- Mar 24, 2011
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I investigated to the best of my ability all the county ordinances concerning having backyard chickens. The laws are a bit hazy in the essisence that one states no and the other can easily be interpreted as yes, go ahead. We have only two immediate neighbors, of which both were okay with us building our coop and having our "girls". We have now received a "code violation" for having chickens on our property. Our "girls" are not noisy or smelly and they never leave are yard. Our neighbors enjoy coming over and watching them. This is my situation:
This is the "code" they said we violated:
Sec. 34-1291. - Applicability of division.
The keeping, raising or breeding of horses and other livestock, including poultry of all kinds usually and customarily considered as farm animals, and the keeping, raising or breeding of reptiles, marine life or animals not indigenous to the state, may be permitted only as set forth in this division. This will not be interpreted as applying to pet stores or hobbyists keeping aquariums or domestic tropical birds in their own homes.
This is another "code" 09-20 for the Lee County Animal Control Dist definition(s):
DOMESTIC ANIMAL: Any animal kept for enjoyment and/or companionship rather than
utility; an animal of a species that has been bred and raised to live in or about the
habitation of humans and is dependent upon people for food, shelter and survival.
LIVESTOCK: As defined in §828.23, F.S., as may be amended, means all animals of
the bovine, equine, or swine class and also includes goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs,
and domesticated poultry, or any other animal used in and for utility or preparation of
meat or meat products.
How is it that one ordinance says one thing and the other has definitions that can be easily be interpreted any way?
I am very sad. We have raised these babies since chicks. Our daughter is very attached to them. She was having problems with social skills and speech delays. But since we got the chickens, they have become her pets (her babies) and she is improving greatly! If we have to get rid of them, I am afraid of the reprocussions this will have on her health plus the fact, we have grown the love them! Can anyone help us? Should we contact a lawyer? We dont have a lot of money, but I dont want to lose these precious members of our family.
This is the "code" they said we violated:
Sec. 34-1291. - Applicability of division.
The keeping, raising or breeding of horses and other livestock, including poultry of all kinds usually and customarily considered as farm animals, and the keeping, raising or breeding of reptiles, marine life or animals not indigenous to the state, may be permitted only as set forth in this division. This will not be interpreted as applying to pet stores or hobbyists keeping aquariums or domestic tropical birds in their own homes.
This is another "code" 09-20 for the Lee County Animal Control Dist definition(s):
DOMESTIC ANIMAL: Any animal kept for enjoyment and/or companionship rather than
utility; an animal of a species that has been bred and raised to live in or about the
habitation of humans and is dependent upon people for food, shelter and survival.
LIVESTOCK: As defined in §828.23, F.S., as may be amended, means all animals of
the bovine, equine, or swine class and also includes goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs,
and domesticated poultry, or any other animal used in and for utility or preparation of
meat or meat products.
How is it that one ordinance says one thing and the other has definitions that can be easily be interpreted any way?
I am very sad. We have raised these babies since chicks. Our daughter is very attached to them. She was having problems with social skills and speech delays. But since we got the chickens, they have become her pets (her babies) and she is improving greatly! If we have to get rid of them, I am afraid of the reprocussions this will have on her health plus the fact, we have grown the love them! Can anyone help us? Should we contact a lawyer? We dont have a lot of money, but I dont want to lose these precious members of our family.