I will call the cops in a heartbeat if I hear shooting from a certain neighbor.
Now, before you decide to hang me, please read on.
I live in the middle of 21 acres, my neighbor on the end of his 20 acres, houses about 800+ ft apart. All zoned AG. Cattle, wild pigs, all sorts of normal country noise. I used to think not only were we neighbors, but friends, many a time visiting, sharing a cold one etc. then a few years back, he had some sort of medical flare up, gave up drinking, eating meat, etc, etc. I remember sitting at his place one time and he related how another neighbor had complained about shooting the previous day. When the cops arrived he said he heard it, denied it was him and they left. He was really pleased how he got away with it and how inept they were.
So about 3 years ago, about 11AM on a Sat, I'm out mowing, wife and her visiting family had gone to town about 45 minutes earlier. I saw the cruiser coming up the road, surprised when it turned into our drive, even more so when it stopped at my gate. By the time I could drive the tractor to the gate, my heart was pounding, realizing that it must have been a very bad accident, so bad that the cops were coming and no cell call. By the time I was close enough for them to ask my name, my heart was probably louder than his voice. Just for background, my wife was head-onned in 1998 and spent 12 hours in trauma surgery, 10 days in ICU, and 5 months in the hospital - permanently disabled. So when the officer announced there had been a complaint about my barking dogs, I was instantly relieved, but also really ticked - that a police cruiser was at my gate. My dogs had followed me to the gate, the officer remarked that he recognized them and how well behaved. Of course he wouldn't id who made the complaint, but his answers to my questions about the only neighbor who didn't have dogs kinda confirmed he was the one. Officer did ask to confirm my id and said this was a courtesy, that no official complaint - yea right.
I did have a couple of earlier complaints from same neighbor. One morning he called to complain about the dogs barking, I told him no way they could be barking the last 20 minutes because I had only left home 5 minutes before. Some months later he called while I was in town. As he talked I accessed the video cams I had installed since the previous call. Politely asked which dog and then politely told him I didn't think so as I was watching the dogs on live video and the one he said was quietly laying down, although I couldn't tell if he he sleeping but he surely wasn't barking. At the time, there was maybe 14 dogs in the immediate neighborhood, half of which lived even closer. Several of which have awaken me in the middle of the night, usually due to pigs. Mine sleep in the house and can't be bothered. Do my dogs bark, they better, it's there job to protect the property. One day I came home and found my neighbor sitting atop a step ladder right next to the fence - the only place he could see the dogs and they him (if they were out, but they weren't). I think he saw me taking pictures from the dogs yard.
So after the police visit I emailed a detailed letter to all my neighbors about the incident. Several asked who, but of course I couldn't say, so didn't. I did include how the other neighborhood dogs did bark and carry so they might want to be mindful. I also stated that I was now fearful that the matter could escalate, with my dogs being accidentally shot - unfortunate pig hunting accident of course. therefore I felt it was my duty to report any weapons discharge given that we now must be viewed as no longer a rural setting and had to abide by town rules. My apologies to those that I knew did hunt. Several weeks later, another neighbor(retired cop) and his avid hunter uncle made it a point to discuss previous problems with my a-hole neighbor and they understand. They would not be using guns when hunting around my property.
The county changed the noise ordinance about 6 months later, removing the requirement for the police to actually witness a barking dog, meaning the complaint would be acted upon solely upon complaint. Over the next two years, he called the police twice more, earning me a citation and a trip to the local kangaroo court. Plead guilty and pay the fine or return another day with an attorney. $25 lesson, but not next time.
So, do I call when I hear a gunshot from a certain direction? You bet. This guy has a collection of rifles etc, but as long as we both live, he will never have the pleasure of discharging any if I'm home without knowing his friends will be visiting, just to reinforce the feeling he so enjoyed when he sent them to my house. Only called twice so far. Lest he forget, from time to time, I remind a neighbor or two I know he talks to.
My fallback plan should I receive another visit - a nice place about 75 feet and upwind from his bedroom to raise roosters and chicken - legal here on AG property of course.
David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
