Electric Fence Liabilities

Whiskey · Sep 12, 2003

Roger:

I have a hard time buying that a church in Mulberry is having a hard time with your fence, my god Mulberry is all farm or mining land. Tell us what they said to you when they let you know that they wern't to happy with the elcetric fence.

Was this by letter or phone call or just chatting over the fence? Like some on else said "they don't mind the barbwire" so what gives on the electric?

Whiskey

cowboydoc · Sep 12, 2003

EJB,

Yes you would be liable. The only time you are not liable is out west on free range country. But animals from private property are the owners responsibility. I have liablility insurance that specifically covers this. It would be a great idea to have it if you have livestock.

Currmudgeon · Sep 12, 2003

You can be sued for anything, any time, by anybody.

How liable are you if someone gets fouled in your barbed wire and gets cut? How much liability do you incur if your horse gets out and injures someone? Or your financial loss if the horse is injured. That's all liability.

The decision as to what incurs the greater risk is probably a guess, but I'd be worried about the electric fence the least.

WVBill · Sep 12, 2003

The decision as to what incurs the greater risk is probably a guess, but I'd be worried about the electric fence the least.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I'd rather get zapped by the electric fence than snagged by an old rusty barb and then have to get a tetanus shot.

WVBill · Sep 12, 2003

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That's kind of what I was thinking. I'd rather get zapped by the electric fence than snagged by an old rusty barb and then have to get a tetanus shot.

Spencer · Sep 12, 2003

Check with your township to see if there are any ordinances about barbed wire or electric fences for your particular zoning. If there are no ordinances against it I would just make sure you make the fences highly visable by tying pieces of neon colored surveyors tape every 3 to 6 feet.

Spence

F350Lawman · Sep 12, 2003

I think I had heard that places don't want the electric RIGHT on the property line line. It makes sense, you don't want your neighber getting zapped while mowing HIS own lawn. But I think most people with any type of animal fencing usually leave a little buffer so that "Wilbur" isn't sticking his head through the fence and eating the neighbors tulips. I know my fences are about 10' set back.

I have already hinted to my neighbors that when it comes time to redo the fence it will be electric tape in a natural color like brown or green so as not to look ugly. I hate the wood and will only use it around the house where it is always in view. As far as the rest of the property the electric is much more economical and easier to maintain. Even adding electric to wood isn't a great solution with all the pain of getting the weeds and shrubs off the wood and driving big posts deep in rocky or hard areas. Not to mention the price of wood! I would much prefer the t-posts or fiberglass with some electric tape or braid and a good solar charger.

cowboydoc · Sep 12, 2003

In Iowa and Idaho the fence lines are right on the property line. If you keep a fence line off the property line that fence line becomes the property line after 25 years.

As far as electric fences I did some research a year or so ago. A guy on here was claiming an electric fence had killed his cow and could kill a person. There is actually no way this can happen. The worst that can happen is the shock no matter if it's wet or anything.

RMEADOWS · Sep 12, 2003

The problem is I go to that church. I told the Pastor what I was doing. He told me that I better mark it and if any of the kids get hurt it would be my fault....