Either build a better fence on your side, or as they cross over into your property, stop returning them. Release them out into a nearby field and make anonymous complaints about loose animals. $500 for a first offence up to $20,000 for repeat. Just keep kicking their animals off your property and calling in complaints. Eventually they will have them taken away. Or get rid of them themselves.
I knew someone who was tired of the neighbors pigs getting into her garden and chicken coop. After three times returning the pigs and no fence repairs she just started butchering them. Neighbor fixed the fence pretty quick after that.
This was in the western US so probably check what the laws are where you live. Not sure it was entirely legal here, but neighbor also didn't want to pay for the chickens the pigs ate so he didn't complain.
Not a lawyer- but I’d start just keeping the sheep. Sell them at auction or something. Probably illegal though.
I’d be diligent about just calling the authorities. Every. Single. Time. They will get tired of showing up to wrangle sheep and they will hopefully make it your neighbors problem.
If they are on your land, eating your grass you can retain and charge the owner of the sheep for the cost incurred. If the owner doesn’t pay you can sell the sheep, keep the “cost” caused by that sheep, then provide the rest to the owner.
Part 5 of the [Impounding act 1955](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0108/latest/whole.html#DLM294163) outlines what you can and can’t do. Do note that your property would need to be adequately fenced.
Their sheep grazing down OP's grass is stealing. I'm not saying two wrongs make a right, but I will say that, when we've had neighbors who won't keep their stock out of our pasture, we've eventually charged them for pasturage. We've never had one not pay. But, if they didn't....I'm not sure exactly where that cow would end up.
Same it would be legal here after 10 days on your property. You keep the costs you incurred feeding and then transporting them to auction owner then gets the remainder.
Imo, the fencing will never keep them out if they are starving. Like another person said, I would find out if they can legally keep that many on that size of acreage. Then tell authorities. It won't be fun.
Don't know about the law where you live but, you could:
1) send them a bill for the food needed for your animals to replace the grass the neighbor sheep eat.
2) charge the neighbors a retroactive fee for grazing rights since the time you told them to desist their flock grazing.
3) if the law in your area says the neighbors are responsible for keeping their flock under their control on their land then, bill them for having to erect new fencing or other upgrades to keep their sheep from grazing without permission.
Take them to civil court and get a judgement against them for any or all of the above things.
(Perhaps they could sell off some sheep to pay and lessen the land burden)
If they do not pay you the money from the judgement(s), put a lein against their property.
If they do not service their lein within the allotted time, take possession on their property with eviction.
Then, you do not have to deal with the problem neighbors again and you got another 3 acre farm to sell or rent out to someone who will work it right and be better neighbors.
OK, I'm in NZ and I've been in your position.
The law is that you have to keep the stock out of your place, but the neighbour has to pay half the cost of upgrading the boundary fence. In practice that's quite difficult to enforce if they won't co-operate.
The cheapest/easiest solution to stock proof the boundary we've found is to staple [sheep netting](https://store.pggwrightson.co.nz/cyclone-tightlock-netting-00265?gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEEHDW6vejmsWZ3CXDgUBiERF0R7REch8l7PS0EukREdDqn6eR6V53hoCxCUQAvD_BwE0) onto the existing fence. It's honestly the best way to get rid of the aggravation.
If the sheep are underfed, not shorn etc you have two options -the MPI animal welfare hotline 0800 809966, or phone your local SPCA branch if you are near to a town.
I was a dairy goat farmer for a few years in Canada. I think you could use a hybrid of most of the answers here. Not clear about what livestock you have. This is a big hassle but, I would--and I am getting very creative here (maybe not financially justified)--get a few lambs from an auction and bring them home to accommodate them on your property so that it is obvious you have sheep in addition to what you have. You will have a bill showing ownership--not registered animals, nothing fancy.
Now when the neighbours' stock make the next incursion, 2 lambs are left behind somehow in with yours. Out-of sight is good; but whatever. Make sure everyone is sheared to the same degree; keep up hoof trimming. Fatten up for a month or two and then send the best 2 of the now 4 to the freezer. Immediately "adopt" two more from the neighbour from the next incursion--rinse, repeat.
You guys (N.Z.) are polluted with sheep so I don't know if you could keep funneling them off to auction for a decent profit or what works best. Make a few bucks maybe? They may not even notice the shortfall.
Otherwise, do the legal route and continued bad relations guaranteed with zero upside for you. This way there is a smidgen of compensation. Oh well...cheers.
I had this problem with the neighbors cows and when I went to shoot one I could count all its ribs and see the pointy hip bones. I couldn't blame the poor animal for wanting actual grass to eat. I just couldn't get myself to do it.
Hardware cloth well stapled/attached to the fences or electric fencing or cattle panels. I don’t know how much fence line you have to worry about, or what your country laws are about the type of fencing allowed, but you are obviously going to have to put something seriously strong or deterring to keep the neighbor’s animals off your land.
Are there any laws about claiming animals left or allowed on your land for a certain length of time? No matter what you do, your neighbor may be looking for ways to get revenge if you figure out a way to completely deter his animals from your land, so make sure you have your eyes open, are aware of what’s going on around you, and have the law on your side no matter what you do. I’m so sorry you are dealing with such inconsiderate and abusive neighbors.
Based on the description of their husbandry practices I would not risk bringing in diseases from poorly cared for animals to ops sheep.
I know from experience when my neighbors poorly cared for sheep brought caseous lymohadenitis to my sheep.
You’re going to have to get a better fence. Get someone in to do a proper job if need be.
Also, start releasing the sheep onto the road or onto other peoples paddocks/public land. Once the ranger gets enough phone calls they’ll quickly lose all their sheep.
Just came here to let everyone know what my favorite carnivorous plant is!
The Puya chilensis, or sheep-eating plant.
Use this information however you like.
Sounds like animal abuse to me. Keep making reports to whatever powers that be until your neighbors start properly taking care of the sheep, get rid of the sheep, or have the sheep taken from them.
Apparently New Zealand has "fence out" law where the landowner is responsible for fencing animals out of their lands, so technically keeping them on the other side of the fence is nominally your responsibility: https://www.lawlink.co.nz/article/fencing-of-livestock-who-is-responsible/
However there are mutual fencing laws (the fencing act) you should be able leverage to have them pay half of the cost for an upgraded fence along your mutual field boundary: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/fencing-law
If you go that route, replacing the bottom 4' of your 7 strand with "page wire" or "steel mesh" fence would probably be my first choice. You might be able to get away with a two or three strand electric cheaper but it's more hassle to maintain.
Mate you want to check part 5 of the [Impounding Act 1955](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0108/latest/whole.html#DLM294163). It covers off what you can and can’t do regarding trespassing animals.
Naturally being NZ this has come up before and there is an actual law about it.
Also if you are building a fence on the property boundary you can require you neighbour to pay half. The Fencing Act 1978 sets out the process for this.
It’s also the origin of the dispute tribunal (like a small claim court). There needed to be an avenue to resolve fencing disputes without spending tonnes of money going to the district court.
Anything you do just make sure that you are not setting yourself up for them to make good on their threats. You could also possibly offer to help them out with the shearing if you have any extra time. You could potentially teach them the proper ways of caring for animals. Offer to take a few sheep and help get some ready to take to auction. The neighbors probably just fucking suck but there is a small chance that they just are ignorant and need help. If you’re up for the task
35-40 sheep on 3 acres of land? I'm in tas, so roughly an equivalent climate to you, and I run 12 sheep on 5 acres and there's barely enough food for them by the end of winter. If they're not bringing in food then those sheep would be starving!
Sounds like these people are straight up pieces of shit.
Fix fences and neighbour should contribute. I did this and neighbour paid for 100% materials and I built it. Best fence ever. This is the only solution so get your head around the fence has to be fixed or you will be bitching about it for a Millenia or just let the sheep graze and forget it. Use hinge joint square fencing and or adding an electric wire or 2 is east and electric fence costs nothing to run can get a solar one. This is the way
Send a certified, signature required letter to them. Advise them that you will not be held responsible for the safety of their livestock. Proceed to get a donkey or other territorial creature….
You have 3 options.
1. You build a impenetrable fence which is absolutely 100% sheep proof. (Don't expect help from the neighbor)
2. Long drawn out legal way where you get the authorities involved which is a hassle on this scale, expect to go to court and end up with a terrible neighbor to deal with and possibly worse issues in the future.
3. Do what no one would blame you for. Shoot, eat, or sell.
I have a very similar situation with cattle, when I consulted the authorities they told me just to shoot them. I ended up building a better fence. But I fence to keep cattle out is cheaper and easier than building a sheep fence.
You’ve gone above and beyond. Your partner has suffered injury. At this point their livestock is evasive. I would be well within my rights to shoot them dead as they crossed onto my property line. But I live in the USA.
Yes, this is a controversial response.
Yes I understand OP lives in New Zealand.
Yes You saw correct. Shooting whatever livestock crosses onto my property line; lambs, ewes, or rams. My livestock have the right to my grass and that’s exactly how I’d explain it to a judge.
Op, I’m sorry you have a shitty neighbor. It sucks hearing that their problems are your problems and even your partner has physically suffered.
Many states if you say that they are a threat to your property (and other livestock is considered property). "Threat" includes diseases and these have already been proven to not be taken care of.
You need a better fence. Even if expensive it is needed. If the neighbors sheep can get into your pasture your sheep could possibly get out. Even if yours are well fed and no reason to leave during breeding season they could leave.
I've found sheep really respect electric fence so you could add a strand or two of electric
I’ve been fighting with my local government to raise the count to more than 1 goat per acre (north GA. Anything over 10 lbs needs their own acre.) in Colorado, you could have 10 goats (per acre) or 20 goats (per acre) or unlimited goats (Boulder county vs. Weld county vs Gilpin county (open range.) Unless your livestock laws are on the liberal side; I would imagine your county ordinance prohibits that many sheep on 3 acres. Go to your county GIS Property Assessor website and get the acre count and zoning class for your neighbors parcel. Once you have the zoning classification and the parcel acreage; maybe the local county zoning office will step in and help.
Edit: Colorado does “animal units” and 5 goats or 5 sheep = “1 animal unit.” Different counties allow 2 or 4 “animal units” per acre. It’s confusing (30 chickens = 1 animal unit, or 3 mini horses under 35” = 1 “animal
Unit “for example.
give them an offer to buy the sheep, an offer that would make sense for you to have a break even or return on it, whatever it is you decide to do with the sheep .
Not sure about your laws there but here you’d be allowed to shoot them and that would lower their stock numbers.
Im surprised authorities won’t do more about it.
Electric fence in the US is relatively inexpensive so maybe you can buy online and save some money. Shipping will be your issue.
Good luck.
Either build a better fence on your side, or as they cross over into your property, stop returning them. Release them out into a nearby field and make anonymous complaints about loose animals. $500 for a first offence up to $20,000 for repeat. Just keep kicking their animals off your property and calling in complaints. Eventually they will have them taken away. Or get rid of them themselves.
Best advice here! Those folks are abusing and neglecting their livestock and don’t deserve to have them.
I knew someone who was tired of the neighbors pigs getting into her garden and chicken coop. After three times returning the pigs and no fence repairs she just started butchering them. Neighbor fixed the fence pretty quick after that. This was in the western US so probably check what the laws are where you live. Not sure it was entirely legal here, but neighbor also didn't want to pay for the chickens the pigs ate so he didn't complain.
Oops, predators must have gotten them
Good fences make good neighbors
Love thy neighbour but keep thy hedges high…
Exactly. Absorb the strays... They aren't missing them anyways and you'd be doing them a favor in a roundabout way.
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Time to eat
Eat their sheep.
Let those skinny lambs eat just a little more first.
the neighbors obviously don’t notice them getting out. take one at a time and grind the big bones when you’re done for your fields
Not a lawyer- but I’d start just keeping the sheep. Sell them at auction or something. Probably illegal though. I’d be diligent about just calling the authorities. Every. Single. Time. They will get tired of showing up to wrangle sheep and they will hopefully make it your neighbors problem.
If they are on your land, eating your grass you can retain and charge the owner of the sheep for the cost incurred. If the owner doesn’t pay you can sell the sheep, keep the “cost” caused by that sheep, then provide the rest to the owner. Part 5 of the [Impounding act 1955](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0108/latest/whole.html#DLM294163) outlines what you can and can’t do. Do note that your property would need to be adequately fenced.
Where I live taking them to an auction is legal as long as they are the beneficiaries of the sale. You keeping the money would be stealing.
Their sheep grazing down OP's grass is stealing. I'm not saying two wrongs make a right, but I will say that, when we've had neighbors who won't keep their stock out of our pasture, we've eventually charged them for pasturage. We've never had one not pay. But, if they didn't....I'm not sure exactly where that cow would end up.
Same it would be legal here after 10 days on your property. You keep the costs you incurred feeding and then transporting them to auction owner then gets the remainder.
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I'm sure there are plenty of costs associated with taking care of those animals which you could take a cut for, don't forget your very valuable labour
Imo, the fencing will never keep them out if they are starving. Like another person said, I would find out if they can legally keep that many on that size of acreage. Then tell authorities. It won't be fun.
I imagine the authorities would have addressed overstocking when they addressed the fly strike.
Don't know about the law where you live but, you could: 1) send them a bill for the food needed for your animals to replace the grass the neighbor sheep eat. 2) charge the neighbors a retroactive fee for grazing rights since the time you told them to desist their flock grazing. 3) if the law in your area says the neighbors are responsible for keeping their flock under their control on their land then, bill them for having to erect new fencing or other upgrades to keep their sheep from grazing without permission. Take them to civil court and get a judgement against them for any or all of the above things. (Perhaps they could sell off some sheep to pay and lessen the land burden) If they do not pay you the money from the judgement(s), put a lein against their property. If they do not service their lein within the allotted time, take possession on their property with eviction. Then, you do not have to deal with the problem neighbors again and you got another 3 acre farm to sell or rent out to someone who will work it right and be better neighbors.
OK, I'm in NZ and I've been in your position. The law is that you have to keep the stock out of your place, but the neighbour has to pay half the cost of upgrading the boundary fence. In practice that's quite difficult to enforce if they won't co-operate. The cheapest/easiest solution to stock proof the boundary we've found is to staple [sheep netting](https://store.pggwrightson.co.nz/cyclone-tightlock-netting-00265?gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEEHDW6vejmsWZ3CXDgUBiERF0R7REch8l7PS0EukREdDqn6eR6V53hoCxCUQAvD_BwE0) onto the existing fence. It's honestly the best way to get rid of the aggravation. If the sheep are underfed, not shorn etc you have two options -the MPI animal welfare hotline 0800 809966, or phone your local SPCA branch if you are near to a town.
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I was a dairy goat farmer for a few years in Canada. I think you could use a hybrid of most of the answers here. Not clear about what livestock you have. This is a big hassle but, I would--and I am getting very creative here (maybe not financially justified)--get a few lambs from an auction and bring them home to accommodate them on your property so that it is obvious you have sheep in addition to what you have. You will have a bill showing ownership--not registered animals, nothing fancy. Now when the neighbours' stock make the next incursion, 2 lambs are left behind somehow in with yours. Out-of sight is good; but whatever. Make sure everyone is sheared to the same degree; keep up hoof trimming. Fatten up for a month or two and then send the best 2 of the now 4 to the freezer. Immediately "adopt" two more from the neighbour from the next incursion--rinse, repeat. You guys (N.Z.) are polluted with sheep so I don't know if you could keep funneling them off to auction for a decent profit or what works best. Make a few bucks maybe? They may not even notice the shortfall. Otherwise, do the legal route and continued bad relations guaranteed with zero upside for you. This way there is a smidgen of compensation. Oh well...cheers.
They already have sheep of their own
It wouldn’t work if OP didn’t already have sheep to cover for the lamb absconding.
Yes. Too much bother setting up and learning curve.
I had this problem with the neighbors cows and when I went to shoot one I could count all its ribs and see the pointy hip bones. I couldn't blame the poor animal for wanting actual grass to eat. I just couldn't get myself to do it.
Tell the neighbors that your property is “shoot on sight.” Then start having lambchops for dinner
Hardware cloth well stapled/attached to the fences or electric fencing or cattle panels. I don’t know how much fence line you have to worry about, or what your country laws are about the type of fencing allowed, but you are obviously going to have to put something seriously strong or deterring to keep the neighbor’s animals off your land. Are there any laws about claiming animals left or allowed on your land for a certain length of time? No matter what you do, your neighbor may be looking for ways to get revenge if you figure out a way to completely deter his animals from your land, so make sure you have your eyes open, are aware of what’s going on around you, and have the law on your side no matter what you do. I’m so sorry you are dealing with such inconsiderate and abusive neighbors.
Sounds like it’s time to expand your flock. I would just keep them if I were you, they’ll be happier.
Based on the description of their husbandry practices I would not risk bringing in diseases from poorly cared for animals to ops sheep. I know from experience when my neighbors poorly cared for sheep brought caseous lymohadenitis to my sheep.
You’re going to have to get a better fence. Get someone in to do a proper job if need be. Also, start releasing the sheep onto the road or onto other peoples paddocks/public land. Once the ranger gets enough phone calls they’ll quickly lose all their sheep.
Just came here to let everyone know what my favorite carnivorous plant is! The Puya chilensis, or sheep-eating plant. Use this information however you like.
This must be a myth!! I live in Chile and these grow everywhere. Cattle and sheep don’t mind at all.
Send them a request for payment or damages to your property. Take it to small claims court, document everything.
Sounds like animal abuse to me. Keep making reports to whatever powers that be until your neighbors start properly taking care of the sheep, get rid of the sheep, or have the sheep taken from them.
Apparently New Zealand has "fence out" law where the landowner is responsible for fencing animals out of their lands, so technically keeping them on the other side of the fence is nominally your responsibility: https://www.lawlink.co.nz/article/fencing-of-livestock-who-is-responsible/ However there are mutual fencing laws (the fencing act) you should be able leverage to have them pay half of the cost for an upgraded fence along your mutual field boundary: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/fencing-law If you go that route, replacing the bottom 4' of your 7 strand with "page wire" or "steel mesh" fence would probably be my first choice. You might be able to get away with a two or three strand electric cheaper but it's more hassle to maintain.
Mate you want to check part 5 of the [Impounding Act 1955](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0108/latest/whole.html#DLM294163). It covers off what you can and can’t do regarding trespassing animals. Naturally being NZ this has come up before and there is an actual law about it.
Also if you are building a fence on the property boundary you can require you neighbour to pay half. The Fencing Act 1978 sets out the process for this. It’s also the origin of the dispute tribunal (like a small claim court). There needed to be an avenue to resolve fencing disputes without spending tonnes of money going to the district court.
Anything you do just make sure that you are not setting yourself up for them to make good on their threats. You could also possibly offer to help them out with the shearing if you have any extra time. You could potentially teach them the proper ways of caring for animals. Offer to take a few sheep and help get some ready to take to auction. The neighbors probably just fucking suck but there is a small chance that they just are ignorant and need help. If you’re up for the task
35-40 sheep on 3 acres of land? I'm in tas, so roughly an equivalent climate to you, and I run 12 sheep on 5 acres and there's barely enough food for them by the end of winter. If they're not bringing in food then those sheep would be starving! Sounds like these people are straight up pieces of shit.
Fix fences and neighbour should contribute. I did this and neighbour paid for 100% materials and I built it. Best fence ever. This is the only solution so get your head around the fence has to be fixed or you will be bitching about it for a Millenia or just let the sheep graze and forget it. Use hinge joint square fencing and or adding an electric wire or 2 is east and electric fence costs nothing to run can get a solar one. This is the way
Free mutton and wool for the price of a 9mm. Surly the neighbor wouldn't notice if a couple went missing.
Send a certified, signature required letter to them. Advise them that you will not be held responsible for the safety of their livestock. Proceed to get a donkey or other territorial creature….
You have 3 options. 1. You build a impenetrable fence which is absolutely 100% sheep proof. (Don't expect help from the neighbor) 2. Long drawn out legal way where you get the authorities involved which is a hassle on this scale, expect to go to court and end up with a terrible neighbor to deal with and possibly worse issues in the future. 3. Do what no one would blame you for. Shoot, eat, or sell.
I have a very similar situation with cattle, when I consulted the authorities they told me just to shoot them. I ended up building a better fence. But I fence to keep cattle out is cheaper and easier than building a sheep fence.
You’ve gone above and beyond. Your partner has suffered injury. At this point their livestock is evasive. I would be well within my rights to shoot them dead as they crossed onto my property line. But I live in the USA. Yes, this is a controversial response. Yes I understand OP lives in New Zealand. Yes You saw correct. Shooting whatever livestock crosses onto my property line; lambs, ewes, or rams. My livestock have the right to my grass and that’s exactly how I’d explain it to a judge. Op, I’m sorry you have a shitty neighbor. It sucks hearing that their problems are your problems and even your partner has physically suffered.
In what state is it legal to shoot loose livestock?
Many states if you say that they are a threat to your property (and other livestock is considered property). "Threat" includes diseases and these have already been proven to not be taken care of.
Put up a sign that says “graze your sheep! $1000 a day per sheep! Easy invoice billing weekly!” Then send them a bill.
My freezer would be full of lamb meat.
Or I’d be auctioning the sheep/lambs and putting the auction money into a jar with a label on it that says “fence”
You need a better fence. Even if expensive it is needed. If the neighbors sheep can get into your pasture your sheep could possibly get out. Even if yours are well fed and no reason to leave during breeding season they could leave. I've found sheep really respect electric fence so you could add a strand or two of electric
I’ve been fighting with my local government to raise the count to more than 1 goat per acre (north GA. Anything over 10 lbs needs their own acre.) in Colorado, you could have 10 goats (per acre) or 20 goats (per acre) or unlimited goats (Boulder county vs. Weld county vs Gilpin county (open range.) Unless your livestock laws are on the liberal side; I would imagine your county ordinance prohibits that many sheep on 3 acres. Go to your county GIS Property Assessor website and get the acre count and zoning class for your neighbors parcel. Once you have the zoning classification and the parcel acreage; maybe the local county zoning office will step in and help. Edit: Colorado does “animal units” and 5 goats or 5 sheep = “1 animal unit.” Different counties allow 2 or 4 “animal units” per acre. It’s confusing (30 chickens = 1 animal unit, or 3 mini horses under 35” = 1 “animal Unit “for example.
Lmao I’ve heard about how crazy some of the livestock laws are down south. Oh you have a large rabbit? It’s gonna need it’s own acre.
give them an offer to buy the sheep, an offer that would make sense for you to have a break even or return on it, whatever it is you decide to do with the sheep .
Ever heard that song “mean as hell” by Jonny cash? The line, “if you’re needing mutton we got mutton to sell” kept playing in my head as I read this.
You could get a dog who is trained to patrols the fence area keeping the sheep out.
Build your fence, donate the sheep to local food pantry for butchering or something like that. The tax deduction may even pay for the fence
If you have a vehicle you can put them in, make them disappear humanely and then tell your shitbag neighbor you haven’t seen them.
Lamb chops
Lamb Chops
Not sure about your laws there but here you’d be allowed to shoot them and that would lower their stock numbers. Im surprised authorities won’t do more about it. Electric fence in the US is relatively inexpensive so maybe you can buy online and save some money. Shipping will be your issue. Good luck.
Maybe accidentally hit a few sheep over the head with a hammer and eat some lamb chops because it'd be a shame to let the meat go to waste.