Bull ruining rental property

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Bull ruining rental property

Brett Lee
Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes

So I got a pretty odd text message from a tenant last night. Basically he said the neighbor has a bull that is eating and destroying all my trees that line the property. Also the bull keeps getting out and is trashing the yard (i.e. huge hoof prints throughout yard). Bull has been out in drain field area of yard etc and there are huge prints everywhere.

Apparently the neighbor doesn't think its a big deal at all and the problem keeps occurring.

Not sure what to do about this issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Max T.
Investor 路 Philadelphia, PA 路 Member since 2015 路 3k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
6y

defend your property

cook some burgers

27Reply
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  • Mike Dymski
    Investor 路 Greenville, SC 路 Member since 2016 路 5k+ posts 路 13k+ votes
    6y

    Go meet with the neighbor and ask them to contain the bull and fix the damage.  If they are unwilling to cure the situation, call the police.

    2Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor 路 Philadelphia, PA 路 Member since 2015 路 3k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    6y

    defend your property

    cook some burgers

    27Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 路 15k+ posts 路 11k+ votes
    6y

    Tell the owner that if they don't keep the bull on their property, you reserve the right to deal with it.  Suggest they put up an electric fence and send them a bill for damages to the property.  If your tenant has a gun, and is so inclined, he could shoot it off to scare the bull (and if it is legal to do so).  They could also call the enforcement officer and get them to talk to the owner.

    3Reply
  • Brett Lee
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes
    6y

    @Mike Dymski

    I will try to do that. However sounds like he doesnt think its a big deal in talking to our tenant

    1Reply
  • Brett Lee
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes
    6y

    @Max T.

    Thats what i was thinking...馃憤

    0Reply
  • Brett Lee
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes
    6y

    @Theresa Harris

    Part of problem will be in determining damage value. Bull ate up all privacy trees 5' up. Technically they are still there but they are thrashed. Yard is trashed. Just hoping drain field isn't impacted

    0Reply
  • Brett Lee
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes
    6y

    @Theresa Harris

    House is not in city limits. Not sure if there is code enforcement.

    Animal control has been called previously. Sounds like they are under feeding the bull which is causing the bull to knock fences over and seek out food etc

    0Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 路 15k+ posts 路 11k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Brett Lee:

    @Theresa Harris

    House is not in city limits. Not sure if there is code enforcement.

    Animal control has been called previously. Sounds like they are under feeding the bull which is causing the bull to knock fences over and seek out food etc

     what about calling the SPCA?

    0Reply
  • Clint ShelleyPro Member
    Surveyor 路 Dothan, AL 路 Member since 2014 路 425 posts 路 391 votes
    6y

    @Brett Lee

    Tell them you're sick of this bullshnit.

    Clint

    14Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor 路 Columbus, OH 路 Member since 2017 路 861 posts 路 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Brett Lee:

    @Theresa Harris

    Part of problem will be in determining damage value. Bull ate up all privacy trees 5' up. Technically they are still there but they are thrashed. Yard is trashed. Just hoping drain field isn't impacted

    Trees are surprisingly valuable and "tree law" is a thing. Sometimes one neighbor will cut down another neighbor's trees without permission and it gets expensive to remedy, since the cost to purchase and install similar tree can be really high. If the owner knew about the problem but did nothing, and can be held liable for the damage, you might get quite a judgement. I would consider consulting with an attorney.  

    0Reply
  • Chris L.
    Investor 路 Cincinnati, OH 路 Member since 2013 路 38 posts 路 16 votes
    6y

    Get pics of the Bull and the damage. Talk to him in person if possible and be reasonable, get his cell or email if you can and do all follow up contact that way and save it. These things happen, I would let it go if he cooperates. If no cooperation then the Sheriff gets a call. After that its court time, sue for damages.   

    1Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker 路 Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH 路 Member since 2013 路 30k+ posts 路 20k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Brett Lee:

    So I got a pretty odd text message from a tenant last night. Basically he said the neighbor has a bull that is eating and destroying all my trees that line the property. Also the bull keeps getting out and is trashing the yard (i.e. huge hoof prints throughout yard). Bull has been out in drain field area of yard etc and there are huge prints everywhere.

    Apparently the neighbor doesn't think its a big deal at all and the problem keeps occurring.

    Not sure what to do about this issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Have you consulted a rodeo clown?

    5Reply
  • Michael Ealy
    Developer 路 Cincinnati, OH 路 Member since 2018 路 1k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    6y

    Better yet  - this one...

    2Reply
  • Jake Colter
    Lender 路 Eugene, OR 路 Member since 2018 路 5 posts 路 4 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Max T.:

    defend your property

    cook some burgers

    I think Max has the right idea!  BBQ time

    2Reply
  • Beth Combs
    Member since 2020 路 2 posts 路 2 votes
    6y
    As an insurance agent, I have helped insured deal with neightbor issues. You can approach the neighbor, but you also need to send a letter to the home (suggest certified) that goes over the issues. That way if something happens down the road you have protected yourself. I would ask them to repair the damages and I would also contact animal control. Hope this helps.
    1Reply
  • Lauren Kormylo
    Rental Property Investor 路 Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE 路 Member since 2019 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    6y

    I don鈥檛 know where you live, but here in Arizona outside of big cities, we have open range law. If you want cattle kept off your property, YOU have to fence them out.   You can鈥檛 sue for their damage. 

    2Reply
  • Account Closed
    Member since 2018 路 127 posts 路 106 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Lauren Kormylo:

    I don鈥檛 know where you live, but here in Arizona outside of big cities, we have open range law. If you want cattle kept off your property, YOU have to fence them out.   You can鈥檛 sue for their damage. 

    I concur with this.  My wife's parents own/have grazing rights to about 80,000 acres of cattle land in Arizona, some of which includes properties owned by other people.  If you want the cattle to not be on your land, the property owner is responsible for fencing off their own land from the cattle.  Some of the property owners by the ranch have done exactly this.

    Look in to your agriculture laws to see what is allowed.  Maybe have a lawyer look in to it to save time and then proceed accordingly.  

    1Reply
  • Doug Pintarch
    Rental Property Investor 路 Harrisburg, PA 路 Member since 2018 路 369 posts 路 406 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Max T.:

    defend your property

    cook some burgers

     I'm with Max.

    Click.

    Bang.

    0Reply
  • Marc Winter
    Real Estate Broker 路 Northeast PA 路 Member since 2017 路 2k+ posts 路 2k+ votes
    6y

    Grab the bull by the horns and call PITA!  

    Also, check with your tenant to see if they are hiding a cute young Heffer in the garage.  That could explain the bull's interest in your yard.

    1Reply
  • Terrell Garren
    Rental Property Investor 路 Concord, NC 路 Member since 2016 路 1k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    6y

    Sounds like your neighbor is a bit of a bully. -Dad Humor

    2Reply
  • Russ B.
    Investor 路 Cleveland, OH 路 Member since 2017 路 319 posts 路 330 votes
    6y

    Maybe it's a service bull. Does it have a little orange vest? 

    5Reply
  • David Nacco
    Real Estate Agent 路 Chattanooga, TN 路 Member since 2018 路 258 posts 路 136 votes
    6y

    @Brett Lee call animal control to get the bull lol

    0Reply
  • Ryan Proffit
    Saint Joseph, MO 路 Member since 2018 路 401 posts 路 244 votes
    6y

    @Clint Shelley I was waiting...lol

    2Reply
  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX 路 Member since 2019 路 5k+ posts 路 5k+ votes
    6y

    Hi Brett,

    Either he has to keep it contained or you have to keep it out--know your local laws and customs.

    If it's hungry enough it's going to come and eat. Maybe make sure that is solved first.

    Good Luck!

    0Reply
  • Brett Lee
    OP
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Member since 2018 路 102 posts 路 103 votes
    6y

    @Beth Combs

    I think your advice is sound. I am in the middle of writing a letter that addresses the issues and concerns and we'll also have pictures. My hope will be that we can come to some sort of reasonable conclusion to this.

    0Reply
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