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Ordinance may allow chickens free range in fenced yards
Updated: Monday, 16 Jul 2012, 7:42 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 16 Jul 2012, 3:58 PM CDT
PENSACOLA, Fla (WALA) -
An ordinance up for discussion before the Pensacola City Council could allow chicken owners to let their livestock roam freely as long as they have a fence.
Paul Darling has been the proud owner of chickens at his home on DeSoto street for around two years.
"If you can take care of dog and a cat, chickens are probably even easier. They have personalities," Darling said, "They come out here to greet you and they become very familiar with their surroundings. Chicken ownership is a great experience."
In the time he's had the chickens, he says he's never had an issue.
But all that changed in May, when he says a random complaint hit him with citation for violating the current chicken ordinance.
He says the ordinance requires his chickens to stay locked up inside their coop as well as 50 feet away from his dwelling.
Since then, he and numerous other chicken owners banded together to change the law.
"I thought if I'm doing something wrong and I'm harming society and the neighborhood then I would comply. That's why the laws are there, but the ordinance's laws are ambiguous and don't make sense. A lot of people say they don't make sense," said Darling.
Councilwoman Sherri Myers headed the efforts to bring the ordinance in front of the Pensacola City Council.
If passed, the new ordinance would allow chickens to roam freely inside a fenced yard.
However, some restrictions would be put in place such as limiting the number of chickens allowed to 8.
Rick Binder lives next door. He says he's never had an issue with Darling owning chickens.
"They haven't bothered us at all. In fact, our little granddaughter loves them. We have no problem with them at all," Binder said.
"People are getting back to earth and back to basics. Raising chickens is no worse than raising some cats or dogs. Responsible pet owners are responsible pet owners. This one hit real close to home, so I took a stand and we'll see where it goes," said Darling.
The ordinance is being voted at the Pensacola City Council meeting on July 16.
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