HOA Sues Family Over Fence Protecting Goats From Coyotes

A Southern California family is engaged in a legal dispute with their homeowners association over an elevated fence designed to protect their pet goats from coyote attacks. The Nellie Gail Ranch HOA filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court earlier this year, seeking to compel Steve and Karen Blume to lower their fence to the community's standard 6-foot limit. The Nellie Gail Ranch community, located in Laguna Hills, CA, is an affluent development featuring amenities such as an equestrian center, pickleball and tennis courts, a swim center, and a clubhouse, with homes valued between $2.5 million and $5 million.

The HOA dispute escalated after seven of the Blume family's goats were killed by coyotes in the past year. Steve Blume stated that coyotes were "jumping over the fence and killing my goats," describing the experience of finding his animals "ripped apart" as "horrible." Initially, Blume attempted to deter coyotes by adding mesh and installing blinking lights to the existing fence. He then extended the fence with a 45-degree angled addition, increasing its total height to approximately 9 feet. This modification successfully prevented coyotes from accessing the goats.

However, the HOA contends that the Blumes failed to obtain the required approvals for the fence modification. According to the lawsuit, the HOA first approached the Blumes about the issue in June 2025 and subsequently hired an architect to discuss alternative fencing solutions in October 2025. The HOA claims the Blumes "refused and continue to refuse to modify or remove the non-compliant fencing." While the Blumes admit they did not secure prior approval for the taller fence, they argue their actions were a necessary emergency response to safeguard their livestock. Karen Blume also pointed out perceived inconsistencies in the HOA's enforcement of fencing rules, referencing nearby tennis courts that were permitted to have 15-foot fences.