Which helps the cat to stay clear of the spiked wall. State law governing swimming pool enclosures installed on property within a property owners' association. A potential vet bill is going to be even more expensive. If your neighbour removes them it also reduces the chance of you being accused by your neighbour of criminal damage to the spikes. Cat spikes do work, and theycan keep all cats and foxes out of your backyard. Maybe you should ask your cats to stay out of his garden. Apparently yes. The best pet spikes are specially made humane, rubber, blunt cat spikes. In this article, we will be answering some of your questions about cat spikes and why they are such a taboo subject for both owners & non-owners of cats. But do you know there are some legislations covering security fencing, for example, laws guiding putting spikes on your fence? In most cases, you will be required to apply for council permission. Of course if the neighbour puts them in your fence again, I would suspect that they are likely causing criminal damage to your fence. The most important features of a good fence are height, strength, and security toppings. Only if your neighbour gives you permission to do so. If they are happy with having spikes on the boundary wall or fence, then you are good to go. I stood on one that I took down,and theatre painful. We had a big fall out and was told by the council that it was Ok for him to do this. Talk to your neighbours before using cat spikes, especially if you co-own a boundary wall of a fence with your neighbour. The Dividing Fences Act 1991 regulates neighbours responsibilities towards dividing fences and is designed to settle the contentious aspects of sharing a fence. The same rule applies for wanting a taller fence though, want a taller fence = apply for planning permission. Remind them it is your fence, and they will be responsible for any damage caused. Given them 2 or 3 weeks. Yes, you can in many instances, but it depends on local regulations. The 45mm nails have been driven into the top of the wooden garden gate adjoining the property of a neighbour who owns cats. Start with a friendly conversation. WebIf your neighbor constructs a spite fence, possibly making the neighborhood look terrible and calling attention to the property, what should you do? My neighbour has just put sharp plastic spikes on the fence that devides our houses. Just tell them what you've said here - the cat likes to sit up there and you don't want it to get hurt, so can they remove them please. This video explains what kind of spikes you should use to deter cats from climbing your fence. This article, written by a Texas attorney, is a good primer to the issues involved with adverse possession of real property. Warning signs for anti climb spikes need to be displayed so that they are easily seen by anyone approaching a protected barrier. So youre hating on something for acting according to its nature, not out of malice or evil and yet you say you would deliberately run it over? WebWhen youre splitting the fence cost with your neighbor, you need to want the same fence. my neighbor wants to put a fence right down the property line. If your neighbor constructs a spite fence, possibly making the neighborhood look terrible and calling attention to the property, what should you do? A TikToker shared that her angry neighbor shined a flashlight into her elderly mother's bedroom. Don't have a library account? Foxs do not bury their poo. (Yes. After this we contacted a solicitor about this and took the neighbour to court over the vet bills (350) and won the case because we had video evidence of the cat jumping up on his fence and cutting his paw! 2 What can I put on my fence to stop burglars? Security of lives and properties is very important. With that in mind, you must make sure the spikes you are using are plastic and not too sharp that they puncture the cats paws. WebSpikes are legal to use in most states. I also have a garden pond to attract wildlife. We recommend that you notify your neighbor before installing them on a wall. There is no law to stop you from cementing glass onto the tops of walls, or hammering nails or carpet gripper into the top of your fence. Likewise, is it illegal to put plastic spikes on your fence? Fencing mayalso be regulated by Texas municipalities. Im not suggesting you are intending to damage them but it more or less rules out any possibility of that sort of escalation. Really worried about our cat and the other neighbourhood cats getting hurt and I also didnt like the look of them. Adding trellis above your fence is a good way to keep burglars away as it makes it difficult for burglars to climb over. If so, what will they then do in return? Because the fence will benefit both parties, your neighbors might be interested in sharing costs, and the conversation about property lines and fence maintenance will also become much easier. Hell, bake a pie and go over to introduce yourself, and ask to talk about the fence. So, after a few months one of my cats popped his foot on one of the spikes. So Ill finish by simply saying to all the cat lovers out there, if a cat ran out in front of my car..I wouldnt brake. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. A strong fence. How To Stop Rats and Mice From Invading Your Garden? Are they safe, effective and legal to use? Stephanie is fond of doing all backyard-related work at her home. i'd rather the fence be entirely on her property so that i do not become mutually responsible for maintenance on a fence has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance. I've even seen rats walking along the tops of fences! The fence is about 7 foot high. A spite fence does not fall from the clear blue sky. I'll resolve before I let them back out. Cat spikes are considered illegal if it is installed to harm cats. (Part 1), Texas Fence Law: Open Range.Or Not? To stay above the law, you MUST only use blunt plastic spikes that will only make the cat feel uncomfortable. 02/06/2018 06:59. Ensure your fence is 2 meters high before you install security toppings such as Bulldog spikes. The spike strip looks like a simple thin wooden strip with iron nails sticking out the top, and it runs along the entire length of their backyard and a good bit of ours. If you want to stop people from climbing your fence, consider investing in a good fence. He may be happy to take them down if you stop your cat from shitting in his garden. Dont use carpet gripper on your fence as its not designed for such use and would not stop a burglar climbing your fence (they simply put a coat over the top of it). Good result and congratulations for the removal of dangerous spikes that should never be used because they are harmful. Not only because I don't really want to see what happens if my cat decides to run out and leap up the fence like they sometimes so, but also because it looks hideous and makes the fence look ugly. Neighbors Share Responsibility for a Boundary Fence Boundary fences are considered mutually owned, so both parties are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the fence. If you live in a busy neighborhood, youll have a cat in your backyard by the end of the week! When installing cat spikes, you must comply with the law by erecting a sign warning people that the fences top is spiked. A blog post from the Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension discussing state law that provides requirements for a landowner seeking to remove certain fences on his or her own property. If the thing is still up after that remove it yourself or pay someone to remove it and bill your neighbour, when they dont pay sue in small claims. Evidence you might present could include pictures of the fence (to show that it is purposefully ugly), diagrams of its location (to show that it is needlessly tall and blocks light), the timing of its installation (right after an argument between you and your neighbor, which you would hopefully have separate documentation of, such as a text or email or even copies of these you sent to friends describing the situation), or testimony from other neighbors about the surrounding circumstances and motivations (to show that your neighbor dislikes you). (Answer Inside), Does Windex or Fabuloso Kill Roaches? But they also found out that most cats have one kill per every 17 hours outside and they only bring home 25% of the animals they kill. Recently, we no longer see walls or fences topped with broken glass but we do see fence spikes, barbed wires, and other precautions which comply with existing laws. To avoid any disputes, we had the posts put on the boundry line and into our garden, and the panelling on our side - effectively losing about 3 inches of garden, but we didn't want to caise an issue with a fence we are choosing and paying for. 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We bet all the feline fans are seething in rage. This was my first thought as well. Make sure you check with your local council before doing any work because regulations cover fences and security toppings. 14. The cats dont kill for food, they play with their prey until they get bored, leaving it dead or in the worst cases injured to such an extent that again, I have had to put these wild creatures, that I have desperately been trying to attract into my garden, out of their misery. Cat spikes are hard plastic spikes that can be nailed on top of fences and walls, the strips are around 20/30 mm wide. Your fence is the first obstacle an animal or a human intruder attempting to enter your property will face. Neighbor's Dog Scratched My Car: What Can I Do? We took the cat to the vets as you do because his foot pad was bleeding. An article from the Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension that reviews the general fence law in Texas and the two major exceptions that modify that rule. If you are going to fix spikes to your fence, make sure the wall is yours and not shared with your neighbour. 1. Neighbours put barbed wire and spikes up in their garden just to keep out our cat! So, tread carefully would be my suggestion. TBH I'd be going over and telling them to remove them. Spite is an emotion, and your neighbor would feel compelled to construct an annoying fence only if he or she was feeling strong emotions towards you. Property Owners' Association research guide, Section 202.022 of the Texas Property Code, Section 202.023 of the Texas Property Code, POA Power Shift Legislature Gives Property Owners More Rights. Lets take a look at some of the important features of a good fence. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'yardpit_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-leader-1-0');Also, buy store-bought spikes from a trusted source that uses the safe version. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. We then informed the council about the accident as he was told to remove them for a plastic brand! What is the law regarding garden fences? Can my Neighbour put spikes on my fence? See more. In your front garden, the garden fence protocol for garden fence height is slightly different, with the maximum height being 1.2 metres. Is it legal to put carpet grippers on your fence? The 'totally evil' move was the latest episode in a neighbour dispute which has lasted decades. Dont use carpet gripper on your fence as its not designed for such use and would not stop a burglar climbing your fence (they simply put a coat over the top of it). Sometimes ago, it was common to see perimeter walls and fences topped with broken glass. Cat spikes are a straightforward design; they are made of plastic but have enough sharpness to make the cat feel uncomfortable and jump down. Pie should be blueberry, the pie of resolution and not apple, the pie of hidden motives. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. (And Wind Chimes). So also, todays legislation does not support the use of broken glass as an intruder deterrent. But not all neighbors are considerate people. This fence was old and battered anyway, so time to replace! But its really to keep the squirrels from leaving their peanut shells in her garden I have taken 3 of them down,as I am so worried my cats will.get hurt. What Are The Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders? Back in the day, it was a popular form of intruder deterrent commonly used around industrial premises and other areas to keep animal and human intruders out. They've done it with the pure intention of injuring my parents' cat (They've threatened to kill it before). Does The right to roam give them the right to use my garden as a toilet & killing ground? 2.) However, it might be prudent to politely ask your neighbour to remove them first - doing this may help your relationship with your neighbour. Mediation might not be a realistic option, if the relationship between you and your neighbor is simply irreparable. I cannot however justify keeping cats indoors, they need space and exercise, I have previously offered to get them a noise repellent if the cats go in the garden, as they are very social and friendly and will just go where they want and I am conscious that they may be going toilet somewhere - the neighbors declined, this was a few years ago however. Adding trellis to your fence not only keeps burglars away but also makes your fence look more attractive and unique. While rare, adverse possessionis a legal concept that allows a trespasser sometimes a stranger but more often a neighbor to gain legal title over the land of a property owner. My cats like to be able to dig when they crap, so this area suits them. If the neighbor's dog destroys part of the fence, technically you'd both be responsible for the cost of repair. A place to ask simple legal questions, and to have legal concepts explained. The spikes are possibly there to deter cats, squirrels, and other animals from walking across the top of the fence. Vile. If spikes have been installed along a linear boundary, such as a wall or fence, then it should be ensured that signs are presented every 3 metres or less, to make certain they will be seen. Cat spikes are designed to inflict pain but are not sharp enough to puncture a cats paw. Thank you for the really constructive and rational line of thinking. If they don't, and there's no evidence to show it (original fence posts still up etc) then you may find you're about to kick off a boundary dispute. Feel free to remove it. 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