I am in the midst of a fugue this week....
wondering what to do about a situation.
Maybe you can give me your opinion?
If you have read my blog for a while,
you might remember the incident we had this past May with a
"drive-by shooting" of one of our sweet innocent ducks....
shot dead right on the side of our pond and left there for me to find.
Luckily, our neighboring dairy farmer saw the vehicle and the two men
driving it.
We called the State Police and kept our eyes open for the truck,
but never saw it again.
That is, until this week.
Now, every morning this week, that same truck has been
driving down our country lane...
slowly passing our farm.
I had confirmation from our neighbor that it is the same truck.
(You must understand, we only have about 5 vehicles passing our house each day...
one of them a school bus, coming to and fro, and another the mail lady. We
pretty much know all the folk who pass by. So, an old Chevy crew cab truck with
specific markings and no exhaust system is pretty easy to spot!)
Now my quandary is this:
What shall I do? The way I see it, I have a few options.
1. Call the police again....my concern is that so much time has passed now...
2. Take a photo of his license plate in case any more incidents occur.
3. Stop his truck as he passes by and speak with him...
not to accuse, but to appeal to his "humane" side, if he has one,
that this was a pet that was killed.
4. Load my shotgun with rock salt and aim for his tail! (my personal preference!)
5. Do nothing.
In light of all of the horrible gun violence in this country of late,
I fear that he might be one of those types of individuals that has no conscience.
I fear that if I confront him or call the police, that he may retaliate.
I fear having my farm violated in the future.
And yet, I hate living in fear.
I would like to be proactive and protective.
I just can't decide what is best.
Common sense tells me to do nothing.
Comments
I would call the police and at the same time take pictures of this nasty trucks and its crazy occupants.
They may want to shoot your other pets one day.
Your blog is paradise to me !
Have a nice day and
greetings from Switzerland
Maria
Kathy from Tasmania
Then. . I would follow the guidance from the police.
FEAR, false evidence appearing real, can paralyze us from making wise decisions . . .
Be Safe . . .
And they don't have to park in front of your farm. Anywhere along the road will do.
Stupid Kids...
Rain
I pray that God will continue to bless you, your family, your animals, your farm.... and keep you safe from evil.
If you don't have "Private Property-No Trespassing, Hunting" etc. signs up around the duck pond, you could put some up or add extra that are noticeable from the road. I would add some signs that indicate "This area monitored by video surveillance" and have those "noticeable" from the road. Then, get a camera, and install it. The camera does not need to actually work but should still be a deterrent. Also, if you have a game camera, you could install in an unobtrusive manner and then you would have some photos if there is movement. The only other thing I could think of is to make some extra trips out to that area of your property during the next few days so that there is a 'presence' in that area. If you aren't comfortable with that, you could go over and leave some tools (wheelbarrow, rake,etc) out and visible so it looks like someone is over there even if they aren't.
Hope this helps!
Lisa in Maine
I like the idea of a discussion with your Police Chief and get his thoughts. I think everyone here has good ideas, especially don't confront! But I would be out with my camera(I have to do this too)gathering information to be ready.
Be careful, but be proactive.
I would definitely notify the police and try to get a photo. Both of those can be done unbeknownst to the occupants of the vehicle. This day and age I would not try to approach the vehicle nor its occupants... sadly, you just never know about people anymore.
Hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding that your property is private and not hunting territory.
I will pray for safety and protection for you, your family & your farm.
I think having a chit chat with the police is a good idea. Then they know your updated worry and have a record of the visiit. Tehen they will know if you call what your concern is. Yes try ande get the plate number because then the police can check on who owns it and if they have been in trouble before.
Another thing...cameras..hunters use them during hunting season ..they run on batteries! You may want to get some to use if it becomes a continuous problem.
Under no circumstances go near the truck.
It is one weird world out there and you have NO idea just what kind of personality is driving that truck.
What a worry!!Keep safe and keep your camera (as usual..lol) handy!
Like one of the other gals said maybe the police can stop them and explain..it is off limits.
Just a little prayer that they go away and stay away!!
Praying it is just some dumb kid, and not someone dangerous in any way.
What is wrong with people?????
xo Kris
Noreen
Annie v.
You need to contact your local police or county sheriff and let them know of your concerns. This way you have documentation of your concerns AND the local police may know who this person/people are. I fyou do't already have No trespassing signs and No hunting signs - I would make sure they they line the road fence. I would also have a large sign at the entrance, letting them know that your property is being camera monitored. Here in Atlanta, everyone is getting a outdoor camera and putting them on the front of their house and back. You can get solar panels for them so you don't have to run electric wires out to them. AND if you are able to get a picture of the truck and license plate --- I'd be sure to do that and let the police know --- again of your concerns. You can't be passive in this day and time. You have too much to loose - concerning your family and your beloved animals. If the truck is a kid- I'd speak to the parents. If they are an adult -- the police should know the history of the individual.
ALSO--- have wasp spray here and there. My girls live in downtown Atlanta. They don't want to have a gun --- but they do have a can of wasp spray on their front porch and back porch. It shoots 20 ft. --- a lot farther than pepper spray is cheap and does a better job on man and bugs!!
God Bless!
I'd give him a "friendly" warning, but make sure you're not alone when confronting him. It's better to be safe, especially since you know he's armed... and except for his actions near your property, you don't know anything else about him.
Whatever you decide, it would be nice to put a security camera or two next to the road. Maybe place a security camera warning sticker near the road, and then further back have the camera mounted in a safe, hidden place.
And I have to say that I take back what I said earlier. Don't confront him. (I was pretty PO-ed in my initial reply. Big animal lover here). I would post warning signs though, and if it happens again call the police as soon as you can. No one should get away with this. He so easily could have shot a person, too.
DON'T CONFRONT THIS GUY. DO NOT CONFRONT THIS GUY.
Someone who shoots animals our of their truck is not someone who has a better side to appeal to.
I'd definitely load a shotgun and keep it on hand.
This is what we'd do down here in Texas. However, if this joker gets a little more frisky, we could accommodate him there, too.
Whatever you do, good luck and stay safe.
Jim from Texas
Be safe and good luck!!