Police Seize Chicks Without A Warrant! ****PHOTOS ADDED****

[Germaine_11.20]

I simply can't believe this happened. This country is getting more screwed up everyday.
I am so glad that Birch Run Farm took pictures and can actually give details on the kind of abuse that went on and that was abuse.
So is there anything that we can do to help. Somewhere to call or write?

 

[wombat]

Really???? SWAT???? Were they guarding their produce with high powered weapons?

I suspect the "SWAT" comment in the article was an exageration.

It looks like the town brought in someone to serve as their "chicken expert" to sort out the roos from hens, and there's an animal control officer in the photo, and one uniformed cop standing there with his hands in his pockets. There's another half a dude standing at the edge of the photo in civies, hands in pockets as well. If they had a SWAT team there, they were well camoflaged.

Edit: I think this might come down to whether a judge issued a seizure order for violating a court order, or if the town board ordered the seizure. A judge's order would be legal ... and what would be used in such a situation (not a search warrant). The town board likely does not have the authority to seize property without a court order. However, in some states, animal control officers have rather broad rights to enter property and seize animals. I have no idea what Vermont's laws are.​

 

[WalkingWolf]

If indeed swat was there they would not have entered the property unless there was a need. Sometimes swat or probably in this case a heightened enforcement detail is used to prevent a situation going awry. Bringing a K9 to this situation and any type of paramilitary officers was clear intimidation, and again interfering with a court proceeding. These officers could actually be arrested by the US Marshall deputies who have jurisdiction over court and jury tampering or intimidation. On a local issue it is highly unlikely for them to get involved they are very busy. But a report and complaint should be filed with the state bureau of investigation.

I hope the lady goes to court and tells of what happened and the judge issues arrest warrants.

 

[Guitartists]

But does outlawing something (instead of putting safety measures in place) speak more of hysteria or common sense?

Certainly something good to know for every chicken owner. But also will require serious and dedicated historical digging to find..... time and resources that not every chicken owner has, for sure.

Certainly not all laws are sensible or good ones. It's so very difficult to get back any right that has been stripped and taken away.

And clearly there is nothing hindering her keeping chickens... seems to be more of a rooster issue... roosters are loud, yadda yadda ...... and when people don't like something, they will grab hold of anything that works in their favor and hold onto it until death! (And sometimes then some

)

It just seems like the whole country is turning into an HOA. If enough people complain about something they don't like.... laws will be created, ordinances enacted, people's freedoms taken away. And once started down that road.... it becomes a slippery slope.

An ordinance forbidding me from accumulating bags of trash in my yard isn't what stops me from doing it

People will live the way they live regardless..... it's just a matter of how much money the local governments can make off of fines and how much 'control' the 'neighbors' feel they have over those they feel superior to. There's a difference between a health hazard, nuisance, 'eye-sore' and a difference of opinion. But, the 4 seem to be slipping ever more readily into one category.




Ok, so maybe my ranting is not done yet....

This whole thing just really gets under my skin.

Also to add that SWAT was referred to in the second story of the small farm.... and it sounds like it literally meant SWAT

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Chicks with a cockerel not old enough to crow in the crate

The self proclaimed chicken expert who was having a good time.

Police in the welsummer coop.

Taking her chicks away.

The self proclaimed town chicken expert's vehicle. No markings expressing her authority, expertise or identity.

 

[Guitartists]

I'm mostly so fired up because I read the posted comments on the news articles from others including some of her neighbors..... and it makes it so very clear the kind of situation this is and what she's dealing with

 

[Birch Run Farm]

FLASH

Kathy phoned me from court. The judge ordered the town to return Kathy's chicks.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I am eagerly awaiting the results from the 1pm hearing in front of a real judge.

 

[australorpchick]

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[easttxchick]

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