Security

[Huckleberry]

Thinking about making the goat pen more secure as far as humans go. How easy would it be for someone to take a goat from their pen while you weren't home? Recent events just got me thinking about this and we're wondering if there's not precautions we should take to make it a little harder. Not sure if anyone has or knows someone who has gotten a goat stolen. We always boast to people about our goats, because we love and adore them. And, it's fun to spead the word about packing. The downside is that you now have people who know you have valuable pets on your property. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but better safe than sorry. We're thinking about padlocks on the gaits, something really easy, maybe with a code so we can get in quick if need be. Would love feedback as far as why this would or wouln't be a good idea and possible other ideas.

[Sanhestar]

Security cameras.

[TOU]

Agreed...they are amazing & reasonabley priced at Costco.

[Nanno]

Padlocks are a good deterrent for thieves who forgot to bring their bolt cutters, and a great way to keep out more innocent break-ins, such as kids who just want to feed or play with your goats. When I was five or six years old I got into my neighbor's chicken coop and fed the poor things half a bag of feed out of their own shed because I thought they looked hungry. A lock would have prevented such a thing. Ignorant people can be just as dangerous to animals as malicious ones.

I was thinking security cameras too. But for them to be preventive and not just something where you'll watch replays of shadowy figures making off with your goats, you'll need to put up signage so people know they're being recorded. Some people put up signs about surveillance and then make "dummy" security cameras. This is a pretty cheap way to spook most would-be thieves into looking for a safer target.

Another idea might be motion-sensing lights in your driveway. Of course, if you have a lot of wildlife roaming around, your neighbors might think you installed an outdoor disco. But I'm sure you could adjust it so it only detects big things and not every skunk and stray cat that walks through the place.

Of course, my husband has always been obsessed with booby traps. You know... spike pits, moats filled with hungry alligators and sharks, some nets and poison dart triggers. I sometimes wonder if this is the real reason why we have Cuzco... if we chained him to the porch we'd never have to worry about unwelcome guests! (Or welcome ones either, for that matter.)

[Dave-Trinity-Farms]

Our entire property is fenced with only 2 man sized gates and then of course the driveway gates (which we never close). Signs are pretty cheap to have made and you can have em say anything you like. Threatening someones life is often a good deterrent

Being a full property off the main road helps here and good neighbors

[Huckleberry]

Cameras are a great idea, we thought about game cams, but have a lot of wildlife moving through. Still might be the best bet though. Love the threatening sign idea, may try some booby traps as well

[Sanhestar]

not sure about the law in the US but in Germany if you put up a sign that states - even in mockery - a possible bodily harm it will be viewed as malicious injury in case somebody actually gets hurt (EVEN thieves).

Didn't think that was possible until a thief who fell into an unsecured cellar while robbing a house, breaking his leg in the process, was able to claim compensation for pain and personal suffering against the home owner in a court of law.

[Charlie Horse]

Well in America if that kind of court case was common, there'd be a shovel in every cellar. :o) Just sayin'

[Dave-Trinity-Farms]

If I lived in a place like that Id move. Here I am able to defend my property and livestock with deadly force if needed. Granted aside from the occasional hungry foreigner or coyote, I dont have much to worry about But in America most of these type of signs are stated in a funny way. "Forget the dog, fear the owner" and a picture of a revolver is on the sign. OR "Dont worry, we dont prosecute trespassers here. We bury them out back with the salesmen"

[deschutes dawn]

In my area just about everybody hunts so there are weapons in every house and everybody knows how to use them. An occasional coyote will pass through but there are dogs all over and just about every property is well perimeter fenced. My only loss has been an owl getting in the chicken coop and getting one hen and a raccoon raiding the chicken coop. I got him with a takedown .22 and a very good "watch cat"! There were a couple loose dogs that attacked my goats several years ago but they took the brunt of it when the boys didn't back off and used their horns. Of course my boys were traumatized and our fences redone since then. Those dogs were taken from their owner and rehomed. I think we're lucky enough to have one of our county mounties living out here too.