Neighbour shooting crossbow in back garden

Yorkie006

Not sure if this is the right section but couldn't find a better one.

I have just got keys to new house (privately rented) and found out then next door neighbour is shooting crossbow in the back garden.
Not sure what type of crossbow but it's quite powerful - he's using an old oil drum as a target.
The target is next to my fence so if the neighbour misses, the bolt hits the side of the fence and if he overshoots the fence (it's a standard 6ft wooden panel fence) the crossbow lands in my garden (or hits my back gate).
This means that when he shoots there, we can't use part of the garden or the gate as there is a risk he might injure/kill someone. Also, we have pets so if they get hit, they will need expensive vet treatment (assuming they survive the hit). Is it allowed to shoot crossbows in a garden of a residential property? We asked him to move the target away so if he misses it doesn't go into our garden but he said he can do whatever he wants... Any advice is welcome.
I'd make a drawing but don't know how to insert it.

heatherw_01

The law says he can fire it on private land so he can fire in the garden unfortunately

agrinnall

Probably better to post on the Housing board, as there is no consumer rights issue, but I suspect the answer given will turn out to be the correct one anyway.

Carrot007

So you moved next door to an asshat.


Bad choice! Did you research the neighbourhood before moving? Or was it just cheap and cheerful that convinced you?


Not much you can do about it. If he casues damage then you can but he does not sound like the sort to have money even if you take it to CCJ.


Perobably best to plead with the LL to leave. But he probably knows what it's like and won't be interested.


You choice therefore is become the bigger asshat or put up with it. Life aint fair.

comeandgo

Maybe he is an excellent shot. How many times have you had to return the bolts to him? I think you are over reacting. He can't be out shooting 10hours a day.

Mojisola

Yorkie006 wrote: »

The target is next to my fence so if the neighbour misses, the bolt hits the side of the fence and if he overshoots the fence (it's a standard 6ft wooden panel fence) the crossbow lands in my garden (or hits my back gate).

This means that when he shoots there, we can't use part of the garden or the gate as there is a risk he might injure/kill someone.

I'd have a word with the local police - he might be allowed to use the bow in his garden but he shouldn't be putting neighbours at risk.

Yorkie006

Does that apply even when the bolts go over the fence and land in my garden? There's a couple of notches in the wooden gate where he hit it in the past... And what's going to happen if he misses his target and hits me/my partner/our visitors/our pets? Surely, our safety over-rides his right to shoot the crossbow (unless he moves the target elsewhere where it won't be going over our fence or builds a bigger fence to contain any stray bolts).

Yorkie006

Unfortunately, we didn't have much choice where to move. We're on low income and were about to be evicted from previous house. This was the only house we could afford that was available at the time... We spoke to our other neighbour (and old lady) who said that all neighbours were lovely...

Inner_Zone

Options:

1. Speak to the LL (as above)
2. Speak to the Police (as above)
3. Speak to the neighbour again. Then if still no satisfactory solution start at 1.
4. Move out

Ultimately only you can sort this, not strangers on an Internet forum.

AndyPix

Next time one comes over your fence , make a slapping noise , scream at the top of your voice , and then start hopping around going ..


"aaarrggghhh my leg my leg , quick <insert spouses name> call the police call and ambulance iv been shot" !!


Bet that shuts him up for a bit


tool

unholyangel

He's wrong, he can't do whatever he likes.

While its perfectly legal to shoot a crossbow on private land with the landowners permission (does he own his own home?) you need to ensure that any projectiles don't leave the boundary of that land and have adequate measures in place behind the target to ensure stray bolts do not endanger anyone.

If he doesn't own his own home then make a complaint to whoever is the owner. If that doesn't work then police.