Full Breakdown
Laguna Hills Family Sued Over Goat-Protecting Fence
7/4/2026, 3:51:30 AM
The Lawsuit Over a Modified Fence
On July 3, 2026, the homeowners association (HOA) of the Nellie Gail Ranch subdivision in Laguna Hills filed a lawsuit against Steve and Karen Blume. The suit alleges that the couple’s fence, raised to about nine feet to keep coyotes out, violates the HOA’s six-foot height limit. The HOA is seeking a court order requiring the fence to be reduced to the prescribed height.
Background: HOA Regulations and Coyote Threats
The Blumes own a one-acre property in the subdivision, where the HOA enforces a maximum fence height of six feet. After coyotes repeatedly entered the yard and killed seven of the family’s blue-maize goats, the Blumes took emergency steps to protect the remaining animals. Their actions—raising the fence, adding blinking lights, and installing a 45-degree angled top—directly triggered the HOA’s enforcement response.
Key Figures
- Steve Blume – homeowner who modified the fence and described the coyote attacks.
- Karen Blume – co-owner who voiced criticism of the HOA’s policy.
- Nellie Gail Ranch HOA – governing body that filed the suit and cited non-compliance.
Timeline of Fence Modifications and Legal Action
- Original fence: Six-foot mesh barrier (date unspecified).
- First upgrade: Raised to eight feet after initial coyote incidents.
- Additional measures: Installed blinking lights, which proved ineffective.
- Final upgrade: Added a 45-degree angled top, bringing the fence to roughly nine feet; this stopped further attacks.
- HOA response: After nearly a year of negotiation attempts, the HOA filed suit on July 3, 2026, claiming the Blumes refused mediation and demanding a judicial order.
Data & Statistics
- Goats killed: Seven.
- Fence heights: Original six feet; raised to eight feet; final height about nine feet with angled top.
- Comparative fence: A nearby tennis-court fence stands at fifteen feet.
Official Statements & Responses
The HOA stated that the Blumes “have refused to make any changes to the noncompliant fence and have declined to participate in mediation,” and that it is seeking a court order to enforce the six-foot limit. The Blumes acknowledged they did not obtain prior HOA approval for the fence extension but argued that other statutes require them to keep their pets safe. They also said the HOA’s proposed mitigation options would cost them thousands of dollars.
Criticism & Opposition
Karen Blume criticized the HOA’s stance, saying, “That is comparing the life of a goat to a tennis ball. It doesn’t make any sense,” and questioned why a fifteen-foot tennis-court fence is permissible while a nine-foot goat-protecting fence is not.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The HOA claims the family refused mediation, whereas the Blumes contend the offered solutions are financially prohibitive. No independent verification of the mediation offers or cost estimates appears in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The coyotes were just jumping over the fence and killing my goats, and it’s a horrible thing to go out there and see your goats ripped apart,” — Steve Blume
- “So, I put a 45-degree angle at the top of the fence, which made it about 9 feet high. And that completely kept the coyotes out of the yard,” — Steve Blume
- “That is comparing the life of a goat to a tennis ball. It doesn’t make any sense,” — Karen Blume
- “after nearly a year of trying to negotiate a resolution, defendants have refused to make any changes to the noncompliant fence and have declined to participate in mediation.” — Nellie Gail Ranch HOA
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights tension between homeowners’ efforts to protect livestock and HOA enforcement of uniform property standards. It raises questions about how community rules accommodate wildlife-related safety measures.
What’s Next
The HOA has asked a judge to order the fence’s reduction to six feet. The lawsuit remains pending, and any court ruling will determine whether the Blumes must modify the fence or whether exceptions for animal protection will be recognized.
