[SisterBlue]

My suggestion would be to buy one of those little closed circuit TV surveillance systems (I see them at Costco) and set cameras up around the house, to catch the neighbors dogs in the act when they come in your yard. At least that way you defend the "liar" thing with proof and have some return ammunition.

I would also consult an attorney to find out exactly what your rights are in your own home, in case the birds are confiscated illegally. Here in Phoenix we have a TV news station with a show called "5 On Your Side" and you can ask them to do a story if you feel you are being treated illegally, or discriminated against, cheated, etc. Do you have something similar where this story could be exposed to the public? A letter to the editor in the local newspaper similar to what you posted here? I bet you'd have people rallying behind you and it would be tougher for them to gang up on you based on just their status in the town.

Otherwise, it just sucks. I have dogs, who bark occasionally, as dogs do. We live in the Phoenix area where houses are on top of each other, and my dog hating neighbor has called the police on us because our dogs barked for like 5 minutes at 8pm. We didn't get a ticket because as the cop was standing in our driveway talking to us, about 5 other dogs around the neighborhood were barking as well. We've been in our house over 6 years, and the neighbors about 2 years. I think they are the only house on the street without at least one dog.

Good luck,
-SB