'Nude Equine' sign highlights property feud

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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wake county, local/state, jon camp

Jon Camp
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WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A horse farm in northern Wake County is pitting neighbor against neighbor. A little piece of property is at the center of the problem.

A small road is the only way to and from the EasiHorse Farm. However, the road is owned by a family who lives next door to the horse farm and traffic to and from has led to a war of attrition and allegations of harassment and intimidation.

Dave Pullin started EasiHorse Farm in 2000 and, until a few years ago, his business of teaching kids how to ride was growing steadily. Pullin said that all changed when a man named Steve Ross bought the land between EasiHorse Farm and Creedmoor Road.

"He's surrounded by the farm and we share a drive up to his house and the farm," said Pullin.

Pullin says Ross has been making life and business increasing difficult.

"It's his land," said Pullin. "We have an easement on it, but he doesn't like the traffic coming up here."

According to Pullin, Ross has barricaded and torn up the road, put up no trespassing signs when it's a public easement, and played loud music.

"This is a war zone. They don't want to be in a war zone," said Pullin. "I think it was the nude equine sign that pushed that one over."

It was that sign that caught many people's attention. ABC11 asked Ross about the allegations of harassment. He said he put up the nude equine sign to draw people's attention to Pullin's sign, which is just down the road. Ross said the sign violates county ordinance.

"We don't want to see commercial signage, mini-Las Vegas drive in here," said Ross.

Ross also said Pullin is the one harassing him by calling the sheriff's department about the loud music, dumping gravel on that easement, and getting the courts to stop him from putting a gate up.

"I'm not allowed to put gates up so my horses can come and go or my dogs can come and go," said Ross.

Both men agree that the feud will most likely be worked out in court.

Pullin said this war of attrition has made his daughter, who helps him run the horse farm, emotionally and physically sick. Meanwhile, Ross says the feud is forcing him out. He's put his house up for sale.