PETA Types, Defending Your Farm?

[Jennifer L.]

There has been a thread on the Yahoo Meatrabbits group lately about animal rights activists in the NorthWest doing damage. One person wrote in about a woman who had people call and want to buy meatrabbits that she raised, and when they got there, they were a group, took all of her rabbits and gave the impression that she would be hurt if she resisted. She was alone at the time.

In that situation, if there are no weapons on their side, only overwhelming numbers and verbal threats, what is your legal option at the time it's going on? I know if someone is in your house with intent for harm you can shoot at them, but when you are not in your house and it's property being stolen or damaged and you are not being physically threatened, how far can you go to defend your property and not get into trouble with the law?

I've never been in this situation, but the way things are going these days any of us might be. Just wondering.

Jennifer

[Betho]

that's a good question. I think most states will have varying laws in regards to this. I know Colorado has a "make my day" law but I'm not sure if that applies to theft, possibly just self-defense.

Though I'm pretty sure that if there were people on your property trying to take things that belonged to you, you could probably whip our a shotgun and it might stop 'em quick.

Then again, with PETA types, it might not

I'd be interested in what others think on this for sure.

[chas]

Using a gun to stop them from stealing could be excessive force if they aren't armed? But I would use it on the vehicles.They aren't going to make off
with anything with flat tires!
Chas

[fantasymaker]

Ya know I want to hear someone go to court and argue "They were trying to kill me by removing my livly hood thus causeing me to starve when they wouldnt return my goods i had no choice but to kill them"

[Steve L.]

That's a tough one. IIRC, NYS law does have a provision for the use of deadly force to protect property. However, you'd probably be ruined financially in the legal battles after the fact.

I'd suggest you call the cops, get license plate numbers & any ID info you can, and try to get assaulted by the invaders. You ought to be able to have them charged with all sorts of crimes, including assault and illegal imprisonment.

[mistletoad]

Grab one of the rabbits and put a knife to its neck, let them know you've done it before and you'll do it again. Ask if they want to be responsible for the death of this one. Just for effect, ask if they have ever heard a rabbit scream.

[MWG]

Originally Posted by mistletoad

Grab one of the rabbits and put a knife to its neck, let them know you've done it before and you'll do it again. Ask if they want to be responsible for the death of this one. Just for effect, ask if they have ever heard a rabbit scream.

Great answer!

[dcross]

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

gave the impression that she would be hurt if she resisted. She was alone at the time.

In that situation, if there are no weapons on their side, only overwhelming numbers and verbal threats, what is your legal option at the time it's going on?

Jennifer

MOST places, you can use deadly force to stop a threat against yourself or another person. That would apply in the example you gave.

Dial 911, leave the phone off the hook, resist, and if you are threatened with bodily harm...

[dcross]

Originally Posted by mistletoad

Grab one of the rabbits and put a knife to its neck, let them know you've done it before and you'll do it again. Ask if they want to be responsible for the death of this one. Just for effect, ask if they have ever heard a rabbit scream.

Then picture exactly that on the evening news(PETA loves video) for the next month.

[dcross]

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

There has been a thread on the Yahoo Meatrabbits group lately about animal rights activists in the NorthWest doing damage. One person wrote in about a woman who had people call and want to buy meatrabbits that she raised, and when they got there, they were a group, took all of her rabbits Jennifer

Is there a chance her area has laws on the treatment of rabbits? Making them pets with legal protection?

[hisenthlay]

In general, most state laws say you can't use deadly force to protect property, only to protect life and limb. Using a gun can be considered deadly force even if you don't actually shoot at them (like if you shoot their cars or over their heads), because you could've killed them, and you can bet they'll be arguing that in court. If you feel you're truly in immediate physical danger on your property, you can respond with physical force, but have fun arguing that one in court if you hurt or kill one of them and they weren't carrying any weapons, have no violent history, whatever.

I'd just always carry a phone with me and be ready to call the cops. A big dog doesn't hurt either, and I try never to conduct these sorts of transactions with strangers when I'm by myself. These are probably just suburban kids with big ideas in their heads and a lot to lose, and would be easily scared off with threats of law enforcement or general menacing behavior. I'd doubt any of them would actually be violent towards a person, unless they were just mentally unstable to begin with.

[fantasymaker]

BOOM BOOM Oh that was just a rabbit? Wow Thought ya had one of the kids there.. .......................Oh yea thats right they moved out 5 years ago.

[mandyh]

If you are ever found in this position, first I would dial 911, call the police. If you feel threatened it is an emergency. Get out a camera and take plenty of photos, get the licence plate's. If you dont have a camera just write down a desription of the people and what they are driving. Try to keep safe and stay calm, it will be easier to remember desriptions. As easy as it is to lash out at them, don't, don't do anything that will get you hurt or put you on the wrong side of the law.

If they are not there to purchase the rabbits, then they are stealing them. They can be brought up on charges of theft, assault and tresspassing. Wheather they are operating under the name of an organization or as individuals the state will probably press criminal charges and you can always take them to civil court.

[electronrider]

I agree, call 911. regardless, I would advise the person who this happened to to call the county sherrif, and get advisement from him. Also, Since it was a large group of people, and they threatened you, there are all kinds of charges that could be filed. I would also have that person contact any local media outlets, and see if they can get a story published of what happened. I would actually pray that a mob of people from an organisation would come on to my property under false pretenses and assault me. The resulting legal adventure would ensure that I would never have to work again in my life. PETA is well funded, and that would be a piggy bank I would love to empty.

[Auric]

SSS, though I hope there's not too many of them. Course I could always use the front end loader instead of a shovel... Make that SFELS.

[edcopp]

A lot of good fantisy here.

I seldom to never carry a cell phone or camera with me around my place. The cell does not work well here and sometimes I do take pictures but do not always carry a camera.

Now in the event that a mob of PETA folks should attempt to steal my rabbits, I would personally (not verbally) resist. They would then most likely not take my rabbits. They will do whatever they think they can to someone who will lay down and play dead. I will not do that.

Now if my resistance meets with any kind of physical contact I will defend myself. Self defense is still legal. Bear in mind that I do carry concealed. PETA folks are punks. No punk wants to be second.

[foxtrapper]

PETA thugs act tough when threatening old ladies and individual women. They run when they encounter resistance. BTDT with them, several times over the years.

[Wayne02]

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

There has been a thread on the Yahoo Meatrabbits group lately about animal rights activists in the NorthWest doing damage. Jennifer

It's not just the peta terrorists up here, it's the eco terrorists as well, burning peoples houses down etc. Regardless of what the state law may allude to, you really don't want to shoot someone who is unarmed, and retreating from your property with some of your rabbits in their arms. You will find yourself in a courtroom either facing some sort of criminal charge and/or civil charge by the "victims" family.

Now, if you are afraid for you or your family's physical safety, and there is impending harm, that is a different matter altogether and enters the realm of justifiable self-defense etc.

Best to focus on petas illegal activity - trespassing, theft, property damage, trauma to the animals, loss of income due to damage of lively-hood etc.

Up here one of the most effective methods dealing with the eco terrorists has been to use the media. Get the investigative reporters involved and get the true story of the eco/peta terrorists on the 6 o'clock news.

It's all fun and games until it's your house that they have burnt down... or your lively-hood they have compromised.

[gspig]

Cattle prods don't leave marks.

[mandyh]

Cattle prods don't leave marks, never thought of that.