i should have started this months ago but i'm a procrastinator so.....anyway. i got busted for having illegal chickens. at the time i got the citation they were just chicks. the police officer pulls up as i'm watering my front lawn, wants to see my driver's license. i refused as i wasn't driving. well it's because of your chickens he says. to make a long story short.......i refused to sign the citation, he calls for backup, they said if i did not sign then they would arrest me. so they did. beings they cannot arrest me for that charge, the officer turns around enroute to jail, and takes me back home. so i pleaded not guilty, had a motion for discovery hearing last wednesday, and this wednesday i have a trial. i am representing myself. i have a note from my physician recommending i keep my chickens as they lower my blood pressure, stress, and give me comfort. when i presented this note to the city office, the chief of police said to put up a pen and he would overlook it. the clerk says no, pulls out the ordinance book and shows the ordinance banning fowl. they got a good laugh out of the dr's note. btw i have 6 hens, no roosters. i started a petition and got over 30 signatures, mostly people in my immediate neighborhood, asking that our city leaders change the ordinance to allow hens, enclosed, no roosters. they wouldn't acknowledge the petition, said it was improper as i did not get city's approval for it. after my hearing last wednesday, a newspaper reporter interviewed me about this whole situation. she writes good articles and i'm looking forward to seeing it come out. i'm thinking the prosecutor and other officials will be a little embarassed. they are known for harassing people. even my neighbor who has rabbits. they told him the rabbits were too loud. whatever! i didn't even know he had them! so this may be jumbled but i'm just trying to write it all down while i have a few minutes. when i go to trial, i will show the judge my dr's note, the petition, and my diagnosis. i believe comfort animals should be allowed, in my own yard. so there is my big fat chicken story. maybe i can get my ducks in a row before trial. i don't know how to represent myself, but hopefully the judge will rule in my favor. i don't know what advice anybody can give me as i read all the posts on here and they are very informative, but if somebody has a brilliant idea, please help! there i got it out!
