My neighbors animals continually get out and come into my yard. Do I have any legal rights to prevent this?

by **varik** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:40 am

I live in a rural area in East Texas. My neighbors have approx. 12 dogs, 6-8 goats and sheep, a horse two pigs and baby calf and chickens. They keep all of these animals on 5 acres. Obviously that is not enough land to sustain so many animals. They continually get loose and come on to my property to graze. This causes my dogs to go crazy barking and trying to get out of their play yard. (My dogs are pedigree and stay in the house, or in their fenced play area.) We have tried talking to them and have asked that they keep their animals on their property. The response we got from that attempt was to be run off with a baseball bat and the authorities called, which ended up with us being warned about future trespassing charges, for simply wanting them to keep their animals off our property. While the sheriffs department was here they said there was nothing they could do because Texas has a "free range law" and we are out of the city limits. My question is do I have any legal rights at all to keep unwanted animals from my land?

by **voliny13** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:41 am

Your legal rights are set by the county and enforced by the sheriff. According to you they have explained the neighbors are not doing anything wrong.

You might want to put an electric fence around your property, that should stop it.

by **jaren12** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:46 am

Your legal rights are set by the county and enforced by the sheriff. According to you they have explained the neighbors are not doing anything wrong.

You might want to put an electric fence around your property, that should stop it.

Talk to a good real estate attorney to find out your options. I have no experience with 'free range laws', so my experience in the NW probably wouldn't help you.

by **oded** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:58 am

You answered your own question. Apparently Texas has a "free range law." You may put up a fence, buy a shotgun or put down poison. The ramifications for doing these things will vary, so I'd start with the fence.

by **adalwine** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:00 am

shoot them!

nah im kidding, you could take them to court for breaching your property.
otherwise try things to wind up your neighbours, such as just wondering on their property, give them a taste of their own medicine

by **muireach** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:13 am

Build a fence.

Advertisments:

Useful Links: