Traps could only set you up to being sued later on. I have no advice, but would like to point out that living at your place must be scary as **** at night.
<object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O6Xo21L0ybE?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O6Xo21L0ybE?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
Definitely putting the boards back up with screws. And I got to buy a screw gun! I don' bother with leaves until they all fall. I have over 100 oak trees on my acre lot and it's a waste of time until every leaf is on the ground. It's actually a really nice, friendly spot, kind of a pseudo-country town about 10 miles out of Fort Worth. I'm actually in a neighborhood, but my two neighbors and I have huge 1-acre lots. Most of the kids are really nice. Stuff like this is few and far between. I'm going around, talking to my neighbors, letting them know what happened and who to look for. The neighbor with a full view of the creek/my back fence is a retired career marine and a real hothead. I will put up some no trespassing/will shoot signs. That's a good idea. Everyone hunts around here, too, so there are no lack of firearms, so the warning should have some weight. I'm also going to go back there with my chainsaw and make that area nice and visible from the road. Moving the fence back will require me to fill in some sloping land and build a retaining wall, all things that I don't want to get into. I thought about stringing a bunch of razor wire on the ground- any idea of where to get some?
I see only one real option from what's been posted. You must find and acquire the services of ATW's polite bear.
I don't even call it violence when it's in self defense; I call it intelligence. -Malcolm X Spoiler In all seriousness, I'd just try to stay vigilant, maybe call the cops if you're concerned. I can't fathom why they'd do this aside form being dicks. Did they take anything?
I had a similar problem when I bought my house. Some neighborhood teenagers destroyed my fence to walk to the gas station behind my house. My dogs have been effective against it happening anymore. I don't think traps will do you any good. You are just opening yourself to being sued. I think having an outdoor dog is your best option.
It might be best just to walk it off, then. Definitely seems like a random act of tweekers. Doesn't seem like it's a premeditated act, or one borne of malice. Why landmine your own place, or go to the expense of caring for/maintaining an outside guard dog, if you don't have to? Strike it up to once-in-a-blue-moon, and buy some screws for the repair.
I have 2 of these. Best dogs ever. Very very protective. One of them constantly looks out of all the windows, even at night and alerts us of everything...even things that we don't care about like possums half a mile away :grin:
Vandalize a fence by removing slats? Who does that? Someone is a real freaking loser out there if this is all they got to do with their time. These kids. Teach them karate via put the fence slats back up and then paint/sand/stain the fence. Come back tomorrow and wax cars. Fort Worth Karate tournament is next month. Let boy train.