permaculture

[brent@gp.org]

Hi Adele:

If you go to:

http://www.greeninstitute.net/

and select "GreenPRO" (now called GreenPolicy360) it will take you to a
database of Policies, Resolutions, and Ordinances from around the U.S.

>From here select "topics" and then select "animals"

Sincerely:

Brent McMillan, Steward of Woodhaven
Avilla, IN USA


> This is a request for some examples of small-town animal-friendly
> ordinances
> in rural areas, so that I can counter our town council's consideration of
> a
> livestock ban. I already presented examples of NY, L.A., and Seattle, but
> was told these were not equivalent. I apologize if this is wordy, but I
> feel
> the need to paint the whole picture.
>
> Background
> In the tiny rural Eastern Montana town (100 pop.) where I live, the town
> council recently decided we need an ordinance restricting animals within
> the
> town limits. This stems from a complaint about the temporary smell from
> nine
> horses wafting into someone's kitchen window, and also preventing
> enjoyment
> of their deck and barbeque. Even though this problem is gone (most of the
> horses are removed), the person who complained wants to make sure this
> won't
> happen again. Emotions are running high. I can see both sides, but feel
> there is a better solution than making new laws.
>
> A small contingent (3 or 4) want to prohibit all chickens, pigs, goats,
> dairy cows, horses, apiaries, ostriches, etc. -- in short, all livestock.
> Goats are possibly outlawed already (although the ordinance cannot be
> found), because an eccentric elderly woman used to walk with a herd
> through
> town while passing out religious tracts. In another oft-cited instance, a
> man's goat died while he was out of the area and a neighbor had to take
> care
> of removing it.
>
> This is a ranching & oil worker community, formerly a railroad town.
> Rural.
> No paved streets (all gravel). Lots of trailer homes. Not so long ago, the
> town had a dairy, a livery stable, a blacksmith shop, and a rodeo arena.
> There are still some barns standing, although they don't house animals
> currently. Sometimes one or two cows get loose from an adjacent pasture
> and
> roam through town. Typically, no one complains, because we're surrounded
> by
> ranches. Horse trailers are a daily sight on Main Street. Almost all the
> kids are in 4H and FFA. Animals are a way of life here. Hunting and
> fishing
> are big, too. Freedom to live and let live is a big part of why people
> live
> here.
>
> If there is a real animal problem which almost everyone agrees on, it is
> uncontrolled, unfriendly dogs -- some of which have bitten people. There
> is
> supposedly a leash law on the books, but it is not enforced. Anyway, the
> "books" have disappeared. No one can find any of our ordinances
> apparently.
>
> I moved back here permanently four years ago, and own a cluster of lots,
> mostly vacant dryland, which I am trying to reclaim to raise food. For
> animals, I envision a pair of goats, a chicken coop, a greenhouse, and
> eventually an aquaponics operation, but I don't have a farming background.
> The closest grocery store is 33 miles away; here there is just a
> "convenience store"-type general store. We are officially a "food desert."
> Poor health and poor diet are all too common. I co-manage the community
> garden which is loved by many (although mostly for its beauty), and
> disparaged by a few (who resent the use of water or see no need for public
> amenities).
>
> Request
> Although not welcomed, the public has been granted the opportunity to
> present individual proposals to the council committee next week for
> possible
> consideration. So I respectfully ask if anyone can point me to some
> detailed
> examples of how other municipalities regulate backyard animals so that I
> can
> model a proposal. Not having been raised on a farm or ranch, I can't speak
> from personal experience, and want to be sure that what I propose makes
> sense.
>
> One resident here said that if she and her family were facing hunger, she
> would get a milk cow and no one could stop her! If only we could leave
> well
> enough alone, and let everyone go about their business, 99% of the
> community
> would be quite happy. Since it's come down to a few deciding we have to
> legislate, however, I want to voice an informed opinion.
>
> Thanks,
> Adele Field
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