"Trespassing" Thought

[beccachow]

We are all over each other's property down here on our lane (horses ride through our yard back to the road from the woods, kids playing on our swingsets, neighbors walking down to say "hi" to the goats, and such) but if we don't know you or your vehicle, the phones start ringing and you better explain who you are and what you want, fast, no matter who's property you are on. What aggravates me is we have a pipeline that runs right through our horse field and the gas folks come out whenever they deem necessary and go in there with the boys. My question in my case is, Sunny is deathly afraid of Sid and will whirl, spin and dart to get away from him. These guys aren't exactly horse savvy and probably do not know horse crowding etiquette. Sid isn't real fond of people he doesn't know in his field to start with. I don't know when they are coming, I can come home from work and see flags, etc in the field. They DO use the flexible flags that bend or break should a horse run over them, for which I am grateful.

A trespassing question in another part of the forum just got me thinking. If one of these guys SHOULD get runned-ed over out there, am I ultimately responsible?

Hasn't happened, just a thought.

[chewie]

wow, this is a real doozy of a question. i will be anxious for an answer too. you may have to ask in your area, this might be something that the rules are diff. per area?

[CJBegins]

We have similar issues.....but it's more like concern for the horses eating the paint job on their vehicles.... I have had a few complain about it but if I am home I warn them to watch their vehicles or leave them in the driveway.
Not sure if I am liable or not.....?

[tinknal]

I'm pretty sure that it would be very bad PR for a utility worker to sue a land owner. I would bet that company policy would protect you.

[Stonybrook]

Send them a letter and ask them to call you the day before they come so that you can unlock your locked gate. That is what we do.

[wr]

beccachow, did you sign the easement or did the pipeline come with the property? If you signed the documents, there should be a clause relating to liability and if you didn't, you should locate a copy of the document (most companies up here keep them on file for pretty much forever).

I am wondering why the keep coming on your property because once a gas line is in place, it really doesn't need much babysitting unless there is a meter or it's old enough that they're watching for leaks so you might want to find out what they're checking if they're checking regularly and there is no meter.