crazy neighbor and his too many animals

AQHA13 · 01-31-2013, 03:01 AM

I just need to vent.

My neighbor sold her house about two years ago now. The family that bought the place was new to to country and ever since they moved there have been constantly adding to their collection of animals. He started with 2 small horses, 2 calves and 2 dogs. Since then he has expanded to 1 castrated bull, 2 cows and 5 calves. Still has the 2 horses, PLUS 24 chickens and 3 dogs!!!

Never mind that all of this is going on, on one acre of land. It's absolutely nuts over there.

I just don't know what to do, or if I can do anything. They have shelter, food and access to water. There used to be a small neatly kept pasture that is now just muck. His fencing has gone to he**. Our 6' chainlink fencing has been holding up alright with the electric fencing I had to run on his side to keep the cows off of it. They bent the chain-link posts really badly before I noticed what was going on. I bugs me that I have to run MY electric fence on his side to keep HIS cows off the fence. They keep knocking it off the insulated brackets and shorting it out, which means that I have to fix it about every two weeks. He doesn't vaccinate or worm, which defeats the purpose of me religiously keeping my mare utd. (they are within nose touching distance)

IMO he has absolutely way too many animals for the amount of land. He isn't all there mentally, but his heart is in a good spot. He rescues most of the calves and bottle-feeds them to health. Bottom line is that I am just tired of it. It smells and I'm tired of constantly being stressed about the fencing. We've had a different neighbors cow go through our chain-link before and I know its just a matter of time before it happens again.

If you have any ideas about what I could do, please advise me. I'm all ears for the moment. Kudos if you read it all!

waresbear · 01-31-2013, 03:11 AM

I read it all, sorry no suggestions other than checking zoning laws as to how much livestock one can keep on an acre of land.
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Delfina · 01-31-2013, 03:12 AM

Call the county and animal control. I highly, highly doubt zoning regulations allow him to legally posses 10 large animals on 1 acre of property.

AQHA13 · 01-31-2013, 03:31 AM

Trust me, I've looked all over for anything about the issue. Since we live outside of city limits, most of what I've found doesn't pertain to us. Calling is a really good idea though, I'll have to find the right number.

Delfina · 01-31-2013, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delfina

Call the county and animal control. I highly, highly doubt zoning regulations allow him to legally posses 10 large animals on 1 acre of property.

For the heck of it since I've never bothered to look, I just checked zoning regs for where I live and it's 4 Animal Units per acre (horse = 1 unit, cow = 1 unit, 4 pigs = 1 unit and so on). We're considered extremely lenient though, next county over is 2 animal units per acre.

AQHA13 · 01-31-2013, 03:32 AM

WOW! In that case he's WAY over. We're in Yakima County, WA. Can you find anything about us? Direct me to the website even?

AQHA13 · 01-31-2013, 03:48 AM

I was able to find through past realty listings that it's actually 1.10 acres, not much difference, but still...

mind · 01-31-2013, 05:29 AM

I've found some information, but I believe the first quoted two passages may not apply, because they unfortunately apply strictly to urban areas. You may be able to make a case off of the 1935 nuisance law, the final quoted passage, though...

Good luck, usually this information is pretty easy to find but Yakima's site isn't very clear.

Quote:

15.09.070 Special requirements for animal husbandry.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to assure that the raising of domesticated farm animals within the urban area is compatible with adjoining residential uses and the intent and character of the district they are located in.

B. Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size for animal husbandry within the Yakima urban area is one-half acre. A lot at least one-half acre in size shall be deemed to meet this requirement even though a portion of the lot may be used for a single-family dwelling.

C. Project Review. Animal husbandry operations, which would create noise and odors, attract insects or rodents or are otherwise incompatible with surrounding residential uses or the intent of the zoning district, may be conditioned or denied by the reviewing official in accordance with the provisions of this section.

D. Minimum Setback.

1. No portion of any structure used to house a domesticated farm animal shall be located within one hundred feet of any residence other than a dwelling on the same lot; and

2. No portion of any structure used to house a domestic farm animal shall be located within ten feet of a residence where the residence and domestic farm animal structure are located upon the same lot/tax parcel.

E. Maximum Number of Animals. The maximum number of animals that may be kept on the site at any time of the year shall be the number of animals that can be sustained by the pasture on which they are kept as their primary source of food, except during the winter months. The burden of proving that the pasture can sustain the number of animals in question shall be on the applicant.

F. Fencing. Fencing adequate to contain the animals shall be provided and maintained. (Ord. 2011-52 � 8, 2011: Ord. 2010-16 � 13 (part), 2010: Ord. 2009-09 � 1 (part), 2009: Ord. 2008-46 � 1 (part), 2008: Ord. 93-81 � 43, 1993; Ord. 3106 � 21, 1988. Formerly 15.09.090).

Chapter 15.09 SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Quote:

15.04.060 Accessory uses.
D. Pets. The keeping of pets is permitted as an accessory use; provided, that in residential districts they are subject to the following restrictions (see definitions of �kennel� and �animal husbandry�):

1. They are domesticated animals kept for pleasure or as a hobby rather than utility, including, but not limited to, fish; birds; dogs, four; cats, six; hen chickens (no roosters), fewer than five; and rabbits, fewer than five;

2. Their presence does not create undue noise or odors such as would create a nuisance or diminish the residential nature of the neighborhood;

3. Such animals are properly fed, watered and kept in a humane manner;

4. Any chicken coops, chicken tractors, or rabbit hutches shall be set back ten or more feet from any residence or property line, and five feet from other structures including decks;

5. Hen houses, coops, hutches, and chicken tractors shall be restricted to the backyard area of a residential lot;

6. For chickens and rabbits, adequate fencing shall be installed to contain the animals within the backyard;

7. The other provisions of the YMC for animals are followed.

Chapter 15.04 PERMITTED LAND USES

Quote:

6.56.060 Offensive confinement of animals.
The keeping, using or maintaining of any pen, stable, lot, place or premises in which any hog, cattle or fowl may be confined or kept, in such manner as to be nauseous, foul or offensive, or from any cause to be an annoyance to any community, family or person is declared to be a nuisance. (Ord. B-86 � 1(f), 1935).

Chapter 6.56 NUISANCES

Cat · 01-31-2013, 07:24 AM

Best thing you can do is call your county office and ask. They would be able to give you an answer right away of what pertains out there. Some places don't have limits at all and as long as the animals are fed, watered and in good condition there is nothing they will do about it.

As to the fencing - they may be able to make him reinforce his side of the fencing or face property damage fees.

equiniphile · 01-31-2013, 07:29 AM

Have you checked for laws regarding how close fencing can be to the property line?

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