old codes too vauge, so they try to twist them!!?

[mudpaw]

I'm wondering if anyone has gone through what I'm now being forced to deal with. I've had chickens (hens only-6 adults and 4 young pullets)for about a year now and none of my neighbors care (the one behind me loves them-her grandkids have their own names for them all LOL

) but today I had animal control show up at my house asking if I indeed had chickens. I said yes, I'm not going to lie, but I told him I called the city and the code enforcement office before I ever got them. The answer I got was that nothing said I couldn't have them...so as long as no one was bothered it should be ok. He sad he was 99% sure I could not keep "livestock" here in the city. I broke down

...he called me later and said he had talked to the code enforcement officer and was told I have a week to re-home them.That only made it worse. Then he called me back an hour or so later, apparently he re-checked the code for me (answering the phone sobbing may have helped a little) and it is very vauge and doesn't clearly state one way or the other. He says he will have to go and ask for "formal clarification" and he'll let me know next week (and to just relax and don't give up hope yet). I guess the code is super old (I wouldn't doubt that it hasn't been revised since the 20's or so-the rest of the town seems stuck at about that point

) and probably says I can't keep cows and horses (though my father grew up right in town and had horses, chickens and many exotic birds). I really hope it goes in my favor

. I was told though that there were NO COMPLAINTS and that a city worker spotted them (and apparently tattle-tailed on me-what, is he five years old?....oh the words I would have for them

#*@%!?!!!) . Also, i was told there are three other people here in the city that have chickens-maybe we can band together and fight this if need be! Has anyone else ever been in this sort of predicament?....uuhhhgg...my eyes are so dry and irritated from crying

 

[Dora'smom]

If there is nothing that says you can't have them, then there shouldn't be any problem. Do you remember whom you spoke to in code enforcement?
We are allowed to have chickens in my town because there is no code saying we can't. The only things that might pertain to them would be sanitation and noise, but the officer I spoke to said that unless the birds were out wandering, or we had roosters, or we drew rats, there shouldn't be any problem. I would be hard pressed to remember who I spoke to, though. I actually had contact with three different people about getting chickens prior to actually getting my birds.
I think you have a snoopy busy-body city worker with time on their hands who has no business stirring up trouble. I don't see why you should have to live in doubt when there is nothing in writing that says you can't have birds---especially since they are really pets.
Since you know there are others in town who also have chickens, I would make an effort to find out who those people are, and see if you can band together on this issue. It may help all of you out.

 

[mudpaw]

I do know one of the people in town that also has them (I guess I should say I know where they live-but don't know them (the house was very questionable for a while-the police were watching it for drug-trafficking-though I think it was sold to someone else and they have a rooster-and a hen or two). I'm not 100% sure who the other person is, but the neighbor behind me knows them (they have lots of chickens-which may be a bad thing for arguments' sake). I may call the county extension agent and see if they know of anyone else-more pro-chicken people is never a bad thing). Too bad I'm not closer to Atlanta- they have Andy "the chicken whisperer"

though maybe I can make the argument that the city of Atlanta allows them but yet this tiny place doesn't want to join the rest of the modern world and keep up with the times...the urban farming movement is getting huge...there is a guy here who bought a lot behind his home (the city condemned the house that was there then burned it for practice-which they seem to do often) and now has a huge garden right in the middle of the city. I do use my girls as my organic garden fertilizer machines if that helps

I have the right to produce my own healthy, natural, safe food

!

 

[Pequena Bandada]

No matter what happens, request a copy of the local ordinance so *you* know exactly what it says, rather than relying on the animal control officer to interpret and tell you. If the ordinance isn't clear, take your case to the town board and tell them that this isn't fair treatment. They might have to pass a new ordinance clearing things up.

 

[mudpaw]

I think I'll go in Monday morning and see about getting a copy. I looked online and can't find any code about animals at all. I could have sworn I saw it before on there and remember it mentioning "hooved livestock" but nothing else. I may have a slight advantage if I do end up having to go against the board though, my husband is a reporter for the local paper and he covers all city council affairs-they are all quite fond of him thankfully

I'm also going to make sure that they understand these are my pets and no different than a dog or cat to me. If they are livestock, they sure are super spoiled LOL All that petting and endless treats (along with a new huge house that is as nice (if not nicer) than my own!