Animal Control

[AllyandJack]

Is there any way to find out the duties and responsibilities of the animal control officer?

Generally speaking, is one of their duties to remove animals that an owner can't or refuses to control?

I'm having a HUGE problem with my loser neighbor and his flock. He's been warned and fined, but he doesn't seem to care and I'm getting more and more annoyed with finding his stupid animals on my property - especially the roosters that crow at my windows.

I've had just about enough and I'm wondering what the role of animal control is in this situation. The Town keeps telling me to call them. I do. I have pictures. Yet, they do nothing.

Am I on my own here to file a private action against my neighbor?

TIA for any insight. He's selling, but he's going FBSO and he's asking for an insane amount. I'm a Realtor in this area and his house is way too overpriced. I can't imagine him selling it anytime soon and I can't live like this anymore.

 

[wdwmom2]

Sorry, sounds like an unpleasant situation. Not sure what to tell you other than to keep calling Animal Control until they actually do something.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and nothing is done..........nothing better than sitting in front of the TV with a hot bowl of chicken corn soup !!!

You catch my drift !

 

[pfishgirl]

The neighbor behind us had a rooster that crowed all day long..

We complained several times and until it Bit a young boy they never removed it..

Find out what your town laws are.. I was told if it was a goat it would be illegal but a rooster is legal

 

[LindaR]

Go over their heads. That's what I had to do.

Find out who is in charge......meaning are they part of the city government or what? You can always write in to the editorial section of your newspaper. Show up to the open meetings for the city or county (whoever is in charge).

I had a problem with neighbors who had pits. They let them run loose in the neighborhood. I called and called and by the time animal control would show up the dogs would be back in their yard. There were times when we could not open our gate to exit our driveway because the dogs were there growling.

finally I called the police department because they were "in charge" of animal control. I had dates, times ,etc. and demanded to know why they were not following the guidelines. My neighbors got a citation. A few days later the dogs were out again and I called the city again. Dogs were removed from the premises that day.

 

[java]

Around here the ASPCA actually moved faster than animal control. They sent a car out right away and were going to take the dog. (loooooong story) So check with your local aspca. It worked for us in a roundabout way.

 

[ducklite]

The functions of animal control officers vary from town to town. Often they are only responsible for nuisance domestic animals, which are often defined as dogs, and dogs only.

I would suggest calling the mayors office, the city managers office, or a similar function, and inquire.

Good luck!

 

[weber507]

sorry to hear about your situation. i would go to the newspaper also

 

[4chitlins]

I'm sorry you have such an inconsiderate neighbor,who gives all bird keepers a bad name.I have had chickens for many years.I live in the middle of the city,have never kept a rooster and keep my coop very clean.I have never had a complaint from a neighbor,so I know that it is possible to have them without bothering people.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My guess is that you will have to file some kind of formal complaint with the police.

Our animal control officers are part of the police department.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Town Hall can give you copies of the job description for the animal control officer, which should also tell you who they report to. They should also be able to copy any animal control ordinances the town has.

BTW - how was fair weekend? The traffic was nutty!

 

[Disney Doll]

Usually animal control is part of the police department, so I would suggest starting there. Or call your mayor's office and see who is in charge of the animal control department.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I would think that your town would have an ordinance that deals with livestock and how many of each kind of animal they can have on their property. I know in our area there is a limit to the number of chickens you can have in the city limits. Check with city hall they may have an ordinance enforcement officer too.

Course we are pretty redneck - and if DH had warned the neighbor already - the next time the rooster was in our yard he'd end up chicken soup.

 

[AllyandJack]

Animal Control is part of our police department here, too. One of the officers is the Animal Control Officer, too.

Since our Town is zoned Agricultural, they deal with everything except wild animals, apparently.

We've had this fight before.....Town by-laws state any area used for animal care has to be 100ft from a neighboring dwelling. His area was 50ft from my house. They talked with him about it and he just ignores them. Then they drop it because they can't be bothered. Then, something else trespasses - geese, chickens, roosters, turkeys and I have to stop what I'm doing and take pictures, call the officer, and go through it all over again.

I don't care if he has the roosters over there, as long as they're the 100ft from my house like they're supposed to be. I spent over $2200. getting special windows for my bedroom because they cross the property line and crow under my window at 5am. They come further onto the property and crow outside the living room window. I can't open my window at all. Ever. No nice crisp fall air for me.

DH called them today and they're coming out later today to look at my pictures, warn him again, and then go back to playing cards or whatever they do instead of doing their actual jobs.

Jen, the traffic wasn't too bad. But, apparently there was a huge accident. We heard all of the sirens. I don't know what happened, but it sounded pretty big.

I think I am going to have to start showing up at Selectmen meetings. I've been content with them handling it and, obviously, nothing is being done, so no more playing around.

 

[daisax]

I'd borrow somebody's dog or cat for a couple of weeks.

 

[agnes!]

I'd borrow someone's chicken-loving dog (keeping it on my proprerty of course) . Cats aren't usually big enough to take on a rooster, but there are some dogs that could do the trick.

I wonder if you could set up Havahart animal traps?...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
agnes!

 

[AllyandJack]

It happened again today! I have more pictures. I am so angry, I want to cry. I have no peace in my house because these things are under my window.

You know what's funny? My neighbors about 4 houses down called the cops on my other neighbor because she allegedly called her a bad word. They put a note on her car door threatening to arrest her. Yet, this guy is allowed to get away with whatever he wants? I guess we only have Anger Management Police in this Town.

Took more pics. Called Animal Control. Waiting for them to show up. DH has been dealing with them, but now they can deal with me. I'm sleep deprived from a 4 month old. I've thrown up 3 times today and been thrown up on 10 times. I am not a happy person.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Have you thought about getting an attorney and just sueing the neighbor for depriving you of your right to peace and quiet in your own home? If the animal control officer is unwilling to enforce it, I'd sure as heck try to get some kind of compensation for having to put up with the noise.

 

[Nynaeve]

I'd borrow somebody's dog or cat for a couple of weeks.

I'd borrow someone's chicken-loving dog (keeping it on my proprerty of course) . Cats aren't usually big enough to take on a rooster, but there are some dogs that could do the trick.

I wonder if you could set up Havahart animal traps?...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
agnes!

I vote for these suggestions. A dog would keep them away.

 

[AllyandJack]

I am on the verge of hiring an attorney to handle this. I am an attorney in a neighboring state. I don't practice anymore though. I have friends who practice in this state and one recommended an attorney.

If I do decide to go that route, it's going to get ugly. Because I'm going to want to be reimbursed for my $2200. windows, the cost of the lawyer....right down to the ink cartridges I've wasted printing out these pictures!

This is my front yard...that is my driveway in the background....I took the pictures out of a window in the middle of my house, so they're about 200ft onto my property line. Animal Control hasn't shown up yet....the card game at the station must be pretty good tonight.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Ya know a good high powered pellet gun would probably take care of your chicken problem...