The City Commission will be deciding tonight whether or not to allow chickens in the city.
While I don't have any intentions of raising them, I would much prefer having a few chickens living next door to me than a barking, obnoxious dog.
While I don't have any intentions of raising them, I would much prefer having a few chickens living next door to me than a barking, obnoxious dog.
This is an issue that a few malcontents have blown completely out of proportion. According to an article in Monday's Tribune, other cities in Montana have had few chicken complaints:
Helena - out of 2,510 animal complaints in 2010, 7 involved chickens; chickens running at large; roosters crowing (roosters would not be allowed in Great Falls); other animals trying to break into coops.
Bozeman - 1 chicken complaint last year; chicken got loose and was struck by a vehicle. Owner was warned for having an unrestrained chicken.
Whitefish - No formal complaints since their ordinance went into effect in 2009.
Missoula - 23 calls about chickens in 2010. They included; two calls about abandoned chickens; three calls about injured chickens; two calls about compliance; one call about neglect, and 13 calls reporting stray chickens. Their animal control director does not view chickens as a very big problem.
Helena - out of 2,510 animal complaints in 2010, 7 involved chickens; chickens running at large; roosters crowing (roosters would not be allowed in Great Falls); other animals trying to break into coops.
Bozeman - 1 chicken complaint last year; chicken got loose and was struck by a vehicle. Owner was warned for having an unrestrained chicken.
Whitefish - No formal complaints since their ordinance went into effect in 2009.
Missoula - 23 calls about chickens in 2010. They included; two calls about abandoned chickens; three calls about injured chickens; two calls about compliance; one call about neglect, and 13 calls reporting stray chickens. Their animal control director does not view chickens as a very big problem.
It's kind of interesting that the vast majority of these calls are not unique to having chickens. What's the difference between a crowing rooster and an incessant, barking dog, or stray chickens vs. stray dogs and cats?
1 comment:
After watching that marathon meeting, I have to thank the anonymous malcontent for the heads up (via yellow flyer).
The citizen speakers offered much info and coherent arguments for urban chicks. Hope this issue gets squared away soon. Been busy researching my own coop.
;)
Found the shelter debate intriguing also. Would've missed that input if I hadn't caught the meeting. Hope the locals get considered over out-of-staters.
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