For years, barbed wire fencing has been a staple for rural counties to keep their animals in. But the years go by, and some of that fencing, left unattended, can ultimately prove more trouble than they were worth. Nowadays, many people opt for the more durable and less finicky aluminum fences or stick with the classic wooden ones.
Old, untended barbed wire can rust over, especially when left exposed to the elements for a prolonged period of time. As rust is often associated with tetanus, people who trip over old barbed wire could become resentful of the unattended wire and sue. Nobody wants legal trouble, that’s for sure. But the risk of litigation isn’t the only problem with old barbed wire. Wildlife is especially at risk from the presence of barbed wire, far more so than humans are.
Wild animals, such as deer and owls have been known to get caught on barbed wire, suffering painful injuries while also unable to escape from it, in many cases. Owls and other birds can fly into the barbed wire and get stuck that way, while deer can run into it and catch their fur on the sharp barbs. Even a barbed wire fence that’s been torn down still poses a serious threat to the environment around it.
For example, horses, sheep, and pretty much every four-legged animal can step on barbed wire that’s been torn down and cast aside. If not properly disposed of, barbed wire can lie in the ground, where grass and other forms of vegetation could grow over it, concealing it. Barbed wire was never meant to be a trap, but for many animals, and even people, it ends up being that way for them. An animal doesn’t have to be wild to be at risk of coming into barbed wire; and while the purpose of barbed wire is to keep animals from escaping (and to keep wild animals out), injured animals that you own both suffer and likely lose value after running afoul of it. Horses, in particular, are endangered by it, due to their easily-panicked nature. After coming across a stretch of old barbed wire, they might run into it and thrash about, adding to the laceration damage barbed wire can cause.
For those seeking to properly dispose of old barbed wire, it’s important to recognize the danger of cutting yourself on it accidentally. Thick leather gloves and a pair of wire cutters are essential tools for the process, and can prevent an otherwise productive evening from turning into a visit to the ER. If the idea of rooting out your old barbed wire fence seems like too much of a hassle, it’s recommended to call a professional service to safely and properly dispose of it for you.
