Years ago a caretaker was cleaning the goat pen at a ranch on Palomar. He was working in broad daylight, as a lion casually jumped their 7 foot fence. The caretaker had a pitchfork in his hand but before he could even think about using it, that lion had what he wanted, jumped back out with a goat in his mouth and trotted off with a nice little lunch.
About the same time, in 2017, Crestline neighbors woke up to a ruckus in their chicken pen. Doc and Ann had the opportunity to dance around with three lions that weren’t bothered one bit by their 10 foot fence. Click for their story that made the Valley Center Road Runner.
One lovely evening, we were at dinner at Glenn and Cecilia’s (if you are ever invited to sit ’round their table, you MUST go as she is an amazing cook!). I scooped up a delicious bite of her delicacies and a lion caught my eye, gracefully jumping over their fence at the barn. Everyone ran out encouraging him to dine someplace else. By the time he ran off, that lion took off without the two goats he’d readied for supper.
‘Critter Reid’s’ trail cam captured her resident lion recently jumping her 6 foot fence:
So, back to fencing. If you would like to fence to protect animals, it might be a good idea to have a cover on it. If you are thinking of fencing your property line, we’ve had some interesting challenges with that recently. Per the county, to fence your property line, a fence is to be a minimum of 3 inches inside a professionally surveyed line. Also, you want to keep in mind any easements your property might be burdened with as some easements aren’t to have a fence. Any questions? I’m glad to connect you with a pal at the county that responses very quickly via email.
Bonnie Phelps, Realtor Ranches, Homes, Cabins, Lots and Land
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About 4 years ago, I lost one my goats to a lion. My goats’ night pen is made out of 6 ft. chain link panels. Even the top is covered with them. I thought it was secure. There was one place I had to fence around a carport support post. Of course I could not put one of the panels around it, so I filled in the gap with field fencing wire. That lion got on top and managed to work it’s way in around that post. It had a nice meal of my doe. Luckily it was killing to eat and after it had it’s meal, did not harm my other goat.
Cecilia kept the surviver for me until I could find a replacement for his sister and rebuild the top of their pen.
So if you are building an enclosure, not only does it have to have a top. It has to have a very strong top!
Sharon Dall
By: Sharon Dall on March 10, 2021
at 1:28 am
Thank you Sharon. So sorry for your doe but thank you for sharing. Yes, must have a strong top for animal pens to help ensure a long life for pets.
By: Bonnie Phelps on April 21, 2021
at 4:28 pm