Neighbors fear for their cats

[Little Red Chicken]

Hello all, I'm new to BYC. My town has pretty straight forward regulations for keeping chickens. One of the requirements is to notify all abutters within 300 feet of our property line (that came out to 52 certified letters we had to send) and appear before the town Board of Health before the permit can be issued.
The town doesn't allow roosters or free range hens but now it seems that a lot of neighbors are complaining that cooped-up chickens will bring predators to the neighborhood and they are afraid for their cats and children. Any suggestions or references on how to convince the Board of Health that this is completely irrational??
Thank for the advice.

 

[b.hromada]

That sounds so silly to me!

I've got chickens, illegally, I might add, and have never seen any kind of predator that would hurt my cats or children!! What are they talking about??

Sounds like to me, that they'd just rather you not have them in the first place. Please, give me a break! Keep trying, you should be able to have your girls. Especially, if they want you to have a permit. After all, thats money in their pockets. Best of luck.

Oh, by the way, welcome to BYC! We're happy you joined us!

 

[dntd]

What preditors are they worred about? cats attract cayotes, garbage day attracts many animals, even bears, urban areas attract pests, chickens when well contained and locked up at night shouldn't attract any pests. Chickens don't attact night time preditors as they sleep in a sucure building and chickens make no noise at all.

 

[yotetrapper]

52 houses within 300 feet of you and you call it a "town"? LMAO. My town has 5 houses....

 

[EweSheep]

Afraid for cats and children??? Oh give me a break!

Sure they can bring predators that includes DOGS!!!!!!!!!! I do not think anything will harm the chickens or chickens will harm them if you got them in a tight predator proof set up.

Fear monging people, the worst kind there is!