I can tell you all first hand, that this fight isn't over. I know because it involves me and my family of pet chickens.
My lawyer who happens to be the former governor of GA and is running for reelection, presented a number of motions to dismiss and the judge only ruled on the one that said the current zoning ordinance was vague and ambiguous. The judge declared that chickens are legal but the city council wasn't very happy.
They are amending the current law and are doing their best to make it difficult if not impossible to have chicken. Unfortunately of the 25 or 30 chicken owners in the city only 7 or 8 are willing to speak up. The best advise I can give anyone is to read the ordinance they say you are violating, organize a group of supporters and fellow chicken lovers and fight them and protest that they are trampling on your rights.
They originally wanted our chickens totally enclosed and only allowed out of the cage accompanied by an adult while the neighbors with three Pit Bulls can let them run free all day in his yard. I can see the headlines now "child mauled to death by Blossom the hen. City council issues a statement "we told you it would happen". HEHEHEHE They have spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars fighting to rid Roswell of chickens.
If you think this is stupid, feel free to call the city council members at 770-641-3757 and email. As it stands we can thank City Council members Lori Henry and Rch Dippilito for supporting us and trying to make Roswell a chicken freindly city.
Now these people need to be educated that hens and roosters can responsibly be kept and there is no reason to ban them. We have had more UFO sighting than we have had complaints about chickens. Please let these people know that chickens were in Roswell before they got here and will be here long after they are gone.
Please take a moment to check this out because one day I was legal and the nexy day I'm not and then I'm put in jail. Please read this and send it around the world and let all of the council members hear from you.
Please write my city council members and let them know what you think and ask them why there isn't a grandfather clause. Here is their emails and feel free to send it and post it everywhere you know and encourage others to do the same. BTW Lori Henry and Dr. Betty Price voted against the ordinance. Let them know what the world thinks of their Gestapo tactics.
They say it isn't over until the fat lady sings,,,,, and I don't hear any music playing!!!!!
As Always
God Bless America, Little Piggies and Roosters!
Colt .45, God's Answer to Unanswered Prayers.
Respectfully,
Andrew S. Wordes (The Roswell Chickenman)
Phoebe Farms
USDA/Certificate #1097GA
Co Organizer North Georgia Pet Chicken Meetup Group
Founding Member, Registered Breeder Marans of America Club
Instructor, Member, Oakhurst Community Garden Project
Member, Society for The Preservation of Poultry Antiquities Member,
United Orpingtons Club
Member, Georgia Farm Bureau
Member, Tennesee Farm Bureau
150 chickens? On what I can figure, less than 1 acre? I'm all for the right to use of one's own property. But 150 chickens and Lord knows what other animals on less than 1 acre. Come on at some point it ain't good for the owner, good for the chickens, good for the other animals and dang sure ain't good for the neighbors.
Driving 90+mph to see a broke leg pig? I am sure he loved his pig, but doesn't that behavior endanger everyone who has to share the hwy? Good thing the police were on the job that day, no telling what could have happened. Hope they throw the book at him for that one.
No insurance, no drivers license. But the police is picking on him? How? I got my license, and I got my insurance as required by LAW. The OP has already showed that he had little regard for the law when applied to his actions. One night in jail? I think he got off cheap.
Seems to me that if the OP would have kept his "pet" chickens at a logical level he would not be in betwixt a brick and a hard place now.
I realise my views probably do not go along with the majority here, but it's pretty much spelled out in the articles the OP linked to himself.
Congrats! Nothing better than cutting through red tape.
We're allowed 4 where we are. My problem is that my beliefs leave me no choice but to consider my neighbor's rights as equally as my own. So, I can understand the law here. We don't have a huge yard, and no matter where we put a coop it would be close enough to hear the egg song and def. any roosters. But, yes, I should be able to have any pet I want. But, my pet should in no way intrude on their lives. Just like loud music laws, or standing water that breeds mosquitos. Those sorts of things effect others, not just you. I believe I've got the right to listen to my music, but I don't believe I've got the right to make my neighbors listen to what I like, via it being so loud you can't hear yourself think in your own home (OY we had neighbors that did that with obnoxious polka beat music!)... or with the water thing... sure you might like your moldy black pond that you never clean, but my kids don't like being bitten by the bugs bred in it. Same with pets. I can have a dog, but if it's a little escape artist that gets out and destroys their gardens, and leaves a nice pile for them to step in as they're leaving for work, then yeah I would understand if they reported my dog being at large. Likewise I would do the same.
Pursuit of Happiness is awesome, so long as your pursuit doesn't interfere with anyone else's.
You're very lucky to have such a great neighborhood. So many times I've heard cranky neighbor stories (ie one who had that moldy pool bluh) and it's just not fun to have to deal with them. And it's really annoying when the powers that be say "well then just move" rather than doing their job. As if everyone can afford to just pack up and buy another house... argh!
You know, that sounded a lot more on topic in my head... mods feel free to delete if it isn't.
The Roswell Chickenman - I am so sorry. How devastating to fight so hard for so long and give up so much and loose.
My heart goes out to you in this devastating loss. It is nice to hear that they are at least allowing some chickens, but I can see that you are in a touch spot after such a long and hard fight. I hope you are able to find some peace.