How would you respond? What would you do in this case?

Yesterday late afternoon, I accidently mowed over a sprig of a newly planted flower on the border between the house next door and my house. Apparently, there was a wire next to the freshly planted flowered plant. Unbeknownst to me, this devilish act was perpetrated. The victim? A Police Captain of the largest city in my state 20 or so miles away. He happens to occupy the house next to mine. We do have history of less the friendly relationship since he took on his 3rd wife. Before, it was an amicable relationship. We actually had good conversations on my deck, along with my wife, many good nights of discussion. THEN, the new wife arrived along with two little indoor type non-stop ear-piercing, screeching, barking demon dogs. Asked them to control them with no success, eventually, won judgment from the local judge for them to quiet them. Obviously, THEY resented it. So now, back to yesterday. They actually called 911 and said they were going to court and sue me over a $3.00 plant. Wow.

How would you respond? What would you do in this case?
Let me start off by saying Thank You for your compliment regarding being one of the "knowledgable" people. I take great pride in understanding our rights as citizens and as such, have even gone to the extreme length of serving 8 years in our military for the sole purpose of defending those rights. So again, I Thank You for your trust and support. Now on to bigger and better things; Let the fool pay the 250.00 some odd dollars to file a civil action for a 3.00 payoff, it was an accident and I'm guessing no one was seriously injured (hope the tree huggers don't read this) in this most unfortunate incident. Should this "high powered Police Capt" persist in his claim of premeditated murder, then your only hope is to plead incurable insanity or temporary blindness caused by the intense rays of the sun due to global warming, that should do the trick I would think and if not send me your address when you get to your Federal Prison and I will make sure that I fill you in on some of the stupidity that continues to go on in this great nation of ours. God Bless and Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
Reply:I would replace the plant, with a new one. Also, as a police officer myself, I would say that if a CAPTAIN called 911 to report damaged flowers, that is a GROSS misuse of emergency services and he could be disciplined by his superiors for that, if that is indeed what happened. Bottom line, fix whatever you damaged, and don't sweat the small stuff!
Reply:That is it. You have to be cordial, tolerant and co - operative with neighbours. If yyou are at logger heads, then there is time only for disputes and claims. Once you sart picking at someone, they start picking at you at the earliest opportunity.

The unfriendly neighbours are helpful than distant friends.
Reply:Just pay for the plant, just to be a good neighbor. There is nothing criminal about an accident, I can't believe a police captain would call 911 for that, especially since what happened wasn't a crime!
Reply:Let them take you to court for it. Be sure to take pictures to prove that the plant has not been completely destroyed. They will get laughed out of civil court.
Reply:We too have our share of police chiefs in my area that really and truly should be looking for work in another field. Good luck!



John D: Ya gotta get out more, bud, they're out there, I guarantee it!
Reply:Just replace the plant and be more careful next time.



(no one is going to spend any time and money filing a frivilous civil lawsuit for $3.)
Reply:just buy a new plant. that should take care of it.
Reply:Lawyer and sell the house
Reply:It was probably an empty threat. I know in Virginia, it costs at least $42 to file a civil suit...not to mention the time it takes to fill out the paperwork and the day off of work to come to court. I'd just buy them a new flower/plant and even offer to plant it for them so that they don't have to take the time. Apologize and be the bigger person in this situation. If he still wants to be a brat or whatever, just back off and if he files the civil suit, just pay the $3 (and there may be fees associated...) in open court before the judge and let it be done with. If you agree to pay it AFTER court, the judge may enter the judgment and in order for it to be "cleared" later, the plaintiff (your neighbor) would have to file something saying the debt was satisfied. And it sounds like they may give the runaround when it comes to that. If you do it before court (MAKE THEM WRITE YOU A RECEIPT AND SIGN IT) or during court, the judge can technically dismiss the case as paid in full and it will never go against your credit.