Feuding over this?

Question

My neihbor ''sp'' that lives up from me has chickens that are not put in cages i dont have one animals, im so tired of them gettting in my garbage and shiting in my yard..i cant take my kids out to play with out them stpeing in it then having to run therm in and bath them, makes me sick cant open my doors cause they want to fly in..we are in a big fued over this can anyone tell me what can i do?..can i get in trouble if there on my property and i shhot them?????plz anyone

Answer 1

You can call the police, and they will take custody of the chickens, they will also fine the owner for having them loose, but it is your property, and you can also sue them for destroying or disturbing your property, and being a nuisance.

Answer 2

It is the responsibility of the animal owner - ANY animal owner - to contain their animals.  Free ranging your chickens doesn't mean allowing them to invade everyone else's property ajoining yours.

We have free range birds that started finding their way around the fence and into our neighbor's property.  They have a commercial cannery and were concerned that my birds wandering over there would cause them problems with the health inspector.  I apologized and ran more fencing down the property line to keep my girls where they belong.  I've tried to be a good neighbor about the situation, but if your neighbor isn't going to do what they are REQUIRED to do, you're going to have to force the issue.

Good fences make good neighbors, and your neighbor is responsible to either run some fencing, clip wings, or both.  If he doesn't comply, you are well within your rights to file a nuisiance lawsuit that would force your neighbor to either contain or get rid of the birds and be financially responsible for any clean up or damages.

I know a livestock owner who encounters a dog on their property is well within their rights to shoot it, but I don't know how that works for livestock invading others' properties.  I'd hold fire for now.  Make some phone calls to your local zoning inspector, farm bureau and township officials to find out how you can proceed with a formal complaint and a lawsuit.  If I were you, I'd make sure I'd get a few free chicken dinners out of it, though!

Answer 3

If they are actually coming onto your property, you can call your local police, sheriff's office or animal control office and sign a complaint.  Even in rural areas animals need to be fenced-in or otherwise contained, to keep them from wandering off onto other people's property.

I would get some pictures of the chickens when they are in your yard... to have proof that they are coming in it.

PS:

Please don't shoot them - or AT them.... someone could get hurt.  Also it's not their fault their owner is irresponsible...