What the HECK were they thinking!? (Tresspassing) Ratsicles

it situations like this that make me HATE that song "Signs" ... you know the old tune.. "signs signs everywhere a sign, blockin out the scenery, breaking my mind" ... 

two instances i have to mention because they are too freakin funny NOT to...

my ex boss had a neighbour with horses... and my boss had horses.. fence between the properties (which incidentally his neighbour was renting from boss's parents) this neighbour decided to cut the wires between the property "So both our horses can have grass!!" ...he didnt ask. just snip snap... and opened up the pasture. So my boss put up a gate to keep the strays out (they would come up to the barn during feeding time and mooch off the others or start fights) ... but the neighbour would OPEN the gate!! so Boss put a huge pad lock on it along with several thick chains (logging chains if memory serves) the neighbours moved soon after that.. but talk about getting a clue!! jeez!!

Now... a couple of years ago my cousin was standing at her kitchen window doing dishes when she sees a big black SUV pull up into her yard (loooooooong drive way.. pretty park like lawn- she was also renting this property and her landlords kept it neat.) A man and a woman get out of the SUV, put a blanket on the ground, cooler, drinks... and they just sorta stretch out to relax... like they were having a picnic... my cousin sent her husband out there to find out who they were... when he got there he asked "What the heck are you guys doing here??" scared the daylights out of them both... apparently they were doing more than eating.... they said they had been driving for a long time and wanted to stop for a break.. to which he kindly pointed them in the direction of the nearest interstate rest stop..  imagine someone parking in your front yard and preparing to "get busy" right there!!!

Boy, people are idiots. I am sorry you have to deal with that.

We use these signs: http://www.mccartneysdogs.com/detail-PRODUCT_ID=1070_2.asp#ProductImage.

A hot wired fence is not a booby trap.  oops already addressed sorry.

I cannot believe that they wandered onto your property, completely ignored the "no trespassing" signs and planned to use your place like a free petting zoo. And then THEY got huffy?? People never cease to amaze me!

I think you're going about things the right way by putting up alternate signs of "beware of dog". And especially putting a lock on the gate. It's ridiculous how many signs you need to keep people away! With the ones you mentioned you'll have: (several) "no trespassing", "livestock guardian on duty" and "do not open gate". Next you're going to need signs that say- "do not jump gate", "do not dig under fence", "do not throw food to the animals"... lol

DPU

I believe setting up a booby trap is a crime.

might want to check with the local game warden... i'm not sure Boobs are in season this time of year

Ratsicles

I've heard that "Guard Dog on Duty" and "Beware of Dog" signs are bad because they can be used as addmission of "knowing that your dog is vicious" should it bite someone

 My friends used to live in my current house.  They have a Dachshund named Abby.  She is the sweetest thing ever, but even so, they put a "Beware of Dog" sign in the front window while they lived here.  They left it for us and it is still there right now.  Everyone knows my dog though so they just laugh when they see it...