A rancher was just elected president of his rural HOA, but now the former president is trying to get him in trouble because of his livestock guardian dog. Who's right? » TwistedSifter

The freedom of country life attracts many people to the countryside.

But what happens if your rural property is managed by an aggressive homeowners association?

This story from Reddit shows what happens when neighbors argue over a barking dog and a lost seat at the top of the HOA.

I live in a rural HOA community (yes, my first mistake).

Each property is 35 acres and we raise our cattle (which is allowed).

An HOA for 35 acres of land? But why?

We have a livestock guardian dog that watches over our animals.

His job (which is in his bloodline) is to warn predators. He weighs 60 kg, barks loudly and effectively!

He is loudest in the morning and evening (at night he sleeps in the stable with the goats), when he goes out again to patrol his territory.

We can all see where this is going.

We have been living here with him for 4 years.

A few months ago I was appointed president of the HOA.

This has obviously made some people extremely unhappy (IDC) and three property owners have bombarded the board with complaints about my dog ​​since my appointment.

One of the complainants is the former CEO.

Ahh, now I understand.

The new board sent me a letter of violation and my argument was/is:

1. Why is this a problem now? We have been here for 4 years, the timing is questionable
2. If this is such a big problem, why didn't the former president address it? Why is she only addressing it now?

And now, two months later, we are on our way to a homeowners association hearing.

The board offered mediation and I agreed.

The current president has not done this; she wants a public hearing.

Someone seems upset about losing the election.

This cost our association high legal fees.

According to the Colorado State Statue, my working dog is protected under the Right to Ranch Act.

A letter of support explaining this was sent to my BOD from our County Sheriff and County Commissioner.

My question is: who's the asshole? Me, because I have a working dog (the complainer is half a mile away as the crow flies).

I don't deny that she can hear him, but I question her claim that he is a nuisance.

It sounds like our author has everything under control, but let's let the folks at Reddit judge for themselves.

In the top posts, the credibility of the complaint is questioned right from the start.

Another commenter wonders why it is a problem for the dog to do exactly what he was bred to do in an environment where it should be welcomed.

Some asked if there might be a possibility to meet on a common path.

Several comments felt that this sounded very much like the resentment of a sore loser.

Perhaps it was the loss of power that made the former president angry?

Finally, one comment said it was time for the author to abuse his newfound power.

The dog was not a problem until the outgoing president decided to make him one – for the sole purpose of making life difficult for the new ruler.

What a huge nuisance.

If you liked this post, read this story about a man who was forced to sleep on the couch at his wife's family's house and so went to a hotel instead.