Dear Editor:
This comment is regarding the council report on Page 7 of the Aug. 20 edition of the Summerland Review, titled Animal bylaw relaxed.
This unfortunately is not correct.
Our neighbours were allowed to have chickens and ducks in an area that was not zoned as agricultural land years ago.
I complained several times to the bylaw officer that the chickens and ducks were wandering all over their neighbours properties, the rooster was bothering several people in the neighbourhood with its constant noise and coyotes were abundant with two cats gone missing over the past three or four years.
We have coyotes in our backyard despite having three big dogs to keep them away.
What’s the attraction? The chickens and ducks.
It is my view that the bylaw being relaxed years ago has caused bad feelings between neighbours and unnecessary stress.
I feel that if you want to have chickens, ducks, roosters, etc. then you should live in an area of town where it is permitted.
And guess what? The owners of the chickens and the ducks still let them run loose years later.
If I were a neighbour of the family on Pierre Drive, I would be suing the municipality and the council for allowing chickens penned in or not to be raised in a residential area.
Last but not least it will have an impact on the resale value of the neighbours’ homes living next to the Hollers.
If you live on Pierre Drive and want to have chickens and eggs there are grocery stores within five minutes from your house.
Shame on the council for allowing this let alone thinking it is progressive.
Karen Matheson
Summerland
