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Original poster

Spikes on our fence

29 replies

Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 11:19

NDN (not a particularly nice man), has put spikes on our fence. A fox gets into his garden and without asking he has put spikes on the fence we own.

The fox does nor live in our garden, we have a large dog, so they just pass through and then onto where ever.

I am not keen on the fox, but neither do I want it to get injured from the spikes.

Do I just remove the spikes, or have a discussion about it first?

I presume as we own this fence, he has no right to just decide he will put spikes up?

OP posts:
cheesegloriouscheeseyum · 22/09/2021 11:19

Of course you can remove them, it's your fence!

AliceMcK · 22/09/2021 11:20

I thought it was illegal to put spikes or glass on fences. I may be completely wrong though.

HarrietsChariot · 22/09/2021 11:21

Whereabouts are the spikes - top, bottom, pointing into your garden? I'm having a hard time visualizing how you might injure yourself to be honest.

But yes, if you own the fence then NDN can't unilaterally decide to fix things to it.

HarrietsChariot · 22/09/2021 11:22

@AliceMcK

I thought it was illegal to put spikes or glass on fences. I may be completely wrong though.
It's not illegal but you will get into trouble if someone gets injured on them (even a burglar or trespasser).
LST · 22/09/2021 11:22

Are they really spikey spikes or those plastic deterrent ones that don't injure just put things off going onto the fence?

Either way I'd remove them

Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 11:23

@HarrietsChariot

Whereabouts are the spikes - top, bottom, pointing into your garden? I'm having a hard time visualizing how you might injure yourself to be honest.

But yes, if you own the fence then NDN can't unilaterally decide to fix things to it.

I am not concerned about injuring myself? I said the fox will get injured, which I don't want.

The spikes are along the top of the fence.

OP posts:
Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 11:23

@LST

Are they really spikey spikes or those plastic deterrent ones that don't injure just put things off going onto the fence?

Either way I'd remove them

They are plastic ones, so would they not injure the fox?
OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 22/09/2021 11:24

If it is your fence then just remove them and put them in his garden so he can't accuse you of stealing them.

Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 11:24

@ApolloandDaphne

If it is your fence then just remove them and put them in his garden so he can't accuse you of stealing them.
Yes, I think this is best!

The cheek of him!

OP posts:
pepsirolla · 22/09/2021 11:33

Neighbour definitely cannot attach anything to your fence without your consent. See here
horticulture.co.uk/can-neighbour-attach-things-to-my-fence/

LST · 22/09/2021 11:55

At OP some of them are quite soft. They're for putting off cats and pigeons etc. Still cruel IMO. But some are really sharp and would injure something

PeonyTime · 22/09/2021 12:03

Neighbour put these up (on their fence) because the previous occupier of our house used to feed the pigeons, who then used to sit on the fence and poo on the neighbours path.
Our cats used to walk along the fence, over the spikes. Depending on the type, the fox may be fine.

GunsNMoses · 22/09/2021 12:06

I have them on my fence. They are plastic and designed to make it uncomfortable to walk along. They wont hurt or injure the animals.
Unfortunately the cat I was trying to keep out didn't get the memo and still sits on them.

Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 12:06

@LST

At OP some of them are quite soft. They're for putting off cats and pigeons etc. Still cruel IMO. But some are really sharp and would injure something
I am working at the moment, but will go and check shortly! I just noticed them.

To be honest I think they are cruel, I wouldn't want anything to get hurt.

OP posts:
Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 12:07

@GunsNMoses

I have them on my fence. They are plastic and designed to make it uncomfortable to walk along. They wont hurt or injure the animals. Unfortunately the cat I was trying to keep out didn't get the memo and still sits on them.
That is good to hear, but he should still have had the decency to ask.
OP posts:
dudsville · 22/09/2021 12:08

Tell him you have a mouse/rat problem that the foxes keep in check!

HyacynthBucket · 22/09/2021 12:22

It doesn't matter what the spikes are for, or made of, of whether they would injure a fox or cat,or even if you don't mind them. The point is, if it is your fence, he does not put anything on it. You need to tell him to remove them. Simple as that. No need to give a reason. He just does not attach stuff to your fence without asking first.

If you don't deal firmly with this OP there will be further liberties taken in future, and he may even dispute the ownership of the fence.
So have a polite word that they must be removed, and don't attach anything again without permission.

Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 14:04

So I've been down the garden, they are hard plastic with a small sharp metal point. They are coming off!

A quick google tells me they're

www.cactus-products.com

Whilst they claim to be allowed etc, they're really not nice!

OP posts:
Annoyedanddissapointed · 22/09/2021 14:08

@Offmyfence

So I've been down the garden, they are hard plastic with a small sharp metal point. They are coming off!

A quick google tells me they're

www.cactus-products.com

Whilst they claim to be allowed etc, they're really not nice!

If the ones the neigbour put have metal sharp bits they are not ok. Nor are they the product from the link unless i missed something because they say flattened tops and don't mention metal
DrManhattan · 22/09/2021 14:10

It's your fence. Take them down

BingBongToTheMoon · 22/09/2021 14:12

Are sure and give them back to him, telling him not to put anything else on your fence.

GunsNMoses · 22/09/2021 14:15

The ones I have are cactus products. That are most definitely NOT metal and have no metal in them at all. They are a deterrent and pretty harmless, in a lot of cases, mine included, they don't even work.

Stop getting hung up on the strips and concentrate more on the fact it's your fence.

Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 14:20

@GunsNMoses

The ones I have are cactus products. That are most definitely NOT metal and have no metal in them at all. They are a deterrent and pretty harmless, in a lot of cases, mine included, they don't even work.

Stop getting hung up on the strips and concentrate more on the fact it's your fence.

You are right, I was doing this on my phone and they looked the same, you are entirely correct they are not.

I will keep searching, or take a photo.

OP posts:
Original poster
Offmyfence · 22/09/2021 14:37

Ok, so I have had another look (with my glasses on!), it is not metal tips it is plastic, but still hard and to me I think it could hurt an animal.

OP posts:
Willow19C · 22/09/2021 16:16

Remove them, take them to his door and give them back. Spikes on a fence are horrid and he shouldn't have done it without asking.

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