The animal's bristles were used as thread for sewing leather and for making ropes. However, useful as the animals no doubt were, neighbours were constantly grumbling about the behaviour of their neighbour's grice, and the courts were empowered to confiscate particularly troublesome ones, and to impose "hefty fines" on their owners.
The animal's bristles served as thread for leatherwork and rope-making. Although the animals were undoubtedly valuable, neighbors frequently complained about their actions (grice), prompting courts to confiscate troublesome ones and impose substantial fines on their owners.