...to be really pissed that my neighbour had put up electric fence?

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

Our neighbours (a mid 30s couple, no kids, no pets) have just had their 100ft garden 'landscaped'. Since they moved in 2 years ago they've left what was a gorgeous little space to ruin as they don't like gardening, and now they've had it redone to be as little maintenance as possible.

But as they've had their garden done, they've realised that all our gardens are frequently visited by badgers (and currently a family of foxes). It's a big deal having the animals as we're actually on the outskirts of a town centre so wouldn't expect to have such an abundance of wildlife. It doesn't bother me massively that the badgers sometimes dig holes in our lawn but our neighbours have taken massive offence to the possibility of badgers digging in their pristine lawn so have started trying all sorts to stop them gaining access.

They tried blocking holes - the badgers dug bigger ones in different places. They tried filling the holes with stones, they got moved.

Anyway - went out in the garden tonight to find they've put FUCKING ELECTRIC FENCING ALONG OUR BOUNDARY against the hedging that separates us. To say I'm livid is an understatement. I have a cat, as do many other neighbours, and a small DD who could easily gain access. They DIDNT EVEN TELL US THEY'D PUT THE ELECTRIC FENCING UP and I can't even ask as they've done it and gone abroad for 2 weeks!!!! FFS - if you don't want wildlife BUY A FUCKING FLAT!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, is it me overreacting or is this a massive overreaction on their part to a small problem?

[QuintessentialShadows]

Is it even legal?

[Lovetats]

I'd be livid! Is this even legal?

[FiftyShadesofViper]

Pop a letter through the door to welcome them home expressing your concern and pointing out that any harm to your pet or young child will result in legal action. Either that or find a sneaky way to short it out!

Are you allowed to electrocute badgers? Aren't they a protected species?

[Whatmeworry]

Short it, that'll make them happy :)

[lunamoon]

Ring the council and report it. Failing that ring the police?
I thought it was illegal too and I am fully with you over buy a flat if you cannot cope with wildlife.

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

I really don't know, as far as I can see the fencing is three wires in total about 10 inches high. We don't really get along with them anyway, they're so up themselves not very friendly.

[Pickgo]

Yes it is legal afaik - you can do it for livestock in your garden eg chickens.

It won't hurt the cat - cats are too clever to touch an electric fence.

If it's the their side of the hedge surely your DD won't touch it either? Even if she did it would give her anasty jolt but not life threatening.

Not very neighbourly tho is it?

[Tiddlyompompom]

I seriously doubt that is legal - get the council involved ASAP. Huge safety issue, who the heck installed it?
Bizarre overkill on their part, and completely inappropriate in a residential area.

[WorraLiberty]

Google the law on electric fencing in urban areas?

[QuintessentialShadows]

Call your local planning department at the council and ask. It may require planning permission, if it is even legal.

[chunkythighs]

What I would never suggest is that you wait untill you know they are in the garden and 'decide' loudly to trim the hedges.....AAAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!! (The sound of a body hitting the ground), .


Honestly, don't do it- but if you do-any chance you could hook me up with a youtube link of the neighbours reaction.

[ThatVikRinA22]

i would take advice on this - phone the council and ask where you stand on this - i am going to stick my neck out and assume its going to be a civil matter but that does not mean you cannot do anything.

the council would be my first step.

[LadySybildeChocolate]

You need to check with your local council. It shouldn't be a high voltage, so shouldn't be strong enough to electrocute wild animals, just give them a little buzz.

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

lol at chunky . How on earth would you short circuit it anyway?

From what I'm reading it sounds legal, but no not neighbourly and tempted to ring the council anyway. I doubt DD would go crawling under the hedge but the 'zip zip' noise is annoying.

[GrahamTribe]

If the badger holes are setts it's definitely illegal to interfere with them. Anyone causing harm or injury to a badger is breaking the law.

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

No they're not setts, graham, the sett is elsewhere, the badgers dig holes under the fences to access the gardens for food.

[GrahamTribe]

NB AFAIK the only law re electric fences is if the general public come into contact with it (or might) - if it's on their own property I think it's generally permitted but some councils may have their own regs on it so do check.

[GitAwfMayLend]

It doesn't sound very neighbourly does it?

I wouldn't worry about your cat though, it won't kill it.

[ThePathanKhansWitch]

I'm just . They could have let you know. Sound like anti-social bastards.

[FlippinCheekOfIt]

My engineering nerd husband says whatever you do, don't go to Maplins and get yourself a roll of copper wire and don't stick a bit into the ground hidden in your hedge. And whatever you do, don't allow that bit of wire, which you haven't bought or stuck in the ground, to accidentally lean against their fence wire where it can't be seen. Because if you did these things the electricity would be grounded and the fence, while still humming and appearing to work, would in fact be useless/harmless.

[QuintessentialShadows]

[EmpressOfTheSevenOceans]

You won't want to click on this link either then. No.

[Angelico]

:o

[ThePathanKhansWitch]

Evil genius!

[Incaminka]