Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Neighbors frustrated by stray chickens

A couple of chickens apparently flew the coop and are now making themselves at home in a Pasco, Washington neighborhood. But homeowners there are not rolling out the welcome mat for their new neighbors. Hazel Batchelor made the discovery last Wednesday. "It was kind of scary, because they keep coming back," said Hazel. Thankfully for Hazel, they were gone the next morning, but now they were her neighbor's problem. They managed to go over the fence and into the next yard.
"Walked out this morning and he flew down, greeted me at the porch and has been sitting at the back door ever since," said neighbor Don Boss. Now affectionately known as Colonel Sanders. The Colonel made herself at home in the neighbor's tree overnight and helped herself to the tomatoes Don had been growing. Don said he loves animals, but he didn't need a new pet. "Our main frustration is we have a small dog, and he is used to running around the yard, this is his yard," he said.

Don isn't sure what to do because Tri-Cities Animal Control can't help. "Really, we don't have much because we don't have a place to house them" said spokesperson Angela Zilar. There is a certain grey area when it comes to farm animals. Chickens are legal to own in Pasco, but there is no ordinance to pick them up if they become stray. "It's one of those situations, the cities are trying to come up with a solution, but no one has a solution," said Zilar.
Leaving the west Pasco neighbors looking for help. "These chickens, raised as pets and when they can't handle them any longer, they let them loose some place," said Boss. "Who is going to help us, I don't know," said Batchelor. Don says the free ride for Colonel Sanders will have to end sometime soon. "I just feel sorry for the next neighbor that will have to deal with it," said Boss. Officials said there is currently no ordinance that solves the problem of farm animals going stray. Animal Control can only do something if they are a public hazard.

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