Caught with Chickens in Denville NJ

[Maebh]

Best of luck! I hope that the judge has sense but the law is an ***.

Wow in this context its a synonym for donkey not a swear word!

 

[bdcunning1]

I am confident that they can be considered house pets since house pet is undefined.
I will plead innocent April 17th with my 3 kids at my side.

19-5.730 Agricultural Uses.

a. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to assure the continuation and expansion of commercial and home agricultural pursuits by encouraging a positive agricultural business climate and protecting the farmer against municipal regulations and private nuisance suits, where recognized methods and techniques of agricultural production are applied and are consistent with relevant Federal and State law and nonthreatening to the public health and safety; at the same time, this section acknowledges the need to provide a proper balance among the varied and sometimes conflicting interests of all lawful activities in the State of New Jersey. The retention of agricultural activities is desirable to all citizens in Morris County because it insures numerous social, environmental and economic benefits including the preservation of open space; atmospheric habitat; the preservation of land as a nonreplenishable resource and as a source for agricultural products for this and future generations; and the protection and maintenance of the aesthetic beauty of the countryside and rural character of the community which includes farm architecture and scenic variety.

 

[cstronks]

You all should come to Wayne. We had a brave chicken owner battle the town and now chickens are completely legal, and quite popular! Maybe he can help you out with your problem in Denville and possibly give you advice to how he won his legal battle.

 

[Linabel]

I too live in Denville and want to raise chickens. Perhaps if people who are interested in raising chickens came for support on your court date the judge would see that this is a growing trend?

 

[bdcunning1]

Its in the news now.
http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2014/04/resident_mad_over_denville_chicken_ordiance.html

 

[blucoondawg]

I think the board needs to be told a smelly garbage can or dumpster will attract just as many bears as any chicken coop. I live in an area over populated with bears and never saw one near my coop

 

[bdcunning1]

The bear was never at my friends house who has chickens, it was in the grade school dumpster. A bear will go for the corn or laying mash so you need to keep it secured. A raccoon will try to get your birds however.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I only let them run because all my neighbors love to see them scratch and peck. No one complained they love the eggs too. I have the most awesome coop and run you will ever see. Bear proof raccoon proof ... automatic door opens and closes at sunrise and sunset with heated roost and glass door. They are spoiled, beloved members of our family of pets.

I would suggest that your neighbors get their own chickens to watch and keep yours safely at home - unfortunately, no matter how much fun people may have watching them, they are your animals and you are legally obligated to maintain care and control of them.

 

[bdcunning1]

What law states "we are obligated to maintain control"? Don't cats have the luxury of free range?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What law states "we are obligated to maintain control"? Don't cats have the luxury of free range?

Actually, in most localities "leash/containment" laws do include cats - they just are not as commonly enforced on felines as they are on canines due to the whole "but dogs are vicious animals that can attack at any time" perception - people are much more likely to report a dog "at large" than a cat - which is funny because my issue with roaming animals has less to do with the "vicious" factor and more to due with the nuisance factor, the safety factor (for animals more than humans) - and beyond legal obligations there is, imo, a moral obligation put upon us when we choose to assume responsibility for an animal by making it "ours".