Livestock liability

Funny this has come up. Next Tuesday I'm carrying my herd bull to the livestock auction. VERY nice younger bull. However, he was apparently either bottle raised or perhaps a 4-H project as I could tell when I bought him he had been around people. I knew quickly not to get between him and a feed bucket. Last Friday morning he was up at the shop so I put corn into the feed trough. He missed seeing the corn go into the trough. I though I would point it out to him. Even without carrying a bucket he put me on the ground and rolled me a bit. Fortunately he backed off and I was able to get the gate closed behind me without injuring anything more than my pride.

I allow neighbors to come fishing in my farm pond. I don't want to have to worry about them if they happen to be carrying a bucket.

My dad has cows and if i remember right he would be liable if someone got hurt. I know we had a problem of some city kids sneaking out onto our farm my dad tried the signs and telling them to get cause it his property did not work so call the cops all they did was tell them to get and told us if they fall in and drown or get hurt on the property we would be liable. So dad took a unloaded gun down to the pond wait for them to sneak out then told them that if they dont get his was going to start shooting. They left and never came back lol

Anybody can sue anybody for anything, that doesn't mean they will win. Talk to your local sheriff and insurance agent, either should know how the law and court system act in your area. All you can do is prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

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I just had to go out and buy a new Angus Bull. He is young and we're getting along pretty good. The last bull I had after 5 years decided he preferred other woman. I have 300 acres and that wasn't enough for him. After 3 times refencing and trying to keep him in I couldn't. I figured if he got out on the street and a car ran into him I am responsible for the damage to the vehicle or anything else the bull did out there. Well, there wasn't a corral that would keep him in and I had some cowboys try to help me on horse back. After they tried roping him a fewl times he (the bull) became so angry that he was quite dangerous. I ended up having to go and buy a 7000 dollar new corral. I love the new corral by the way but none the less it was money. We managed to corral the bull in the new corral. He spent an entire night throwing himself against the corral (straighten it out a little). I hired an experienced rodeo type man to take him to the stockyard. No way was I going to do it or let my husband do it.
I wouldn't be surprised if they shot him on the spot at the auction yard with the amount of money he brought.

Anyway, the point is that in Oklahoma if your animal gets out or if someone is on your property and gets hurt you are at fault. I have to post no tresspasing signs on the fences. Also, in OK if there is no sign that says no tresspessing you can tresspass. Weird State to say the least.a. I have an insurance policy incase someone is hurt on my land.

I have a blueberry u-pick and if one got bit by a snake, I am liable. The policy is part of my ranch insurance so I am not sure if it was an added on or come with type of insurance.

Don't keep a bull. It is not worth it. AI saves lives, improves cattle, and is cheaper than feeding a bull.

Well I let a bull run with all my cows and it is much easier for me. No locking up a bunch of girls and calling a vet out to AI them. I have 100 production each year. Have lost a couple calves to "things" but pretty good luck. I have about 20 little ones on the ground right now. I do try to lock mom and baby up for a day or two but most of the time I don't do that. They run on 300 acres.

WHY WOULD IT BE CHEAPER than just feeding one bull? What does AI cost? I never did a price thing on the difference. I run 1 bull, I am at a point where I should do 2 but that could create a fight among them. I am not fenced properly either.

This is the sad truth. Unfortunately, if someone sues you and you win, it will have likely sucked up all your money, credit and/or any equity you may have had in the property to pay the lawyers. The legal system we have makes me sick to my stomach. I think that if your bull gets off the property, yes, you should be liable but if someone comes on your property uninvited and the bull hurts them, too bad.

The unfortunate fact is that the insurance companies are their own worst enemy. The more the insurance companies are willing to cover for lawsuits, the higher the lawsuits are going to get. Then, the higher the settlements get, the more people are going to insure themselves for. It's an endless circle.

I bought a separate insurance or it is called a ranch insurance on the place for that reason. I probably still can be sued for more than the policy.....I leave those no tresspasses signs up everywhere for that reason.

Your right, once someone knows I have insurance, they sue the company. My rates go up but the insurance companies pays for stupid stuff like there is an uneven walking path on a ranch and they trip and hurt their ankle. I guess the answer is not to let anyone on your property ever.

[QUOTE=Ken Scharabok;3639888]Funny this has come up. Next Tuesday I'm carrying my herd bull to the livestock auction. VERY nice younger bull. However, he was apparently either bottle raised or perhaps a 4-H project as I could tell when I bought him he had been around people. I knew quickly not to get between him and a feed bucket. Last Friday morning he was up at the shop so I put corn into the feed trough. He missed seeing the corn go into the trough. I though I would point it out to him. Even without carrying a bucket he put me on the ground and rolled me a bit. Fortunately he backed off and I was able to get the gate closed behind me without injuring anything more than my pride.QUOTE]

They said on the radio a 66 yr old man was killed by his own bull this morning in Finger, TN. I can't find a link for the story. I'm glad your ok, your 2500lb play date could have hurt you bad.

Brad

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http://richheritagefarm.blogspot.com/

When we bought our place in the country we were turned down by four insurance companies, because we wanted to have livestock. I finally talked to a friend who owns an independent insurance company and he said the number of companies that will insure places with livestock are quickly going down. My son had to get rid of his dog because the insurance man said is was a liability.

Bob

Trespassers on my place don't need to worry about the bulls, the dogs, the whatevers, they need to worry about me.

In the end, it all depends on what kind of people live in your county...... common sense people would "no bill" this out of a grand jury. And, sueing works both ways... the relatives of the dead person sue me, I'll turn around and get in trouble on their place and sue them... and then we can all sue each other... Yay!!!!

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Seneca
Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. W. Edwards Deming

And by the time you get finished sueing each other, you'll both be broke and the lawyers will have all the money!

Hmmm...shoulda gone to law school.....

I have State Farm and they insured my place including the livestock. This entire area is cattle country, can't see how they can't then their wouldn't be one ranch that isn't insured.