Animal safety

So I want to start by saying that I care deeply about all creatures. Even wasps as they serve a very necessary purpose for propagating plants. In fact, yesterday I helped a wounded wasp to safety and then lectured it on fairness--how I didn't kill it when I had the chance so it shouldn't sting me later when it has a chance. Totally an animal lover.

This, however, completely amuses me:

If you can't tell right off the bat, this is a capped well. We have several new water wells on the property. We are waiting on the electricity to be in place before the irrigation folks can come in and lay new pipeline. Which leaves these pipes unattended--covered, but unattended.

Or, at least they were, before the government got involved.

Here is what the government requires: A well must be capped (understandable) with something that can't be blown off by the wind (also understandable), and must be able to withstand at least 400 pounds of weight.

Um, squeeze me?

Now I get uncapped irrigation pipelines can be dangerous. Seriously dangerous. But capped to withstand 400 pounds? What do they think is going to happen? Traveling gypsy livestock with ballet slippers? A really, really, really fat owl?

Regardless of my incredulity, all new wells have been capped per governmental requirements. We are now able to safely host rogue dancing cows on our property. We'll all sleep better tonight, I'm sure.