Some people have too much time on their hands. A long rant.

[Dave Reynolds]

A couple of months ago I found an anonymous, typewritten note in my mailbox from "a concerned neighbor" regarding the living arrangements of our two horses. While I appreciated someone having concern about our animals, it would have been much more neighborly to just come to the fucking door and ask. But no, the shit-bag night skulkers never came forward.

A week later, an investigator from the Humane Society showed up, just like on Animal Planet. I was not home at the time, so the investigator did a quick site survey and health check, and left his number for me to call. I called him and we spoke of the stall arrangements we had, the blankets we could put on them when they were cold, and what constituted good pasture. He was happy with what he saw, and indicated that the Humane Society had no problems with us at all.

Apparently, that did not make our "concerned neighbor" happy. The next week while my wife was at home alone, a van pulled up to the front of the pasture. A woman with a digital camera jumped out and began taking pictures of the horses and pasture. My wife, being of intemperate disposition to such intrusion, took our dog Austin (also intemperate) to greet the woman. This person apparently did not wish to meet my wife or the dog and beat a hasty retreat.

Over the following six weeks, at least once a week a truck pulling a horse trailer would slow and stop in front of our house. I had no idea what was going on, and wondered if our now-annoying concerned neighbor had contacted a "rescue" group to attempt a horse theft or what. At this point we decided it was best if one person remained at home at all times, which of course was a pain in the ass, and not really how I like to live.

Saturday, the Humane Society rolls in again. The very nice inspector and I went on a tour of the whole place, saw the stalls, saw the blankets, saw the hay, saw the grain, and saw the pasture. Again, he stated that we were fine, the horses were well-cared for and happy, and the neighbor was calling them repeatedly. While he could not tell us who this caller was, we kind of figured it out anyway. He told us that some people are never happy with their investigations, and suggested that we stay alert for a while until he could talk the complainant down a little.

Last night, after working 13 hours, I made it to bed at 4 a.m. At 8 a.m., the phone rings and we are told our pasture fence is down. Some piece of shit had taken our round-bale feeder (a tubular steel ring about 10 feet around and 3-1/2 feet tall weighing about 250 pounds), stood it up on it's side, and rolled it downhill and through the fence. They next took a brand-new 500 pound round-bale, stood it up on it's side, and rolled it through another section of the fence. Luckily, the horses were too interested in all that scattered hay to realize they could have been miles away looking for other horses to play with.

Our "concerned neighbor" quite possibly has become an "enemy combatant." May their diety have mercy on them.

Okay, sorry to vent.

[trof]

1. With all the other shit coming down

you sure as hell don't need this.
Sorry Dave.
Did you call the sherrif?

[Dave Reynolds]

6. Not yet,

I may be wrong, it may be just some kids pissing around. But the timing is suspect. I also found no footprints in the snow that weren't trampled by the horses' hay orgy. I suspect that the famously intemperate Austin will stay in his kennel for a couple of days to warn us of further intrusion. I may have to go all Cheney on somebody....:-)

[MissMarple]

2. Neighbors can't live with 'em... and they won't go away.

We have some irritating, clueless neighbors. I'm guessing you have reported this to the police and the humane society. Maybe you should take pics of any future visits when you observe them

[skygazer]

3. Unbelievable

So they're so "concerned" they put your horses at risk to be lost or hit by a vehicle? Nice. I had a horse get loose and get hit by a car once and I'll tell you what - THAT'S something those assholes would not like to see pictures of.

Like you said, I'm not averse to people being concerned about an animal's care. I like people who care about animals. But this is harassment and now criminal behavior. I hope you filed a police report.

Good luck to you. Fanatics of any stripe are dangerous critter. :scared:

[Dave Reynolds]

8. We have a fairly wild mustang,

if he got out I suspect we could not get him back in.

The fencing and hay is a minor thing, but my horses are my buds, and nobody should mess with them.

[Lisa]

4. yikes!

It looks like someone has taken against you, and rather than being brave enough to admit this outright, is making up stuff about your horses as an excuse! ("He's an animal abuser, therefore anything I do is justified", etc.) The sad thing is, this person probably has convinced him/herself that the Humane Society, other neighbors, etc. are in on it too! There might be some problems in his/her life and you've been latched onto as a convenient scapegoat. I have heard of folks using yard maintenance and even parenting in this manner (and the latter can really get messy). Good luck -- the inspector sounds like a nice guy, and I hope he can talk down the other party before s/he gets too paranoid.

p.s. what other people mentioned -- I hope that nothing else happens that could harm your horses. Might be good to talk to other authorities -- don't forget to take pics of the fence and other damage before you repair it, in case things end up in court.

[Dave Reynolds]

10. Yep, he was a nice inspector,

I even apologized to him for his waste of time and gas, and he apologized for the repeated visits. He said he would not come out again, and just deal with the phone complaints from the office.

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Yes, it certainly is time to call the cops

not just the Humane Society.

This is flat-out harassment. And quite likely prep for horse theft. Call the authorities and get them involved.

[Dave Reynolds]

7. Since I have unofficial confirmation on who it is,

I suspect I will first go to the door and treat them to some of the charm I am so well-regarded for.

:rofl:

Damn, I knew I could not keep a straight face for that one.

Actually, I may frighten them a little, as from what I am told no one who has had problems with these people has ever confronted them.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. Well, I'd be neighborly about it.

I'd visit each of my neighbors to give them a friendly warning about the marauding vandals that apparently have descended into your area. I'd save the suspects for last. But then, I could do it with a straight face (one useful thing I learn working in the cesspool of corporate America.)

I'm glad your mustang didn't make a break for it.

[Dave Reynolds]

13. Yeah, I'll be nice.

And I only have one facial expression, I could win big at poker.

[GardeningGal]

9. I definitely think you should report it so it is on file in case there

are additional incidents. Plus, it puts the person on notice that you are not messing around with any mischief done to your property.

Good luck to you.

[Dave Reynolds]

11. I really should get a complaint started,

but the rotten part of me (which actually is the largest part) really wants to put them on notice *personally*. :evilgrin:

[petronius]

14. I would do both

Get the police report started, and keep documentation of all the notes and complaints to the SPCA. Then go around to your neighbors and tell them you're being harassed by criminals and they should all keep their eyes open. Let them know that the police are on the case and the harassers will be prosecuted...

[trof]

19. *personally* I'd go the official route.

Having it on file may come in real handy later.

[Dave Reynolds]

24. I probably will,

I just console myself with fantasies of retribution. :+

[Benfea]

15. Report this to the police immediately, and take lots of pictures.

You should have more than enough here for a fairly serious vandalism charge, and possibly a civil lawsuit.

[trof]

21. Yes! Photos.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. Ever think of getting a border collie?

We got one years ago from a horse farm in VA when she was a pup. Mist was very loyal and mindful of anyone who came to the house. She had a sweet disposition; but she gave passersby the heebeejeebies because her instinct was to bark at strangers.

They certainly have the energy to keep up with horses when you ride; and they love a good game of frisbee.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't wait to call the cops. Something worse might happen.
I'm sorry you're having such a tough time lately... :hug:

[Dave Reynolds]

22. We have the vicious but loving German Shepherd,

and our blue merle Australian Shepherd was just born in Arkansas, where she will await our pick-up.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. Oooo! Will you post pics when you get her?

Well so much for the watchdog idea...

I hope you can find out who did this and that your nutso neighbor moves or something.

[Dave Reynolds]

28. I will post some,

there are some already in Mrs. Dave's e-mail at home. I'll see if I can find them.

[Redstone]

17. Hunt the bastards down and beat them senseless. I'm serious.

Do it at night, from behind.

Redstone

[Dave Reynolds]

20. Hell, they're already senseless,

perhaps I may just hospitalize them instead.

[Redstone]

23. That's what I meant.

Redstone

[Fox Mulder]

18. Sit out there with a shotgun.

Let's see if they'll mess with you then.

You don't need to put up with their shit. Seriously.

[Dave Reynolds]

25. I just taught Mrs. Dave how to use the shotgun,

I feel sorry for anyone who stirs her intemperance now.

Wait, that could be me....:scared:

[flvegan]

27. I think that I can help you here. Seriously.

If your intuition is correct, it seems like some of "my type" might be involved, however possibly misled. Though we may not agree on stuff, I don't have reason to believe you'd mistreat your animals. Plus, the HS folks seem satisfied.

What were the specific concerns of this neighbor? Did the HS give any details as to the complaints?

Were I concerned to the point that I'd be contemplating some sort of liberation, I'd be quickly derailed and redirected elsewhere if you did this (were I this neighbor, and this neighbor as reasonable as I think I am):

Invite him (her?) over, stating that you know that they called the HS and that you want to ease their minds as to how the animals are kept, treated, fed, etc. If he turns you down, then tell him that you expect to not have any more issue with them nor their campaign (I'd not turn you down, I'd want to remedy the situation). If he takes you up on it, do just that. Just as you did with the HS officer. Ask for feedback, let them feel "important" in that you asked their opinion which you can take, or shoot down as you see fit (if they have no horses, you're probably more the expert than they). What suggestions do they have? What are the issues they see? Take your time with them, as it's an investment in peace of mind and fences that don't need mending. Ask if they'd like to see anything else. Show the food, let them meet the horses, see up close how skinny they aren't, how well kept they are, how social they might be (I'm reaching here...horses aren't my bag). You get the idea. Put them on the spot, put up or shut up.

As you show your neighbor to the gate, just say, "So?" and see what they say. You'll either get an ugly agenda or satisfaction and the end of your problems.

I know, you shouldn't have to do this, I agree. But, if you want peaceful resolution, that's what I'd do.

Should this all work out, please don't hold the "crazy animal people" thing against those of us that are just "somewhat crazy animal people" okay?

Good luck.

[Dave Reynolds]

29. Good ideas,

I really doubt it is activist activity, it was just a passing thought. It may all be just coincidental timing with the HS visits and a little country-kid bullshit. But I certainly will approach the complainants, I want this to be done with.

I know we are from vastly different mindsets, but I hate to divide us into "kinds" of people. The more I interact with "you guys", the mellower I get. :D

Hell, I even passed the address of that research lab I worked at, and an access card, to a protestor in Seattle. I hope they made use of it.

[flvegan]

31. I'm only suggesting

activist activity due to the horse trailer showing up, then the breach in your fence (not the same folks I don't think, as no real activist lacks an "exit strategy" for the animals).

I say "kind" of person because there is a big difference between those that complain and those that, well, go a step further, and I wanted to give a little more validity to what I was saying, coming from one of "those guys."

Access card? If they didn't make use of it, I hope they passed it to someone that knew how to. You devil.

On edit:
BTW, make sure at least a couple other folks are around if/when you bring your neighbor on your property. I don't need to tell you this, but it sure as hell helps support any litigation that you took extra steps and tried to be the peaceful neighbor.

[Whoa_Nelly]

30. For insurance purposes

take pics, make a police/sheriff report. Also, you have your documentation written here, so just edit out the emotional part.

Damn those creeps!

Good luck to you and Mrs. Dave! :hug:

on edit:

Also take pics of anyone stopping with trailer, getting out, taking pics. It's your property, your horses, your life. Document all! :hug:

[EstimatedProphet]

32. I wonder if there's an ulterior motive to this...

Neighbor wants your horses, so he calls HS repeatedly until they come and take them away. Horses get sold at public auction or are put up for adoption, and surprise! there's the neighbor...

I'm not saying this would work, just that it might be what they are trying to do.