Please...I need someones legal advice FAST!

[Mylittleladies]

I just got a letter from my township ordinance stating I have 7 days to comply, they want me to get rid of my chickens. I am in violation of my ordinance . I have 5 chickens (all hens) I have been to two planning meetings and together we are working on ammending it to allow chickens with a permit and restrictions. The planning board said they are not the committee that enforces the ordinance. So what can I do in the meantime, I don't want to have to kill my chickens, what do I do with them? I thought that if I had the ball rolling they couldn't do this to me legally? Do they need to get a court order (Warrant) for me to have to get rid of them? Don't they have to give me more than 7 days? I'm in a panic, I love my girls....I'm so sad and don't know what to do....but, I'll fight tooth and nail to keep them.

 

[Magic Birdie]

Good luck

 

[ChickiKat]

disguise them as cats..

 

[jerseygirl1]

I would be honest and explain to them what you are doing with the township planning committe and see what they say. I don't understand why you would have to kill them? Worst case, try and rehome them

 

[Gardeninggranny]

Don't panic. Send a letter back saying you are trying to get the ordinance amended. Yes they will probably have to take you to court to make you remove them. You will get a ticket and one of the options on the ticket should be to go to court. If they do take you to court and the court orders you to get rid of them you can appeal, If you want to spend the money. Then tell them if you can't have chickens you'll get 5 pitbulls instead.

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:

I'm hoping for the best for you.

I have my girls illegally here as well, so I know where you are coming from.

 

[OldGuy43]

While it may not sound like it this is a serious suggestion. Write back to them and tell them that, "Live chickens are necessary for my religious observances." Say no more. Do not elaborate. It may work or at least slow them down. It will certainly give them pause.

If they inquire for details respond thus; "My religious rights are guaranteed by The Constitution of the United States. I am not required to discuss them with any governmental entity."

Hope this helps,

 

[nurse_turtle]

I commend your undertaking to change your local laws. However, you knew you were an "outlaw" so now you have to face the consequences that you already knew were going to be the result if you were "busted". I wish you the best of luck with changing the laws in your area. You will have to re-home your birds. I'm sure there is a farm nearby that would be glad to house your girls.

 

[NovaAman]

I am so glad I am legal. Can you hide them in the garage? Build a temp house/run in the garage, fill it with leaves and stuff like that, block up any windows with curtains or cardboard, and turn on the lights in the AM and off in the PM, until you are legal. Work on it harder and faster. Thats what I'd do.

 

[dainerra]

it's always better to get legal BEFORE getting the birds. Hiding them or other backdoor methods to keep them is just going to hurt your push to get them legalized.