Laws pertaining to tampering with horses/livestock

[mydaddysjag]

Does anyone know what types of laws would pertain to neighbors trespassing and tampering with livestock, such as opening gates to let them loose off of the property? Not an issue of horses getting out of insufficient fencing, my barn is completely fenced in, an these are horses in woven wire field fence, set on concreted wooden posts with stainless steel gates secured by two sets of heavy duty stainless steel chain.

We now know for sure that this isnt simply horses learning to open gates, etc. Previously I had issues with horses we had stalled getting out of stalls, and horses getting into fields they didn't belong in. I thought that one of my horses had learned Houdini skills, so we really started chaining gates up good, top and bottom, along with the chain that comes on them, have four latches on each stall door, etc.

Today, I came to find my horses were let out just before dark. I know for sure that all gates were latched, I had just left the barn to go up to the house and get water. On my way down with the water, I found my neighbor driving up the road quickly, and my horses running loose through the neighbors field, one running full speed towards the road. This was about 20 minutes before dusk, while other neighbors were firing off rifles sighting them in for the first day of deer season tomorrow.

Sorry if this is rambling on, Im still a bit shook up. We live in an area where people tend to start their own hunting season early (poaching deer) my two of my three horses could be mistaken for deer from far away, and I had my stallion and gelding running loose in different directions. None were easy to catch, they were all spooked by the gunshots, and there I am by myself with halters and lead ropes, a whip to scare them back towards the barn, and a scoop of grain trying to catch them...

Tomorrow my Father in law is lending us his deer cam, its a day/night weather proof camera that will take pictures onto an SD card of anything that passes the lazer on it.

Aside from this, any tips? Does anyone know any laws regarding this? We live in Pennsylvania

 

[Equuisize]

I think I'd call your local police station's information number and ask.

Laws vary so much from state to state, even from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

I had a similar problem back in the 70's. It happened, however, about a half hour

after the bars closed. The neighbors would call and say your horses are out, again.

By the time I got there, of course, they'd have moved onto some other person's

lawn. There were 3 big guys and 2 little ones and the white one was the only

easy one to find in the dark.

We finally had to padlock all exterior gates and hoped like heck that nothing would

ever happen that emergency personnel had to access the barn areas when we were not

there. However, it did take care of the problem.

I'm sure in our case it was just some dumb drunk, walking home from the bar and

letting the horses free, to run with the wind.....idiot!

But I understand your frustration and fear that you might not reach them in time before

getting out on the road.

 

[Genie]

That is just wicked

I would be calling the O.P.P. if it was happening around here.

I don't know what the laws in your state might be but I would be calling the local police.

I would likely also call the neighbours.

 

[Carolyn R]

The motion senser game cam is the best bet. The cops will not do anything without concrete proof. Tire tracks and footprints aren't even enough beyond wanting them to record it on file. Most times the departments are run with limited funds and do not have high end forensic equipment or the man power to run an investigation without any concrete leads. Get them on film, I am pretty sure they can be charged with a tresspass, and a few other mischief accounts and be forced to pay the court fees on top of it.

I personally would use two cameras, each at a different angle an I would put up no tresspassing signs as well as the Pa version of the equine inherit risk/assuming responsability sign.

 

[mydaddysjag]

As much as I hate to do it, all of my exterior gates are now padlocked until we have this taken care of. Interior gates are open and unchained while the horses are in their stalls, in case we have to get them away from the barn quick. The idea of it scares me to death, but doesnt scare me as bad as my horses nearly getting hit by cars. This is just unbelievable...

 

[Miniv]

The cameras are a good idea.

I also agree with calling your local police. Tell them what is happening and ask for their advice and what the laws are.

We had a similar problem about a year or so ago. It was always the same gate, which was next to barn and also happened to be the closest to the road. It also happened at about the same time during the night. Our dogs would alert us and we'd be running outside immediately, but never saw who it was. After about a half dozen episodes, we called the police. A deputy came and took our report, looked at the gate and agreed someone OUTSIDE of the gate had to opening it because of the way the latch was designed.

For several weeks there was a sheriff's deputy who drove by our place every night around the time we had had the trouble. We also chained and paddocked the gate at night. Fortunately, we had a second way in and out of the pasture, or this would have scared the stuffings out of me! We never did find out who was doing it. The police said if they'd been caught they would have been charged with trespassing and criminal mischief.

Good luck with this.

 

[Mona]

I would try hidden cameras for proof, then charge for tresspassing and whatever else you might be able to, such as endangering livestock or something similar.

 

[Hawks_Eye_Minis]

just wanted to say walmart and gander mountain are haveing a HUGE sale on game cams.. There arround $50 insteada over 100..

I had the same problem with someone breaking in to my barn they let the horses out once and IF the guy that rents our basement wouldnt have come hime when he did they woulda took my horses he said he drove up and there was ablonde lady loading up hawk he asked her what the he ll she thought she was doing and took hawk back..

IF you do put game cams up though by law you HAVE to post some where visible that there are cameras present.. doesnt say how big you gave to have it wrote or that it needs to show up in the dark but you do need to have some sorta sign up

 

[Minimor]

If that were happening here I would immediately call the police & tell them what is going on--our Mounties are very good about making extra patrols when I've requested it, and I do appreciate them!! Anyone caught trespassing would be charged. Since it's unlikely that a patrol through the neighborhood would actually catch anyone--the trail cams are a good plan. Depending on your set up you may need more than one--I know here I would have to set up several in order to cover every possible gate. Barring that....I would sit out there somewhere (with a camera) and watch for that miserable neighbor. Hide somewhere that allows you a good range of view & then wait--if this is happening regularly, chances are good that you'll catch him in the act.

Post signs that say security cameras are in use (even if there aren't any--if someone thinks they are going to be caught on camera they might decide to give it up) and also post no trespassing signs. They probably don't do much good, but they do let the person know you are onto him. And, maybe if it's someone that is too stupid to know he's trespassing since there are no signs telling him not to....signs will get through to him. Here--signs are not required--but not everyone knows that, there are still some who believe unposted land is available to anyone who wants to wander through.

 

[HGFarm]

Well, I would think you could first of all work on 'no trespassing' laws? Here I believe it has to be posted. You could find out your state requirements for all that. Then see what other charges might apply.

 

[mydaddysjag]

We did have the police out, they took a report and said they would patrol our road more, but didn't expect to catch anything. My barn and pastures aren't really that close to roads, they are set back at the far end of our property, then the very large back yard, then the house, then large front yard and parking lot, then the road. They had to run across nearly 2 acres to make it to the road. The other three sides of our property are adjacent to other neighbors hay fields, I would say there are at least 60 acres of neighboring hay fields around our pasture. The neighbor that did this has a yard that is adjacent to our yard. There wont be a suspicious car outside, or strange people around to notice, as their property borders ours the whole way down, and my barn and fences are only about 20 feet off of the property line.

The saddest part is that we are closely related to these neighbors. If you do or say something they dont like, they seem to sneak behind your back and do malicious things. A few weeks ago I asked them nicely to not let their small pekinese dog run loose in the field, she was going right through my fence, running in my pasture. I have a horse who is very agressive with small animals, and will chase, kick, stomp them. I didnt ask to be rude, but for the safety of their dog. They have been walking the dog on a leash lately,but now this happened.

In a perfect world, I would get a great big mean outdoor dog, but honestly, its not possible.

 

[Miniv]

Since it's highly suspect that it's your neighbor, I'd padlock any adjoining gates first. Then, run some electric fence line on that side of your property.

No need to say a word.

 

[REO]

Since it's highly suspect that it's your neighbor, I'd padlock any adjoining gates first. Then, run some electric fence line on that side of your property.

No need to say a word.

I agree with this, but I would ALSO put up a recording cam!

Anyone who would do such a *&$@$%$@#$ thing deserves to get caught and punished for it, I don't care who it is.

That's a horrid thing for them to do. I'm sorry

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Wire the catch of the gate into the mains- make sure you know where the cut off is and make it unobtrusive. I am serious, but not directly into the mains- go through an energiser.

If they lay a counter charge against you deny all knowledge and ask what they were doing on the property trying to open a gate that they had no right to be anywhere near- but make sure you remove the energiser first!!!

Yes, I have a devious mind.

Yes, I have been caught out this way too!

 

[HGFarm]

I think chaining and locking the gates and an electric fence is a good idea also. I would also put up a cam just in case they feel like retaliating from that. How horrid that the only close neighbors you have are jerks. I feel for you!

 

[Genie]

Just posting something that applies to us here in Ontario Canada, but likely could apply anywhere.

Our farm is bordering a town. We have two farms directly across the road from each other, so both are bordering the town.

We have trespassers all the time with snow mobiles and atv's. They use the back of the properties illegally and most of the time we only see the residue of their shananigans.

The police advised us to put up "No Trespassing" signs, which are always removed or crashed through.

The police also advised us to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper to say that trespassers were using our property and we did not want people on the property due to the danger of animals being injured, water accidents, hitting a tree or a roll over that may kill someone.

The police said if something happened and someone was hurt that WE COULD BE SUED for everything we had.

The police said that if you don't post signs and make it known publicly that you did not want trespassers on your property then it could then be assumed that we were okay with it, since we had no signs and had not written letters.

By having the signs and letter writing we would have some proof we could not stop the illegal trespassing and we were not okay with it.

People north of us were sued and lost everything when two young boys were illegally using their farm, camping out and digging caves and a cave collapsed and killed the boys.

I just post this as a caution and something to think about in this world of litigation

 

[rabbitsfizz]

That is a very good point- it would also be true if you were to wire up the gate catch and the interloper were to be hurt, which is why I said you should deny all knowledge of it and take the energiser down immediately!!

If someone comes onto your property and is hurt by a horse they can sue you, it is crazy but true. The "No Trespassers" and "Trespassers will be prosecuted" signs are a very good idea, and although they do not indemnify you they would help if a case were brought. Nowadays the world is "sue crazy".

But if there happened to be a hot fence near to the gate, and it happened to "arc" to the gate chain, that is not intentional and therefore not your fault!!!

I have had so much stuff stolen, over the years and although most of the stuff was taken by the Gypsies, the most expensive things were taken by "friends"- people who knew me and who I knew, who walked in and helped themselves to what they wanted. You have to be so wary of everyone, it is so disillusioning.

I found two Gypsies chasing my mares with a lunge whip, one day. They actually complained that my horses were hard to catch, as I escorted them off the property pretending to be phoning the police all the time! One of the mare aborted two days later. What can I do? The police will do nothing because they are Gypsies and the police are terrified of them!

My heart goes out to you, I hope you can get this sorted with no harm to your horses.

Had you though of a nice big , horse friendly, dog??

 

[MeganH]

Yes! Game and security cameras are on sale right now! Very good idea to get cameras! I would post no trespassing signs and call police like the others have said. That is just so scary.

 

[chandab]

Just posting something that applies to us here in Ontario Canada, but likely could apply anywhere.

Our farm is bordering a town. We have two farms directly across the road from each other, so both are bordering the town.

We have trespassers all the time with snow mobiles and atv's. They use the back of the properties illegally and most of the time we only see the residue of their shananigans.

The police advised us to put up "No Trespassing" signs, which are always removed or crashed through.

The police also advised us to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper to say that trespassers were using our property and we did not want people on the property due to the danger of animals being injured, water accidents, hitting a tree or a roll over that may kill someone.

The police said if something happened and someone was hurt that WE COULD BE SUED for everything we had.

The police said that if you don't post signs and make it known publicly that you did not want trespassers on your property then it could then be assumed that we were okay with it, since we had no signs and had not written letters.

By having the signs and letter writing we would have some proof we could not stop the illegal trespassing and we were not okay with it.

People north of us were sued and lost everything when two young boys were illegally using their farm, camping out and digging caves and a cave collapsed and killed the boys.

I just post this as a caution and something to think about in this world of litigation

I realize this is the way it is, but this is absurd. I can't believe that people can trespass, posted or not, and then sue you if they get hurt. If they hadn't been on your property in the first place, it wouldn't have happened. Absolutely absurd.

 

[Katiean]

In a perfect world, I would get a great big mean outdoor dog, but honestly, its not possible.

Get a LGD. they are very devoted to family and what is theirs to protect (at least mine is). A person had not even put their hand through my fence.