Parents Outraged After Man Installs Electric Fence To Keep Kids Off His Lawn

Mason Joseph Zimmer
Fox Carolina

When people put a lot of care into maintaining their yard, what often happens is that they start to feel protective of it. That's natural to some extent, but it's surprisingly easy to go overboard when dealing with those who leave more than footprints on their way past it.

I can recall having to talk down a couple of folks when someone's dog pooped on their lawn. After all, I couldn't see too many ways that their plan of throwing the droppings at the owners would end well.

That's the kind of hard lesson that it looks like one Virginia man will need to learn on his own.

As the school year began, residents in Henrico County, Virginia made an unusual discovery in their neighborhood.

Fox Carolina

One of their neighbors had apparently installed a new fence, and once they saw the panel next to it, they figured out that it was electrified.

This choice of fencing shocked them because he had set it up very close to a bus stop for middle and high school students.

Reddit | Heuekwa

According to WRIC, the fence stood only inches away from where the kids were waiting, making it easy for one to fall on it and injure themselves.

Another concern was that the fence's owner, Bryan Tucker, hadn't put up any signs warning the children that they were near an electric fence.

Reddit | faultytailight

For this reason and because of its proximity to the bus stop, his neighbors felt compelled to call the police on him.

Tucker said he put the fence up as a way to keep kids from trespassing on his property and leaving trash in his yard.

Reddit | [deleted]

As he told WRIC, "I'm not in charge of other people's children. I'm not directing other people's children what to do. All I can do is protect myself and that's why I've got a fence up."

When police arrived, they contacted Henrico County's Public Works department to determine whether the fence extended to a public easement.

Fox Carolina

Eventually, the county concluded that it did encroach on the easement, which meant it was illegal and Tucker would need to take it down.

However, it's also true that he's allowed to put it back up if it only stays within his property limits.

Fox Carolina

As WRIC reported, Tucker fully intends to keep the fence up no matter what his neighbors think about it.

For their part, the neighbors were not shy about sharing those thoughts. One of them, Wayne Milby, said, "What you don't like kids? Me, I'm a parent and I don't want any children to get electrocuted."

Part of Tucker's rationale for keeping the fence is his claim that trespassing signs aren't very effective at keeping kids away from his property.

Reddit | HeyLolitaHey89

He went on to say, "It says no trespassing for any purpose. Strictly forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted."

However, there's a chance that the fence will stop being an issue once it stays only on the grounds he actually owns.

Fox Carolina

That's because his property line is far enough away from the bus stop that any kids would have to wander away from the stop and towards it to make contact with it.

This story has generated some reactions online, but many are actually in favor of this man's right to defend his property.

Facebook

In fact, some people have tried to get children off their own lawns in different ways!

Many even believe it's a brilliant idea. It's clear that people are split on this fence.

Facebook

Layfifi Fowler mentioned how her mother taught her not to interfere with people's property.

Some people even want one of their own. Let's just say, people take property protection pretty seriously.

Facebook

I want to hear from you all. Would you put one of these on your lawn or do you think it's a bit much?

Some people were on the other side, and questioned whether putting up an electric fence is necessary.

Facebook

David Jackson asks whether it's in fact legal and Robert Kroulik III thinks a fence can go up but without the electric current.

It seems that people are falling on both sides of this debate.

Giphy | Gotham

What are your thoughts about this man's electric lawn fence?

h/t: WRIC

Filed Under: