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

[Geena]

We have our dogs behind an invisible fence, and someone stopped to “leave a flyer” on our door when we weren’t home. They filed a complaint because our dogs ran out barking and scared the crap out of them. We were in no trouble once my DH proved both were licensed & had rabies shots. Then he asked who it was and said he wanted to file a counter complaint for trespassing since they had no business being there when we weren’t home,

Unfortunately, legally, unless your property is completely fenced and gated with a lock on it and/or well posted with no trespassing signs, anyone can legally come to your door, unless you have a previous restraining or no contact order against them.
Also, if your dogs had bitten said person you would be held liable.

 

[Iluveggers]

Unfortunately, legally, unless your property is completely fenced and gated with a lock on it and/or well posted with no trespassing signs, anyone can legally come to your door, unless you have a previous restraining or no contact order against them.
Also, if your dogs had bitten said person you would be held liable.

We have a loooooong driveway with signs at the bottom. The dogs were not biters, they were good barkers but friendly.

 

[Geena]

We have a loooooong driveway with signs at the bottom. The dogs were not biters, they were good barkers but friendly.

We have a very long driveway too. With signs, everything fenced in and a padlocked gate on the yard area, because my dogs will bite.
I try to be extra careful because almost all dog bite cases side with the person bitten, unless they are literally breaking into your house or assaulting you.

 

[PeckingAround]

So my neighbor is a drunk and has been for 30 some odd years. My mom says to ignore him. He has been acting nice to me now but then right after acting mean again. My mom says it’s something called wet brain and has to do with drunkards. Talking to this guy is giving me whiplash. I’m trying to ignore him but he’s trying to make “pleasant” conversation with one minute then biting my head off. I wish this all didn’t feel so damn crazy.

I haven't finished reading all the replies but had to stop and comment on this. If he is a drunkard, then 98% of his erratic behavior is related to that. My dad is this way. You never know if he is going to be in a good mood or bad, and a conversation can start out really nice and one word can trigger something and he gets mad about weird things. Or remembers something from decades ago and needs to be mad about that. It isn't even just frustration at a situation, it's anger. And yes, there is no talking to him when he gets something stuck in his head, no matter how much you can prove otherwise. Your mom is right and the best thing you can do is try to ignore him as best you can and keep conversations short and vague. If there is something you know that makes him happy, like making a compliment about his dog, do that and then leave quick. Leave while he is still happy and doesn't have time to think about something else.

 

[Mtnboomer]

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

We've had neighbors try to bully us over the years. Most recent was a property line duspute.
He put some wood poles in tbe ground and stated that those were the corners and a workshop that has been on the property nearly 40yrs was partially over his line (400yrds from his house and completely out of sight mind you).

We told him that the actual property corners were set by iron rods in the ground (as shown on the plat). We asked that he have a professional surveyor locate them and then we can discuss further actions if needs be but until then, we aren't doing anything just because you stuck a couple sticks in the ground.
He got nasty and even banged on our door one sunday morning demanding we tear the shed down immediately. We had a lawyer write a letter explaining our thoughts, requesting a professional survey be performed at his expense (hes got the problem), and notifying him that further trespassing and harassment will not be tolerated.

Haven't heard a peep out of him in 4 yrs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If it has to come to that I will. For now I’m trying to play nice. At least until I’m in compliance with the current ordinance. But his dog is a huge issue. In nys dogs have to be licensed. He doesn’t have a license, or a permit, for the dog. He also lets said dog run at large in a non fenced in yard. I could cause so much hell for him but have chosen not to. I guess I’m just hoping sooner or later taking the high road will pay off and everyone will stop crapping on me.

In the end, you have to live with yourself. Don't become what you despise.

 

[neo71665]

In the end, you have to live with yourself. Don't become what you despise.

On that same note don't become the town pushover

 

[Smileybans]

I haven't finished reading all the replies but had to stop and comment on this. If he is a drunkard, then 98% of his erratic behavior is related to that. My dad is this way. You never know if he is going to be in a good mood or bad, and a conversation can start out really nice and one word can trigger something and he gets mad about weird things. Or remembers something from decades ago and needs to be mad about that. It isn't even just frustration at a situation, it's anger. And yes, there is no talking to him when he gets something stuck in his head, no matter how much you can prove otherwise. Your mom is right and the best thing you can do is try to ignore him as best you can and keep conversations short and vague. If there is something you know that makes him happy, like making a compliment about his dog, do that and then leave quick. Leave while he is still happy and doesn't have time to think about something else.

Wow. I’m amazed at how well you just explained him and his attitude. Because his anger at me keeping chickens was out of no where and… so many other interactions with him.

On the note of trespassing, I found out today that the mayor came over and took pictures of my property. I have video footage of him coming onto my property, without consent, and taking said pictures. In NYS this is illegal. Whether I have posted signs or not, he isn’t allowed to come onto my property and take pictures of my private property. He needs a warrant or consent. He is also the village constable but again in NYS they need consent or a warrant even if there’s due cause. To get into my yard to take the pictures he had to move aside fencing, since the whole yard is fenced in. Tomorrow posted signs are going up all over the fences. Even on the jerk neighbor side.
I informed the mayors wife, who is on my side, that I have footage of him trespassing. In the future could he ask me to come onto the property. I’m more than willing to allow it. She told me she would let him know.
The reason he was taking the pictures was because he needed them for the open claim. Which has been going on for months. But he was just now meeting with the ordinance officer and no one had bothered to take pictures until the day they were meeting. I swear these people have no idea what they’re doing. Theres never been a real dispute between neighbors that they couldn’t sweep under the rug until now. So now they’re flying by the seat of their pants and failing miserably at it. A lawyer will be contacted about all of this as soon as I get my finances in order.
On top of the neighbor complaining about the chickens, the clutch and transmission blew out in our only vehicle a month ago so we had to buy a new one. Then my husband got hurt at work. I never understood the saying ‘when it rains it pours’ until now.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear all this. Hope things improve.

 

[Smileybans]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear all this. Hope things improve.

By the mayors reaction to him being caught I doubt it will. I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. His reaction to him finding out I had him on camera was to tell me to write a complaint to the town. Jeez. Some people. All I ask is that it not happen again. No need to get angry and defensive. Just fess up to doing something wrong.