Neighbour has destroyed my electric fence

[Albatrossie]

I had a new post and (equestrian) wire netting fence erected recently. In order to stop my horses and sheep from leaning or scratching on it and my sheep (Soay's) from climbing on it, I put two strands of electric rope (with insulators on each post) on my side of the fence. One strand at about 18 inches and the other a few inches below the top strand of wire so again on my side.

My neighbour (presumably as nobody else can get access easily) has cut and removed the section of electric rope on the fence that adjoins his land - both lower and upper strands. My remaining electric fence adjoining other neighbours is all intact. My electric fence was not all in one piece so he has made numerous cuts, leaving some short remaining bits on each of the ends making it completely obvious that it has been intentionally cut.

For context, I believe my neighbour is an intelligent retired professional man - obviously retired to the countryside from the city as he has 8 acres that he mows tracks through but keeps for absolutely no reason other than the view. I am completely confused and exasperated by this! Not only the cost of replacing the electric fence, but the time taken to do it!

Before I go knocking on his door accusing him, I was hoping to get some advice about where I stand legally - surely this is criminal damage? Should I report it to police? Why on earth would he want to do this as surely protecting my fence to ensure my animals stay on my land is in his best interests?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I would check first that the part of fence shows on your deeds as belonging to you and not the nasty arse neighbour. If it is actually his fence then he has every right to take down whatever you put there I would think. Unless of course you set it further back into your land and away from his legal fence line?

Ok that was the 'lets be reasonable and check this out before blowing a gasket' answer. Personally I would be giving him the sharp side of my tongue regardless of whose fence it is, even if it is his he could surely have politely requested you remove it?

 

[FestiveG]

I would report via the online form and then put up a camera trained on the fence, when you replace it

 

[Velcrobum]

Is your new fence replacing one that was already there? As Mrs J asks whose responsibility is the fence. If it is your responsibility and your fence then yes that probably is criminal damage. Take lots of photographs to document the damage so you have proof and refer to Police. I am making a guess that you do not interact with him?

 

[WelshD]

Charm offensive. Go and ask him if he has seen anything unusual as your fencing that is supposed to keep your livestock in and from damaging any neighbouring hedges etc has been cut.
Unless you are 100% sire it was him and that his motives are to annoy keep it friendly and light.

 

[Albatrossie]

To those asking, yes it is my fence and my responsibility. I have only lived here for 3 years and the fence was falling down when I arrived hence the replacement. My deeds clearly show it as mine.

He hasn't been particularly friendly as a neighbour but neither has he been unfriendly. I have only spoken to him once when he was mowing his path around the field - we are back to back so houses on different roads, with mine and his field between us so really don't see him much.

 

[paddy555]

To those asking, yes it is my fence and my responsibility. I have only lived here for 3 years and the fence was falling down when I arrived hence the replacement. My deeds clearly show it as mine.

He hasn't been particularly friendly as a neighbour but neither has he been unfriendly. I have only spoken to him once when he was mowing his path around the field - we are back to back so houses on different roads, with mine and his field between us so really don't see him much.

in that case if you are positive then I would tell him that you appear to have had intruders which is very worrying so you thought you had better warn the neighbours with land in case they have also had intruders. The intruders have done some damage and you are about to report it to the police. You are just letting people know.
That will give him the chance to comment if he had a reason for causing damage if indeed it was him.

 

[Albatrossie]

Thanks for the quick responses. I think maybe I should try a gentle approach, perhaps suggesting that there may have been intruders and that I am thinking of contacting the police. See what he says! Someone IRL has suggested that maybe he was under the wrong impression that it would electrify the metal fencing or something but I can't believe anyone would really think that when the plastic insulators were obviously designed to keep it away from the fence! As I said, I believe he is intelligent.

 

[paddy555]

Thanks for the quick responses. I think maybe I should try a gentle approach, perhaps suggesting that there may have been intruders and that I am thinking of contacting the police. See what he says! Someone IRL has suggested that maybe he was under the wrong impression that it would electrify the metal fencing or something but I can't believe anyone would really think that when the plastic insulators were obviously designed to keep it away from the fence! As I said, I believe he is intelligent.

intelligent from the city does not equal intelligent from the countryside. It is possible that he thought if a child, dog or cat ran into the metal fence it would be live. Whilst we all know what plastic insulators are townies may not. If you give him a chance to comment then he may explain (if it was him) why he was unhappy and you can educate him re electric fencing.

ETA if it was him that doesn't give him an excuse for cutting your wire. He should have asked before damaging it..

 

[Esmae]

I think if this were my fencing I would report to the police regardless and notify all neighbours what has happened and that the police are involved and leave it at that. I might well consider cameras for future possible problems. I think it is important that you have a crime number in case the situation escalates and you need to make a case of it. Further, I also think it important that the police are aware if only for statistics. If they don't know then it won't be happening.

 

[Lady Jane]

I would definitely visit your neighbour and tell him what has happened and ask if he saw anything. If he says no (or yes actually) say you will report to the police - and report it anyway. But talking to him may give you a clue what is going on

 

[Flyermc]

Is it possible that something had been caught in the fencing (rabbit or something) and the fence has been cut to release it and the neighbour hasnt had chance to let you know yet, or could the fencing have been accidentally cut when (perhaps) tidying his garden or maybe he has a gardener who might have cut it and not told the neighbour?

If they are not normally unfriendly and there would be no benefit for him to have done this, could there have been another reason?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would do the polite thing and be nice and tell him because you have had damage to your property, you have installed some cctv so hopefully the culprits will be caught next time

 

[windswoo]

And if it is him bill him the replacement fencing!!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I would just go and ask him outright if he's cut the rope. And see what he says. If he actually admits it , I'd explain that this is damage to your property and you'd appreciate it being paid for.
If he denies it , then I'd let him know that I'm reporting it to the police and will be setting up a camera to point at the fence

 

[nagblagger]

You could also say you are concerned for your animals either injuring themselves if they had escaped or ruining his land. (is he insured?)
if he admits it but apologises i would let it go this time, especially if he offers to pay. If not, as those above have said, report it to the police - criminal damage + cctv.

 

[ihatework]

I would go in softly, give him the confidence to admit it was him. Then calmly nail him … lay out your expectations that he pays for the repairs and if you meet any resistance tell him you will be reporting him for criminal damage

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I’d be fuming but definitely go in with the intruder route, explain you will be putting up cameras trained on the fenceline to catch them should they come back and will be replacing the electric. If he comes clean I’d request he pays for the fencing if he says no then I’d tell him you will be reporting him for criminal damage and leave it at that.

 

[meleeka]

I’d go and tell him your fence has been destroyed and ask if he saw anything. You’ve given him the opportunity to own up then. If he says no then say you will be reporting it as it’s criminal damage.

 

[Fjord]

I'd go with the 'concerned neighbour' angle, someone has been on your land, damaged your fence, it's very worrying, endangered your animals etc. Obviously you will report it to the police but thought you'd let him know so he can be aware that someone has been trespassing. And tell him you'll get CCTV as well, as extra security as its so worrying. I think it's unlikely he'll admit to it but it would let him know you are not going to ignore it.

 

[Velcrobum]

Is it possible that something had been caught in the fencing (rabbit or something) and the fence has been cut to release it and the neighbour hasnt had chance to let you know yet, or could the fencing have been accidentally cut when (perhaps) tidying his garden or maybe he has a gardener who might have cut it and not told the neighbour?

If they are not normally unfriendly and there would be no benefit for him to have done this, could there have been another reason?

If you read the original post the electric rope is on OP's side of her owned fence at levels where rabbits would not be caught. Neither could it be accidentally cut given it is on OP's side of the fence under the top of said fence.

 

[Velcrobum]

OK why should OP be expected to pay for CCTV or wildlife cameras when her fence has been vandalised. OP states access to her fence is restricted to the neighbour. We all hope our neighbours will be friendly and honourable however time and time again wealthy/very wealthy incomers from urban environments are anything but that very sadly.

 

[Grassy]

I’m on a lot of wildlife groups & if he mows only a track sounds like he’s keen to encourage wildlife onto his land. I wonder if he thinks the fencing is harmful to something like owls which he might be trying to encourage? I’d pop round for a chat first, if no joy forthcoming I’d report to police.

 

[Widgeon]

in that case if you are positive then I would tell him that you appear to have had intruders which is very worrying so you thought you had better warn the neighbours with land in case they have also had intruders. The intruders have done some damage and you are about to report it to the police. You are just letting people know.
That will give him the chance to comment if he had a reason for causing damage if indeed it was him.

This is exactly what I would do too. Gives him a chance to explain himself if he did do it for an innocent reason. And also justifies your behaviour in contacting the police - because you are "worried about the intruders". IMO this is by far the best course of action! If he does deny it, and he does it again, you will have so much moral high ground you won't be able to see him from up there. ?
ETA I also think there is maybe a very small chance that it actually WAS poachers? Particularly if he has a lot of wildlife (hares, deer) on his land. Perhaps they could've got a dog stuck in your fence.

 

[fiwen30]

I wonder if he’s maybe frequently crossing your land, for some reason or another?

 

[Getbackboys]

hope you get it sorted interfering people drive me insane and the lack of speaking and asking if it so bothers them first. reminds me of liveries who choose to just raise or change your fencing set up to keep minis in with no regard to the minis welfare ie keeping them off lots of grass, when a simple discussion would have gone down easily enough, folk for you sigh

 

[Landcruiser]

I'd be flipping fuming, but I think the intruder story is a good one to confront him with. If it turns out it was him, I'd be very interested as to WHY, and also would give him a (short) timescale to arrange repair/replacement at his expense otherwise you will report it as criminal damage. Just a thought, and I don't know how legal it is, but would it be worth "accidentally" having your phone in your pocket recording the conversation, in case he denied it later...?

 

[nagblagger]

Any update?

 

[Mudfukkle]

I would definitely use a softly, softly approach as you have no proof.
My fence kept being destroyed and "cut" - turned out it was foxes and the deer. The deer keep on knocking over my electric fence, they even lay all the posts over quite neatly in a row, you just wouldn't believe it!

 

[Widgeon]

Any update?

I'm desperate to know what happened to this fence
?