Aug 15 2008
Sanford Plays Chicken
Reid has been trying to persuade city leaders to lift the ban on backyard birds since an inspector spotted her coop this spring and mailed her a citation, threatening her with a fine of $100 a bird a day. That’s $1,400 a day for Reid’s flock.
Reid and her family have raised a variety of rare, mail-order chickens over the past several years, and her son and daughter have won ribbons at the Lee County and N.C. State fairs. They were unaware it was illegal to keep chickens in Sanford until they were cited.
Oh for Pete’s sake, let the women keep her chickens. From what I read, it doesn’t appear as if any of her neighbors complained. The city only found out about this after she had the chickens for several years!
Urban flocks have become chic. Those who keep coops say that the birds are excellent pets, the eggs are fresher and more healthful than those available in grocery stores and that they are a great way to teach children responsibility and a connection to the food chain.
The city’s lead inspector and a council member have said part of the reason they don’t want to loosen the ordinance is because of Sanford’s growing number of Hispanic residents, who they fear would want to raise chickens and other livestock.
Okaaay… so we’re going to ban everyone from having chickens because we’re afraid that a certain ethnic group might have too many? If you’re THAT concerned, pass a law limiting the number you can have, but don’t ban them entirely. Sheesh…
