see him today.

I'm sorry you are going thru this.
Sounds like you have a good start on communications with the local authorities,
who are the ones that matter.
Ignore the drunks as much as possible.

Hang in there, Deep Breaths.

Thank you. The hug emoticon made me cry. Although I feel like that’s all I’ve been doing for the last day and a half.

 

[FCinNH]

Do a little research with the other people in your village who have chickens. Find out if 1) they are aware of the ordinance and 2) are they complying with it. If they aren't, let them know that they need to help you get the ordinance changed so that they don't lose their chickens too. If the ordinance guy comes back ask him who else has he enforced the ordinance on. This seems like a very selective enforcement of this ordinance.

Also start filing complaints with the local animal control people if he has his dog off leash and off his property and ideally take video. (Most leash ordinances only apply once the dog is off the owners property.) The animal control officer won't do much if the dog is "back under control" when he arrives. The video will show the incident. Make sure it demonstrates that the dog is not on his property.

There are people in this world who don't believe in "live and let live." As so many have said he's become aware that his dog is at risk because he con't control her, and he's trying to remove the risk by making it your problem. If he's a drunk, that dog may literally be his only friend which is why he's trying so hard to protect her.

 

[DrTheMomm]

Sounds to me like he's using The Best Defense Is a Good Offense Principle. Clearly he's violating the leash law and possibly is worried about that. Is ignoring him an option? Can you simply refuse to engage in conversation with him? From what you've said, it sounds like you're not in violation of local ordinances. It would be a shame for you to have to incur legal fees just because you live next door to a crank, but getting a lawyer to send him a letter just might scare him off.

 

[Fowl Explorer]

I would ask a lawyer to write a letter to him.

I would certainly look into (lawyer) how to get him to stop harassing you for doing legally acceptable things.